WoF Retro Recap: October 16, 2009

EPISODE #5095: WHEEL AROUND THE WORLD

To start this episode, we get a quick greeting from the hosts of the Brazil version again.

$1K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

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

Andrew gets INTERNET RADIO. The end-of-the-week players…

Andrew Mazuro: software sales account executive married to Laurie and a wine collector who once got lost in the woods of Poland at age 7 from Flanders, NJ

Karyn Jones: 7th grade English teacher at Pinkston MS married to Bubba w/ three boys from Mountain Home, AR

Carolyn Partee: physical communications and business writing teacher involved in freelance TV production and mom of one child from Memphis

$2K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

C A R _ _ _ _ N
S W E _ T E R

Karyn puts on a CARDIGAN SWEATER for control.

FEATURED TRIP: to Malaysia from Malaysia Airlines worth $9,062

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

She opens w/ the obvious (a $1K N pair, two I’s, a $1K G pair), then she picks two E’s, a $300 H, a $600 T pair, and two A’s before hitting the MDW’s left-side BANKRUPT to lose $2,150. Secondly, Carolyn spots twin S’s for $600, but then B for bad. Andrew then goes for the solve…

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

He’s correct w/ “INDULGING MYSELF AT THE SPA” for a trip to the Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in NUEVO VALLARTA worth $9,600.

SOLE DUD: B (Carolyn)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Karyn
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,500

Round 2: PROPER NAME

Carolyn’s up first w/ two T’s for a $600 and a baddie in R while on the bedandbreakfast.com gift tag. Andrew has the same result w/ S. While third in line, Karyn rattles off two N’s for $1,800, buys three O’s, FPs four E’s and picks up the WC w/ four L’s. We now have…

N _ T _ O N _ L
_ O O T _ _ L L
L E _ _ _ E

She makes the $1,550 solve w/ NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

DUDS: R (Carolyn), S (Andrew)

Karyn: $3,550 WC/Carolyn: NIL/Andrew: $10,600 cash & trip

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Andrew hits an instant roadblock in R. Karyn secondly lands on $3,500, but says N for negative. Third, Carolyn lights up three T’s for $1,200, but the B fails her again. Andrew gets up there a $400 S, four E’s, a $500 H, a single A, a $550 C, a $300 K, the last vowel of I, and a $700 F. Board…

F I T T E _
S H E E T
C A K E

…and solves FITTED SHEET CAKE for $1,700.

DUDS: R (Andrew), N (Karyn), B (Carolyn)

Karyn: $3,550 WC/Carolyn: NO LUCK/Andrew: $12,300 cash & trip

---

$3K Toss-Up: FICTIONAL CHARACTER

_ O _ G / _ O _ N
S I _ _ E R

Karyn solves LONG JOHN SILVER to move to $6,550.

Round 4: OCCUPATION

Next from her mouth are two N’s for a grand, three S’s for $2,700, buys of E and I, triple A’s via FP, a $2,100 R trio, but it’s time for S-U mode…

_ R _ _ E S S I _ N A _
_ R A N S _ A _ _ R

…and $1,500 is the value of each remaining consonant. She frontloads the P…

P R _ _ E S S I _ N A _
_ R A N S _ A _ _ R

…and solves PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATOR for $6,800 and the win — PR.

FINAL SCORES
Karyn: $13,350 WC/Carolyn: $1K GOOSEEGG/Andrew: $12,300 cash & trip

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $26,650
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,150

---

$100K Bonus Round

Bubba the hubby and their oldest son Mason are in attendance; the last bonus spin of the week comes to a halt on the *.

Category: PEOPLE
The beginning board…

_ _ _ S E N
_ E _

She knows it already like we do! CHFO and W give her a complete board…

C H O S E N
F E W

…and she’s one of the CHOSEN FEW to have pulled off that kind of feat for the $30K! Her final all-cash total is $43,350.

MY EP. RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: October 15, 2009

EPISODE #5094: WHEEL AROUND THE WORLD

Leading off this episode is a greeting from the hosts of Italy’s “La Ruota Della Fortuna”.

$1K Toss-Up: THINGS

P A _ _ P O R T
S T A M P _

Brandon gets out his PASSPORT STAMPS. The players on this Thursday are…

Brandon McVicker: office services coordinator for a large oil field services company who plays the guitar from Houston, TX

Marny Conui: product developer for a company that licenses corporate and celebrity brands who enjoys tennis and dancing from Santa Monica

Jayne Hladio: banker/musician who’s married w/ a 3-yr.-old daughter from Chicago

$2K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

_ I E R _ E
B _ _ _ _ _ N

Brandon’s two for two w/ former James Bond actor PIERCE BROSNAN.

FEATURED TRIP: Brendan Worldwide Vacations tour of Italy worth $7,600

Jackpot Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Brandon FPs an R at the start, then he says a $300 T, three N’s for $1,200 more, buys of E and A, and a $1K G pair before hitting BANKRUPT near top dollar to forfeit $2,500. Secondly, Marny finds the obvious $300 D and picks up the WC w/ two L’s, but she says C for crud. Jayne then picks up the Tiger GPS gift tag w/ two H’s to clean out the consonants.

H _ _ T I N G / A N D
H _ L L E R I N G

She’s HOOTING AND HOLLERING to win it.

SOLE DUD: C (Marny)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Brandon
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,550

Round 2: BEFORE AND AFTER

Marny starts w/ a $900 R, but then BANKRUPTs near TD to give up the money and the WC. Secondly, Jayne fills in two T’s for $1,200, an $1,800 S pair, and two E’s, but then says M for mistake. Third, Brandon BANKRUPTs near $600. On Marny’s second try, she lights up a $600 L but then gets the same same BANKRUPT Brandon got. Jayne lights up two N’s for $600, two A’s, a $3,500 F, an I, but says D for dud. Brandon then says two P’s for $600 and a $500 C to clean out the consonants.

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

He wins another $1,100 on a TENNIS COURT OF APPEALS.

DUDS (both by Jayne): M, D
BANKRUPTS: 3 (Marny 2x, Brandon)

Jayne: gift tag/Brandon: $4,100/Marny: NIL

Oh no, here’s another game that has another bad first half so far… -__-

---

Mystery Round: SONG LYRICS (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Jayne immediately lights up the four T’s while on the MW near the MDW. She turns down the $4K…but she’s BANKRUPTED. Brandon controls the rest of the round saying a $600 S pair, two N’s to triple up, an O, a $10,500 D trio, and two A’s and three E’s.

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

He solves “I’M SO EXCITED AND I JUST CAN’T HIDE IT” (by the Pointer Sisters) for $11,550 and a trip to the Pacific Palisades Hotel in VANCOUVER, BC worth $6,047, a total of $17,597 that round.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Jayne

Jayne: gift tag/Brandon: $21,697 cash & Canada/Marny: NOTHING

---

$3K Toss- Up: RHYME TIME

T _ _ / M _ _
_ _ _ _ / _ _ _ / P _ _ N

Marny obviously isn’t THE MAN WITH THE PLAN, but she finally breaks through.

Speed-Up: FOOD AND DRINK

It’s a $1,500 Final Spin.

Marny: 2 R’s
Jayne: T
NULL CYCLE
Brandon: M (DUD)
Marny: 2 S’s
Jayne: D
Brandon: P (DUD)
Marny: H
Jayne: E

_ R E S H – R _ _ S T E D
_ _ _ _ E E

Jayne only gets the first line. Brandon then says three F’s…

F R E S H – R O A S T E D
_ _ F F E E

…he has some FRESH-ROASTED COFFEE for $4,500 and the win!

DUDS (both by Brandon): M, P
SOLE DQ: Jayne’s blanking on the last word

FINAL SCORES
Jayne: gift tag/Brandon: $26,197 cash & Canada/Marny: $3K

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $30,197
BANKRUPT TRASH (excl. MW gamble): $4K

---

$100K Bonus Round

Mom Patty and sister Erin are in attendance; Brandon lands on that W.

Category: THING
The end letters of both lines are revealed first…

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

CMPA are all up there…

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

…but he makes A WIDE IMPACT in a negative way instead of A HUGE IMPACT, costing him $35K.

MY EP. RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: October 14, 2009

EPISODE #5093: WHEEL AROUND THE WORLD

We kick off this episode w/ a greeting from Turkey’s hosts of the show.

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ E _ _ N G / _ S
_ _ _ _ E _ I N _

Danelle says “SEEING IS BELIEVING” to get on the scoreboard first. The lowdown on everybody…

Danelle Miller: 7th/8th grade history teacher at Woodlawn Middle School from Baton Rouge

Liza Watts: part of a military family who does volunteer work (specifically, steering team w/ mothers of preschoolers) married to Jeremy w/ two kids from Vail, AZ (born in Okinawa)

Joe Branca: hotel/restaurant worker who enjoys camping, biking, and hiking from Morro Bay, CA

$2K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

B A C K U _
S I _ _ _ _ S

Joe solves BACKUP SINGERS.

FEATURED WAtW TRIP: to Point Hotel Barbaros in Istanbul, Turkey courtesy of WorldHotels Deluxe Collection worth $9,800

Jackpot Round: FUN AND GAMES

Joe loses control right away w/ S. Secondly, Danelle finds two T’s while on Jackpot and triple N’s for $1,500, but then gets stopped by the only bad vowel of the puzzle (A). Third, Liza spots a $900 D, a W for the Turkish getaway, five O’s, and a couple R’s for $5K. But after her next purchase of two I’s is the MDW’s right-side BANKRUPT to rid her of $15,200 cash and trip. Darn. Joe spins once for the G’s for $600…

G O I N G / _ O R / I T
O N / _ O _ R T _ / D O W N

…and gains the house minimum yardage, because he was GOING FOR IT ON FOURTH DOWN. The hosts of Italy take it to the first break.

DUDS: S (Joe), A (Danelle)
PAINFUL BANKRUPT: Liza
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,500

Round 2: BEFORE AND AFTER

Danelle does a lot of work: four T’s for $1,200, a couple S’s for an additional $700, six E’s, a trio of H’s for another $1,500, a $600 G, an I and two A’s before BANKRUPTing near $3,500 to the tune of $3,250. Liza spins twice for the $600 D and two $550 R’s before we take a look at this…

_ A S T E R / T H A _
T H E / S _ E E D / _ _
_ I G H T
_ E E R

She thinks she’s “FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT” BEER for $1,700.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Danelle

Liza: $1,700/Joe: $3K/Danelle: $1K

We’re only $700 above the minimum, so this game has got to pick up fast…

---

Mystery Round: PLACE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Liza first lands on the MW next to the MDW, but there’s no R to be found. While second in line, Joe lights up a $300 N, four A’s, and a C while on the other MW. W/ only $50 in his bank, he’s going for it…there’s the $10K! But he then says M for miss while on the bedandbreakfast.com gift tag. Third, Danelle spots an $800 S but then gets the BANKRUPTs (her second of the night) on the other side of the MDW. Liza next chooses double L’s for $1,100, a $900 D, the sole I in the middle word, a $300 T, a $300 P, but then the sole dud vowel of O. Joe then finds the W at the bottom for another $600 and a trio of E’s…

P E A C E _ _ L
I S L A N D
_ E T A W A _

He wins $10,400 and a PEACEFUL ISLAND GETAWAY to the Green Bank Villas in the BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS worth $7,500, a total of $17,900 that round.

DUDS: R (Liza), M (Joe), O (Liza)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Danelle

Liza: $1,700/Joe: $20,900 cash & BVI/Danelle: $1K

---

$3K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

_ _ R / _ _ U L
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ E Y

Danelle blanks out.

_ I R / _ _ U L
_ C _ A _ _ _ E Y

Liza identifies former Beatle SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY for a new total of $4,700.

Speed-Up: IN THE KITCHEN

It’s a $6K Final Spin!

Liza: T
Joe: N (DUD)
Danelle: 2 S’s
Liza: 2 R’s
Joe: D (DUD)
Danelle: L
Liza: 2 I’s
Joe: 4 E’s

S E _ R E T / _ _ _ I L _
R E _ I _ E S

Joe solves SECRET FAMILY RECIPES for the house minimum, because he questionably lit up those E’s; both women left a combined $36K on the table (they each had $18K).

DUDS (both by Joe): N, D

FINAL SCORES
Liza: $4,700/Joe: $21,900 cash & BVI/Danelle: $1K

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $27,600
BANKRUPT TRASH: $19,250 cash & trip

---

$100K Bonus Round

These four ladies came to cheer on Joe — his mom, girlfriend Emily, aunt Jeannie, and cousin Roberta (from Canada). The envelope he lands on comes from the M of AMERICA’S.

Category: THING
The RSTLNE has lit…

_ L _ _
_ _ _ _ R _ N E

MPCI gives him a little more help…

C L _ _
_ I _ _ R I N E

…but CLAW isn’t the first word. We were looking for CLAY FIGURINE, and he doesn’t win $30K.

MY EP. RATING: 5 (orig. a 6; too much lost to BANKRUPT and house minimum solve in R4)

WoF Retro Recap: October 13, 2009

EPISODE #5092: WHEEL AROUND THE WORLD

The hosts of Brazil start this episode off w/ their greeting.

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

A H E _ _ / _ F
_ H _ / _ _ M _

Kami is wrong w/ AHEAD OF THE TIME. Stephana immediately jumps in and correctly says AHEAD OF THE GAME. Let’s go down the line in the interviewing…

Stephana Fedchak: forensic scientist married to Nick (they got married at a run-through wedding) from Vegas

Kamille “Kami” Clupper: academic advisor for the W.P. Carey School of business at Arizona State Univ. from Tempe, AZ

Ben Falk: attorney married to Sarah w/ two young boys who enjoys playing golf and poker from Portland, OR

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

_ E L L _
D A N _ E R

Ben solves BELLY DANCER.

FEATURED TRIP: Brendan Worldwide Vacations tour of Brazil worth $7,920
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Tiger GPS

Jackpot Round: PLACE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Ben begins w/ two T’s for $1K, two L’s for another $1,800, and buys of five E’s and two A’s…

A / L _ T T L E / _ _ E _ E
_ _ / _ E A _ E _

…but he blows the solve w/ A LITTLE WEDGE OF HEAVEN. Stephana secondly goes BANKRUPT near $600. That’s followed by Kami’s dud of S while she’s on the WC, so we’re coming right back to Ben…and he’s right this time w/ A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN for $2,300 plus a trip to the Sheraton MAUI Resort & Spa courtesy of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays worth $7,500.

SOLE DUD: S (Kami)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Stephana
SOLE DQ: Ben’s blown first solve
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $6,400

Round 2: SAME NAME

Stephana fills in most of the puzzle: a $550 R (close call), the purchase of two E’s, three N’s to add $1,800, a couple A’s, two S’s for another $600, an I to clean out the vowels already, a trio of T’s for an additional $1,650, a $600 M, and a B for the WC, but she squanders her turn w/ the D. After Kami hits LaT, Ben completes the board w/ a $300 Y, $500 B, and $500 K. The entire board:

T Y R A / &
I N V E S T M E N T
B A N K S

…and solves TYRA & INVESTMENT BANKS for $1,300.

SOLE DUD: D (Stephana)
SOLE LaT: Kami

Stephana: $1K/Kami: ZERO/Ben: $13,100 cash & Maui

The hosts of Turkey take us to the next break.

---

Mystery Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Kami BANKRUPTS near $600 after starting w/ two N’s for $800. Secondly, Ben   just can’t get off of LaT. Third, Stephana picks up the WAtW trip w/ three G’s, then she says two R’s for $600 (she thought it was already called), three I’s, two FPs T’s, four A’s, and S for sorry. Kami next finds two L’s for the Tiger GPS gift tag, a $450 M, but misses w/ the C. Ben then says a $400 F, a $300 Z, two P’s for $1,800, and two H’s for another $1,800.

F L I P P I N G
T H R _ _ G H / A
T R A _ _ L
M A G A Z I N _

He‘s FLIPPING THROUGH A TRAVEL MAGAZINE for $4,300.

DUDS: S (Stephana), C (Kami)
SOLE LaT: Ben
SOLE BANKRUPT: Kami

Stephana: $1K/Kami: ZIPPO/Ben: $17,400 cash & Maui

---

$3K Toss-Up: SONG TITLE

P _ N B A L L
_ _ Z A R _

Ben solves The Who’s “PINBALL WIZARD” for a new total of $20,400.

Speed-Up: EVENT

It’s a $1,600 Final Spin.

Ben: 2 T’s
Stephana: 2 R’s
Kami: N
Ben: L
Stephana: O (which she said during Ben’s 3 sec.)
Kami: S (DUD)
Ben: Y

_ _ _ T O R Y
_ _ L _ _ R _ T _ O N

Ben’s gonna be doing a VICTORY CELEBRATION, because he’s won the game w/ another $6,400!

SOLE DUD: S (Kami)

FINAL SCORES
Stephana: $1K/Kami: $1K GOOSEEGG/Ben: $26,800 cash & Maui

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $28,800
Kami’s BANKRUPT TRASH: $800

---

$100K Bonus Round

Ben brought along Sarah the wife and parents Mark & Shelly before spinning what’s under the R.

Category: THING
Decent head start…

_ _ _ R N _ L
_ _ _ E

GPHA will likely do it for him…

_ _ _ R N A L
P A G E

He’ll be writing on a JOURNAL PAGE the fact that he won the $25K in this segment, and ended his night w/ a total of $51,800 cash and Maui.

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

WoF Retro Recap: October 12, 2009

It’s the start of another “Wheel Around the World” week!

EPISODE #5091: WHEEL AROUND THE WORLD

The hosts of Spain’s “La Ruleta de la Suerte” give a shout-out.

$1K Toss-Up: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

_ _ _ V _ L I _ G
_ _ / S _ _ _ _

Kristina goofs w/ TRAVELING IN SPAIN.

_ _ V _ _ L I _ G
_ _ / S _ Y _ _

Pawlo might be TRAVELING IN STYLE if he wins a trip to somewhere. The opening panel…

Pawlo Korzeniowski: project manager married to Elizabeth who likes to play disc golf, poker, and chess from Richboro, PA

Jessica Morgan: Missouri State Univ. senior studying elementary education and a student teacher who has a boyfriend from Jefferson City, MO

Kristina Lyons: realtor and a college student majoring in business who’s born on Christmas Day from Lake Mary, FL

$2K Toss-Up: SONG TITLE

_ _ _ / _ _ / _
H _ P _ _ / F _ _ E

Kristina solves “PUT ON A HAPPY FACE” (from the musical “Bye Bye Birdie”).

FEATURED WAtW TRIP: Brendan Worldwide Vacations tour of Spain worth $8K
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: bedandbreakfast.com

Jackpot Round: STAR AND ROLE

Kristina says an instant negative in N while Pawlo goes BANKRUPT near $600 on his first spin. Going to Jessica already who  finds two S’s for a $1,600 start, a T for the WAtW trip, two A’s, a $900 L trio, three E’s, a $2,500 P and two I’s before she goes for the solve…

_ E _ _ L / S T _ E E P
A S / _ _ L I A / _ _ I L _

She IDs MERYL STREEP AS JULIA CHILD for $12,250 cash and trip.

SOLE DUD: N (Kristina)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Pawlo
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,100

The greeting before the first commercial break comes from the hosts of Brazil’s “Roda a Roda”.

Round 2: FUN AND GAMES (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Pawlo is off and running w/ three R’s for $1,500, an E buy, two S’s for another $700 and triple A’s, then he lights up a trio of N’s for an additional $1,650, three I’s, but then L for loss of turn. Jessica secondly takes two H’s for $900, two O’s to wipe out the vowel shop, a $300 B, a $7K pair of N’s, a $300 F, a $550 C, and an $1K G pair. Board…

C H A R T E R I N G / A
S _ O R T – F I S H I N G
B O A T

She wins another $9,800 and will likely be CHARTERING A SPORT-FISHING BOAT during her stay at the Beacon Hotel in MIAMI worth $5K.

SOLE DUD: L (Pawlo)

Kristina: $2K/Pawlo: $1K/Jessica: $27,050 cash & trips

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Our big leader immediately BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s right side. Secondly, Kristina puts up a $550 T but the N fails her for the second time this episode. Third, Pawlo BANKRUPTs (near $3,500) for the second time this game. Jessica’s back in control w/ a $300 S and three E’s before she finds two L’s while on the MW next to the MDW. She risks just $50…good call. Next up are a $550 C, two A’s, and a look at…

_ E L _ _ S E
_ L A C E
_ A T

She nails “MELROSE PLACE” MAT (the first half is an old ’90s TV series) for $10,350.

SOLE DUD: N (Kristina)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Jessica, Pawlo)

Kristina: $2K/Pawlo: $1K/Jessica: $37,400 cash & trips

---

$3K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ _ D A _ E _ T
_ U _ _ _ _ Y

This should’ve been ON THE MAP, but Kristina gets BUDAPEST, HUNGARY for a new total of $5K.

Speed-Up: THING

Consonants were worth $6K apiece! The bad news is that Jessica could still lose the game, but she might break Lauren Kaufman’s $66,350 record right now if she’s lucky in this part of the game.

Kristina: N (DUD)
Pawlo: R
Jessica: 2 T’s
Kristina: S
Pawlo: N repeat 
Jessica: 2 L’s
Kristina: 2 M’s
Pawlo: F
Jessica: G (DUD)
Kristina: V
Pawlo: C (DUD)
Jessica: B (DUD)
Kristina: H

M _ / _ L L – T _ M _
F _ V _ R _ T _ / S H _ _

Kristina says that “WHEEL” is MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE SHOW for $30K! Even though she still loses by $2,400, her final second-place total is nothing to be ashamed of!

DUDS: N (Kristina), G (Jessica), C (Pawlo), B (Jessica)
SOLE DQ: Pawlo’s N repeat

FINAL SCORES
Kristina: $35K/Pawlo: $1K/Jessica: $37,400 cash & trips

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: a new SEASON-HIGH of $73,400!
NO BANKRUPT TRASH!

---

$100K Bonus Round

Jessica’s parents (Frank & Donna) and grandparents (Don & Sue) watch her get the C envelope.

Category: PHRASE
The opening story…

S _ _ E _ _ _ N _
_ _

CDGI won’t do much…

S _ _ E _ _ I N G
_ _

…and she totally misses it w/ SHAPING UP. That means she won’t be SQUEAKING BY w/ another $35K.

This was a truly exciting game, so I’m giving this an 8.

WoF Retro Recap: October 9, 2009

EPISODE #5090: FALL FOLIAGE

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ _ _ _ _ _ / _ S
_ / P _ C T _ _ _

Mitchell’s quick solve is PRETTY AS A PICTURE. We end the week w/ these people…

Mitchell Brock: security officer and a minor-league football player from League City, TX (orig. from Detroit)

Marcia Cutsinger: operator of a non-profit ministry for the poor w/ her husband from Modesto, CA

Dina Coniglio: 9th/10th grade P.E. teacher and soccer coach from King of Prussia, PA

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

T O _ _ _ / O F
T H _ / T _ _ N

This time, Mitchell has nothing.

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

Marcia might be the TOAST OF THE TOWN if she wins big, but she’ll be spinning first.

FF TRIP: to McGee’s Inn in Ottawa, Canada courtesy of bedandbreakfast.com worth $6K

Jackpot Round: FOOD AND DRINK

Marcia says an instant negative in T. Secondly, Dina FPs an N, buys triple A’s and picks up the WC in S. Following those letters are four E’s, two R’s for another grand, three D’s for another $2,700, but then a bad purchase in O. Third, Mitchell finds four P’s for $1,600, but then comes BANKRUPT. Marcia then lights up two  L’s for a grand…

R E D / A P P L E S
D _ P P E D / _ N
_ A R A _ E L

…she eats some RED APPLES DIPPED IN CARAMEL.

DUDS: T (Marcia), O (Dina)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Mitchell
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,350

Round 2: SONG LYRICS (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Dina immediately picks up the Lobster Gram gift tag w/ a T, lights up a $300 S, but BANKRUPTs to lose $1,300 cash and lobster as well as the WC. Secondly, Mitchell finds two R’s for $1,400, buys an I, and says a dud of A while on FP. After that minor roadblock, he chooses two C’s for another $800, five A’s and three E’s, but he BANKRUPTS for the second time this episode to forfeit $1,450. Third, Marcia puts up three doubles (two $500 M’s, two O’s and two $900 Y’s) before BANKRUPTing away $2,550. Dina then goes for the bonus trip…

A _ _ / M Y / _ A _ S
A R E / _ A _ _ E D
I ‘ M / R E A D Y
T O / _ O

She solves “ALL MY BAGS ARE PACKED I’M READY TO GO” (John Denver’s “Leaving On a Jet Plane”) for a trip to the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort in ARUBA worth $6,324.

SOLE DUD: N (Mitchell)
BANKRUPTS: 3 (entire panel)

Marcia: $3K/Dina: $6,324 trip/Mitchell: $1K

---

Mystery Round: FUN AND GAMES

Mitchell’s first letters spell out the word RAIN (a couple R’s for $1,400, four A’s and four I’s, four N’s for another $2,400), but the E stops him. Second for Marcia is LaT. Third, Dina locates three L’s for $1,500, two T’s for another $1,800, and four O’s to finish off the vowels before putting up an H while on the Mystery Wedge next to LaT. She puts $3,050 at risk...the $10K is there! She spins once more for the $300 D…

D R I _ T I N _
A L O N _ / I N
A / H O T / A I R
_ A L L O O N

…and solves DRIFTING ALONG IN A HOT AIR BALLOON for $13,350.

SOLE DUD: E (Mitchell)
SOLE LaT: Marcia

Marcia: $3K/Dina: $19,674 cash & trip/Mitchell: $1K

---

$3K Toss-Up: THING

_ E D T _ M E
S _ O R _

Mitchell reads a BEDTIME STORY to move to $4K.

Round 4: PROPER NAME

Mitch fills in the $450 R and two A’s, but it’s time for speed-up mode…

_ _ _ / _ R _ _ A _ _
_ A _ _ _ _

…w/ a $1,350 Final Spin. Fast forward to this…

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

Mitch solves the NFL’s NEW ORLEANS SAINTS for $8,300.

FINAL SCORES
Marcia: $3K/Dina: $19,674 cash & trip/Mitchell: $12,300

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $34,974
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus WC): $6,900 cash & lobster

---

$100K Bonus Round

Dina retrieves the I envelope of AMERICA’S.

Category: THING
RSTLNE gives her…

_ _ _ T _ _ _ L
_ _ T L _ _ _

CBG aren’t there, but maybe the four O’s will save her…

_ O _ T _ _ _ L
O _ T L O O _

I’m afraid that’s NOT the case, because she goofs w/ DOUBTFUL OUTLOOK. Her YOUTHFUL OUTLOOK would’ve been a $30K win.

MY EP. RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: October 8, 2009

Things haven’t gone well on this fourth week of S27. We hope something big happens on this Thursday night.

EPISODE #5089: FALL FOLIAGE

$1K Toss-Up: LIVING THING

F _ Y I _ G
S _ _ _ _ _ _ L

John dodges the FLYING SQUIRREL, so let’s meet him and the female opposition right now…

John Davies: financer/banker at a credit union who’s also a theme park entertainer from Anaheim

Rebecca Gutierrez: UCLA graduate and CPA from Santa Barbara

Samantha Turner: a lady who works for a lawyer and newlywed of two weeks from Fredericksburg, VA

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

F R _ _ / Z E _ O
T _ / _ _ _ _

John’s two for two w/ FROM ZERO TO HERO.

FF TRIP: Bluenose Inn Bar Harbor Hotel in Maine worth $5,500

Jackpot Round: THINGS

John starts w/ an instant dud of T while on FP, then he calls up a $300 S, a $550 N, two I’s, two G’s for another $1,200, a trio of E’s, three R’s for the Maine trip, and an A. But after two D’s for another grand while on FP, he BANKRUPTs to lose $7,800 cash and trip. Secondly, Rebecca finds a single $450 B, but nothing else w/ the L. Third, Samantha spots $1,200 worth of C’s, but BANKRUPTs right after that. John next chooses a $350 V, an O to clean out the vowels, and an M for the WC before we look at…

C _ A R M I N G
C O V E R E D
B R I D G E S

…and crosses these CHARMING COVERED BRIDGES for the house minimum.

DUDS: T (John), L (Rebecca)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (John, Samantha)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,350

Round 2: BEFORE AND AFTER

Rebecca’s first w/ the letters spelling THE (three T’s for $1,650, two H’s for another $1,800 and a couple E’s), but next is the LaT. Secondly, both Samantha and John BANKRUPT back-to-back (the former was on the MDW’s left side while the latter loses the WC to a normal one). Rebecca loses control w/ the S. Samantha locates two C’s for $700, but then BANKRUPTs on the other side of the MDW; that’s her third one of the night. John follows suit w/ a $3,500 B, the purchase of two I’s, three R’s for another $10,500, and an O before we look at…

T H E / B _ _ I R
_ I T C H
_ R O _ E C T
R _ _ _ _ _

…he blows the solve with “THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT REPORT“ to likely throw away $13,500. Rebecca picks up the ProFlowers gift tag w/ an L, buys a couple A’s, then she calls a $900 P before…

T H E / B L A I R
_ I T C H
P R O _ E C T
R _ _ _ A _

…she gets “THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT RUNWAY“ for $4,850 cash and gift tag.

SOLE DUD: S (Rebecca)
SOLE LaT: Rebecca
BANKRUPTS: 3 (Samantha 2x, John)
SOLE DQ: John’s blown solve

John: $4K/Rebecca: $4,850 cash & flowers/Samantha: ZIP

---

Mystery Round: PLACE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Samantha’s first letters are a $900 R and three E’s, but then S for sorry. John FPs three T’s and then collects $2K worth of N’s from the MW next to it (that would’ve been his third BANKRUPT of the episode). After buying the I’s, he hits that same MW two more times and takes $3K more for an H and two W’s. Following his buy of two O’s, he picks a $350 C, and buys four A’s before trying to make up for his R2 blunder…

_ R I _ A T E
_ A T I O / W I T H
A N / O C E A N / _ I E W

He’s right this time w/ PRIVATE PATIO WITH AN OCEAN VIEW for $6,100 and the $6K caravan.com TOUR OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

SOLE DUD: S (Samantha)

John: $16,100 cash & tour/Rebecca: $4,850 cash & flowers/Samantha: ZILCH

---

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

M A _ I _ G
H I _ T O R Y

Samantha isn’t MAKING HISTORY, but she’s finally on the board.

Speed-Up: PHRASE

It’s a $1,600 Final Spin (not quite to the big one). End result…

T U R N / _ _ _ R
_ / N _ _ / L _ _ _

Rebecca solves TURN OVER A NEW LEAF for $3,200.

SOLE DUD: S (Samantha)

FINAL SCORES
John: $16,100 cash & tour/Rebecca: $8,050 cash & flowers/Samantha: $3K

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $27,150
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus WC): $9,700 cash & ME

---

$100K Bonus Round

John’s strong spin lands him on the E of AMERICA’S.

Category: THING
Decent help on the bottom…

_ _ _ _
_ R _ _ S E

CDHA should do it for him…

H _ _ H
_ R A _ S E

After slowly saying the right answer, he’ll be getting HIGH PRAISE for winning the $30K and ending up w/ $46,100 cash and tour.

MY EP. RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: October 7, 2009

EPISODE #5088: FALL FOLIAGE

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

B _ R D ‘ _ – E Y E
_ _ _ _

Qiaona has a good BIRD’S-EYE VIEW for the first bit of money. Meet the midweek panel…

Qiaona Xiao: Univ. of Southern California student who played lacrosse and can give piggyback rides to people up to 300 pounds from St. Louis

Stefan Ziff: graphic designer who likes to repair Vespas from Brooklyn, NY

Nadine Saig: attorney from San Diego

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

_ T _ _ N A L
O P T I M _ _ T

Stefan solves ETERNAL OPTIMIST.

FF TRIP: to the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in New Hampshire worth $5,648

Jackpot Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Stefan leads off w/ a $450 T, but then LaTs out just as quick. Secondly, Nadine puts up four singles ($300 S, an E buy, a $500 R and a $500 N), but then says A for awful, the only dud vowel of this puzzle. Third, Qiaona strikes out w/ the H. Stefan puts up a $300 P, buys of O and a U, but then D for dud. Nadine’s second turn sees her picking a couple L’s for another $1,600, a trio of I’s to clean out the vowels, and a $2,500 G before we look at…

T O R I
S P E L L I N G
_ U I _

…she solves TORI SPELLING QUIZ for $4,650.

DUDS: A (Nadine), H (Qiaona), D (Stefan)
SOLE LaT: Stefan
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $12,050

Round 2: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Nadine’s up first w/ double N’s for $600, but nothing more from a T. Qiaona secondly lights up a $300 G, two R’s to triple up, a $450 L, and the buys of three I’s and three E’s. But after a pair of F’s for $1,200 more, she repeats the G she already called while on the Lobster Gram gift tag. Afterwards, Stefan SPINGLES for a $600 D…

D E E _ – _ E _
F I _ _ I N G / F _ R
_ _ R L I N

…and he’ll be DEEP-SEA FISHING FOR MARLIN during his stay at the Caribe Hilton in SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO worth $5,600.

SOLE DUD: T (Nadine)
SOLE DQ: Qiaona’s G repeat

Stefan: $8,200 cash & P.R./Nadine: $4,650/Qiaona: $1K

---

Mystery Round: SHOW BIZ

Qiaona first rattles off two S’s for a grand, an $800 R, a $300 T, a $300 N, two L’s to add $1,600 and four O’s, but she can’t capitalize on $3,500 w/ the H. Secondly, Stefan LaTs out for the second time this episode. Third, Nadine puts up a $600 C, two E’s, a $550 M, and buys of five A’s and two I’s before she BANKRUPTs to lose the remaining $400. Qiaona then inserts a pair of D’s for an extra $600, a U purchase to finish out the vowels, and a $300 B before we look at…

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

…she solves “AMERICAN IDOL” SAYS GOODBYE TO PAULA for $4,400.

SOLE DUD: H (Qiaona)
SOLE LaT: Stefan
SOLE BANKRUPT: Nadine

Stefan: $8,200 cash & P.R./Nadine: $4,650/Qiaona: $5,400

This does not bode well… -__-

---

$3K Toss-Up: FOOD AND DRINK

_ _ I _ _ / B _ _ F _ L O
_ _ _ G _

Nadine eats some SPICY BUFFALO WINGS for a new total of $7,550.

Round 4: LIVING THING

Nadine begins w/ a $400 T, but then N for nothing. Second for Qiaona are five R’s for $3,500 and an O purchase, but it’s time for Speed-Up mode…

_ _ _ R _ _ O R
R _ T R _ _ _ _ R

…w/ a $1,350 Final Spin. Qiaona next frontloads the puzzle w/ the L…

L _ _ R _ _ O R
R _ T R _ _ _ _ R

…and solves LABRADOR RETRIEVER for $4,600 and the win.

SOLE DUD (before speed-up): N (Nadine)

FINAL SCORES
Stefan: $8,200 cash & P.R./Nadine: $7,650/Qiaona: $10K

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $25,850
Nadine’s BANKRUPT TRASH: $400

---

$100K Bonus Round

Qiaona lands on that ‘.

Category: PHRASE
First up in this puzzle…

_ _ S T
_ E _ _ _ _

CHDA gives her good help in that second word…

_ _ S T
_ E A C H _

This isn’t JUST PEACHY at all — she blows the first word w/ PAST and loses the $30K, so she’s now your LOWEST WINNING CHAMP of the season w/ $10K.

MY EP. RATING: 3 

WoF Retro Recap: October 6, 2009

EPISODE #5087: FALL FOLIAGE

$1K Toss-Up: THING

_ A _ V _ S T
M _ O _

Adam solves HARVEST MOON. Tuesday’s players…

Adam Wade: accountant married w/ two kids from Vancouver, WA

Crystal Hendrix: sales rep for a pharmaceutical working on her private pilot license married for a year to an Army member from Sarasota, FL

Angela Hamilton: social worker from Tucson, AZ

$2K Toss-Up: SONG TITLE

_ _ P _ _ / D A Y _ / _ R E
_ E _ E / A G _ _ N

Adam’s two for two w/ “HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN” (courtesy of Ben Selvin & The Crooners).

FF TRIP: to the Equinox Resort & Spa in Vermont worth $5,500
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: ProFlowers

Jackpot Round: LIVING THINGS

Adam begins the action w/ two R’s for $1,200, two obvious S’s for another $800, buys of E and two A’s, but he BANKRUPTs to lose $1,500. Secondly, Crystal picks up the ProFlowers gift tag w/ a T, but then loses her turn w/ the L. Third, Angela cashes in $7,500 w/ three N’s, then she picks two I’s, two G’s for $800 more, two H’s for an extra $1,200, and a $300 M. She next lands on the MDW…but she squanders her turn w/ the W. Adam picks up the Vermont trip w/ two C’s…

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

…and wins it w/ CHIPMUNKS GATHERING ACORNS.

DUDS: L (Crystal), W (Angela)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Adam
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,100

Round 2: SAME NAME

Crystal gets going with a couple R’s for $800, three $500 T’s while on Free Play, for another $1,500, a trio of A’s, but she BANKRUPTs to forfeit $2,050. Second for Angela are four $300 N’s, two E’s, an F via FP and a $3,500 L, after which come two I’s, but then H for halt. Third, Adam BANKRUPTs for the second time this episode. Crystal leaves only two letters remaining by saying a pair of S’s for $1K and a $450 W…

F R A T E R N A L / &
_ I N N E S _ T A
T W I N S

…she solves FRATERNAL & MINNESOTA TWINS for $1,450.

SOLE DUD: H (Angela)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Crystal, Adam)

Adam: $8,500 cash & VT/Crystal: $1,450/Angela: NIL

---

Mystery Round: FOOD AND DRINK (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Angela hits an instant roadblock in R. Secondly, Adam gets up there three S’s for $1,800, an E, two T’s for another $700, three A’s and a K on the MW near LaT. He risks $2K…for his third BANKRUPT of the episode. Crystal then semi-spingles for a $300 F and three I’s……

S I _ _ _ I _ _
S T E A K
F A _ I T A S

She’ll spend $50 bucks for some SIZZLING STEAK FAJITAS on her trip to Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort & Spa in CABO SAN LUCAS worth $5,957.

SOLE DUD: R (Angela)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Adam

Adam: $8,500 cash & VT/Crystal: $7,457 cash & Cabo/Angela: NADA

Lackluster game thus far…

---

$3K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ R _ E
_ D M _ S S I O N

Some attractions have FREE ADMISSION, and Adam sweeps the Tossups for a new total of $11,500.

Round 4: OCCUPATION

Adam instantly hits LaT. Crystal’s second in line w/ a $300 R but then comes her second BANKRUPT of the night. Third, Angela spots a trio of T’s for $900, but we shift into Speed-Up mode…

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

…and the leftover consonants are worth $1,450 each.

Angela: N
Adam: 2 S’s
Crystal: C (DUD)
Angela: 4 E’s
Adam: 2 L’s

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

Adam solves TELEVISION METEOROLOGIST for $5,800 and the win.

SOLE DUD (during speed-up): C (Crystal)
SOLE LaT: Adam
SOLE BANKRUPT: Crystal

FINAL SCORES
Adam: $17,300 cash & VT/Crystal: $7,457 cash & Cabo/Angela: $1K GOOSEEGG

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $25,757
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus MW $): $5,850

---

$100K Bonus Round

Adam lands on the ol’ W.

Category: THINGS
To get this man started…

L _ _ T _
_ _ _ _ T _ _ N S

FGDI gives him the first word…

L _ F T _
_ _ _ I T I _ N S

…but EXPECTATIONS is definitely NOT the second word, so he doesn’t fulfill his LOFTY AMBITIONS w/ a $30K win.

MY EP. RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: October 5, 2009

EPISODE #5086: FALL FOLIAGE

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ _ T U _ N
_ E _ T _ V A L

Noelle solves AUTUMN FESTIVAL. The first players of the week are…

Noelle Cooper: veterinary technician married three years from Phoenix

Rhalanda Jackson: college recruiter married to Michael (NOT that one) w/ three kids from Shreveport, LA

Tom Bass: marketing manager for a major IT company and a volleyball player from Chicago

$2K Toss-Up: PHRASE

T _ A T ‘ _
_ _ E _ _ / _ E W S

Now THAT’S GREAT NEWS for Noelle — she’s tripled her money.

FF TRIP: The Colonnade Hotel in Boston worth $5,535
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: Lobster Gram

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

But she immediately BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s right side. Secondly, Rhalanda puts up a $500 T on Jackpot, an H for the gift tag, seven E’s, a $300 N, a $300 S, but she BANKRUPTs near $2,500 to lose $1,850 cash and lobster. Third, Tom puts up a $300 G and an I, but then BANKRUPTS on the MDW’s other side to forfeit $50. Noelle then says a $500 R, an A buy, a $300 B, and a $600 L pair…

_ E E L I N G / T H E
_ _ _ L / S E A
B R E E _ E

She wins $1,150 and will be FEELING THE COOL SEA BREEZE on a Costa CARIBBEAN CRUISE worth $5,550, a total of $6,700 that round.

BANKRUPTS: 3 (entire panel)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,500

Round 2: ROCK ON! (announced by Pat instead of Charlie)

Rhalanda BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s right side after starting w/ a $600 T. Tom secondly spins his way to two S’s for $1,100, four R’s for $1,200 more, four E’s and two A’s, a $600 M, a $600 D, two O’s, a $14K N quartet, but then the BANKRUPT next door to where he spun (also his second of the episode) to blow up $16,750; darn. That’s the largest BANKRUPT loss so far in S27. Noelle follows w/ two B’s for $1,100, a $900 P, the other two vowels of U and two I’s, a $300 G, a C for the WC, a $500 Y…

_ O R _ I N G / O N
A / D R E A M / B Y
B R U C E
S P R I N G S T E E N

…but she then squanders $2,600 w/ the L — where do you think that would go, girl?! -__- Rhalanda fills in both the $300 K and the $300 W to complete the board…

W O R K I N G / O N
A / D R E A M / B Y
B R U C E
S P R I N G S T E E N

…and solves “WORKING ON A DREAM” BY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN for the house minimum.

SOLE DUD: L (Noelle)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Rhalanda, Tom)

Rhalanda: $1K/Tom: BAD LUCK/Noelle: $9,700 cash & cruise WC

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE AND AFTER

Tom’s first call of T won’t help him recover from that painful BANKRUPT in R2. Noelle’s up second w/ three S’s for $900, a $300 Y, three E’s, a $600 Y, but the L stops her again. Rhalanda rattles off two R’s for $900, two O’s, a $300 V, a $600 D, and a $1K G pair to clean out the consonants.

D _ N O S A _ R
E G G S
O V E R / E A S Y

…and solves DINOSAUR EGGS OVER EASY for $2,550.

DUDS: T (Tom), L (Noelle)

Rhalanda: $3,550/Tom: BUPKIS/Noelle: $9,700 cash & cruise WC

---

$3K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

S _ I _ N C _
F I _ T _ O _ / _ _ _ M

Tom finally breaks through w/ SCIENCE FICTION FILM.

Speed-Up: FOOD AND DRINK

It’s a $1,600 FS here.

Tom: T
Noelle: three S’s
Rhalanda: N (DUD)
Tom: R
Noelle: two P’s
Rhalanda: L (DUD)
Tom: three C’s

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

Tom eats up some SCRUMPTIOUS CUPCAKES for $8K and the win.

DUDS (both by Rhalanda): N, L

FINAL SCORES
Rhalanda: $3,550/Tom: $11K/Noelle: $9,700 cash & cruise

TOTAL MAINGAME WINNINGS: $24,250
BANKRUPT TRASH: $19,250

---

$100K Bonus Round

Let’s hope Tom can do a whole lot better here. After we see his mom Connie, his good friend and “WHEEL” coach Nick, and girlfriend Justine, he lands on the E of GAME.

Category: THING
RSTLNE has lit up…

S _ _ T
_ _ _ S _ E R

CDMA completely fails him, and he’s not even close w/ SOFT COASTER. The answer was SOFT WHISPER and he doesn’t win $35K. Furthermore, he’s now the LOWEST WINNING CHAMP of the season w/ $11K.

MY EP. RATING: 3 (orig. a 4)