A "Wheel of Fortune" contestant missed out on a $40,000 prize during Thursday's episode. Manisha Grant, a seasoned viewer from Lake Panasoffkee, Florida, fell short in the Bonus Round despite a solid performance throughout the show.
Grant has been a fan of the show for 40 years. Competing against Courtney Johnson and Kyle Johnson, she quickly took the lead. By the end of the Mystery Round, she had amassed $13,000, with both competitors at zero.
Her lead increased in the Express Round. Grant's total rose to $26,900, and she won a trip to The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort in St. Croix. Her opponents remained scoreless.
Although her competitors scored later, they couldn't surpass Grant’s total. This performance led her to the Bonus Round, praised by host Pat Sajak for her dominance.
In the Bonus Round, Grant chose the category “What Are You Doing?” and added the letters "P, G, C, and A." These letters helped reveal the phrase "_ R A P P _ N G / S _ _ E / G _ _ T S."
Under pressure, Grant guessed "Wrapping Safe Gifts" and "Wrapping Same Gifts" instead of the correct "Wrapping SOME Gifts." Time ran out, and she lost the $40,000 prize.
Sajak expressed sympathy, noting the deceptive simplicity of the answer. However, online reactions were less forgiving, with viewers expressing disappointment and surprise at her final answers.
Fans voiced their frustrations on social media. Comments ranged from shock at her miss to criticism of her final guesses, highlighting the unpredictability of the game.
One viewer lamented the missed opportunity, especially after praising Grant's initial success. Another YouTube commenter remarked on the ease of the puzzle, surprised by the miss. Each comment underscored the high stakes and the often harsh reactions from the audience.