The excitement on “Wheel of Fortune” was palpable as contestants Alicia Slagle, Dean Schansinger, and Barbara Hamilton-Mbambara competed for the top spot. The game kicked off with Alicia successfully solving the $1,000 Toss-Up, identifying “BACKSTAGE PASS” from the Showbiz category. She continued her winning streak by quickly deciphering “LIFE IN THE FAST LANE” in the $2,000 Toss-Up, giving her an early lead.
Main Game Highlights
During Round 1, the contestants tackled “DALLAS, HOUSTON & LUBBOCK, TEXAS,” under the category On the Map. Alicia added $1,900 to her total despite a few stumbling blocks with bankruptcies affecting all players. The puzzle challenges continued with a unique Crossword Round titled “Big What?”, where Dean shone by solving “SISTER, LEBOWSKI, SHOT, EASY,” significantly boosting his score.
The Prize Puzzle brought more excitement, with Alicia earning a trip to New York and additional cash by solving “WALKING ACROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.” This win solidified her leading position as the game progressed into the Triple Toss-Up round, where she maintained dominance by solving “THE CRACK OF DAWN” and “TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.”
Final Rounds and the Crucial Bonus
The concluding rounds saw Alicia further her lead, ending the regular rounds with a total of $22,020 including a New York trip. Dean kept up a good fight but couldn’t surpass Alicia’s lead, and Barbara, despite a valiant effort, struggled to gain traction.
The episode culminated in a tense Bonus Round where Alicia faced “MAKING THE ROUNDS.” Despite having several letters revealed, including her chosen letters of D, C, G, and O, she couldn’t piece together the final answer, ultimately missing out on the bonus prize.
Puzzle Overview
| Round | Category | Puzzle | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1K Toss-Up | Showbiz | BACKSTAGE PASS | Dean |
| $2K Toss-Up | Song Title | LIFE IN THE FAST LANE | Alicia |
| Round 1 | On the Map | DALLAS, HOUSTON & LUBBOCK, TEXAS | Alicia |
| Round 2 | Big What? | SISTER, LEBOWSKI, SHOT, EASY | Dean |
| Prize Puzzle | What Are You Doing? | WALKING ACROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE | Alicia |
| Triple TU 1 | Event | THE CRACK OF DAWN | Alicia |
| Triple TU 2 | Event | SPECTACULAR SUNSET | Dean |
| Triple TU 3 | Event | TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE | Alicia |
| Round 4 | Phrase | IT ALL ADDS UP | Alicia |
This episode of “Wheel of Fortune” showcased strategic gameplay, unexpected turns with bankruptcies, and a mix of easy and challenging puzzles that tested the contestants’ quick thinking and word-guessing skills.