The latest episode of “Wheel of Fortune,” aired on April 15, 2024, saw contestants Stephanie Olsen, Harmony Young, and Branon Thurstin engage in a series of puzzle-solving rounds. Stephanie Olsen, a kindergarten teacher from Fullerton with over 21 years of experience, emerged as the evening’s winner, showcasing her quick thinking.
The Bonus Round
The episode concluded with the bonus round, where Stephanie attempted to solve the puzzle “QUACKING DUCK” under the category Living Thing.
Despite her previous successes, she was unable to decipher the puzzle after the provided letters RSTLNE and her chosen letters HPGO fell short of revealing enough clues to guess correctly.
Game Overview
The episode kicked off with Stephanie swiftly solving the $1,000 and $2,000 Toss Up puzzles, setting a strong pace right from the start. Despite facing stiff competition from her fellow contestants—Harmony, a nature and landscape photographer from San Francisco, and Branon, a devoted Phillies fan from Phoenixville, PA—Stephanie managed to maintain her lead throughout the game.
The challenges of the night ranged widely, with puzzles spanning various categories from phrases and occupations to song lyrics. The contestants navigated through these with varying degrees of success. Branon managed to solve significant puzzles, including the final Triple Toss Up, which contributed to his commendable total of $17,400, thanks to also solving “A LIFE LESSON” during the Speed-Up round. However, Harmony, despite showing promise, could not overcome the hurdle of bankruptcy, particularly during a critical moment in the Mystery Round.
Stephanie’s standout performance in the Prize Puzzle round was a highlight, as she successfully completed the phrase “BUYING ALL THE RAILROADS IN MONOPOLY,” which netted her $17,000 and a trip to the Azores, pushing her total earnings to an impressive $31,998 in cash and prizes.
Puzzle Solutions Table
Here is a summary of the night’s puzzles and their solutions:
| Round | Puzzle Solution |
|---|---|
| $1,000 Toss Up | THE MORE, THE MERRIER |
| $2,000 Toss Up | ACUPUNCTURIST |
| Round 1 | IF I CAN MAKE IT THERE, I’LL MAKE IT ANYWHERE |
| Round 2 | GLUTEN-FREE DELIVERY |
| Round 3 (Prize) | BUYING ALL THE RAILROADS IN MONOPOLY |
| Triple Toss Up 1 | ROCKING CHAIR |
| Triple Toss Up 2 | ROCKING HORSE |
| Triple Toss Up 3 | PET ROCK |
| Round 4 | A LIFE LESSON |
| Bonus Puzzle | QUACKING DUCK |