'Wheel of Fortune' Fans Are Fuming After a Controversial Rule Led to a Contestant's Loss

Wheel of Fortune is coming under fire for one particular crossword puzzle rule.

Five years after it was first introduced to the game show, host Pat Sajak is still reminding contestants not to add additional words, like "and," when solving the puzzle. As it turns out, contestant Sharon Bowers blanked on this rule Monday night, and it ended up costing her big.

The crossword puzzle kicked off with the clue “What a Princess!,” and thanks to a collective effort from all three contestants, the message quickly became clear. It was then that Sharon asked to solve it. But before she did so, Pat issued one last warning. “Just say everything, don’t add anything. Go ahead,” he said.

“Crown, wand, gown and earring,” Sharon said. But almost immediately she realized that she had added the word “and” into the puzzle. Despite trying to complete it a second time before the clock ran out, Sharon made the same mistake again. With that, Pat said it was Jamie Amos’s turn, and he solved it correctly.

While the game moved right along, Wheel of Fortune fans watching from home didn’t miss this moment and took to Twitter to express their outrage over the show’s rule.

“I hate this rule on #WheelOfFortune during crossword clues. If they add any other word then sure, buzz em. But adding ‘and’ feels natural and should get a pass,” one person wrote. “I’ll repeat my unpopular opinion: Wheel should allow 'and' for the crossword puzzle,” another added. "What’s the big deal with Wheel of Fortune and the rule against saying “and” in the crossword puzzle?" a different fan wondered. "Oh man that really sucks for that lady. Wish there wasn't that rule, SMH. It's just instinct sometimes to add an 'and'," someone else tweeted.

As viewers know all too well, this isn’t the first time this has happened. Earlier this year, contestant David Petersen encountered the same issue during an April episode. And before him, contestant Kristen Shaw made the same error in 2019.

“Our long-standing rule is that in order to have a correct puzzle solve, a contestant must say exactly what is on the board without adding words. This applies to all puzzle categories, including the ‘Crossword’ category," a Wheel of Fortune spokesperson told Fox News in 2019. "Contestants are thoroughly briefed prior to the show that to keep the game fair and objective, precision is necessary when solving the puzzles. Also, in this particular category, Pat often volunteers a reminder of this rule when contestants solve a puzzle."

So there you have it. As for Sharon, she made a comeback and earned second place right behind contestant Michelle Tafoya.

You Might Also Like

• A Cleaning Expert Explains the Best Way to Clean Cloth Face Masks After You Wear Them — Good Housekeeping

• 35 Delicious Pantry Recipes That Use What's Already in Your Cabinets and Freezer — Good Housekeeping

• The Amish keep to themselves. And they’re hiding a horrifying secret. — Cosmopolitan