Jim Spallina Wins $13,800 in Second Game Appearance

Viewers of the game show Wheel of Fortune have criticized the program following a Bonus Round puzzle that left a contestant unable to win a vehicle. The backlash centered on a puzzle that fans described as bogus and old-timey.

The controversy occurred during the April 9 episode, where Ally Metcalf of Memphis, Texas, advanced to the Bonus Round after winning the main game with $19,200. Metcalf chose the People category and was joined by her husband, Ryan, for support.

After the standard letters R, S, T, L, N, and E were revealed, Metcalf selected the additional letters M, D, P, and A. The resulting board displayed the phrase _ _ MM _ _DD_ES. As the clock expired, Metcalf guessed Paddles for the final word but failed to solve the puzzle.

The correct answer was Chummy Buddies. As a result of the incorrect guess, Metcalf did not win the Ford vehicle she was playing for, although she was awarded a second chance to play on the Friday episode.

Host and Viewer Reactions

Host Ryan Seacrest acknowledged the difficulty of the puzzle, stating it was a tricky one once the time limit had passed.

Fans on social media and Reddit were less diplomatic. One viewer questioned who would ever think of the phrase Chummy buddies?! while another noted that while they had identified the word buddies, they could not figure out the first word. A third critic described the puzzle as one where words are put together that nobody ever actually says and labeled the puzzle as pretty bogus.

April Competition Format

The episode was part of a special format for the month of April, during which the previous night’s winner returns for another game. Returning champions continue to play until they lose.

Jim Spallina of Chicago, Illinois, participated in the April 9 game as a returning champion after winning $13,800 on April 8. Spallina’s total winnings over two days reached $21,500.

Spallina competed on April 9 against Gabriella Araneta of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Karen Stevenson of Joliet, Illinois. Stevenson had previously won $33,934 on April 7 and returned for the April 8 game.

During the main game on April 9, the contestants solved several puzzles, including:

• Redwoods, Rivers, Ranges, solved by Spallina for $1,000.
• A Big Fish In A Small Pond, solved by Araneta for $1,000.
• Win a Dance Battle, solved by Araneta to win a trip to the Dominican Republic.
• Swimming Hole, solved by Araneta for $2,000.
• Licking Your Face, solved by Spallina for $6,800.

By the end of the main game, Spallina held a lead of $13,800, while Araneta finished with $13,560 and Stevenson ended the session with $1,000.

While fans debated the merits of the Chummy Buddies puzzle online, co-host Vanna White spent the weekend at Coachella with her children.