A Wheel of Fortune Bonus Round ended with a moment that had viewers wincing in sympathy. One contestant came heartbreakingly close to winning a brand-new Mercedes-Benz, missing the final answer by just seconds. Although the carslipped away, she still walked off the stage with an impressive prize haul and a memorable experience.
The episode, which originally aired on May 16 and later re-aired on August 29, marked the conclusion of the show’s Bragging Rights Week. During this special format, friends competed against one another rather than strangers, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game. Chicago contestant Wanda Ruff faced off against Joyce Underwood of Broadview and Terri Houston from North Riverside.
The competition remained close throughout the night, but Ruff ultimately pulled ahead. She finished with $21,398 in cash and earned a vacation to Portugal, while Houston took home $7,700 and Underwood ended with $2,000. Ruff advanced to the Bonus Round, where the category was “Thing.” After the board revealed the standard letters, she selected H, C, D, and A. The puzzle read:
“A PATCH _ _ TH_C _ _ _.” As the clock counted down, Ruff confidently began the phrase but struggled to complete the final word. Despite multiple attempts, time ran out.
The correct solution was revealed as “A PATCH OF THICK FOG.” When host Ryan Seacrest opened the prize envelope and revealed the Mercedes-Benz, Ruff reacted with disbelief as the audience groaned along with her. Seacrest quickly reminded her of the bright side—she was still leaving with significant cash winnings and a luxury trip. Following the episode, fans shared mixed reactions online, praising Ruff’s performance while debating whether the puzzle category was simply too challenging.