Wheel of Fortune fans bothered after contestant loses out on huge prize over unheard-of phrase

A WHEEL of Fortune contestant has lost $50,000 over a puzzle that fans deemed extremely questionable.

Mark Henderson could not guess that the bonus round puzzle was "Whirling Around" on Tuesday, and neither could vocal viewers.

The theater professor from Jackson, Mississippi, revealed he has a "fear of birds" and soon upstaged the completion.

He went to the Wheel of Fortune episode's bonus round with the highest score of $13990.

Mark confidently selected the dreaded “Phrase” as his category - warned against by those in the know since it's the most vague- and the additional letters “G, Y, O.”

The add-ons (three instead of a typical four) didn’t help him much as Pat, 76, said: “We’ll see what you get out of that, not a lot…”

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There was near silence in the studio after it was revealed to be “Whirling Around.”

Pat revealed Mark missed out on a big $50,000: “Oh boy,” he said as he opened and shut the prize card.

'WHIRLING AROUND?'

While Mark did leave with his $13,990 and a trip to Italy, fans were left with low marks for the bonus puzzle- the second miss of the season, which premiered Monday, no less.

One person posted to X, formerly Twitter: “Whirling around...is not a phrase."

“Who the hell uses that final bonus puzzle phrase?!?" wrote a second.

"Never heard of those words together," replied a third.

'I'M SORRY'

Pat had to apologize to fans after Monday's Season 41 premiere was postponed for millions of people.

The first episode of Pat's last season was preempted in several markets, infuriating game show watchers.

Pat posted to X for the first time since July to express the unexpected issue.

He wrote: "Because of football and squabbles between stations and carriers, a lot of you won’t be able to see some episodes of Wheel this season.

"We’re as sorry as you are, but we are powerless to do anything about it."

The new season is the last for Pat as host, following his announcement in June that he'd be departing the role he's had since 1981.

Pat also sadly hinted that the issue may be ongoing, putting a huge damper on his final season.

FOOTBALL BENCHES WHEEL OF FORTUNE

As fans prepared to watch a fresh slate of contestants vie for prizes and vacations - and Pat's farewell season- they discovered it wasn't on.

Wheel of Fortune, which airs on ABC, was bumped from its usual time slot of 7:30 p.m. EST in markets like New York and Chicago in favor of Monday Night Football.

One fan posted to X: "Uh hey @6abc where the hell is tonight’s #WheelOfFortune?? I love football, but it’s the premiere episode of Pat’s last season & my inner boomer is not happy i can’t watch it right now!!"

Another wrote: "Didn’t know I was giving up Wheel of Fortune tonight to watch Jets Bills game :/."

Fans were even more PO'd when they realized the priority wasn't even an actual game.

What aired instead was a half-hour preview discussion ahead of the New York Jets' game against the Buffalo Bills.

One fan posted to X: "That is very disappointing to me. Tonight starts a new season of Wheel of Fortune. That pre-game show is also airing on ESPN," questioning why it had to air on two channels.

"Nobody asked for Monday Night Football pregame," wrote another.

"We don't need talking heads chit-chatting behind a table or on an empty field way before the actual event. Go crazy during game time, but stop robbing Wheel of Fortune of ratings on ABC stations."

TV listings showed that the first episode instead aired in the wee hours of the morning- at 3 a.m. - in Chicago.

In New York City, the first episode was not on the TV schedule, with the second episode set to air on Wednesday, Sepember 12.

There are still some options for the millions of Wheel watchers affected.

You can try a third-party streaming package until this dispute is resolved like Sling TV, FuboTV, or HD antennas.

Those who could watch the show saw Pat and Vanna White back in their wheelhouse.

Vanna, 66, looked gorgeous in a teal green dress that exposed one shoulder, and Pat donned a signature suit- for her second spin on Tuesday, she opted for salmon red.

The pair took in the moment as they walked on stage as Pat remarked: “Another year!”

“Yes, 41!” Vanna replied. “But who’s counting,” Pat joked.

PAT'S A WRAP!

On June 12, 2023, Pat told fans in a personal note on X, formerly Twitter: "Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.

"It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months."

Pat will host until June 2024, when he will step down in place of Ryan Seacrest.

Ryan, 42, shared in a statement reveling in the news: "I can't wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White."

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