A challenging final-round puzzle on Wheel of Fortune became the center of controversy after a contestant struggled to identify a phrase with only a handful of letters revealed. The puzzle’s unusual wording raised questions about the difficulty of the show’s bonus round.
The contestant, Conner Kemmsies, a commercial pilot from Lakeside, California, had already earned $19,080 in cash and prizes before reaching the bonus round. With his family watching from the audience, he prepared to solve one final puzzle for an opportunity to increase his winnings significantly.
After selecting his additional letters, Conner quickly recognized the first three words, “I DID MY.” However, he struggled to identify the remaining word before the countdown expired. The correct answer was “I DID MY HOMEWORK,” and his unsuccessful attempt cost him an additional $40,000.
Following the episode, frustrated viewers questioned whether the answer belonged in the category “Phrase.” Some argued that it was simply an ordinary sentence, while others defended the puzzle and believed the contestant had a reasonable opportunity to solve it.
Despite missing the substantial bonus prize, Conner maintained his sense of humor and walked away with his earlier winnings. The controversial puzzle became another memorable moment in the show’s history, demonstrating how an apparently simple expression can become surprisingly difficult when thousands of dollars are at stake.
