WoF Recap: September 30, 2019

Please let this week’s action (and likely the sixth episode) on the very set I played on be so much better after that total flop from last season…

EPISODE #7036: CALIFORNIA COAST

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

M A G N I F I C E N T
S U N S E _

Jill barely realizes there’s a MAGNIFICENT SUNSET. Ending the month but beginning the week are these players…

Jill Wheeler: interior designer married to Scott w/ 3 daughters under 5 from Stow, MA (hey, that occupation of hers reminds me of Randy’s missolve from last Wednesday)

Nick Woytan: 6th & 7th grade health and P.E. teacher and sports coach who also likes fishing from Queens, NY

Vicky Simpson: retired Special Ed instructor who’s currently a vocal performer & occasional actress w/ 2 adult sons and 2 grandkids (she’s also a certified chocoholic) from Toledo, OH

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

_ _ T U R E
_ _ V E R

Vicky blows it w/ PICTURE MOVER — no such person called that, lady.

N _ T U R E
_ O V E R

Jill’s probably a NATURE LOVER.

FEATURED CC TRIP: Pasea Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: RALEIGH Bikes

Round 1: WAYD?

She opens w/ a $600 R, a $700 S, three I’s, a $600 N, the obvious $650 G, and two O’s, followed by a $1,400 H pair, a $1,950 T trio, two E’s, but then the BANKRUPT near $2,500 to give up $5,150. Nick follows w/ a $700 L and three A’s to clean out the vowels, but he’s cleaned out of $450 himself by the other normal BANKRUPT. Vicky then lights up a $5K L pair and we have…

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

While I’m WATCHING MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE SHOW, she leads the other lady by two grand.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (those before Vicky)

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Nick starts this answer w/ an $800 T, two A’s, three FP E’s, but then R for rats. Second, Vicky calls up an N for the WC, three I’s, an $1,100 H pair, and a K for the California Coast wedge (this trip’s worth over $8K), but then the sole dud vowel of O. Jill then inserts a $3,500 S, an M for the gift tag, a $1,500 L trio, and two U’s before we see…

I / T H I N K
I / _ U L L E _ / A
M U S _ L E
_ E A _ H

…but she doesn’t know the last word, so $6,250 cash & bikes will go down the drain for her. Nick then lights up the $900 B…

I / T H I N K
I / _ U L L E _ / A
M U S _ L E
B E A _ H

He says “I THINK I PULLED A MUSCLE BEACH” for $1,450.

DUDS: R (Nick) & O (Vicky)
SOLE DQ: Jill’s blanking on the last word

Nick: $1,450/Vicky: $5K WC/Jill: $3K

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PP/Express Round: PLACES

This round’s all Vicky — a $600 S, a $500 T, E and O singles, a $1,300 N pair, and three A’s.

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

She’s won $1,650 and will visit the BOTANICAL GARDENS of BARBADOS while at the Divi Southwinds Beach Resort worth $7K — PR.

Nick: $1,450/Vicky: $13,650 cash & Barbados WC/Jill: $3K

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Triple Toss-Up Round: LIVING THINGS

1.

S _ A / O T T E R _
& / S _ _ / _ _ O _ S

Jill sees some SEA OTTERS & SEA LIONS.

2.

_ _ _ _ _ L L S / &
_ E L I C _ _ _

Nick sees some SEAGULLS & PELICANS.

3.

P O P P I _ S
& / _ A I _ _ E S

These aren’t animals, but Vicky gathers some POPPIES & DAISIES.

Speed-Up: THING

It’s a $1,650 Final Spin to begin the week.

Vicky: T
Jill: S (DUD)
Nick: N (DUD)
Vicky: R
Jill: M (DUD)
Nick: 4 E’s
Vicky: 3 C’s
Jill: 2 L’s

E L E C T R _ C
_ E _ _ C L E

One example of an ELECTRIC VEHICLE is a Tesla Model 3, and Jill’s correct for $3,300.

DUDS: S (Jill), N (Nick) & M (Jill)

FINAL SCORES
Nick: $3,450/Vicky: $15,650 cash & Barbados WC/Jill: $8,300

GT: $27,400
BANKRUPT TRASH: $5,600

The category choices for Vicky are as follows…

• PHRASE
• FOOD & DRINK
• THING

She’s going for PHRASE.

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$100K Bonus Round

This vehicle was unlucky to us on last season’s edition and it’s back again this week — that white Ford Mustang convertible. After we see her mom Ernestine and sister Linda, Vicky lands on the E of GAME. I think the last three words remind me of the first $100,000 win early on in S28…

_ _ S T / _ N
_ / _ _ _ _

CMDA and H give her besides the obvious A…

_ _ S T / _ N
A / _ H _ M

That WC pick did it for her JUST ON A WHIM, and she’s won the 2019 Mustang EcoBoost Convertible worth $36,505, giving her a final total of $52,155 cash & prizes.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: May 31, 2002 — SEASON 19 FINALE

EPISODE #3705: WHEEL GOES TO THE MOVIES

$1K Toss-Up: FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

_ _ _ _ _ / P A N / &
_ E _ _ _

Deanna IDed PETER PAN & WENDY. The final panel of S19…

Deanna Gill: manager of a large toy store w/ two daughters (Amanda who was 21 and Samantha who was 13) and won some lip-syncing contests before karaoke from Denison, TX

Richard Laspada: accounting consultant at a major firm married to Esperanza who’s a fan of the NFL’s Eagles from Mount Laurel, NJ

Jacinta Salgado: escrow assistant who’s a newlywed to John from Goleta, CA

$2K Toss-Up: THING

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

Jacinta gave THE RIGHT ANSWER to this puzzle.

Gift Tag: Blockbuster

Round 1: PROPER NAME

She opened w/ a $1,200 S pair, E, a $600 R (too strong for TD), one A, but then T for trouble on the gift tag. Second, Deanna LaTed out instantaneously. Third, Rich called up a $1,600 L pair, but then N for negative. After Jacinta missed w/ C for crud, Deanna tried a $350 J, a $300 D, and a $550 F. Board…

J _ L _ A
L _ _ _ S – D R E _ F _ S

She IDed comedienne JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS of “Seinfeld” fame for $1,200 and $2,200 so far.

DUDS: T (Jacinta), N (Rich), C (Jacinta)
SOLE LaT: Deanna

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, CA (includes accommodations at Surf & Sand Resort) worth $2,750

Jackpot Round: NEXT LINE PLEASE

All Deanna this round — a $1,200 T pair, four A’s and three E’s, a $600 R pair, three O’s, a $400 N, a $600 L (just missed TD), a $550 C, a $600 Y, and an unnecessary U buy.

Y O U / C A N / L E A  _
A / _ O R _ E
T O / _ A T E R

Deanna solved “YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER” and correctly said the next line as “…but you can’t make him drink” for a $5,950 PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,050

Rich: NIL/Jacinta: $2K/Deanna: $8,150

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LAST FEATURED PRIZE THIS SEASON: New Orleans sponsored by the movie “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” worth $3,500 (INTERMISSION)

Round 3: EVENT

A $1,500 N trio sent Rich on his way, only to be stopped by the sole dud vowel of A. Jacinta secondly found a $600 T pair, a $600 S to double up, three E’s, but no R. Deanna controlled the rest of the round for a $300 L, four I’s, an $800 C, two O’s, and a V for the INTERMISSION prize.

_ _ _ I N _
_ O V I E / T I C _ E T S
O N – L I N E

(That hyphen between the N and L on the bottom word just looks out of place.)

She would be BUYING MOVIE TICKETS ONLINE in N.O. w/ another $600.

DUDS: A (Rich), R (Jacinta)

Rich: NADA/Jacinta: $2K/Deanna: $12,250 cash & N.O.

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$3K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

_ _ M _ O
J U M _ _

Rich avoided giving a MUMBO JUMBO answer to finally get off the schneid.

Round 4: THINGS

But he BANKRUPTed near $500 after starting w/ a $900 L. Jacinta struck out w/ T. Deanna lit up a $10K S pair, four E’s, but the A was no good here. Rich then picked off a $1,200 H pair, three I’s, and a $600 C pair. We had…

C H I L I / C H E E S E
_ _ I E S

…he ate some CHILI CHEESE FRIES for $1,550 more and had $4,550 to his credit.

DUDS: T (Jacinta), A (Deanna)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Rich

Rich: $4,550/Jacinta: $2K/Deanna: $12,250 cash & N.O.

Speed-Up: PHRASE

The last Final Spin of the season was $1,500.

Jacinta: 3 T’s
Deanna: N (DUD)
Rich: S
Jacinta: R (DUD)
Deanna: C (DUD)
Rich: 2 L’s
Jacinta: G (DUD)
Deanna: M (flubbed w/ TILL IT’S NIGHT TIME, not counting the T’s carefully)
Rich: D (DUD)
Jacinta: J (SERIOUSLY?!)
Deanna: B

_ _ L L / _ T ‘ S
_ B _ _ T / T _ M _

WELL, IT’S ABOUT TIME Deanna solved this one w/ much emotion for $3K.

DUDS: N (Deanna), R (Jacinta), C (Deanna), G (Jacinta), D (Rich), J (Jacinta)
SOLE DQ: Deanna’s missolve

FINAL SCORES
Rich: $4,550/Jacinta: $2K/Deanna: $15,250 cash & N.O.

GT: $21,800
BANKRUPT TRASH: $900

---

Bonus Round

Deanna landed on the third zero.

Category: THING

One S and two E’s to start…

S _ _ _ E _
_ _ E

PCMI will give her just the second word…

S _ _ _ E _
I C E

…but she didn’t need any help on top — she got the $25K from some SHAVED ICE for a final total of $40,250 cash & trip. She brought along her dad, sister, and hubby Bill.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: May 30, 2002

EPISODE #3704: WHEEL GOES TO THE MOVIES

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

Y O U / _ O T _ A
_ _ E / _ H _ _

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS — Randy was the first to score among this next-to-last panel of S19…

Randy Wells: supply planner for a large candy manufacturer married to Lori w/ two kids from Lebanon, PA

Peggy Mudd: 6th-grade teacher in Georgia who’s a fan of baseball and the Three Stooges (her favorite is Moe) from Yulee, FL

Nicole Panucci: leasing agent and a cook who has three sisters and two cats and planned to discover family roots in Italy from Hollywood, CA

$2K Toss-Up: THING

_ _ _ _ – E _ _ N _ D
M O N E Y

Randy was incorrect this time w/ WELL-EARNED MONEY.

H _ R _ – E _ _ N E D
M O N E Y

Nicole won some HARD-EARNED MONEY of her own.

Gift Tag: Brand Source

Round 1: PROPER NAME

But she BANKRUPTed right out of the gate, allowing Randy to pick an $800 S, a $300 R, two E’s, and a $2,500 F. We had…

_ _ _ _ E
F _ S _ E R

He IDed actress JODIE FOSTER for $3,350 and a new total of $4,350.

QUICK BANKRUPT: Nicole

FEATURED PRIZE (sponsored by “Life As a House”): shopping spree to decorate your own house plus New Line home entertainment movies worth $4,250 (THE MOVIES)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Randy’s up first w/ a $1,400 N pair, three T’s for another $10,500, two I’s and four O’s, a $300 F, but then the sole dud vowel of U to leave $11,450 on the table. Second, Peggy called up four R’s for $1,600, bought three E’s, but BANKRUPTed near JACKPOT out of $1,350. After Nicole BANKRUPTed in the same spot, Randy said four A’s, a $300 S, and an $1,800 P pair. To the board we go…

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

There’s no such thing as a CHERRY PIE A LA MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, but he’s right for $13,300.

SOLE DUD: U (Randy)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,100

Nicole: $2K/Randy: $17,650/Peggy: ZIPPO

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: Men in Black II movie premiere trip and package worth $6,950 (MOVIE PREMIERE)

Round 3: LANDMARK

Peggy first spun her way to a $1,500 N trio, E, a $600 T, a $600 R pair (so close to $3,500), three A’s, but then S for sorry. Nicole secondly found five L’s for $1,500, but she LaTed out. Randy then picked off a $600 B, three O’s and I to wipe out the vowel shop, and an $800 D. The board read…

R O _ A L / A L B E R T
_ A L L / I N
L O N D O N

He IDed the ROYAL ALBERT HALL IN LONDON for $900 more.

SOLE DUD: S (Peggy)
SOLE LaT: Nicole

Nicole: $2K/Randy: $18,550/Peggy: SCORELESS

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$3K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

T _ E _ S Y – _ E _ _ S Y

Peggy’s still stuck at zero w/ a lousy guess of TESTY-TESTY.

T E E _ S Y – _ E _ N S Y

Nicole capitalized w/ TEENSY-WEENSY.

Round 4: SHOW BIZ (fitting)

First up were a $600 S pair (not quite to $5K), three E’s, but then L for loss of turn. Second for Randy were a $900 R, a $300 T, but then the sole dud vowel of A for awful. After Peggy’s $800 D…

_ _ S T _ _ E
D E S _ _ _ E R

The leftover consonants were worth $1,500 each. She then chose the N…

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

…and solved COSTUME DESIGNER for her only $2,300 payoff on the night.

DUDS: L (Nicole), A (Randy)

FINAL SCORES
Nicole: $5K/Randy: $18,550/Peggy: $2,300

GT: $25,850
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,350

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Bonus Round

Randy landed on the $ for hopefully big money.

Category: PHRASE

Here’s the end letter(s) of each word…

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

He knew this already and said JFKI…

J _ S T / F _ R
K I _ K S

JUST FOR KICKS, he won an easy $25K for a final all-cash total of $43,550. He was greeted by his wife Lori and mom-in-law Judy.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: May 14, 2002

This episode was part of their three-week stay at Navy Pier in Chicago.

EPISODE #3692: COLLEGE WEEK (CHICAGO)

The hosts were introduced by the Northwestern University cheerleaders.

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ N / A R T / F A _ R

Matt probably has been to AN ART FAIR in his college days. He’s not the only guy from this set of collegians…

Matthew (Matt) DeFour (Northwestern): junior studying journalism who interned at a newspaper and enjoyed singing in an acapella group and played guitar from Grosse Pointe, MI

Benson Chiong (Univ. of IL-Chicago): an undeclared freshman (he said he would probably study business) who played the piano and violin from Downers Grove, IL

Kelly Archambault (Benedictine Univ.): student studying nutrition who wanted to a be a registered dietician from Libertyville, IL

$2K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ A K E
_ U _ _ _ _ _ R

Benson located LAKE SUPERIOR.

Gift Tag: aa.com

Round 1: BEFORE & AFTER

But he said an instant dud of T. Second, Kelly called up an S for the airline tickets, a $350 R, but then E for end of turn. Matt controlled the rest of the round for a $2,400 N trio, two O’s and A’s to clean out the vowels, an $800 J, a $900 C, and an $800 Y pair.

J O _ N N Y
C A R S O N
_ A _ Y

Doubtful you’ll hear of somebody famous called JOHNNY CARSON DALY, but he’s right for $4,400 and $5,400 overall.

DUDS: T (Benson), E (Kelly)

FEATURED PRIZE: uBid.com shopping spree worth $3K (ON-LINE SHOPPING)

Jackpot Round: TITLE

This round’s all Kelly — a $1,200 S pair, four E’s, a $1,600 R quartet, three A’s, five T’s for $2K, two O’s, a $600 L, and five I’s to wipe out the vowel shop, a $1,500 N quintet, an $800 Y (so close to LaT), and a $1,200 W pair.

W E _ S T E R ‘ S
T _ I R _ / N E W
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
_ I _ T I O N A R Y

She solved “WEBSTER’S THIRD NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY” for a $7,900 PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,700

Kelly: $7,900/Matt: $5,400/Benson: $2K

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: Cancun, Mexico from YAHOO! TRAVEL worth $4K

Round 3: PHRASE

Matt struck out on the spot w/ L for loss of turn. Benson did all the work — three T’s for the Cancun trip, a $450 H, A, a $300 V, two E’s and I’s, a $900 G trio, and three O’s to wipe out the vowel shop.

I ‘ V E / G O T / T H A T
G O I _ G / _ O _ / _ E

He rightly said “I’VE GOT THAT GOING FOR ME” for $4,650 cash & Cancun.

SOLE DUD: L (Matt)

Kelly: $7,900/Matt: $5,400/Benson: $6,650 cash & Cancun

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$3K Toss-Up: THINGS

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

Benson used some SOAP AND WATER to take the lead away from Kelly.

Round 4: PEOPLE

All Benson here — an $1,100 T pair, E, a $1,500 R trio, A and four O’s, and an $1,800 M trio.

_ O R M _ T O R _
R O O M M A T E _

He may be sharing the extra $3,650 w/ his DORMITORY ROOMMATES — PR #2.

Round 5: THING

First for Kelly were a $700 R, two E’s, but then D for dud. After Matt’s $300 L and two A’s…

_ _ _ E _
_ A R A _ E L

…the consonants were worth the $1,300 minimum — not quite to the big one. Anyway, Matt then said the G…

G _ _ E _
_ A R A _ E L

…and chewed up this GOOEY CARAMEL for $1,350. He would NOT have won had Pat got the big one.

SOLE DUD: D (Kelly)

FINAL SCORES
Kelly: $7,900/Matt: $6,750/Benson: $13,300 cash & Cancun

GT: $27,950
NO PENALTY HITS

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Bonus Round

In addition to the cash, Benson might’ve headed back to campus in either a maZDa Miata ($23K+) or a Land Rover Freelander SE ($30K+). He landed on the third zero.

Category: PHRASE

Bottom word help needed…

_ ‘ _
_ _ R _ _ _ S

He’s looking good after MCDU….

_ ‘ M
C U R _ _ U S

I’M CURIOUS to know what this guy won for solving this one…it’s $25K for a final total of $38,300 cash & trip. Celebrating w/ him were his dad and sister Rhea.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: April 25, 2002

EPISODE #3679: NASCAR WEEK

Opening Greetings: Rusty Wallace, Buckshot Jones, and Jimmie Johnson

$1K Toss-Up: PERSON

A / C R E _ _ U _ E
O _ / H A B _ _

Debbie’s acting like A CREATURE OF HABIT. She’s the only lady from this Thursday panel…

Debbie Dittmeyer: customer service representative and married to Glenn w/ six kids, four grandkids, and one great-grandson from Oak Harbor, WA

Jim Dupler: maintenance cable technician married to Christine w/ two daughters who’s a fan of Mark Martin from East Berlin, PA

Brian Fleming: marketing business manager and amateur opera singer who wanted to be a game show host from Kansas City, MO

$2K Toss-Up: THINGS

_ _ _ _ T E S / &
H _ U R S

Debbie didn’t need to take MINUTES & HOURS to triple up.

Gift Tag: Brand Source

Round 1: PROPER NAME (one-liner alert)

Her first letters were a $2,500 N at the very end, three A’s, and a dud of I. Jim got up there a $450 P, the last vowel of U, a $450 L, a $700 H…

P A U L A / _ A H N

…but he said F for flunk. Brian then lit up the correct letter of Z for $300…

P A U L A / Z A H N

…and read this journalist’s name correctly for a $200 bonus.

DUDS: I (Debbie), F (Jim)

FEATURED PRIZE: VESPA ET2 scooter worth $3,100 (SCOOTER)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Jim first just missed the scooter, but got an $800 N to start, followed by three T’s for $1,350, three H’s for $2,100, triple E’s and two I’s, a $600 R pair, a $600 D pair, three A’s, a $2,100 S trio, a $600 L, a $300 Y, and a G on Jackpot, but he didn’t know it for $9,150. Next up were a $550 W, and the remaining vowels of O and U before the light bulb went on in his head…

T H E
_ U S T O _ E R / I S
A L W A Y S / R I G H T –
H A N D E D

…he says THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT-HANDED for a $7,750 PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,700

Jim: $7,750/Brian: $500/Debbie: $3K

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: Richard Petty driving experience worth $6K (NASCAR PETTY)

Round 3: EVENT

Brian rattled off a $1,600 T pair, a $450 H, three E’s, but then S for sorry. Debbie got the Brand Source gift tag w/ two P’s (she placed it on her wedge ledge), a $2,400 N trio, an O buy, a $600 R (just dodged the $10K’s left side), and three A’s. Board…

_ R E A _ _ N _ / O P E N
T H E / P _ N A T A

She’s BREAKING OPEN THE PINATA to find $3,500 cash & gift tag.

SOLE DUD: S (Brian)

Jim: $7,750/Brian: $500/Debbie: $6,500 cash & gift tag

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$3K Toss-Up: PHRASE

T _ L _ / M _ / M O _ E

Brian rightly said TELL ME MORE.

Round 4: THING

First from him are a $5K T, a $600 S, I and A buys, two N’s for $1,600 more, but then E for end of turn and it’s Speed-Up time…

A N \ _ N / _ _ _
S _ I T _ _

…w/ the remaining consonants worth $1,500 each.

Debbie: G (DUD)
Jim: R (DUD)
Brian: H
Debbie: C
Jim: L (DUD)
Brian: W

A N \ _ N / _ _ _
S W I T C H

He flipped AN ON/OFF SWITCH for $9,450 and the comeback win.

SOLE DUD BEFORE FINAL SPIN: E (Brian)
DUDS IN S-U: G (Debbie), R (Jim), L (Jim)

FINAL SCORES
Jim: $7,750/Brian: $12,950/Debbie: $6,500 cash & gift tag

GT: $27,200
NO PENALTY SPINS!

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Bonus Round

Brian landed on the N of WIN.

Category: PEOPLE

About 1/3 of this puzzle…

_ _ _ _ E _
_ _ N S

CDMA added two more…

_ _ C _ E _
_ A N S

He apparently WASN’T one of the HOCKEY FANS for $25K, because he flubbed the first word on every guess of his w/ UNCLE (And he said HOKEY FANS when the entire board was filled in.). BTW, sped-up footage is shown of the stagehands dressed as a pit crew while adding the $3,500 and second BANKRUPT to the wheel during the final chat.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: April 12, 2002

EPISODE #3670: WHEELAPALOOZA WEEK

Intro Clip: Renee won a Land Rover and jumped into her husband Gary’s arms during “Greek Isles Week” from October 8, 1998

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

K I S _ / M _
_ O _ / F O _ L

Roberta rightly responded, “KISS ME, YOU FOOL”. Rounding out the week of my 15th birthday were…

Roberta Hill: 7th Grade Teacher at Peachtree Charter Middle School married to Stan who volunteered as a chaperone during the summer to take students to different places from Suwanee, GA 

Pat Zajac (female) (NO, this is NOT a typo): full-time dental hygienist married 23 years w/ two kids from Las Vegas, NV 

Adam Levine (NOT the Maroon 5 singer): talent agency worker and hockey player who’s been dating his fiance for 10 yrs. from L.A. (orig. from Montreal, CA)

$2K Toss-Up: THING

H O _
C _ R N E _ / B E E F

Adam had some HOT CORNED BEEF.

Gift Tag: NOVICA

Round 1: TITLE

But he said an instant dud of T on the NOVICA gift tag. Second, Roberta called up a $900 R pair, but then N for negative. Third, Pat tried a $300 D, but then M for mistake. Adam missed again w/ L. Roberta lit up a $300 S, but then bought E for end of turn. We came right back to her after the other players said duds of B and C, respectively. She picked an A, an $800 K, and a $400 P before saying another dud vowel of I. Pat then lit up a $2,500 F…

_ _ S F _ R D
P A R K

…and solved the British mystery film “GOSFORD PARK” for $2,800.

DUDS: T (Adam), N (Roberta), M (Pat), L (Adam), E (Roberta), B (Pat), C (Adam), I (Roberta)

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to see “WoF” in Nashville (incl. accommodations at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center) worth $4,250 (NASHVILLE)

Jackpot Round: NEXT LINE PLEASE

Roberta’s off and running w/ a $300 R, a $1,500 S trio, six E’s, three P’s for the Nashville trip, but then BANKRUPT near JACKPOT to lose $5,800 cash & trip. Pat secondly spotted a $1,200 L trio and a $2,100 T triplet before she tried to solve…

L _ T T L E
_ _ – P E E P
_ _ S / L _ S T
_ E R / S _ E E P

She solved “LITTLE BO-PEEP HAS LOST HER SHEEP” for $3,300, but was incorrect w/ the next line of “…I can’t remember where she put them”; it was “…and can’t tell where to find them”.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Roberta

Adam: $2K/Roberta: $1K/Pat: $6,100

---

Round 3: BEFORE & AFTER

Current leader Pat started w/ a $7K S pair, a $400 T and D singles, A, a $300 M, three I’s, a $550 R, but then BANKRUPT near $600 to clean her out of $8,150. Adam’s second in line w/ a $1K N pair, three E’s, a $900 G, O, but he too got the same BANKRUPT and lost $1,400. After Roberta’s $3,500 L, she thought of going one more but decided to solve…

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

…she’s SEEING DOUBLE MARTINIS for that much money.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Adam and Roberta)

Adam: $2K/Roberta: $4,500/Pat: $6,100

---

$3K Toss-Up: EVENT

G _ _ I N G / I T
_ O _ _  / _ L L

You knew you were GIVING IT YOUR ALL, right player Pat?

Round 4: SAME NAME

But the T failed her from the get-go. After Adam’s $1,500 N trio, it’s Speed-Up time…

_ _ _ _ _ N / &
_ _ N
_ _ _ N _ _

…and the consonants were worth $1,900 a pop.

Adam: R
Roberta: L (DUD)
Pat: B (DUD)
Adam: 2 S’s
Roberta: P

S _ _ S _ N / &
_ _ N
_ P _ N _ R

Roberta nailed SEASON & CAN OPENER for said Final Spin amount.

DUDS: L (Roberta), B (Pat)

FINAL SCORES
Adam: $2K/Roberta: $6,400/Pat: $9,100

GT: $17,500
BANKRUPT TRASH: $15,350 cash & trip

---

Bonus Round

Pat also landed on the comma.

Category: THINGS

Lead-offs…

S _ _ _
_ _ _ _ L E S

MPDI only added…

S _ _ P
_ _ _ _ L E S

She got the first word wrong w/ SKIP, SKAP, and SHIP late, so she didn’t make any SOAP BUBBLES for the Porsche Boxster.

In the end chat, Vanna showed pictures of her new cat Sophie (named by her daughter Giovanna). Also, this show donated $15K to the Verizon Reads program on behalf of the designers of Vanna’s outfits that week.

MY RATING: 4

WoF Retro Recap: April 11, 2002

EPISODE #3669: WHEELAPALOOZA WEEK

Intro Clip: Pat & Vanna in the hot tub from their 10th Anniversary week in 1992

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

H _ P P _ – _ O – L U _ K Y

The HAPPY-GO-LUCKY lady named Dale scored first among this Thursday trio…

Dale Wood: certified financial planner married to Joe w/ son Trevor and stepdaughter Amy who likes to write poetry from San Juan Capistrano, CA (orig. from New York)

Ben Trefny: freelance writer and radio journalist married to Frances (they’re expecting twins) from San Francisco

Linda Marshall: school counselor at Butner School married to Trey w/ two sons (one’s a police officer and the other’s a member of the Army in Ft. Hood) from Wewoka, OK 

$2K Toss-Up: THING

_ _ T E – N I _ _ T
S N _ _ K

Ben had his LATE-NIGHT SNACK before spinning the wheel.

Gift Tag: The Sports Authority

Round 1: EVENT

His first letters this night were a $900 T trio, a $500 H, two N’s for another $1,100, four E’s, but then S for sorry on the Sporting Goods gift tag. Linda’s second in line w/ a $700 R, two L’s for another $800, three I’s, a $300 P, three A’s, and a $1,200 D pair. We had…

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

She remembered the APRIL FIFTEENTH TAX DEADLINE for $2,500 and the early lead by $500.

SOLE DUD: S (Ben)

FEATURED PRIZE: “WoF” on location in Seattle worth $4,150 (same as Tuesday)

Jackpot Round: WHERE ARE WE?

Linda’s first w/ two N’s for $1,600, three T’s for another $1,800, three E’s, a $3,500 H, and I and A quintets, followed by an M for the Sporting Goods gift tag, an L for the Seattle trip, two O’s, but then BANKRUPT near Jackpot to wipe her out of $11,050 cash & prizes — ouch. Now finally getting a chance to spin, Dale got a $400 P, but LaT struck. Ben followed w/ a $600 C pair, a $3,500 F, and a Y on Jackpot (just barely hung on). Did he solve for a $13,300 pot…

T H E / C A P I T A L
O F / M A I N E / &
A / C I T Y / I N
_ E O _ _ I A

…YES w/ THE CAPITAL OF MAINE & A CITY IN GEORGIA! And he got the $3K bonus for knowing that’s Augusta, so that was a $20,400 round for him.

SOLE LaT: Dale
SOLE BANKRUPT: Linda

Dale: $1K/Ben: $22,400/Linda: $2,500

---

Round 3: AROUND THE HOUSE

Dale led the way w/ a $1,400 R pair, five E’s, an $800 S, but then A for awful. Ben also missed w/ N for negative. Linda’s third in line w/ a $1,350 L trio, but then C for crud. Dale tried again w/ a $500 T, two I’s, a $450 M, two O’s, a $550 B, a $400 P…a $300 W…and a CRITICAL DUD of Y. Ben then said a $1,200 D pair and a $1,600 V duo to complete the board (almost got LaT)…

E M B R O I D E R E D
V E L V E T
P I L L O W S

…and solved for $2,800.

DUDS: A (Dale), N (Ben), C (Linda), Y (Dale)

Dale: $1K/Ben: $25,200/Linda: $2,500

---

$3K Toss-Up: PERSON

Get ready for this…

A N / _ _ _ Y
C H I L D

Ben was tongue-tied…and Linda caused the audience to burst with laughter saying AN UGLY CHILD — that’s NOT very nice, lady! -__- Dale didn’t press her buzzer in time, so this was a TRIPLE STUMPER; the answer was AN ONLY CHILD (and Pat said w/ a laugh to Linda “Now, you are a school counselor, a FORMER school counselor”.).

Speed-Up: PROPER NAME

It’s a $1,600 Final Spin.

Ben: 2 N’s
Linda: 2 L’s
Dale: S
Ben: R

_ _ N N _ S
_ _ L L _ R

Ben IDed talk show host DENNIS MILLER for $4,800 and the blowout win!

FINAL SCORES
Dale: $1K/Ben: $30K/Linda: $2,500

GT: $33,500
BANKRUPT TRASH: $11,050 cash & prizes

---

Bonus Round

The comma called out Ben’s name.

Category: PROPER NAME

Here’s the last letter of each word…

_ _ N
_ _ _ _ _ T

DCMA = GAME OVER, so goodbye $25K; that was actor JON VOIGHT.

MY RATING: 6 (orig. a 7)

WoF Retro Recap: April 10, 2002

EPISODE #3668: WHEELAPALOOZA WEEK

Intro Clip: Pat dances with Ola in October 8, 2001

$1K Toss-Up: THINGS

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

Lisa knew about THE LATEST FASHIONS. Midweek panelists…

Lisa Hewitt: married lady for three years to Tim w/ a baby daughter Chloe from Ft. Worth, TX

Jennifer Cook: student at Central College studying biology hoping to pursue a job in chiropractic care who sometimes enjoys playing flag football and intramural basketball from Clinton, IA

Rob Hogenauer: veterinary technician & student at Cal Poly studying zoology who volunteered at the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound from Fullerton, CA

$2K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

S P A I _  / &
P _ R T U G _ L

Lisa located the European countries of SPAIN & PORTUGAL to triple up.

Gift Tag: Mongoose all-terrain boards

Round 1: EVENT

She started w/ two R’s and N at $300 apiece (pink and yellow, respectively), two E’s, two S’s for another $600, two A’s, a $400 H, a $600 G, and an I before she said P for phooey. Jennifer repeated that dud consonant after finding a $2,400 T trio. Rob then said an $800 C and a $500 L to leave only vowels remaining…

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

…and he solved TOURING HEARST CASTLE for $1,300.

SOLE DUD: P (Lisa)
SOLE DQ: Jennifer’s P repeat

FEATURED TRIP: $4,037 trip to HOUSE OF BLUES in Chicago (same one from Monday)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Jennifer and Rob instantly BANKRUPTed near Jackpot. Going to Lisa already who spun her way to a $1,600 T duo, a $900 S, four E’s and an A, but then the LaT. Jennifer next found two R’s on Jackpot ($6,700), but the BANKRUPT near $600 struck. Rob missed w/ B for bad while on the Mongoose gift tag. Lisa followed suit w/ four N’s for $3,600, a B for the Chicago trip, a $600 C (just made it past the BANKRUPT next to Jackpot), an L for the gift tag, two I’s, and a $600 M pair (made it past LaT). The board…

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

She didn’t need A MORNING GAME OF TENNIS BRACELET, because she solved this one for $11,587 cash & prizes in that round alone.

SOLE DUD: B (Rob)
SOLE LaT: Lisa
BANKRUPTS: 3 (Jennifer 2x, Rob)

Lisa: $14,587 cash & prizes/Jennifer: ZIP/Rob: $1,300

---

Round 3: PHRASE

This round’s all Rob — a $300 T, three S’s an N at $400 apiece, an $1,800 R trio, six E’s, a $400 H, a $600 M, and a $1K L pair.

R E _ R E S H M E N T S
_ _ L L / _ E / S E R _ E _

He said “REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED” for a PR of $5,450.

Lisa: $14,587 cash & prizes/Jennifer: ZILCH/Rob: $6,750

---

$3K Toss-Up: PERSON

A N
O V _ R _ C H I E _ E R

Rob proved to be AN OVERACHIEVER (the second word was used as a bonus puzzle in S26).

Round 4: PROPER NAME

First for this man were a $5K T , a $600 N, but then L for loss of turn. Lisa then said a $1,600 H pair…

_ T H _ N
H _ _ _ _

…and IDed actor ETHAN HAWKE to go to $16,187 cash & prizes.

SOLE DUD: L (Rob)

Lisa: $16,187 cash & prizes/Jennifer: BUPKIS/Rob: $9,750

Round 5: AROUND THE HOUSE

Lisa’s first picks were a $900 N, but then T for trap, and it’s Speed-Up time…

_ _ _ _ _ N _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _

…w/ the remaining consonants worth $6K apiece!

Jennifer: 2 R’s
Rob: S
Lisa: D
Jennifer: P (DUD)
Rob: C (DUD)
Lisa: M (DUD)
Jennifer: 2 G’s
Rob: H
Lisa: 3 E’s

G _ R D E N _ _
S H _ _ E R / G E L

Jennifer didn’t know it for $24K. Rob’s next w/ twin A’s…

G A R D E N _ A
S H _ _ E R / G E L

…he still blanked for $12K. Lisa then cleaned out the consonants w/ W…

G A R D E N _ A
S H _ W E R / G E L

She got a container of GARDENIA SHOWER GEL for $18,900 and the blowout win!

DUDS: T (Lisa), P (Jennifer), C (Rob), M (Lisa)

FINAL SCORES
Lisa: $35,087 cash & prizes/Jennifer: PARTING GIFTS/Rob: $9,750

GT: $44,837
NO BANKRUPT TRASH

---

Bonus Round

Lisa landed on the 1.

Category: ON THE MAP

This is a town in Florida…

_ E _
_ _ S _ _ _ N E

CDHA added two more in the bottom…

_ E _
_ _ S C A _ N E

In two seconds, she located KEY BISCAYNE for $25K and a final total of $60,087 cash & prizes! Celebrating w/ her were hubby Tim and brother Steven.

MY RATING: 8

WoF Retro Recap: April 9, 2002

EPISODE #3667: WHEELAPALOOZA WEEK

Intro Clip: Felicia ran off stage after winning a skiing trip with the Chevy pickup truck in the Bonus Round in November 27, 2000

 $1K Toss-Up: PLACE

A N / A _ _ L E
O R C _ _ _ _

Glenda got some money from AN APPLE ORCHARD. Tuesday’s trio…

Glenda Redfield: spa concierge at a health club married to Ken w/ one son KJ (and this couple played “Strip WoF” — LOL!) from Chicago

Zach Hughes: air traffic controller in the Air Force for six years who played rugby w/ the Vegas Blackjacks and a fetish for Hawaiian shirts from Las Vegas

Rose Beuck: substitute schoolteacher married to Jules from San Bernardino, CA, (originally from Chicago)

$2K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

T _ _  / _ O U T H
_ A C _ _ I C

Rose located THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

Gift Tag: hpshopping.com

Round 1: BEFORE & AFTER

She opened w/ a $1,400 T pair, but then N for negative. Second, Glenda called up a $400 S, but then L for loss. Third, Zach tried a $350 M, but then C for crud. On Rose’s second turn, she spun her way to a $1K R pair, two E’s and three O’s, but then D for dud. Glenda followed suit w/ a $300 G, two U’s, and a $600 B pair before we looked at…

B E / O U R
G U E S T
B _ T _ R O O M

She solved the fake Disney song called “BE OUR GUEST BATHROOM” for $1,050 and $2,050 so far. Pat asked her what would happen if she and her hubby were playing the game at home, and she responded that her husband would have to take off an article of clothing because she solved the puzzle with a giggle.

DUDS: N (Rose), L (Glenda), C (Zach), D (Rose)

FEATURED TRIP: “WoF” on location in Seattle next season w/ accommodations at the Salish Lodge & Spa worth $4,150 (SEATTLE)

Jackpot Round: EVENT

Glenda got going w/ an $1,800 T trio, five E’s, two H’s for another $1,100, but then the sole dud vowel of A for awful. Zach secondly found a $550 R, a $900 M, I, an $800 C, a $600 L pair, a $300 B, a single U, three N’s for another $900, and a K for the Free SPIN, but he landed on LaT and used the FS right away. Next up were an $1,800 S trio and two W’s on JACKPOT. Did he solve for a $9,900 pot…

T H E
W E S T M I N S T E R
K E N N E L / C L U B
_ _ _ / S H _ W

…NO. He then bought the last vowel of two O’s…

T H E
W E S T M I N S T E R
K E N N E L   C L U B
_ O _ / S H O W

…and he was DISQUALIFIED for adding an unnecessary syllable in the second; thus, he said THE WESTMINISTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW to let $5,100 go to waste. Rose then said the remaining D and G at $300 apiece (pink and yellow, respectively)…

T H E
W E S T M I N S T E R
K E N N E L / C L U B
D O G / S H O W

…and she read the answer correctly for $600.

SOLE DUD: A (Glenda)
SOLE LaT: Zach
SOLE DQ: Zach’s blown solve

Zach: NOTHING/Rose: $2,600/Glenda: $2,050

---

Round 3: TITLE

Zach’s road to redemption began on a sour note w/ the LaT. Rose got the same fate after picking a $550 S. Going to Glenda who tried a $1,200 T pair, four E’s, a $600 L pair, but the A failed her again. Zach then said an $800 R pair, a $600 N, two O’s, a $450 P and a $600 Y. We had…

R _ P L E Y ‘ S
_ E L _ E _ E / _ T
O R / N O T

He solved “RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT” to get on the board w/ $2,200.

SOLE DUD: A (Glenda)
LaTs: 2 (everybody else)

Zach: $2,200/Rose: $2,600/Glenda: $2,050

Lousy game thus far…

---

$3K Toss-Up: PEOPLE

F I _ _ T – T _ M E
V I S I _ _ R S

Glenda knew that she was one of the FIRST-TIME VISITORS at SPS. She then grabbed her blouse as if she were to strip down and the audience laughed out loud very loudly (Pat to her: “You’re just going to be the talk of the neighborhood”)!

Speed-Up: FAMILY

Consonants were worth $1,600 apiece.

Glenda: T
Zach: R
Rose: 2 N’s
Glenda: 4 L’s (only got HILLARY &)
Zach: 2 C’s
Rose: 2 H’s

H _ L L _ R Y / &
C H _ L _ _ _
C L _ N T _ N

Rose IDed HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON for $6,400 and the win.

SOLE DQ: Glenda’s incomplete solve)

FINAL SCORES
Zach: $2,200/Rose: $9K/Glenda: $5,050

GT: $16,250
NO BANKRUPTS

---

Bonus Round

Rose landed on the red spot.

Category: PHRASE

They used this puzzle again for S24 (and it wasn’t solved for a Pontiac Solstice)…

_ _ _ E / _ _ _ T _

FCDA gave her…

_ A _ E / F A _ T _

She knew she had to HAVE FAITH, and she just won the 2002 Jaguar X-Type sedan worth $39,645, giving her $48,645 cash & car. Her supporter was her husband Jules who was actually shorter than her.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: April 8, 2002

During this week, home viewers had to submit each of the bonus puzzles this week for their chance to win the grand prize of a VIP trip to L.A. w/ a chance to audition for the show. There were other nice prizes such as the designer gowns Vanna wore this week, the classic ceramic dalmatian, and some WHEEL memorabilia. Also, the prize wedges were only added before R2 on this week and they were trips to future “WHEEL” locale tapings.

EPISODE #3666: WHEELAPALOOZA WEEK

Intro Clip: Scott breakdanced after winning the Bonus Round during Philadelphia week

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ _ _ _ / A / _ _ / Z

Heather quickly went FROM A TO Z. Playing first on my 15th birthday that week…

Heather Fuqua: married lady of four years to Robert w/ a Yorkshire Terrier who had a degree in elementary education and was involved w/ community theater from Saltillo, MS

Brian Brook: marketing executive for a motorsports company who has jumped off just about anything like bridges, buildings and an airplane from San Diego

Ginny Nevins: married lady to John w/ a son named Alan (freshman at Wesleyan School who’s on the baseball team at the time) from Norcross, GA

$2K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ A R K / _ _ _ Y
U T A _

Brian located PARK CITY, UTAH.

Gift Tag: JVC

Round 1: PROPER NAME

Brian did most of the work — a $2,500 T, three N’s for another $900, an $800 S, A and I singles, a $550 H, O, a $400 G, a $300 W, and two E’s (NMV) before he said a CRITICAL DUD of C for crud while on the Free SPIN. Ginny filled in the rest of the letters w/ a $450 D, a $600 L, and a Z for the JVC gift tag.

D E N Z E L
W A S H I N G T O N

She IDed this actor for $2,050 cash & gift tag.

SOLE DUD: C (Brian)

TRIP WEDGE: “WHEEL of FORTUNE” in Chicago includes accommodations at the House of Blues Hotel worth $4,037 (HOUSE OF BLUES)

Jackpot Round: FILL IN THE NUMBER (top line not used)

Ginny started w/ a $1,200 N pair, but then T for trouble. Second, Heather called up five S’s for three grand (just missed TD), but then bought the sole dud vowel of E. Third, Brian got the Chicago trip w/ three R’s, but an H call ended his turn just as quick. Ginny next lit up a $400 L, but then repeated the E. Heather bought three I’s, but said a not-so-good consonant of G. Brian followed w/ a $1,350 B trio, four O’s, a $10,500 F trio…a $600 M (just made it past the BANKRUPT near JACKPOT)…and three A’s. The board…

B A S _ I N – R O B B I N S
I S / F A M O _ S / F O R
# # / F L A _ O R S

He solved “BASKIN-ROBBINS IS FAMOUS FOR ## FLAVORS” and got the $3K bonus for filling in 31, so that was an $18,987 round for him.

DUDS: T (Ginny), E (Heather), H (Brian), G (Heather)
SOLE DQ: Ginny’s E repeat
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $13,050

Brian: $20,987 cash & Chicago/Ginny: $2,050 cash & JVC/Heather: $1K

---

Round 3: BEFORE & AFTER

S for sorry was how Heather started. Over to big leader Brian who found a $300 R (just short of TD), four $300 T’s, four E’s and two A’s, and a $10,500 L trio. The payoff moment…

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

He solved the fake George Washington quote “I CANNOT TELL A LIE DETECTOR” for $11,500.

SOLE DUD: S (Heather)

Brian: $32,487 cash & prizes/Ginny: $2,050 cash & JVC/Heather: $1K

---

$3K Toss-Up: PERSON

_ / _ O _ D
S P _ _ T

Heather proved to be A GOOD SPORT, so she quadrupled up.

Round 4: RHYME TIME

First up are a $1,200 T trio, I, but then BANKRUPT near $500 to lose $950. Brian’s second in line w/$600 H and W singles (purple and red, respectively), two E’s, a $500 N, but he got the same BANKRUPTand lost $1,450. At this point, it’s Final Spin time…

_ _ N ‘ T / _ E _ _
W I T H / _ _ _ _ E _ _

…consonants were worth $1,500 a pop. Ginny then lit up five S’s…

_ _ N ‘ T / _ E S S
W I T H /  S _ _ _ E S S

…and said “DON’T MESS WITH SUCCESS” for $7,500.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Ginny’s opposition)

FINAL SCORES
Brian: $32,487 cash & prizes/Ginny: $9,550 cash & JVC/Heather: $4K

GT: $46,037
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,400

---

Bonus Round

In addition to $25K and $100K, these luxury cars were up for grabs…

• Jaguar X-Type sedan
• Porsche Boxster ($49K+)
• Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 roadster

Brian landed on the N of WIN.

Category: PHRASE

Opening layout…

_ _ _ ‘ R E
_ _ T T _

BYPO gave him…

Y O _ ‘ R E
_ _ T T Y

He flubbed the bottom w/ BITTY, KITTY, HOTTY, and TOTTY, so he DIDN’T say to Pat “YOU’RE WITTY” for $25K.

MY RATING: 7