'Wheel of Fortune' Fans Call For Rule Change After Contestant Loses on Minor Technicality

Charles Trepany of USA TODAY

One word.

That's all that cost a recent Wheel of Fortune contestant a win during a crossword round on the show — and some fans of the series aren't too happy about it.

The technicality occurred during Wednesday's episode, according to Entertainment Weekly and Yahoo. With only two missing letters on the board, the contestant, named David, took his shot at the puzzle, under the category Catch of the Day, by saying "sole, flounder, cod and catfish."

Unfortunately, this wasn't technically correct, because the word "and" wasn't on the board.

Host Pat Sajak reiterated the strict rule to David before he gave his answer, telling the contestant, "Don't add anything," when he said he'd like to solve the puzzle. Another contestant, named Danielle, solved it the next turn by saying the same series of words, but without any added conjunctions.

And even she seemed surprised when Sajak told her she'd answered correctly.

"I thought that's what you said," she told David.

Sajak later clarified the difference.

"David did that thing that's so easy to do," said the host. "He added an 'and.'"

While some Wheel of Fortune viewers appreciated this attention to detail, others suggested it was time for a rule change.

Rules are rules

— Rob Phillips (@phillyrj) April 1, 2021

@WheelofFortune Fix the "and" rule. #Davidshouldhavewon

— Subs-N-Such (@kitchensinksub) April 1, 2021

So when a contestant doesn't answer in the form of a question on Jeopardy! or goes over by a dollar on The Price Is Right, they should disregard it too? The rules are the rules.

— Jlcreynold82 (@jlcreynold82) April 1, 2021

I generally agree with strict adherence to rules, which helps ensure consistent treatment among contestants, but "and" should be allowed on crossword puzzles. #WheelOfFortune

— Michael Stone (@Michael__Stone) March 31, 2021