Collaborating in Wheel of Fortune has all the time promised money, vehicles, and even dream holidays for contestants. However, generally, the prize behind these particular wedges isn’t fairly the jackpot it appears. Over time, some Wheel of Fortune winners have spun their option to prizes that have been much less like grand rewards and extra like questionable items they weren’t certain what to do with. These occasional flopped prizes add a unusual vibe to the present’s historical past however have additionally left quite a lot of contestants scratching their heads.
So, what makes a prize really feel much less like fortune and extra like misfortune? Generally, it’s high-cost luxurious gadgets that include even larger taxes or impractical prizes like an enormous Toblerone bar. On some Reddit boards, followers have reported that individuals they knew gained a lifetime provide of WD-40, which is among the worst prizes. All in all, Wheel of Fortune is full of loads of prizes that winners may need wished they may skip or change, and we’ll rank within the high 10 of these under.
- Launch Date
- September 19, 1983
- Forged
- Pat Sajak , Vanna White , Bob Goen , Chuck Woolery , Charlie O’Donnell , Don Pardo
- Predominant Style
- Sport Present
- Seasons
- 41
- Creator(s)
- Merv Griffin
10 A South Dakota Journey
Season 41
Profitable a visit to South Dakota on Wheel of Fortune generally is a shocking prize for contestants who may initially dream of jetting off to seashores or unique islands. In Wheel of Fortune Season 41, Tom Stadnicki solved a puzzle from the Residing Issues class. As his prize, the contestant acquired a visit to South Dakota. Jim Thorton additionally narrated a video after that that marketed the prize in English and described “iconic sights” on the journey, like Mount Rushmore. Nonetheless, viewers have been fast to level out that the award was probably not that “nice,” as Pat Sajak instructed.
One other factor observed by the followers was the look of Satan’s Tower within the promotional video. The tower is definitely situated in Wyoming, however it was added to the video for South Dakota, which added a geographical blooper to an already underwhelming reward. The South Dakota journey is a basic instance of prizes that fail to ship the wow issue that followers anticipate from a long-running game show like Wheel of Fortune.
9 All-Inclusive Trip Journey to Atlantic Metropolis
Season 42
Whereas an all-inclusive journey can sound thrilling, a journey to Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey, will certainly go away contestants scratching their heads. Though Atlantic Metropolis is understood for its seashores and boardwalk, it’s not precisely the luxurious vacation spot that many sport present winners envision once they spin for a prize. The Season 42 episode aired on October 4 featured Cody Starvation, who gained the BetMGM Large Winners Event.
As a substitute of jetting off to Europe or an island paradise, he was given a visit to Atlantic Metropolis that — whereas entertaining — may not match his dream trip. As TV Insider talked about, in one of many sneak peek segments aired on Good Morning America, followers have been promised “tons of latest prizes” that had NFL game tickets and music live performance tickets. Nonetheless, after watching Ryan Seacrest asserting these undesirable journeys to Atlanta Metropolis, many felt dissatisfied. One of many followers even stated that he’d be “kinda salty” with the journey to Atlanta Metropolis as a prize.
8 Miami Journey Throughout Hurricane Season
Season 42
The journey to Miami, which was given as a prize in the course of the Girlfriend Getaways episode, was certainly questionable and one of many worst prizes. On October 7, Contestants Cathy Roth and Jane Schwartz gained a keep at The Elser Resort & Residences in Miami. Nonetheless, the timing of the prize was much less perfect. Based on The City Of North Miami, hurricane season in Florida begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. Hurricane season extremely impacts Florida in October, which is a undeniable fact that viewers shortly observed.
Followers even voiced their issues on-line and criticized the present for sending winners to a hurricane-prone region throughout a unstable time of the season. Among the viewers are questioning if Wheel of Fortune has been slicing corners on its prize choices since Pat Sajak’s departure. One of many followers requested if Wheel of Fortune is unable to “afford any good prize puzzles now that Pat has retired,” which highlights the rising frustration and excessive criticism from long-time followers.
7 Family Home equipment
Season 5, Season 6
One of many extra irritating prize classes was equipment bundles that regarded like a jackpot for homebodies — till transport charges and taxes got here into play. Buzzfeed quoted a reply from a Canadian Reddit consumer who suffered the same destiny. The contestant gained a number of small home equipment and gadgets in 1995. These included a Grime Satan vacuum, facial cleanser, and, amusingly, two loaves of Sunbeam bread as a substitute of the anticipated bread maker.
The truth that made it even worse was that every merchandise arrived individually, piling up transport, brokerage, and cross-border charges. The contestant needed to pay over $65 for a Dustbuster alone, which might have been purchased regionally for half the worth. To make issues worse, as a non-US resident, the winner, confronted IRS withholding and extra state tax. Consequently, they misplaced a big chunk of the winnings to taxes and dealing with charges. These prizes from Wheel of Fortune grew to become extra of a burden than a bonus for the contestant and spotlight how successful such gadgets begins up a hefty monetary trouble.
6 Ceramic Dalmatian Statue
Season 1, Season 2
One of many extra notorious prizes of the Wheel of Fortune was the Ceramic Dalmatian Statue, which grew to become a puzzling and undesirable collectible for some contestants. This uncommon merchandise, doubtless chosen so as to add a whimsical contact, usually left winners confused about the place to place a life-sized porcelain pup. It’s secure to say that this prize didn’t match everybody’s style or decor. The dog statue was positioned within the procuring phase and priced at $146. In a while, its worth was elevated to $154, and plenty of contestants spent their winnings on taking it dwelling with them.
Nonetheless, the Ceramic Dalmatian Statue was removed from the dream prize many envisioned when stepping onto the Wheel of Fortune stage. Regardless that the procuring ingredient ended totally in 1989, this statue stayed. The statue grew to become a everlasting fixture on the set. Regardless that some name him the unofficial mascot of the present, it’s thought-about impractical and odd as a prize. It’s a hefty and fragile merchandise that’s tough to move or show, which makes it a chief instance of why money and versatile prizes are typically extra appreciated by winners.
5 Cheesecakes On A Sport Present
Season 2
In an episode of December 19, 1984, a contestant named Connie celebrated after fixing the puzzle Silent Night time Holy Night time for $2650. She spent $300 from her winnings within the procuring phase to get the Child Watson cheesecake as a prize. Whereas cheesecakes generally is a crowd-pleaser, this prize is sort of underwhelming when you think about the competitors and the general expertise of the sport. Within the context of sport present winnings, it lacks the joy of bigger, extra extravagant prizes.
Many prizes contained in the procuring segments have been odd and less than the requirements of a preferred sport present. As an illustration, in an episode on November 19, 1984, a contestant named Rhea spent $236 to get the Dessert of the Month as a prize. In addition to, it was thought-about a sluggish phase, which is why it light away as time handed. The culinary prizes within the procuring phase could be a advantageous option to have fun, however successful it on a high-stakes game show can really feel like a missed alternative for one thing extra rewarding, reminiscent of a visit or automotive.
4 Programmable Tomy Toy Robots
Season 2
Programmable Tomy Toy robots just like the Omnibots have been thrilling within the Eighties, however they weren’t excellent as a prize on Wheel of Fortune. These robots got here with clunky remotes, tough programming, and solely fundamental performance — transferring, enjoying cassettes, or awkwardly lifting objects. Plus, after just some makes use of, most individuals realized that the programming was restricted, requiring fixed reconfiguration every time it powered up. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than these robots ended up in storage.
These toys have been positioned within the high-tech middle of the present’s procuring phase, and a few contestants even purchased them with their winnings. One instance is from 1984 when a contestant named Brett solved a puzzle Leonard Nimoy for 2400 and spent $375 on these toys. Not like at this time’s glossy tech, these cumbersome robots shortly yellowed with age, and their plastic elements grew to become brittle. In addition they made a variety of noise and moved at a snail’s tempo, which made them one of many worst prizes on a game show like Wheel of Fortune.
3 The Gucci Mini Calculator
Season 1
The Gucci Mini Calculator on Wheel of Fortune holds a peculiar spot amongst odd rewards given on the present. Whereas Gucci is famend for its high-fashion gadgets, this calculator supplied little greater than a luxurious label for fundamental math. Not like the toy robots, this Gucci calculator was positioned within the TV room of the procuring phase. A contestant, Evangelina, as soon as had the choice to spend winnings on the present’s December 29, 1982 episode. Evangelina efficiently solved a puzzle, Simpler Stated Than Completed, and gained $3500, which she determined to spend within the TV room. The contestant spent $85 for the mini Gucci calculator.
Whereas high-end manufacturers can add attract, paying for a designer calculator as a luxurious prize felt absurdly mismatched to the stakes and pleasure of the sport. It’s secure to say the Gucci title didn’t make math any extra thrilling! This prize was doubtless baffling and one of many worst on the present as a result of it lacked any sensible or monetary affect — qualities contestants anticipate in present winnings.
2 French Accent Ceramic Canisters
Season 1
One of many Wheel of Fortune’s extra sudden prizes was a set of ceramic canisters described as French accent. Throughout a basic episode in 1979, contestant Nancy solved the puzzle Tic-Tac-Toe and selected to spend $75 out of her $1850 winnings on these canisters offered within the Prepare dinner’s Nook of the procuring phase. Whereas canisters may be sensible for storing dry items, they didn’t carry the glitz or thrill most contestants anticipated from sport present winnings.
Within the Eighties, contestants on Wheel of Fortune got a catalog of things to select from, and family fundamentals like canisters have been normal, although not precisely thrilling. Regardless of their French accent label, the canisters have been a modest kitchen merchandise that felt considerably misplaced on a high-stakes sport present. Even for kitchen fanatics, the canisters fell in need of a dream prize, particularly when in comparison with journey journeys or high-value gadgets supplied on different episodes. With their low worth and restricted attraction, the ceramic canisters are one of many largest reminders of simply how hit-or-miss Wheel of Fortune prizes may be.
1 A Big Toblerone Bar
Season 2
Generally, Wheel of Fortune prizes left followers puzzled. An enormous Toblerone Bar is a type of prizes. In an episode from November 26, 1984, contestant Miranda solved the puzzle, “You Have The Proper To Stay Silent,” and cashed in with $4250 in winnings. She needed to spend it within the procuring phase and selected to pay $125 of her winnings for an enormous Toblerone chocolate bar. Whereas it was a enjoyable and quirky choice on the time, viewers have been left questioning if it was actually well worth the splurge.
Different gadgets in her spending spree, like china units and flatware, felt a bit extra consistent with typical prizes, however a colossal Toblerone bar stood out like a sore thumb. At $125, this Toblerone was each comically outsized and comically overpriced. Whereas it could have delighted Miranda for the time being, it gained’t be incorrect to name it one of many worst and most impractical prizes within the Wheel of Fortune.
Wheel of Fortune may be streamed on YouTube TV.
