WoF Retro Recap: April 2, 2009

EPISODE #5024: GOING GREEN

$1K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

R E U _ _ _ L _
_ _ _ P P _ N G / _ _ G

Anita puts the first bit of money in her REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG. Let’s start the interviewing w/ her…

Anita Sower: Wayne State University senior studying nursing, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and an aspiring pediatrician from Carleton, MI

Jason Thune: IT manager for a telecommunications company from Honolulu

Nichole Patterson: classical dance teacher and owner of a dance company from Los Angeles

$2K Toss-Up: PEOPLE

F _ T U _ _
G E N E _ _ _ I O _ S

Jason solves FUTURE GENERATIONS for control.

ECO-FRIENDLY TRIP: to the Cotton Tree Lodge in Belize from BedandBreakfast.com worth $6,100

Round 1: PLACE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

In the middle of the round after buying all of the vowels, Jason picks up the Belize trip w/ a D. But after a lot of work, he BANKRUPTs to lose $9,250 cash and trip. Nichole next puts up a $600 F, but then N for no. Anita then BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s right side. Jason then puts up a $500 L…

T H E / O T H E R
S I D E / O F / T H E
_ L O _ E

He solves this puzzle for $500 and a trip to THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE, which happens to be the China World Hotel in BEIJING worth $9,600.

SOLE DUD: N (Nichole)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Jason, Anita)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Right away, Nichole gets that MDW w/ a T, but the N fails her again. Secondly, Anita says M for mistake. Jason’s third in line w/ three R’s for $1,350, a $500 S, and an A, but he then BANKRUPTs for the second time this episode to lose $1,600. Back to Nichole who puts up $10,500 worth of three H’s, but then comes another baddie in P. Anita follows up w/ LaT. Jason next lights up two F’s for $600, buys two O’s, but BANKRUPTs again (his third such hit of the night) to lose $350. Nichole tacks on a $900 B and the leftover vowels of two E’s and I (the latter wasn’t that necessary, IMO), but then hits LaT at a bad time to likely kiss $10,900 and the MDW goodbye. Anita SPINGLES for the $600 K…

A / B R E A T H
O F / F R E S H
A I R
H O _ K E _

…and takes A BREATH OF FRESH AIR HOCKEY for the house minimum.

DUDS: N (Nichole), M (Anita), P (Nichole)
LaTs: 2 (both ladies)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both by Jason)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $13,800

Nichole: NOTHING/Anita: $2K/Jason: $12,100 cash & China

Mystery Round: LANDMARK

Jason picks up the Wild Card w/ three T’s. Later, he faces this…

_ _ L L O _ S T O N _
N A T _ O N A L
_ A R _ ‘ S
O L _ / _ A _ T _ _ _ L

He solves YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK’S OLD FAITHFUL for $3,900 when he could’ve gone for the F’s

SOLE BANKRUPT: Anita at the start (her second of the episode)

Nichole: BUPKIS/Anita: $2K/Jason: $16K cash & China WC

---

$3K Toss-Up: LIVING THING

H O _ _ _ _ _ _ E
C R A _

Anita catches a HORSESHOE CRAB for a new total of $5K.

Speed-Up: THING

Oh boy, it’s $6K per consonant!

Anita: N
Jason: 2 R’s
Nichole: G
Anita: D (DUD)
Jason: 3 S’s

G R _ S S – R _ _ _ S
_ _ _ _ _ _ N _

Jason blows the $30K solve w/ GRASS-ROOTS CAMPAIGN when the N is not at the very last position.

Nichole: T
Anita: L (DUD)
Jason: 3 O’s
NULL CYCLE
Nichole: 2 M’s

G R _ S S – R O O T S
M O _ _ M _ N T

Nichole forgets the category, as she says GRASS-ROOTS MONUMENT w/ her own $30K.

Anita: J (SERIOUSLY?!)
Jason: A
Nichole: B (DUD)
Anita: V (NMC)

G R A S S – R O O T S
M O V _ M _ N T

Anita solves GRASS-ROOTS MOVEMENT for $12K and the win by a grand.

DUDS: D, L, J (all by Anita), B (Nichole)
DQs: 2 (blown solves by Jason and Nichole)

FINAL SCORES
Nichole: DESERVING $1K GOOSEEGG/Anita: $17K/Jason: $16K cash & China

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $34K
BANKRUPT TRASH: $11,200 cash & trip

---

$100K Bonus Round

Anita lands on the ol’ W.

Category: THING
The RSTLNE is of decent help…

_ _ N _ S _ _ R
E _ _ _ _ _ T

GMBA fills in two more blanks…

_ _ N _ S A _ R
E _ _ _ B _ T

She’ll still visit a DINOSAUR EXHIBIT, but it will be WITHOUT another $25K.

MY EP. RATING: 5

Thanks to limited resources at my disposal, I can’t do a recap for the April 3, 2009 episode. I can tell you, though, that Marcus Ealy of Conway, AR saved “Going Green 2009” from being a shutout and left w/ $36,270 (including a trip to Mexico). To see how it all went…click HERE.

WoF Retro Recap: April 1, 2009

EPISODE #5023: GOING GREEN

$1K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ _ _ _ U N _ T Y
G A _ _ E _

Ted blows it w/ COUNTRY GARDEN…

_ O _ _ U N I T Y
G A _ D E _

…while Tonia solves COMMUNITY GARDEN. The players on this April Fool’s Day are…

Tonia Noland: community organizer from Louisville (originally from Nashville)

Angie Rhodes: medical assistant and mom of seven kids from Boring, OR

Ted Shistle: HS band teacher and a bassoon player/teacher at a college from Deland, FL

$2K Toss-Up: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

S _ G N I _ G / A
P E _ _ _ _ _ N

Angie’s SIGNING A PETITION for the first control.

ECO-FRIENDLY TRIP: to the Red Mountain Resort & Spa in Utah from SpaFinder.com worth $6,668

Round 1: PHRASE

Early on, Angie picks up the Free SPIN + $300 w/ the H, but then BANKRUPTS away $2,100 and keeps the FS for the moment. Secondly, Ted says S for sorry. Tonia’s next w/ two R’s for $800 and five N’s for the Utah trip. Next is a trio of D’s for $7,500…but then the only bad vowel of this puzzle (I), so she just kissed $15,300 cash and trip goodbye. Angie doesn’t do any better w/ the W and saves the FS again. Ted says the last remaining consonant of a $600 C…

O N _ / H U N D R _ D
A N D / T _ N
P _ R C _ N T

…and gives a ONE HUNDRED AND TEN PERCENT solve for the house minimum.

DUDS: S (Ted), I (Tonia), W (Angie)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Angie

Jackpot Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Ted instantly BANKRUPTS. Later, Tonia picks up the WC w/ an L. Two spins after that, she puts up a D while on Jackpot…

S I E R R A
_ L _ _
S A N D _ I _ _

…but can’t solve for a $6,650 pot. After a $300 W, she loses her turn to the sole dud vowel of this puzzle for the second round in a row (O). Afterwards, Angie lights up twin C’s…

S I E R R A
C L _ _
S A N D W I C _

…and eats up a SIERRA CLUB SANDWICH for $1,600.

SOLE DUD: O (Tonia)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Ted
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,750

T’s: $1K each/Angie: $3,600 FS

We’re only $600 above the minimum, and that’s no joke.

---

Mystery Round: EVENT (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Early on, Tonia gets DQed for repeating the N she already called. Angie controls the rest of the round…

E _ _ A R _ _ N _ / _ _ N
A / T R _ _ _ _ A _
A D V E N T _ R E

With another $7,850 in her pockets ($3,500 from a V), she’ll be EMBARKING ON A TROPICAL ADVENTURE to the British Colonial Hilton in THE BAHAMAS worth $6,250, a total of $14,100 that round.

SOLE DQ: Tonia’s N repeat

T’s: $1K each/Angie: $17,700 cash & trip FS

---

$3K Toss-Up: OCCUPATION

S C _ O O L
_ _ _ _ E

Angie goes over to the $20K mark w/ SCHOOL NURSE.

Round 4: AROUND THE HOUSE

Right away, Angie says a negative in N, and she finally uses the FS. Shortly after that, she LaTs out. Secondly, Ted puts up a $500 S, but time’s running out…

R _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ T T _ R _ _ S

…and the remaining consonants are worth $1,300 each. His next call is the C…

R _ C _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ T T _ R _ _ S

He solves RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES for $1,800.

SOLE DUD (before speed-up): N (Angie)
SOLE LaT: Angie

FINAL SCORES
Ted: $2,800/Tonia: $1K/Angie: $20,700 cash & trip

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $24,500
Angie’s BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,100

---

$100K Bonus Round

Angie gives Pat the S envelope of AMERICA’S.

Category: THING
The first two letters are…

T R _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _

GCPA only adds…

T R _ _ _ A
_ _ _ _

She FLUNKS this TRIVIA QUIZ and loses $30K.

MY EP. RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: March 31, 2009

EPISODE #5022: GOING GREEN

$1K Toss-Up: THING

_ _ B R I D
V E H _ _ L E

Jim knows that the Honda Civic on stage is a HYBRID VEHICLE (Monica tried to say the answer, but she wasn’t called on). We’re going down the line in the interviewing…

Jim Hart: former plank owner of the Navy and currently a senior systems administrator from Margate, FL

Katie McCormack: pre-pharmacy student at Washington State University from Oakesdale, WA

Monica Hosking: substitute teacher from Milford, MI

$2K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ E A D / T H E
_ A B _ L

Jim knows how to READ THE LABEL, so he’s tripled his money.

ECO-FRIENDLY TRIP: to the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas & Spa in Palm Springs worth $7K
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Sierra Trading Post

Round 1: QUOTATION

In the middle of the round, Jim picks up the Palm Springs getaway w/ the R’s. But after a lot of work, he buys the only bad vowel of the puzzle (I), possibly costing him $10,500 cash and trip. Katie’s in control…

T H E / S T U F F
T H A T / D R E A _ S
A R E / _ A D E / O F

She solves “THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF” (from “The Maltese Falcon”) for $1,150.

SOLE DUD: I (Jim)

Jackpot Round: PLACES (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Monica gets the Wild Card w/ three N’s and puts up two D’s while on Jackpot. But after some work, she duds out w/ M while on the Sierra Trading Post gift tag. Soon enough, Jim goes for the solve w/ $2K in his bank…

I N C R E D I _ L E
_ _ L C A N I C
I S L A N D S

He will see some INCREDIBLE VOLCANIC ISLANDS during his stay at the Westin Resort in MAUI worth $7,332.

DUDS: P (Katie), M (Monica)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,850

Jim: $12,332 cash & Maui/Katie: $1,150/Monica: WC

---

Mystery Round: SHOW BIZ

Right away, Monica cashes in $14K w/ the N’s. She wisely uses the WC…and gets another $17,500 from five T’s! It’s all her this round…

_ O T _ N _ / _ O _
_ O _ _ / _ A _ O _ _ T E
A _ E _ _ _ A N / _ _ O _
_ O N T E S T A N T

…she NAILS VOTING FOR YOUR FAVORITE “AMERICAN IDOL” CONTESTANT for $31,250 — MAJOR PR!!!

Jim: $12,332 cash & Maui/Katie: $1,150/Monica: $31,250

---

$3K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

D _ I N G
_ _ R T W _ _ _ L S

Jim isn’t DOING CARTWHEELS, but he’s swept the Tossups to go to $15,332.

Round 4: PEOPLE

Jim leads off w/ two T’s for $900, but then comes LaT. After Katie does some work before saying M for miss, it’s speed-up mode time…

_ E _ _ _ A T E _
_ O _ _ N T E E R S

…w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,300 each. Monica puts up those D’s…

D E D _ _ A T E D
_ O _ _ N T E E R S

…and she proves to be one of the many DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS for $3,900 and the win!

SOLE DUD (before Final Spin): M (Katie)
SOLE LaT: Jim

FINAL SCORES
Jim: $15,332 cash & Maui/Katie: $1,150/Monica: $35,150

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $51,632!
NO BANKRUPTS

---

$100K Bonus Round

Monica lands on that &.

Category: PERSON
Here’s the last letter of it…

_ _ _ _
_ _ N

MDCO gives her…

_ _ _ D
_ _ N

She doesn’t prove to be an AVID FAN of the show (and she had the second word just before time ran out), so she loses $25K. If only she said the A as her vowel…

We are then told about how the Sony Take Back Recycling Program works at the end.

MY EP. RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: March 30, 2009

This was their second annual salute to the environment — “Going Green 2009”.

EPISODE #5021: GOING GREEN

$1K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ _ C Y _ L I N G
C E _ T _ R

Lacy solves RECYCLING CENTER. Our first players of the week are…

Lacy Glover: ladies’ clothing store owner and Miss Arkansas 2004 (also the third runner-up at that year’s Miss America pageant) from Conway, AR

Cody Yawn: assistant manager/office supply retailer who owns a dog named Ashley (but it’s also his dog’s name) from Hammond, LA

Sandra Green: organization development consultant for a hospital system from Orlando

$2K Toss-Up: FUN AND GAMES

_ _ N O _ O _ Y
_ _ _ _ _

Lacy goes for a quick solve, but she’s wrong w/ MONOPOLY BOARD.

M O N O _ O _ Y
_ O _ E _

Sandra wins the two grand in real money instead of MONOPOLY MONEY.

ECO-FRIENDLY TRIP: to the St. James’ Club in Antigua worth $6,450
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: Seventh Generation

Round 1: PHRASE

Right away, Sandra screams loudly w/ delight upon landing on the MDW and picks it up w/ three T’s. Next, she picks up the Seventh Generation gift tag w/ an H. She also gets the Antigua trip w/ an S. Later, she nabs the Free SPIN + $900 w/ three L’s. After all that work…

_ A D E / W I T H
A L L / N A T _ R A L
I N _ R E D I E N T S

…she solves MADE WITH ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS for a PR of $3,450 plus those two prizes.

Jackpot Round: PEOPLE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Lacy begins w/ a $550 T, but then loses her turn just as quickly w/ the S. Later, Cody picks up the WC w/ an M. It’s all him from there…

R O _ A L
C A N A D I A N
M O U N T E D
P O L I C E

He IDs the ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE for $6,750 and a trip to OTTAWA at the Marriott worth $8,250, a total of $15K cash and trip that round.

SOLE DUD: S (Lacy)

Sandra: $12,900 cash & prizes MDW FS/Lacy: $1K/Cody: $15K cash & trip WC

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Cody BANKRUPTs right out of the gate to lose the WC. Shortly after that, Sandra loses $1,300 and the MDW to BANKRUPT, prompting her to use the FS. She lands on the Mystery Wedge next to LaT and calls for the L. She’s pretty much going for it w/ only $150 in her bank…there’s the money! But her turn then ends w/ D for dud. Afterwards, Lacy picks a $500 P and an $800 W to leave only three E’s remaining…

S O L A R
P O W _ R
S T _ _ R I N G

She solves SOLAR POWER STEERING for $1,300.

SOLE DUD: D (Sandra)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Cody, Sandra)

Sandra: $12,900 cash & prizes/Lacy: $2,300/Cody: $15K cash & trip

---

$3K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

_ I C K _ R
_ _ S _ E T

Cody gets WICKER BASKET, bringing him up to $18K.

Speed-Up: THING

$1,600’s the Final Spin here. The Better Business Bureau is one example of this…

N _ N P R _ _ _ T
_ R _ _ N _ _ _ T _ _ N

Lacy solves NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION for $4,800.

DUDS (both by Sandra): L, H

FINAL SCORES
Sandra: $12,900 cash & prizes/Lacy: $7,100/Cody: $18K cash & trip

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $38K
Sandra’s BANKRUPT TRASH (minus WC): $1,300

---

$100K Bonus Round

The Honda Civic Hybrid from “Teachers Week” is back in play for this week of shows. Cody lands on the N in WIN.

Category: THING
Nearly half of the letters have been filled already…

_ _ L _
_ _ E S S

CDHO gives him one more letter…

_ _ L D
_ _ E S S

…but he’s way off w/ BALD CHESS and GOLD CHESS. A 100% accurate WILD GUESS would’ve given him the Civic.

MY EP. RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: March 27, 2009

Time to wrap up what has been a wonderful week! So far, they’ve given away $310,610 cash and prizes! Let’s see what damage Friday’s players can do…

EPISODE #5020: COAST TO COAST

$1K Toss-Up: THINGS

_ U L E / _ _ F
_ H _ / _ O A D

Michael remembers the RULES OF THE ROAD. Here he is and the female opposition…

Michael Humphrey: real estate broker from Santa Barbara

Veronica Schneider: SDSU junior majoring in theater from San Diego

Sherrie Despino: president and CEO of her area’s Acension Chamber of Commerce from Gonzales, LA

$2K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

F _ R _ _ – _ _ D
_ I _

Sherrie solves FIRST-AID KIT.

FEATURED TRIP: to the Ventana Inn & Spa in Big Sur, CA worth $7,130

Round 1: LANDMARK

Sherrie gets $5K from a pair of H’s. But after some work, she hits LaT to leave $9,650 on the table. Towards the end, Michael gets the Free SPIN + $300 w/ a W. He leaves one letter remaining…

T H E / N A T I O N A L
_ A L L / I N
W A S H I N G T O N
D . C .

…and solves THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON D.C. for $4,400.

SOLE LaT: Sherrie

Jackpot Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

In the middle of the round, Michael gets the bedandbreakfast.com gift tag w/ a W. But after a ton of work, he BANKRUPTs to $4,600 cash and gift tag. Obviously, he uses the FS. After filling in the two remaining consonants of a $600 R and $400 S…

A / H O R S E
W I T H / N O
N A M E
T A G

…he solves A HORSE WITH NO NAME TAG for the house minimum.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Michael

Michael: $6,400/Veronica: ZIP/Sherrie: $2K

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Mystery Round: PLACES (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Veronica finally gets her shot. She does a little work before BANKRUPTing on the MDW’s right side to lose $3,700. Much later, Sherrie faces this…

_ O U R / O _ N
_ R I _ A T E / _ O O L
A N D / S U N / D E C K

Ma’am, you’ll have YOUR OWN PRIVATE POOL AND SUN DECK, because you won $3,450 and a trip to the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in ST. LUCIA worth $5,540, a total of $8,990 that round.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Veronica

Michael: $6,400/Veronica: ZILCH/Sherrie: $10,990 cash & trip

---

$3K Toss-Up: EVENT

D _ F I N _ N G
_ _ _ E _ T

Michael might be having a DEFINING MOMENT soon, because he’s now $1,590 off Sherrie’s lead at $9,400.

Round 4: OCCUPATION

Michael does some work, but LaTs out w/ $2,200 on the line. Veronica’s next w/ a P, but it’s time for speed-up mode w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,700 each. The solve attempt…

T _ L L _ _ _ T H
_ P E R A T _ R

Michael solves TOLLBOOTH OPERATOR for $5,600 and the win!

SOLE DUD (after Final Spin): C (Sherrie)
SOLE LaT: Mike

FINAL SCORES
Michael: $15K/Veronica: $1K GOOSEEGG/Sherrie: $10,990 cash & trip

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $26,990
BANKRUPT TRASH: $8,300 cash & GC

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$100K Bonus Round

Trying to end the week w/ a 4-1 BR record, Mike lands on the apostrophe.

Category: PERSON
Here’s a pair of letters to help him get started…

_ _ L _
_ R _

CMPO gives him…

_ O L _
P R O

We hate to break it to Connie Lang on Wednesday, but he scores the hole in one w/ GOLF PRO and triples his money to $45K.

Overall, they’ve posted the second-highest weekly total of Season 26 — $367,600!

MY EP. RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: March 26, 2009

EPISODE #5019: COAST TO COAST

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

H _ T / _ N
T _ _ / _ _ _ I L

Chelsea has nothing.

H O T / O N
T _ _ / _ _ _ I L

J.D.’s HOT ON THE TRAIL for big winnings. Thursday’s players…

John Davis “J.D.” Hardin: marketing director from Warner Robbins, GA

Jaimee Yellin: USC graduate student studying social work (and getting her Master’s from said school) from Redondo Beach, CA

Chelsea Greenwald: from Commerce Township, MI; she has grandmother that is a big game show fan (and won “Queen for a Day”)

$2K Toss-Up: LANDMARK

_ _ _ V E R
D A _

Jaimee solves HOOVER DAM.

FEATURED TRIP: to the Island Vista Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC worth $5,000

Round 1: PROPER NAME

Jaimee picks up the luggagepoint.com gift tag. After a great deal of work, she BANKRUPTs to lose $3,700 cash and luggage. Chelsea’s first spin yields nothing but LaT. J.D.’s in control…

A M E R I C A N
A _ T _ M _ _ I _ E
A S S _ C I A T I _ N

He IDs the AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION for $1,250.

SOLE LaT: Chelsea
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jaimee

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

Chelsea immediately BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s left side. A little later, J.D. gets the same fate to lose $550. Jaimee controls the rest of the round…

S H A _ I N G / T H E
S A N _ / O U T / O _
_ _ / S H O E S

She solves SHAKING THE SAND OUT OF MY SHOES for $5,300 and a trip to the Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort in PUERTO RICO worth $5,800, a total of $11,100 that round.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Chelsea, J.D.)

J.D.: $2,250/Jaimee: $13,100 cash & P.R./Chelsea: ZERO

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

J.D. begins w/ a T while on the Mystery Wedge next to the MDW, but that’s a dud. Secondly, Jaimee lands on the other BANKRUPT of the MDW. Following an R call, Chelsea misses w/ the S, so we’re coming back to J.D. He gets $7K from the N’s, but he says M for miss. Jaimee next chooses two F’s for $1,200, a single O, but she BANKRUPTS again to lose $950 (her third such hit of the night). Chelsea gets her second LaT of the game. J.D. puts up the C’s for $1,100 and goes for the solve…

C O F F E E
_ R E A _
D A N C _ N _

He’s not COFFEE BREAK DANCING, but he’s won another $8,400.

DUDS: T (J.D.), S (Chelsea), M (J.D.)
SOLE LaT: Chelsea
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both by Jaimee)

J.D.: $10,650/Jaimee: $13,100 cash & P.R./Chelsea: NADA

---

$3K Toss-Up: THING

_ E A _ _ _ E W
M I R _ _ _

J.D. looks at a REARVIEW MIRROR to move into the lead at $13,650.

Round 4: SONG LYRICS

J.D. puts up a few letters, but it’s time for speed-up mode w/ the leftover consonants worth $1,500 each. End result…

_ E T / T H E / _ _ _ _
T I _ E S / _ _ _ _

J.D. solves “LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL” (originally by Shirley & Lee) for $2,400 and the win — PR.

FINAL SCORES
J.D.: $16,050/Jaimee: $13,100 cash & P.R./Chelsea: $1K GOOSEEGG

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $30,150
BANKRUPT TRASH: $5.200 cash & luggage

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$100K Bonus Round

J.D.’s envelope comes from the P of SPIN.

Category: PHRASE
Not much to begin w/…

_ _ _ / T _ E
_ _ _ _

CDMO lights up…

O _ _ / T _ E
_ O O _

…the hot vowel…and he’s OFF THE HOOK, because he’s the second G6 convertible winner of the week! His final total for the night is $49,030 cash and car.

MY EP. RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: March 25, 2009

EPISODE #5018: COAST TO COAST

$1K Toss-Up: PLACES

_ I D E – O P _ N
_ P A _ _ _

Tani just came into these WIDE-OPEN SPACES of the studio, so she’s the first to score among these people…

Tani Joiner: cheerleaders/gymnastics coach and a grandmother of 1 from Maumelle, AR

Kevin Gunn: admissions counselor for an agency that helps young children find jobs and a weird music collector and father of three kids from Louisville, KY

Connie Lang: retiree w/ 4 kids, 8 grandkids and some great grandkids from Weiser, ID

$2K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

_ C _ O R
G _ E G / K _ _ _ E _ R

Kevin botches it w/ ANCHOR GREG KINNEAR — where have you heard this person doing the news, sir?

_ C _ O R
G _ E G / K I _ _ E _ R

Tani says the right solution of ACTOR GREG KINNEAR, but it’s Connie who beats her to the punch and collects the money for that solve.

FEATURED TRIP: AmTrak train tour of the Grand Canyon worth $7,010

Round 1: PHRASE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Connie does little work before BANKRUPTing on the MDW‘s left side to lose $1,150. Tani BANKRUPTS normally to lose $500. Kevin’s next w/ a $300 L for the Free SPIN…but he strikes out after calling duds of F and P, respectively. Later, Connie lights up $10K worth of S’s. Soon enough, she faces this…

C L E A R / S _ I E S
A N D / S M _ _ T H
W A T E R S

She wins $11,900 and will be seeing CLEAR SKIES AND SMOOTH WATERS on her MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE courtesy of Celebrity Cruises and TopCruiseClub.com worth $8,700.

DUDS (both by Kevin): F, P
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both ladies)

Jackpot Round: HEADLINE

It’s all Tani this round: six T’s, four S’s, buys of five E’s and four I’s, and an $1,800 P pair.

P I T T S _ _ _ _ _
S T E E _ E _ S / _ I _
S I _ T _ / S _ P E _
_ _ _ _ / T I T _ E

…she solves “PITTSBURGH STEELERS WIN SIXTH SUPER BOWL TITLE” for $6,800 — PR.

Tani: $7,800/Kevin: ZERO/Connie: $22,600 cash & cruise

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Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

In the middle of the round, Kevin puts up a $3,500 D. After he buys the I’s next…

_ _ _ _ _ N E _
_ E N E _ _ _
_ D _ I S S I _ N

…he blows the solve for the second time this episode w/ INSPECTOR GENERAL ADMISSION, and that might cost him $6,700. Connie’s second in line w/ a $500 L, two R’s for another $1,600, but then C for crud. Third, Tani fills in a $600 G, two O’s and three A’s to finish off the vowels, a $400 M…but then a not-so-victorious V call. Kevin then gets a second shot at solving…

A _ _ O R N E _
G E N E R A L
A D M I S S I O N

He’s right this time w/ ATTORNEY GENERAL ADMISSION for the $6,700 in his bank.

DUDS: C (Connie), V (Tani)
SOLE DQ: Kevin’s blown first solve attempt

Tani: $7,800/Kevin: $6,700/Connie: $22,600 cash & cruise

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$3K Toss-Up: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

R _ _ D _ N G
A / M _ _

Tani just makes it in time w/ her solve of READING A MAP. She now has $10,800.

Speed-Up: THING

$1,600’s the Final Spin. End result…

_ A L _ N D A R
O F / _ _ _ N T S

Connie solves CALENDAR OF EVENTS for another $6,400 and the win!

FINAL SCORES
Tani: $10,800/Kevin: $6,700/Connie: $29K cash & cruise

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $46,500
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,650

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$100K Bonus Round

Hoping to give us the third BR win in a row, Connie lands on the *.

Category: THING
1/3 of the puzzle has been filled in…

S _ _ N _
_ _ _ N

PCDI should do it for her…

S _ I N _
C _ I N

…but she still draws a blank! UGH. This SHINY COIN would’ve been worth $25K.

MY RATING: 6 (Kevin’s stupid answers and Connie’s blanking in the BR made me go for that)

WoF Retro Recap: March 24, 2009

EPISODE #5017: COAST TO COAST

$1K Toss-Up: THING

G L _ _ E
_ O M P A R _ M E N T

Haley knows about a car’s GLOVE COMPARTMENT. These players have the daunting task of following up Plezetta’s grand prize win…

Haley Wilcox: registered nurse w/ one son and another on the way from Greenbrier, AR

Amy Antheil: 1st grade teacher who was on leave w/ her six month child and is also expecting from Boynton Beach, FL

Jason Palmer: voiceover artist and a theme park tour guide from Santa Monica

$2K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

W _ L C O _ E
_ _ _

Haley’s two for two w/ WELCOME MAT.

FEATURED TRIP: to the Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont from Bed & Breakfast.com worth $6,000
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Luggagepoint.com

Round 1: OCCUPATION

Haley misses early on w/ the S. Amy secondly picks up the WC w/ two R’s, but she too duds out w/ N. Jason’s next w/ two H’s for $5K. After he buys the two A’s…

H _ _ H _ A _
_ A T R _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ R

…he quickly solves HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER for $4,750.

DUDS: S (Haley), N (Amy)

Jackpot Round: FOOD AND DRINK (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Amy immediately gets the Free SPIN + $600 w/ two R’s, uses it immediately after saying a dud in T, but LaTs out. Much later, Jason picks up the VT trip w/ an L. He does most of the work, but then BANKRUPTS to lose $11,500 cash and trip. Haley puts up the two P’s and two H’s ($400 and $900, respectively), and we now turn to the board…

C R I S P _ / N A C H O
C H I P S / A N D
C R E A M _
G U A C A M O L E

She’ll eat some CRISPY NACHO CHIPS AND CREAMY GUACAMOLE on her trip to the Presidente Intercontinental in PUERTO VALLARTA worth $5,600; her total that round is $7,900 cash and trip.

SOLE DUD: T (Amy)
SOLE LaT: Amy
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jason

Jason: $4,750/Haley: $10,900 cash & trip/Amy: WC

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Mystery Round: PHRASE

Jason immediately says N for nothing while on the Mystery Wedge next to LAT. Secondly, Haley puts up three T’s for $10,500. But she misses w/ the H. Amy lands on the other MW and puts up the G. She risks $700 and the WC…$$$. Once she finishes off the vowels…

U _ E / A / L I T T L E
_ I T / O _ / E L _ O _
G R E A _ E

…she says “USE A LITTLE BIT OF ELBOW GREASE” for $10,200.

DUDS: N (Jason), H (Haley)

Jason: $4,750/Haley: $10,900 cash & trip/Amy: $10,200 WC

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$3K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ A _ _ _ / B _ Y
_ _ _ _ I _ A

Haley quickly solves TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA to go to $13,900.

Speed-Up: SHOW BIZ

It’s a $6K FS! Haley racked up $30K in this round (three S’s included)…

_ _ C K S T _ _ _
P _ S S

…but it’s Amy who ended up solving BACKSTAGE PASS for $6K.

DUDS: R (Amy), N (Jason), F (Amy)

FINAL SCORES
Jason: $4,750/Haley: $13,900 cash & trip/Amy: $16,200 WC

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $34,850
Jason’s BANKRUPT TRASH: $11,500 cash & trip

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$100K Bonus Round

Our Florida teacher lands on the M of AMERICA’S.

Category: PHRASE
A couple of end letters are revealed first…

_ _ / _ E
_ / _ _ _ _ R

MDHI and F give her some help…

D _ / M E
_ / F _ _ _ R

Amy, DO ME A FAVOR and solve w/ what you have on the final board…she nails it for the Pontiac G6 convertible worth $32,980! She’s driving away w/ $49,180 cash and car.

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

WoF Retro Recap: March 23, 2009

They’re back home for a temporary 2-week stay. This week is called “Coast to Coast”.

EPISODE #5016: COAST TO COAST

$1K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

S _ _ _ T
S _ A _ T

Candice gets off to a SMART START for the first grand in her pockets. Our first players this week are…

Candice Winters: USC sophomore studying journalism and a swimming coach from Irvine, CA

Plezetta West: junior at Loyola-New Orleans College of Law from Natchez, MS

Nicholas del Drago: custom painter and airbrush artist of motorcycles from Debary, FL

$2K Toss-Up: OCCUPATION

T _ _ _ _ L
A _ _ _ T

Plezetta goofs w/ TALENT AGENT.

T _ A V _ L
A _ E N T

Candice might need to meet w/ a TRAVEL AGENT if she wins a trip on this show.

FEATURED TRIP: to The Breakers in Ft. Walton Beach, FL worth $6K
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: bedandbreakfast.com

Round 1: SONG/ARTIST

Candice controls the entire round…

_ / _ E T / A _ _ _ _ _
B _ / T H E / B E A _ H
B _ _ S

…and solves “I GET AROUND” BY THE BEACH BOYS for another $3,700 — PR.

Candice: $6,700/Others: $0 each

Jackpot Round: THINGS

Plezetta starts w/ four T’s while on Jackpot. After buying the E’s, she BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s left side to lose the remaining $1,750. Nicholas lands on Jackpot and puts up the R’s, but can’t solve for a $6K pot. Later, he and everybody else BANKRUPT three times in a row (Nicholas lost $1,950 w/ his hit). Nicholas tries again w/ two C’s for $900, but then LaTs out. Candice then puts up $2,400 worth of three S’s…

C I T _ / S T R E E T S
A N _ / C O _ N T R _
R O A _ S

…and keeps that amount w/ her solve of CITY STREETS AND COUNTRY ROADS.

SOLE LaT: Nicholas
BANKRUPTS: 4 (Plezetta 2x, 1 each by everybody else)

Candice: $9,100/Others: $0 each

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Mystery Round: PHRASE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Nicholas’ first choices are trios of R’s ($500 each), O’s and E’s, but he then BANKRUPTs for the second time this episode to give back $1K. Secondly, Candice cashes in $14K worth of T’s and picks up the bedandbreakfast.com gift tag w/ an H. She later picks up the WC w/ two G’s. But after a lot of work, she PAINFULLY BANKRUPTs to forfeit $17,300 cash and gift tag as well as the WC — darn. And her maingame sweep bid is pretty much history. Plezetta spins once for the C…

D O N ‘ T / F O R G E T
T O / B R I N G / T H E
C A _ E R A

…and says “DON’T FORGET TO BRING THE CAMERA” for $600 and the $6K caravan.com TOUR OF CENTRAL AMERICA; she’s now on the board w/ $6,600 cash and tour.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Nicholas, Candice)

Candice: $9,100/Plezetta: $6,600 cash & tour/Nicholas: NADA

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$3K Toss-Up: LIVING THINGS

H O W _ _ N G
_ _ Y O _ E _

Plezetta hears these HOWLING COYOTES, putting her in the lead at $9,600.

Round 4: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Plezetta gets an instant $10K from two N’s. It’s all her this round…

_ _ A I N S _ _ _ _ I N G
I _ E A S

…she has the BRAINSTORMING IDEAS for $10,450 and now has $20,050 — PR #2.

Candice: $9,100/Plezetta: $20,050 cash & tour/Nicholas: BUPKIS

Round 5: FUN AND GAMES

After a bit of regular gameplay, speed-up mode commences w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,500 each. Once Nicholas puts up the P’s…

S _ T – _ P S / &
P _ _ _ – _ P S

…he could very well be goosegged, because he blows the $4,500 solve w/ SIT-UPS & CHIN-UPS. Candice puts up the last remaining consonant of L (two of them)…

S _ T – _ P S / &
P _ L L – _ P S

…and solves SIT-UPS & PULL-UPS for $3K.

DUDS (only the last one was called after Final Spin): R (Nicholas), N (Candice), H (Plezetta)
SOLE DQ: Nicholas’ blown solve

FINAL SCORES
Candice: $12,100/Plezetta: $20,050 cash & tour/Nicholas: $1K GOOSEEGG

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $33,150
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus WC): $22K cash & GC

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$100K Bonus Round

Out in Bonusland this week is a Pontiac G6 convertible. Plezetta, who brought along mom Josie and brother Marcus, lands on the A in GAME.

Category: THING
This is all she gets to start…

_ _ _ _ _
_ _ N _

CDGI all make the puzzle…

_ _ G I C
_ _ N D

She wins! After she waves that MAGIC WAND, this appears right before her very eyes…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…THE $100K — SHE’S THE THIRD SUCH WINNER OF THE SEASON!!!!! She’s now your second-highest winner of the season w/ $120,050 cash and tour! Great job!

MY EP. RATING: 9 (orig. a 10; too much lost to BANKRUPT)

WoF Retro Recap: March 20, 2009

EPISODE #5015: BIG SPLASH (ORLANDO)

$1K Toss-Up: THING (Pat mistakenly said this was the BR — whoa there, sir!)

_ _ _ N T _ _ N
_ F / Y O _ T _

Debbie was about to say the right answer, but it’s Chris who buzzes in first and solves FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH. We finish off the third week in Orlando w/ these people…

Chris Cole: territory manager for an industrial supply company in Dallas w/ a 4-yr.-old daughter from Winter Garden, FL

Debbie Haines: accounting coordinator/sales associate from Gulfport, FL

Lourdes Marsans: sales rep from Miami, FL

$2K Toss-Up: IN THE KITCHEN

E L E C _ _ I C
W _ K

Chris is two for two w/ ELECTRIC WOK.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to Ireland from Brendan Worldwide Vacations worth $6,466

Round 1: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? (PRIZE PUZZLE)

It’s all Chris this round…

_ A N _ I N G
T H E / H U _ A

…he solves for $1,900, and he’ll be DANCING THE HULA during his stay at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa in OAHU worth $6,010, a total of $7,910 cash and trip — PR.

Lourdes: $0/Chris: $10,910 cash & Oahu/Debbie: $0

Jackpot Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Debbie begin w/ two T’s for $1,800 and three R’s for the WC. It’s all her this round…

T R I A L / _ _
_ I R E
E _ T I _ _ _ I _ _ E R

I doubt anyone would do a TRIAL BY FIRE EXTINGUISHER, but she’s on the board for $1,450 — PR #2.

Lourdes: ZERO/Chris: $10,910 cash & Oahu/Debbie: $1,450 WC

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Mystery Round: PHRASE

Lourdes finally gets her shot. She does a little work, but BANKRUPTS away $1,700. Chris’ in control…

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

…he says “THAT REALLY HIT THE SPOT” for another $3,750.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Lourdes

Lourdes: HARD LUCK/Chris: $14,660 cash & Oahu/Debbie: $1,450 WC

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$3K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

P _ _ S I O _ / F O R
F _ S _ I _ N

Chris has a PASSION FOR FASHION, so he’s swept the Tossups and moves on up to $17,660.

Round 4: PEOPLE

Chris does most of the work…

_ E _ C O M I N G
C O M M I T T E E

…only to fall apart w/ the S — uh, no, sir. Debbie puts up the two remaining consonants of this puzzle ($300 L and $600 W)…

W E L C O M I N G
C O M M I T T E E

…and reads WELCOMING COMMITTEE for the house minimum. She now has $2,450.

SOLE DUD: S (Chris)

Lourdes: HARD LUCK/Chris: $14,660 cash & Oahu/Debbie: $2,450 WC

Round 5: PLACE

Debbie LaTs out after starting w/ a $300 T. Second for Lourdes are three R’s, but then a negative in C. We now go into speed-up mode…

R _ _ _ _ _
T _ R R _ _ _

…and the remaining consonants are worth $1,800 each. Chris puts up the N…

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

After he initially says ROUGH TERRAIN, he gets the right one of RUGGED TERRAIN at the last second for another $1,800 and the win!

SOLE DUD (before speed-up): C (Lourdes)
SOLE LaT: Debbie

FINAL SCORES
Lourdes: $1K GOOSEEGG/Chris: $19,460 cash & Oahu/Debbie: $2,450

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $22,910
Lourdes’ BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,700

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$100K Bonus Round

Chris lands on the E in GAME.

Category: PHRASE
For starters…

_ _ L _ _
_ _ _ N T

CMPO gives him…

_ _ L _ _
P O _ N T

His VALID POINT isn’t good enough for the Ford Expedition.

MY EP. RATING: 6