A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune had viewers talking after an unusual puzzle sparked confusion and a Bonus Round mistake cost one contestant a chance at an additional $40,000. Contestants Stephen Sporer from Minnesota, Christina White from California, and Megan Russell from West Virginia competed for the night’s prizes. After some early setbacks, Russell managed to solve the opening puzzle and collect $3,500.
One of the evening’s most puzzling moments came during a round with the category “Event.” The solution, “Seeing the green flash,” left some viewers wondering what the phrase meant. The green flash is a rare optical phenomenon that can sometimes appear briefly above the horizon just as the sun sets or rises. The explanation helped clarify the answer, although the unusual phrase caught many people off guard.
As the competition continued, Christina White put together a strong performance, winning $9,000 and a trip to Aruba. However, Sporer gained momentum in the later rounds. He swept the Triple Toss-Ups and correctly solved the final puzzle, “In the home stretch,” securing his place in the Bonus Round with $35,000 in winnings already accumulated.
Then came the moment that had viewers holding their breath. In the Bonus Round, Sporer faced a puzzle with the category “Phrase.” Despite the standard letters provided and his chosen additional letters, he struggled to identify the answer: “On Our Way.” The clock ran out before he could solve it, meaning he missed the opportunity to add another $40,000 to his total.
The missed prize sparked reactions from viewers, with some saying they had guessed the answer almost immediately while watching from home. Still, solving a puzzle under pressure in front of television cameras is very different from guessing comfortably on a couch. Although Sporer left without the bonus money, his impressive $35,000 total remained a substantial achievement. His appearance served as another reminder that even seemingly simple word puzzles can become surprisingly difficult when the clock is ticking.
