WoF Retro Recap: October 14, 2008

Oh, this is one episode you will never forget. You’ll see what I mean. Trust me.

EPISODE #4902: CANADA WEEK

$1K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ _ _ /_ U K O N
_ _ _ E _

Pete gets DQed for only saying THE YUKON.

_ H _ / Y U K O N
_ I V E R

Jennifer completes it w/ THE YUKON RIVER. Here she is and everybody else…

Jennifer Orme: homemaker & triathlon athlete married to Drostan for almost 9 yrs. w/ four kids from Boise, ID

Michelle Loewenstein: florist who just got married to Donald and owned a dog named Taco from Santa Monica, CA (orig. from Edison, NJ)

Pete Blanc: leadership/management training teacher for the local government and a former sportscaster married to Sherri w/ two kids (Madison and Logan) from Trussville, AL

$2K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

_ A C R _ _ S E
_ T _ C _

Michelle got the money w/ a LACROSSE STICK.

FEATURED CANADIAN TRIP: to the Ottawa Marriott from Collette Vacations worth $5,200

The CanadaOnly.com gift tag is back on the wheel.

Round 1: FOOD AND DRINK (PRIZE PUZZLE)

This round’s all Michelle — two S’s for that MDW, four $500 T’s, one O, two $500 H’s, eight A’s, a $500 F, and $10K with four N’s. We now have…

F _ _ N _ H / T O A S T
_ _ T H / _ A N A N A / &
_ A _ A _ A _ _ A
N _ T S

She’s won $13K and would have some FRENCH TOAST WITH BANANA & MACADAMIA NUTS on her trip to the Kauai Marriott and Beach Club in HAWAII worth $5,980 — PR.

Jackpot Round: LIVING THINGS

Pete’s up first w/ a $7K N pair, four A’s, but then the BANKRUPT next to where he just spun. Second, Jennifer calls up a $500 D, but then T for trap on Jackpot. Third, Michelle lights up a $1,500 R trio, four B’s for another $3,200, and a $400 L. We have…

B L A _ _ / B _ A R / A N D
B R _ _ N / B _ A R

…she saw a BLACK BEAR AND BROWN BEAR for $5,100.

SOLE DUD: T (Jennifer)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Pete

Pete: NOTHING/Jennifer: $1K/Michelle: $26,080 cash & HI MDW

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Mystery Round: THING

Jennifer’s off and running w/ three S’s and two R’s at $800 a pop, two E’s, three T’s for another $2,400, and a couple A’s, followed by two C’s and P at $550 apiece, two $400 L’s, three O’s, two $900 N’s, but then D for dud to leave $9,900 on the table. Michelle also goofs w/ the H. Pete then leaves only the vowels remaining w/ a $400 K and $900 Y…

T O R O N T O ‘ S
S P E C T A C _ L A R
S K Y L _ N E

…and solves TORONTO’S SPECTACULAR SKYLINE for $1,300. BTW, he answered “We have (correct puzzle solution)” since he was answering Pat’s question.

DUDS: D (Jennifer), H (Michelle)

Pete: $1,300/Jennifer: $1K/Michelle: $26,080 cash & HI MDW

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$3K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

A _ T _ _
_ I M / _ A _ _ _ Y

Pete solves ACTOR JIM CARREY, giving him $4,300.

Round 4: EVENT

S for sorry is how he starts. Second for Jennifer are a $900 N trio, a $1,200 G trio, but then E for error. Third in Michelle’s favor are a $500 P, a single I, but the T failed her. Pete’s next w/ a $700 R, but it’s S-U time…

P _ N N I N G
_ _ R / G _ _ _

…w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,700 each.

Pete: L
Jennifer: D

P _ N N I N G
_ _ R / G _ L D

Jennifer’s PANNING FOR GOLD to the tune of $3,550.

DUDS (all before speed-up): T (Pete ), E (Jennifer), T (Michelle)

FINAL SCORES
Pete: $4,300/Jennifer: $4,550/Michelle: $26,080 cash & HI MDW

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $34,930
BANKRUPT TRASH: $6,750

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MILLION DOLLAR BONUS ROUND #3

With Donald holding her MDW, Michelle’s all-important spin barely hanged on the I of WIN, but clicked to the W at the last second.

Category: AROUND THE HOUSE

Here are the beginning and ending letters w/ this one…

L E _ _ _
_ _ _ _ E T

This isn’t a bad time to go w/ CDMA…

L E A _ _
_ A _ C E T

She’s able to repair this LEAKY FAUCET! As a result…

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…SHE’S THE FIRST-EVER MILLIONAIRE!!!!!!!

SPRAY THE CONFETTI!!! THAT MEANS MICHELLE LOEWENSTEIN IS YOUR NEW ALL-TIME TOP WINNER ON THIS SHOW WITH $1,026,080 CASH AND TRIP!!!

But we know what happened 4.5 years later. Just look up my May 30, 2013 recap.

(NOTE: Some of you may recall that the previous record was set back in February 1996 by a couple named Peter & Deborah during “Sweethearts Week”. Well, Michelle has ended this near 13-year drought in a big way, that’s for sure!)

MY EP. RATING: 10!

WoF Retro Recap: October 13, 2008

EPISODE #4901: CANADA WEEK

$1K Toss-Up: LIVING THING

_ A P _ E
_ E A _

Mary Ann knows that the MAPLE LEAF is related to Canada. The opening players of the week from left to right…

Mary Ann Weir: chemical engineer married 26 yrs. from Hamilton, OH

Brett Wallette: student at West L.A. College w/ one son from L.A.

Mikell Williamson: 1st year elementary school teacher married to Michael w/ one son from Kailua-Kona, HI

$2K Toss-Up: LANDMARK

_ _ _ G A _ A
F _ _ _ _

Mary Ann’s two for two w/ NIAGARA FALLS.

CANADIAN TRIP ON THE WHEEL: Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver worth $5,274
Gift Tag: CanadaOnly.ca

Round 1: PROPER NAME

Mary Ann: $500 T, $800 N pair, no I

Brett: $500 R, no P

Mikell: S for sorry

Mary Ann: $2,500 L, $600 D, buys of five E’s and A, $1K G pair, $300 C, solve attempt

_ _ C _ E _
L E G E N D
_ A _ N E
G R E T _ _ _

Mary Ann identifies HOCKEY LEGEND WAYNE GRETZKY for $4,950.

DUDS: I (Mary Ann), P (Brett), S (Mikell)

Jackpot Round: FUN AND GAMES (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Brett: $900 T pair, $2,700 S trio, four E’s, $1K H pair, two A’s, BANKRUPT near $3,500 (he lost $4,100)

Mikell: MDW’s left side

Mary Ann: $1,200 N pair (not quite to $3,500), solve attempt

T _ S S _ N _ /_
_ _ _ S _ E E /_ N
T H E /_ E _ _ H

This lady might be TOSSING A FRISBEE ON THE BEACH, because she’s won $1,200 and a trip to the British Colonial Hilton in THE BAHAMAS worth $6,250, a total of $7,450 that round.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Brett, Mikell)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,450

Mary Ann: $15,400 cash & trip/Everybody Else: $0 each

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Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Mikell: insta-dud of T

Mary Ann: MDW’s right side

Brett: $1K S pair, no R

Mikell: $10,500 worth of three L’s, buys of A, E and O, $1K C pair, N on the Mystery Wedge next to the MDW and obviously declines (that one would have gotten her $10K), $400 W

_ I _ L E
C L A S S
C L O W N

After all that work, she BOMBED OUT w/ M to leave $11,900 on the table — UGH. -__- Mary Ann then lit up the twin B’s for $1,800…

B I B L E
C L A S S
C L O W N

…and correctly read the above.

DUDS: T (Mikell), R (Brett), M (Mikell)
INSTA-BANKRUPT: Mary Ann

Mary Ann: $17,200 cash & trip/Everybody Else: ZERO a head

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$3K Toss-Up: FOOD AND DRINK

L _ M _ _ R _ A _ K
_ _ E _ K F _ _ _

Mikell eats up a much-needed LUMBERJACK BREAKFAST to finally get on the board.

Round 4: PEOPLE

Mikell: $550 S, $500 T, three E’s, $400 N, two A’s, $700 R pair, one I, $300 P, O (NMV), $300 L, $800 F

S-U TIME

_ E _ _ E R S / O F
P A R L I A _ E N T

The remaining consonants were worth $1,500 each. Her next call was triple M’s…

M E M _ E R S / O F
P A R L I A M E N T

…and she solved MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT for $7,050 — PR.

FINAL SCORES
Mary Ann: $17,200 cash & trip/Brett: $1K GOOSEEGG/Mikell: $10,050

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $28,250
BANKRUPT TRASH: $4,100

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$100K Bonus Round

This week’s vehicle is a Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The two men Mary Ann brought along were her hubby Fred and her 93-yr.-old father from Wisconsin; she landed on the ‘.

Category: THINGS

The RSTLNE is very generous…

_ E _ N
S _ _ R T S

CDHO light up…

_ E _ N
S H O R T S

Despite being a bit uncertain, she’ll buy a pair of JEAN SHORTS w/ another $30K in her pockets! That gives her $47,200 for the night. She was a good player, IMO.

MY EP. RATING: 7 (orig. an 8)

WoF Retro Recap: October 10, 2008

EPISODE #4900: ULTIMATE ADVENTURES

To begin this episode, Pat runs into that Winnebago by accident! Careful, sir!

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ O _ _ G /_ N
S A F _ R _

Jeanne isn’t GOING ON SAFARI, but winning her first grand. The last players of the week…

Jeanne LaCombe: classic rock DJ on the weekends from New Orleans

Rami Christophi: assistant principal for a charter school who does a Marvin the Martian impression on air from Los Angeles

Timetria Bonds: graduate research assistant at the Univ. of South Florida engaged to her high school sweetheart w/ two sons from Lutz, FL

$2K Toss-Up: PHRASE

A B _ V E /_ _ D
_ _ Y _ N _

Rami‘s ABOVE AND BEYOND to start the first round of play.

TRIP ON THE WHEEL: tour of the Grand Canyon and the Great American West worth $5K

Round 1: SHOW BIZ

Rami begins w/ four N’s for $10K. After some work, he misses with S. Timetria next picks a pair of C’s for $1,200, but spins Lose a Turn. Jeanne then says two H’s for $1,200, buys the E’s, picks up the tour w/ two G’s…

N A T _ _ N A L
G E _ G _ A _ H _ C
C H A N N E L

…and solves NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL for $5,950 cash and tour.

SOLE DUD: S (Rami)
SOLE LaT: Timetria

Jackpot Round: HEADLINE

Timetria immediately BANKRUPTS on the MDW. Second, Jeanne lights up four T’s while on Jackpot (no way she’ll solve it for $5,500). After her buy of five I’s is a pair of S’s for the Garmin gift tag, a $400 W, but she gets DQed for repeating the S while on $3,500. Rami follows w/ three N’s for $1,500, a $300 F, but he loses $1,800 to BANKRUPT. Timetria then picks a $400 B and an $800 J before going for the solve (she left the L’s and R’s in the process)…

I T ‘ S / T W I N S
F _ _ / _ N _ _ _ _ N _
J _ _ _ _ / & / B _ _ _
_ I T T

She’s right w/ “IT’S TWINS FOR ANGELINA JOLIE & BRAD PITT” for $1,200.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Timetria, Rami)
SOLE DQ: Jeanne’s S repeat

Jeanne: $6,950 cash & your/Rami: $2K/Timetria: $1,200

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Mystery Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Early on, Rami picks up the Wild Card with four L’s. After some work, he misses w/ W. Timetria’s up second w/ a pair of C’s for $900, two B’s for another $1,200, two O’s, and a Y on the Mystery Wedge next to the MDW before she declines to risk $1,850 gamble (good move; that’s the one w/ BANKRUPT). Next up are a $300 F, a $600 V, and a U before she sees…

_ I C _ I N G / U _
_ / G _ M E / O F
B E A C H
V O L L E Y B A L L

She’s PICKING UP A GAME OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL for $3,500…and a trip to ARUBA at the Tamarijn Resort worth $6K.

SOLE DUD: W (Rami)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jeanne

Jeanne: $6,950 cash & tour/Rami: $2K/Timetria: $10,700 cash & Aruba

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$3K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

S _ I _ E /&
D _ C E

Rami’s off by one letter w/ SLICE & DICE while Timetria gets SPICE & DICE for a new total of $13,700.

Round 4: SONG TITLE

After a few letters get filled in, speed-up commences w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,700 each. Here’s how it ended after somebody chose two B’s…

B L _ N _ E _ / B _
T H E / L _ G H T

…Jeanne solves Manfred Mann’s “BLINDED BY THE LIGHT” for $5,400.

SOLE DUD: F (Rami)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Timetria

FINAL SCORES
Jeanne: $12,350 cash & tour/Rami: $2K/Timetria: $13,700 cash & trip

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $28,050

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$100K Bonus Round

Timetria lands on the second A in AMERICA’S.

Category: PROPER NAME
RSTLNE shows us…

_ _ _
_ _ L _ N

CDBO fills in all but two blanks…

B O B
D _ L _ N

She identifies BOB DYLAN as the singer for $35K and a final total of $48,700 cash and trip.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: October 9, 2008

EPISODE #4899: ULTIMATE ADVENTURES

$1K Toss-Up: THING

_ _ _ _ R S _ N I C
_ _ T

Ryan solves SUPERSONIC JET. Thursday’s panel…

Ryan Olson: bartender, musician and seller of life insurance from Flushing, NY

Ann Silliman: software product specialist from Louisville, KY

Angie Stout: environmental assistant for the QIO from Austin, TX

$2K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

S T U N _
_ _ I V _ R

Ryan triples up w/ STUNT DRIVER.

TRIP ON THE WHEEL: Lake Tahoe worth $5,500

Round 1: STAR & ROLE

But he instantly LOSES A TURN. From here, it’s all Ann (she picked up the Sierra Trading post gift tag w/ S)…

_ H R _ S T _ A _
_ A _ E / A S
_ A T _ A _ / T _ E
_ A R _ / _ _ _ _ H T

…and remembers CHRISTIAN BALE AS BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT for $6,200 cash and gift tag.

SOLE LaT: Ryan

Jackpot Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

In the middle of the round, Ann picks up $7K worth of H’s. After a great deal of work, she BANKRUPTed on the MDW to lose $8,600 (Mark Corwin made the mistake of showing Angie losing that much money instead). Speaking of Angie, she purchases the only bad vowel of this board in I. After Ryan puts up a $500 V and two U’s…

T H E / S _ U T H
_ _ L E
V A U L T

…he solves THE SOUTH POLE VAULT for the house minimum.

SOLE DUD: I (Angie)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Ann

Ann: $6,200 cash & GT/Angie: ZERO/Ryan: $4K

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Mystery Round: EVENT (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Angie immediately BANKRUPTed on the MDW while Ryan hits LaT. Later, Angie picks up the Free SPIN and $900 w/ three F’s. After her buy of two I’s, she’s forced to use the FS after hitting her second BANKRUPT. Then comes a $900 B, five O’s, a $400 D, a $600 P, a $400 H, but then LaT while Ryan goes BANKRUPT. Ann then calls the two W’s for $1,100 and we now have…

B R I E F / P E R I O D
O F / W A R _
A F T E R N O O N
S H O W E R S

She wins another $6,400 and may experience a BRIEF PERIOD OF WARM AFTERNOON SHOWERS on a trip to MAUI at the the Kapalua Villas resort worth $8,270; she’s won $14,670 that round.

SOLE DUD: L (Ann)
LaTs: 2 (Ryan, Angie)
BANKRUPTS: 3 (Angie 2x, Ryan)

Ann: $20,870 cash & prizes/Angie: NADA/Ryan: $4K

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$3K Toss-Up: SONG TITLE

_ _ _ _ /_ O
B E / _ _ L _

Ryan sweeps the Tossups w/ the Steppenwolf song “BORN TO BE WILD” for a new total of $7K.

Speed-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

The consonants were worth $1,500 apiece. Who ended up solving?

_ _ T T L _
_ _ _ N _ R

Ryan solves BOTTLE OPENER for $1,500.

FINAL SCORES
Ann: $20,870 cash & prizes/Angie: $1K GOOSEEGG/Ryan: $8,500

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $30,370

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$100K Bonus Round

Ann lands on the I in AMERICA’S.

Category: THING
RSTLNE reveals…

_ / L _ _ _
_ _ _ _ E

GCMA doesn’t add much besides the obvious A…

A / L _ _ _
_ _ _ C E

She doesn’t have A LOUD VOICE to solve this puzzle, so she loses $30K.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: October 8, 2008

EPISODE #4898: ULTIMATE ADVENTURES

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

A M E R _ _ A ‘ S
_ _ _

Jouya solves the yachting event AMERICA’S CUP, so we’re interviewing him first…

Jouya Rastegar: public health researcher for the government who speaks four languages and is engaged from Oakton, VA

Mary Fox: insurance agent and mom of two kids who loves the ocean from Cape Coral, FL

Cassandra Raskin: rocket scientist who graduated from USC and has a fiancé who’s also a rocket scientist from Pasadena, CA

$2K Toss-Up: PLACE

A I _ _ _ _ T
_ O U _ _ _

Jouya’s two for two w/ AIRPORT LOUNGE.

ADVENTURE ON THE WHEEL: Buccaneer Hotel in St. Croix w/ a 3-day scuba diving adventure worth $9,215

Round 1: SHOW BIZ

After back-to-back duds by Jouya and Mary early on, Cassandra picks up the MDW with the H, but she misses with L. But she got her turn back…

I M A _ / M _ _ I E
T H E A T E R

…and solved IMAX MOVIE THEATER to keep the MDW and $1,550.

DUDS: S (Jouya), N (Mary), L (Cassandra), C (Jouya), D (Mary)

Round 2: PHRASE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Early on, Mary picks up the Garmin GPS gift tag and lights up the T. She also picks up the FreeSPIN with an L, but she’s forced to use it immediately because of LaT. She later gets to this…

M Y / L _ C _ / _ _
A _ O _ T / T O
C H A N _ E

She says “MY LUCK IS ABOUT TO CHANGE” for $3,800 cash and gift tag plus a trip to the MGM Grand Hotel in LAS VEGAS worth $5,200; she’s on the board w/ $9K.

SOLE LaT: Mary

Jouya: $3K/Mary: $9K cash & Vegas/Cassandra: $1,550 MDW

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Mystery Round: QUOTATION

In the middle of the round, Cassandra lands on the Mystery Wedge next to the orange $800. After calling for an S, she obviously declines a $1,950 and MDW risk (very wise move; that’s the BANKRUPT one). She also picks up the St. Croix trip with an H. Towards the end, she lights up the B’s for $7K. Here’s what we have now…

T O / B O L _ L _ / _ O
W H E R E / N O / M A N
H A S / _ O N E
B E F O R E

She solved the “Star Trek” line “TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE” for $13,200 and the trip, a total of $22,415 in that round!

MAJOR PR!

Jouya: $3K/Mary: $9K cash & Vegas/Cassandra: $23,965 cash & St. Croix MDW

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$3K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

S _ E _ _ _ _ _
S E _ O _ _ / B _ S E

Jouya’s STEALING SECOND BASE for the Tossup sweep and $6K.

Round 4: LANDMARK

In the middle of the round, Jouya lights up two F’s for $10K, but we have to go to Speed-Up mode w/ the following setup…

T H E / _ E T R _ F _ E _
F _ R E S T

The leftover consonants are worth $1,600 each. His next call is the P…

T H E / P E T R _ F _ E _
F _ R E S T

…and he solves THE PETRIFIED FOREST (in Arizona) for $12,700!

DUDS (both before Final Spin): A (Mary), C (Cassandra)
SOLE LaT: Jouya

FINAL SCORES
Jouya: $18,700/Mary: $9K cash & Vegas/Cassandra: $23,965 cash & St. Croix MDW

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $51,665
NO BANKRUPTS

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MILLION DOLLAR BONUS ROUND #2

Cassandra lands on the A in GAME.

Category: THING

This one-word puzzle initially reads…

_ _ _ R _ S _ _

HDCA look like good choices…

C H A R _ S _ A

She has the CHARISMA to win…

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…the $50K, and exits w/ $73,965 cash and trip! Very nicely done!

MILLION DOLLAR ENVELOPE LOCATION: &

MY RATING: 9

WoF Retro Recap: October 7, 2008

EPISODE #4897: ULTIMATE ADVENTURES

$1K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

R U _ _ _ N _ / T H E
_ _ P _ D S

Cari’s RUNNING THE RAPIDS to her first grand. Tuesday’s threesome…

Cari Mestuzzi: school counselor from Mountain View, HI

Peter Dimauro: Suffolk Univ. junior studying bilogy as well as an actor/singer from Saugus, MA

Peggy O’Dell: reading elementary teacher from Antigo, WI

$2K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

H A _ _ _ A
C U _ A

Peggy wasn’t so sure about her guess of HAVANA, CUBA… but that was right.

TRIP ON THE WHEEL: a biplane adventure in Atlanta, GA worth $5,725
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Sierra Trading Post

Round 1: BEFORE AND AFTER

Peggy began w/ a $300 T for the Free SPIN, but she had to use it after hitting LaT. Next was an N for the Atlanta trip, but she said a baffling dud of K while on the Wild Card. Later, Peter had this showing…

F A I T H
H I _ _ / _ F
B E A N S

He solved FAITH HILL OF BEANS for the house minimum.

DUDS: K (Peggy on the WC), M (Cari)

Jackpot Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? (PRIZE PUZZLE)

It’s all Cari…

C O L L E C T I N G
_ E A _ _ E L L _ / A N D
C O _ A L

…she won another $7,400 and would soon be COLLECTING SEASHELLS AND CORAL during her stay at the Fairmont Southampton Resort in BERMUDA worth $5,900 — PR.

Cari: $14,300 cash & trip/Peter: $1K/Peggy: $2K

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Mystery Round: TITLE

Late in the round, Peter landed on the Mystery Wedge next to the MDW. He called two Y’s and added two grand to his $3,600. The board at that point…

A _ O _ N _ / T H E
_ O _ _ _ / I N
E I _ H T Y /_ A Y S

He solved Jules Verne’s “AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS”. Had he gone for the MW…he would’ve BANKRUPTED — PR #2.

Cari: $14,300 cash & trip/Peter: $6,600/Peggy: $2K

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$3K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ H _ / F _ S T
L A _ E

Peter went down THE FAST LANE to close in on Cari w/ a new total of $9,600.

Round 4: AROUND THE HOUSE

Late in the round, this was showing when Peggy was in control…

S T E _ E _
S _ E _ _ E _ S

…but she said L for loss of turn. Cari then said two R’s for $700 and an O…

S T E R E O
S _ E _ _ E R S

…she solved STEREO SPEAKERS for the house minimum and $15,300 overall.

DUDS: N (Peter), L (Peggy)

Cari: $15,300 cash & trip/Peter: $9,600/Peggy: $2K

Round 5: PHRASE

Early on, speed-up mode commenced with $1,600 per consonant. Much later, we had…

G R _ _ E / U N D E R
P R E S S U R E

Peggy solved GRACE UNDER PRESSURE for $3,700.

FINAL SCORES
Cari: $15,300 cash & trip/Peter: $9,600/Peggy: $5,700

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $30,600
NO BANKRUPTS

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$100K Bonus Round

Let’s see if Cari was able to make up for the $100K loss on the previous episode. She landed on the P in SPIN.

Category: PLACE

This is on the highway…

E _ _ T
R _ _ _

MCDO only added…

E _ _ T
R _ M _

…but she took the EXIT RAMP to a $40K win! She left w/ $55,300 cash and trip.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: October 6, 2008

EPISODE #4896: ULTIMATE ADVENTURES

$1K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

H _ _ G
G _ I D _ _ G

Ivy blew it w/ HIGH GLIDING, allowing Melissa to get HANG GLIDING. First up this week were…

Melissa Majchrowski: medical social work major student at Loyola University and a registered dental hygienist from Hoffman Estates, IL

Scott Kline: economic development consultant from West Palm Beach, FL; in addition, he wanted to host this show ever since Chuck Woolery was hosting it!

Ivy Slattery: IT worker who likes cooking from scratch from Boise, ID

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

T H R I _ L S / &
S _ _ _ _ _

Melissa knew that there can be a lot of THRILLS & SPILLS in this game, so she’s two for two.

ADVENTURE ON THE WHEEL: Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, HI w/ a North Shore Shark Adventure worth $7,195
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: Garmin GPS

Round 1: SAME NAME

But Melissa struck out right away w/ R. Scott picked up the Wild Card with an N, but he missed with D. Soon enough, we had…

T W _ L _ _ H T / &
T O W – _ W _ _
_ O N E

…Ivy solved TWILIGHT & TOW-AWAY ZONE for $2,050.

DUDS: R (Melissa), D (Scott)

Jackpot Round: QUOTATION

Scott picked up the Free SPIN and $600 w/ two R’s. He used it after missing with an N, but he struck out w/ the C while on $3,500. Ivy next picked a $500 H, two A’s, a $400 B, two I’s to clean out the vowels, but said a baffling dud of K. Melissa then said D’s for a grand…

T O / D R E A _ / T H E
I _ _ O _ _ I B _ E
D R E A _

…but she blew the solve w/ “TO DREAM THE INCREDIBLE DREAM” when there was an O up there. Scott then lit up the M’s for $900…

T O / D R E A M / T H E
I M _ O _ _ I B _ E
D R E A M

…and he solved “TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM” for $1,800.

DUDS: N, C (both by Scott), K (Ivy)
SOLE DQ: Melissa’s blown solve

Scott: $1,800 WC/Ivy: $2,050/Melissa: $3K

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Mystery Round: FOOD AND DRINK (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Ivy began with three T’s on the Mystery Wedge next to the MDW. She took the gamble…and BANKRUPTED. Later, Melissa picked up the Hawaii trip with the G’s. Eventually…

T H R E E – C H E E S E
_ A S A G _ A / _ _ T H
_ T A _ _ A _
S A U S A G E

She solved THREE-CHEESE LASAGNA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE for $5,950, the Hawaii trip, and a trip to FLORENCE, ITALY (digital camera and frame from GiiNii included) worth $7K; that’s a total of $20,095 that round!

SOLE BANKRUPT: Ivy

Scott: $1,800 WC/Ivy: $2,050/Melissa: $23,095 cash & trips

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$3K Toss-Up: LIVING THINGS

C _ _ T U S
F _ _ W E _ S

Melissa solved CACTUS FLOWERS.

Round 4: THINGS

Early on, Melissa got LaT. Second in line, Scott made a bad move of using his Wild Card on the $550 space. First, he called two N’s for $1,100 and he doubled that amount with two C’s. Later, speed-up mode commenced w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,900 each. Melissa called for a B…

B _ N _ C _ L _ _ S / &
T E L E S C _ P E S

…and solved BINOCULARS & TELESCOPES for $2,800 and the win.

SOLE LaT: Melissa

FINAL SCORES
Scott: $1,800/Ivy: $2,050/Melissa: $28,895 cash & trips

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $32,745
NO NON-MW BANKRUPT TRASH

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$100K Bonus Round

A Winnebago Access was available for this week of episodes. Melissa landed on the *** space.

Category: THING
This is an important part for your car…

S _ _ R _
_ L _ _

BHCI struck out completely, so she couldn’t solve SPARK PLUG…

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…AND SHE BECAME THE FIRST $100K LOSER OF THE SEASON. Furthermore, this playing was a TOTAL TRAINWRECK.

MY RATING: 4

WoF Retro Recap: October 3, 2008

This was a historical episode to conclude the week. Read on to find out…

EPISODE #4895: GREAT ESCAPES

$1K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

T _ E / P A _ _ F _ C
R _ M

Mandi solved THE PACIFIC RIM. Friday’s players…

Mandi Dale: accounts receivable lady for a trailer manufacturer from Mt. Pleasant, TX

Jesse Parrish, Jr.: cable technician (and he did a Dr. Phil impression on the show!) from Huntingtown, MD

Schwanda McGuin: family preservation therapist for a non-profit organization from Houma, LA

$2K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

B _ I _ _ _
_ O U R _ A _ _ N T

At the last second, Jesse solved BRIDGE TOURNAMENT.

TRIP ON THE WHEEL: an African Safari in California Wine Country worth $6K

Round 1: EVENT

Early on, Jesse picked up the Wild Card with four C’s. He also picked up the safari with an M. But after a lot of work, he blew it with T. Towards the end, Schwanda picked up the Free SPIN and $300 with the R. The board at that point…

C H _ L D R E _ ‘ S
M U S I C / C _ A S S

She solved CHILDREN’S MUSIC CLASS for the house minimum.

SOLE DUD: T (Jesse)

Jackpot Round: AROUND THE HOUSE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Schwanda missed with an R and used the FS, but she missed again with N. Mandi became only the second player ever to pick up the MDW with three H’s! Towards the end, she lit up two C’s for $7K…

T H _ C _ / _ L U S H
B E A C H / T O W E L S

…and she would need some THICK PLUSH BEACH TOWELS, because she’s won $8,300 plus a trip to Ginn Sur Mer in THE BAHAMAS worth $5,800 for a total of $14,100 that round.

DUDS (both by Schwanda): R, N

Jesse: $2K/Schwanda: $1K/Mandi: $15,100 cash & trip

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Mystery Round: OCCUPATION

All Mandi here…

_ N I _ E R S I T _
_ T H L E T I _
_ I R E _ T _ R

…she solved UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR for $4,450 — PR.

Jesse: $2K/Schwanda: $1K/Mandi: $19,550 cash & trip

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$3K Toss-Up: THING

S A _ E L L _ T E
P H O _ E

Mandi picked up the SATELLITE PHONE for a new total of $22,550!

Round 4: PHRASE

After most of the puzzle got filled in, speed-up mode commenced with the remaining consonants worth $1,450, so that was good news for Mandi! And this was how it ended…

T H A N _ _ /_ _ T
N _ / T H A N _ _

Jesse said “THANKS BUT NO THANKS” for $4,450.

SOLE DUD: F (Mandi)

FINAL SCORES
Jesse: $6,450/Schwanda: $1K/Mandi: $22,550 cash and trip and MDW (first-ever player to go for a million!)

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $29,950
NO PENALTY SPINS

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FIRST-EVER MILLION DOLLAR BONUS ROUND

Since Mandi took the MDW to the BR, they took out the one $100K envelope and replaced it w/ the million. If Mandi can land on the one space out of the 24 w/ the million inside and solve the puzzle, she’s a millionaire. Her all-important spin landed her on…the M in AMERICA’S.

Category: THING

Here’s how we began…

_ _ T _ / _ _
_ _ _ _ _ E

FMBO gave her some key letters and it’s what the president takes before being sworn in…

O _ T _ / O F
O F F _ _ E

…but she STILL DIDN’T solve OATH OF OFFICE! UGH. Did she just threw away the million?…

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….no, it was $25,000. That sent her home with $22,550 cash and trip. As it turned out, she was two spaces away from the ultimate disaster. It was under the R in AMERICA’S.

(NOTE: The bottom of the $1M envelope has the same logo as that on the flip side of the MDW itself. That was used for all of this season and some of the earlier parts of the next season until they redesigned w/ the capitalized ONE MILLION, which is still in use today).

MY EP. RATING: 6