“Wheel of Fortune” fans are furious after the Jan. 30 episode in which a contestant named Megan Carvale lost the game, but viewers say she guessed the correct answer.
After attempting to answer the puzzle that said “P_N_ _RC_ _D” in the “Living Thing” category, Megan appeared to have said “pink orchid” and “something orchid” as he rang out the answers, although it’s unclear what his answer was when trying to solve the puzzle.
In the clip, host Pat Sajak tells the contestant that she “may have been thinking too much about one type of orchid” before revealing the correct answer and the missing letters, which were “pink orchid.”
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The internet was furious at Sajak and the show, claiming that Carvale had, in fact, guessed the correct answer which was “pink orchid” but the whispered pronunciation was the reason she didn’t walk away with the full $40,000 prize.
I’m sorry, he DIDN’T say Pink Orchid the first time? Or I’m tripping #wheel of fortune pic.twitter.com/b30E4l0MqE
—Taylor (@TaylorStriegel) January 31, 2024
The woman was screwed #Wheel of Fortune bonus puzzle tonight, it absolutely said “PINK ORCHID” right at the beginning,
— Timmy E. (@TimmyMKE) January 31, 2024
Am I tripping or did he say pink orchid….#wheel of fortune
— AB (@AngelBeeBrooks) January 31, 2024
No doubt about it, he absolutely said “pink orchid”. Please give this girl her winnings! @Wheel of Fortune @PatOnWheel @TheVannaWhite @MaggieSajak #wheel #wheel of fortune #justiceforpinkorchid I’m rooting for you, Megan! pic.twitter.com/muiRlMCMLy
— Ashley June (@ashleeeeeeeejune) January 31, 2024
Honestly, it feels like this woman was robbed of her bonus prize tonight #Wheel of Fortune.
You guys can help me get #RoseOrchids trendy? That was the real answer to the puzzle and a group of us legitimately heard her say so right when the clock started. ? https://t.co/Ekn38Bz63L— ?ⓁⒶⓃⒺ? (@lanechanged) January 31, 2024
In an episode of Good morning America On Thursday, however, Carvale set the record straight.
“You know, I wish I had said ‘pink’ because I would have been $40,000 richer,” she told the outlet. “But I said ‘something.’”
Even though he might have missed out on the big win, Carvale still walked away with $14,007.
“That word has already haunted me, and now all of America believes I said it, but I didn’t,” Carvale said.
Hopefully, Carvale won’t be receiving any pink orchids as a gesture anytime soon.
Related: Ryan Seacrest Is the New Host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Sajak will be replaced by former “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest next season. The show is currently airing its 41st season.