Wheel Of Fortune’ Puzzle Sparks Outrage After Fans Label It ‘Impossible’

“Wheel of Fortune” is known for mixing lighthearted fun with nail-biting challenges—but one recent puzzle has fans accusing the show of going too far.

Kristyn Hobbs, a contestant from Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, found herself in the hot seat during the show’s bonus round in Season 42. She was one puzzle away from taking home a massive $100,000 prize. But when the letters popped up, Hobbs was stumped. And when the answer was finally revealed—“Rummaging in the backyard”—viewers were just as stunned as she was.

Almost immediately, social media lit up with complaints from longtime fans who claimed the puzzle was not just hard—but borderline unfair. Critics say the phrase was so obscure that no reasonable person could’ve guessed it under pressure.

“It doesn’t even sound like a real phrase,” one viewer wrote on YouTube. “Nobody talks like that. Who’s out here rummaging in the backyard?”

That frustration is shared by many who feel the show’s producers may have dropped the ball. Normally, “Wheel of Fortune” presents challenges that are tough but still grounded in recognizable language. This time, fans say, the show crossed a line.

Since its debut in 1983, “Wheel of Fortune” has become an American TV staple, beloved for its simple gameplay and classic charm. Viewers at home love shouting out guesses alongside the contestants. But when a puzzle feels totally disconnected from common speech, the game’s fairness is called into question.

To be clear, there’s no indication of actual wrongdoing. The show hasn’t faced any formal accusations of rigging the game. But fans are arguing that offering up a bizarre, rarely-used phrase for a six-figure bonus round is unfair to the player—and undermines the spirit of the game.

Even host Pat Sajak seemed a bit surprised by the outcome. Hobbs had clearly played a solid game up to that point. But when her big moment arrived, the bonus puzzle felt more like a trap than a test of skill.

A clip of the episode on YouTube shows viewers reacting in real time, with many echoing the same sentiment: “That’s one of the hardest bonus puzzles I’ve ever seen.”

Whether producers will take this criticism to heart remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: fans want puzzles that challenge, not confuse. Hobbs may not have walked away with the $100K, but she did win the sympathy of millions who believe she never had a fair shot.

“Wheel of Fortune” continues to air weeknights—check your local listings for time and channel.