WoF Retro Recap: May 18, 2007 — SAN DIEGO FINALE

EPISODE #4665: ARMED FORCES WEEK (SAN DIEGO)

$1K Toss-Up: FUN & GAMES

_ . I . / _ _ _
_ _ T I O _ / F I G U R E

David recalled his favorite G.I. JOE ACTION FIGURE. Wrapping up the San Diego road trip were…

David Coleman (Marines): helicopter pilot stationed in Miramar who served for 3.5 yrs and married to Casey w/ two kids plus another on the way from San Marcos, CA

Tabetha Banks (Air Force): tech sergeant stationed at Andrews AFB who served for 17 yrs. married to Earl w/ two daughters from Waldorf, MD

John Stickles (Navy): fire control operator (he handled weapons systems and missiles) stationed in San Diego and married to Eileen w/ three sons from Long Beach, CA

$2K Toss-Up: OCCUPATION

R _ D I O L _ G I _ T

David tripled up w/ RADIOLOGIST.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to the Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico worth $5,500
Gift Tag: AA.com

Round 1: THING (PRIZE PUZZLE)

He opened w/ a $600 R, but then the $10K’s left side. Second, Tabetha called up two S’s for $1,200, an E buy, a $500 T, a $400 N, buys of A and I, but then L for loss. Third, John took two M’s for $800, but then F for flunk. After David wasted another turn w/ the BANKRUPT near $600, Tabetha got the Free SPIN w/ a P and bought two O’s to clean out the vowels (the NMV graphic didn’t show up). We had…

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

She won $1,100 and would hear some SYMMPHONIES BY MOZART on her LastMinuteTravel.com trip to VIENNA worth $4,500

DUDS: L (Tabetha), F (John)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both by David)

Jackpot Round: FOOD & DRINK

This round’s all Tabetha: a $600 R, a $1,600 T pair, two E’s and A, two N’s for the gift tag, six I’s, and a $2K C quartet.

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

Too many multiples left behind (four S’s included), but she quickly ate some SPICY CHICKEN STRIPS WITH DIPPING SAUCE for $4,450 cash & airline tickets — PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $6,900

Tabetha: $10,050 cash & prizes FS ★ John: ZIP ★ David: $3K

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

John said an automatic dud of S for sorry on the MW near $800. David secondly spotted a $300 N, a $900 L pair, a $900 T trio, but no more w/ G. Tabetha thirdly used her FS after hitting BANKRUPT near $3,500. Next up were a $600 H pair, five E’s, and three R’s on the same MW before she flipped it over…and there went $350. After John’s four F’s for $3,600….

T H E / L _ N _
_ F / T H E
F R E E  / T R _ _ L
_ F F E R

There’s no such thing as THE LAND OF THE FREE TRIAL OFFER, but he’s finally on the board.

DUDS: S (John), G (David)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both by Tabetha)

Tabetha: $10,050 cash & prizes FS ★ John: $3,600 ★ David: $3K

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$3K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

C O N _ _ L E
T A B _ _

John’s not too condifent in his answer of CONSOLE TABLE…why worry — it is.

Speed-Up: PHRASE

Consonants were worth $1,600 apiece (just missed $5K).

John: 3 T’s
David: H
Tabetha: 3 N’s
John: G
David: R
Tabetha: D
John: 3 E’s

N _ _ E / T _ / T H E
G R _ N D _ T _ N E

John’s able to keep his NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE for $6,400 and the comeback victory.

FINAL SCORES
Tabetha: $10,050 cash & prizes FS ★ John: $13K ★ David: $3K

GT: $26,050
BANKRUPT TRASH: $350

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Bonus Round

Let’s remind you that the cars on offer this week were a Pontiac Solstice and a Jeep Commander ($34,670). He introduced his wife Eileen and his mother, then he landed on the first zero.

Category: PHRASE

The RSTLNE aid…

_ ‘ _
_ _ _ _ L E _

MHCI only added the obvious…

I ‘ M
_ _ _ _ L E _

…and he wasn’t even close w/ “I’M TICKLED” and “I’M PICKLED”. He didn’t admit “I’M BAFFLED” for $25K.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: September 6, 2002

EPISODE #3710: HOT CARS WEEK

$1K Toss-Up: THING

_ O U _ / O F
T H _ / _ _ _

Ginger’s had her SOUP OF THE DAY (and in her case, it’s clam chowder). Last panel this week…

Ginger James: a lady who had 10 nieces and nephews (some of them lived in Finland) from Hinsdale, IL

Tony Prichard: machine shop inspector who made his own beer and married 14 yrs. to Mary w/ two kids from Atascadero, CA

Stacy Aldridge: full-time nursing student at Tennessee State Univ. married to Joel w/ two daughters and a stepson from Madison, TN

$2K Toss-Up: PLACE

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

Ginger got into THE INSIDE LANE to triple up.

Gift Tag: BRAND SOURCE

Round 1: EVENT

She opened w/ two T’s for $1,800, three A’s, a $900 N trio, three E’s, but then LaT. Second, Tony said an instant dud of G. Third, Stacy took a $400 W, but she too got LaT. Ginger got up there a $600 Y pair, an $800 R pair, but the $10K’s left side wiped her out of $3,600. Tony next goofed w/ H. Stacy lit up a a C for BRAND SOURCE…

A / T W E N T Y – Y E A R
C _ A _ _ / R E _ N _ _ N

When the time comes, I’m hoping to attend A TWENTY-YEAR CLASS REUNION in 2025 (my HS graduation year was 2005) as she solved for $1,400 cash & gift tag.

DUDS (both by Tony): G, H
LaTs: 2 (ladies)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Ginger

FEATURED PRIZE: El Cid Mega Resort in Mazatlan, MEXICO worth $4,177

Lean Pockets Jackpot Round: HEADLINE

(The top line wasn’t used.)

This round’s all Tony: four R’s for the MEXICO trip, a $450 T, four E’s, a $700 S pair, two O’s, a $450 B, two A’s, a $450 C, four I’s, and a $700 M pair. We had…

_ _ _ I A / R O B E R T S
M A R R I E S / I _
_ E _ / M E _ I C O

He solved “JULIA ROBERTS MARRIES IN NEW MEXICO” for $1,750 and the Mexico trip — PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,050

Ginger: $3K/Tony: $5,927 cash & MEX/Stacy: $1,400 cash & GC

---

Mystery Round: QUOTATION

Stacy led the way w/ two N’s for $900, a $1,200 T trio, four E’s, a $400 R, a $1,200 L pair, and three A’s, but she BANKRUPTed near $600 to lose $3,200. Ginger secondly spun her way to two S’s for $1,400, a $300 F at the beginning, a $600 P, a $400 D, a $400 G, but she went one spin too many because she BANKRUPTed near $3,500 to hand over $3,100 (Ginger: “I had to do it, didn’t I?”). Tony then SPINGLED for a $300 B…

F A S T E R / T _ A N
A / S P E E D _ N G
B _ L L E T

…and solved “FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET” for a $200 bonus (though Pat tried to make his original $300 total exciting).

BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)

Ginger: $3K/Tony: $6,427 cash & MEX/Stacy: $1,400 cash & GC

This is getting depressing… -__-

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$3K Toss-Up: PHRASE

I _ ‘ S / H _ T
O R / _ _ _ _

IT’S HIT OR MISS at the time of this buzz-in, and it’s a hit for Tony.

Speed-Up: BEFORE & AFTER

Consonants were worth $1,600 each (too strong for TD).

Tony: 3 R’s
Stacy: S
Ginger: T
Tony: N
Stacy: L
Ginger: B
Tony: H
Stacy: G
Ginger: D
Tony: 2 A’s
Stacy: P

A _ R P _ R T
R _ N _ A _
_ _ D _ L

Stacy solved AIRPORT RUNWAY MODEL with 1 second left for $3,200.

DUDS: S (Stacy), B (Ginger), H (Tony), G (Stacy)

FINAL SCORES
Ginger: $3K/Tony: $9,427 cash & MEX/Stacy: $4,600 cash & GC

GT: a modest $17,027
BANKRUPT TRASH: $9,900

---

Bonus Round

Tony took that BW to the W of WIN.

Category: PHRASE

RSTLNE reveals…

_ ‘ _ / _ E E _ _ N _
_ T

Even if MGDI only gives him the obvious, he should still be able to get this…

I ‘ M /  _ E E _ I N G
I T

…but he blew that second word w/ BEATING, NEEDING and FEELING, so we had an INSTANT SKUNKING. And in regards to the car that he didn’t win, he won’t be admitting “I’M KEEPING IT” — the Thunderbird.

And this week gave away just $123,207. Weekend in New England in the PP era in S24 would give away just $126,350.

MY RATING: 4

WoF Retro Recap: September 5, 2002

EPISODE #3709: HOT CARS WEEK

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ N _ / A W_ Y
_ _ / G _

Melissa rightly said “AND AWAY WE GO”. She’s the only lady of this Thursday panel…

Melissa Bill: P.E. teacher at Lyman-Gillmore MS who’s a newlywed to Bob from Grass Valley, CA

Larry Kurtz: worked for 27 yrs. as a breadman and married to Linda w/ three kids and two granddaughters from Shippensburg, PA

Terry Allen Jones: motivational speaker and national trainer who’s hobby was walking on hot coals from Santa Monica, CA (by way of FL)

$2K Toss-Up: THINGS

H O P E _ / A N D
D _ E A _ S

Melissa had the HOPES AND DREAMS to win big.

Gift Tag: IKEA

Round 1: BEFORE & AFTER

This round’s all Melissa: four T’s for two grand, two E’s, a $500 R, two A’s, a $600 L, a single I, a C for IKEA, the last vowel of O, a $500 B, and a $600 S pair.

C A T / L I T T E R
B O _
S E A  T S

She solved CAT LITTER BOX SEATS for $4,200 cash & gift tag and $7,200 so far — PR.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts in FIJI worth $4,880

Lean Pockets Jackpot Round: FAMILY (biggie alert)

But Larry said an automatic dud of R while on $3,500. Second, Terry called up a $700 T, a $300 S, five L’s for $2,250, and buys of four A’s and I’s, followed by three N’s for the FIJI trip, but then a baddie of G. Melissa next lit up a $300 M, an $1,100 D pair, and an $800 W pair. Board…

W I L L I A M
S T _ _ _ _ N
D A N I _ L / &
A L _ _ / _ A L D W I N

She blew the first name of the last of the four men in this list w/ WILLIAM, STEPHEN, DANIEL & ALEX BALDWIN, so $2,200 was at risk for her. After Larry wasted his next turn w/ the BANKRUPT near $600, Terry got the Free SPIN w/ a C, four E’s, a $900 B, a $300 P, and a $300 H to complete the board.

W I L L I A M
S T E P H E N
D A N I E L / &
A L E C / B A L D W I N

He read ’em all correctly for $4K and the Fiji trip.

DUDS: R (Larry), G (Terry)
SOLE DQ: Melissa’s blown solve
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $13,500

Terry: $8,880 cash & Fiji FS/Melissa: $7,200 cash & IKEA/Larry: NIL

---

Mystery Round: NEXT LINE PLEASE

Terry’s first w/ a $550 T, an R to double up, but then D for dud and he used the FS. Next up were four N’s for $2,200, three O’s and I, but then that BANKRUPT near $600 to hand over $2,800. Melissa’s up second w/ a $450 F, three E’s, a $300 P, and an $800 V. We had…

_ N / O _ N _ E
O F / P R E V E N T I O N

She solved AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION for $1,300. But she flubbed the bonus answer saying “…is a pound of luck”; it was “…is worth a pound of cure”.

SOLE DUD: D (Terry)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Terry

Terry: $8,880 cash & Fiji/Melissa: $8,500 cash & IKEA/Larry: NADA

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$3K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

S W E _ _ N / _ N D
D E N M A _ K

Terry located the Scandinavian countries of SWEDEN AND DENMARK to get into five figures.

Speed-Up: SAME NAME

Consonants were worth $1,300 apiece (two pegs away from TD).

Terry: 3 T’s
Melissa: N
Larry: 3 S’s
Terry: D
Melissa: 2 R’s
Larry: 4 E’s
Terry: L
Melissa: C

_ E T R _ C / _ N D
S T E R E _
S _ S T E _

METRIC AND STEREO SYSTEM won Melissa $5,200 and the victory.

SOLE DUD: L (Terry)

FINAL SCORES
Terry: $11,880 cash & Fiji/Melissa: $13,700 cash & IKEA/Larry: $500 GOOSEEGG

GT: $26,080
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,800

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Bonus Round

Melissa spun her way to the U of BONUS.

Category: EVENT

This one-liner started as…

_ / _ _ _ / R _ _ E

She frontlaoded the alphabet (BCDA), but that won’t add much besides the obvious A…

A / _ _ _ / R _ D E

Neither BIG nor DOG was the missing second word. She wouldn’t have been taking A JOY RIDE (this should’ve been one word, IMO) in the Mustang that she was afraid of losing, but she lost $25K.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: September 4, 2002

EPISODE #3708: HOT CARS WEEK

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

T H A T ‘ S / A
_ _ _ _ / S T _ R T

THAT’S A GOOD START for Marci who solved first among this midweek panel…

Marci Handler: tennis instructor who has a boyfriend from L.A. (by way of Toledo)

Steve Grimes: member of the U.S. Air Force for 13 yrs. who’s a mechanic on the A-10 aircraft married to Candice w/ two daughters from Las Vegas

Felicia Fredricks: Georgia State Univ. studying pre-medicine in her 3rd year and a poet from Decatur, GA (orig. from Chicago)

$2K Toss-Up: OCCUPATION

_ _ T / _ _ G
_ _ _ D _ _

Steve quickly solved HOT DOG VENDOR.

Gift Tag: eBags

Round 1: AROUND THE HOUSE

He opened w/ a $900 T, two S’s for $600 more, a $2,700 R trio, four E’s, but then the sole dud vowel of A for awful. Second, Felicia said N for negative. Third, Marci took an $800 L, two O’s, but the $10K’s right side took away $550. Steve resumed his run w/ a $550 C, a $400 W, and an $800 V pair. We had…

O V E R S T _ _ _ E _
S W _ V E L / R O C _ E R

(The initial shot of the puzzleboard is incorrect, as it shows a completely different reveal.)

He solved OVERSTUFFED SWIVEL ROCKER for $5,450 and $7,450 so far.

DUDS: A (Steve), N (Felicia)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Marci

FEATURED PRIZE: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa in st. thomas worth $6,540

Lean Pockets Jackpot Round: SLOGAN

Here went Felicia w/ four S’s for $1,200, five E’s, but then LaT. Marci secondly spun her way to an R on Jackpot, an $1,800 T trio, a single A, but then L for loss. Steve thirdly spotted a $300 Y, two N’s for $600 more, and a $7K V pair. Board…

Y _ _ ‘ V E / _ _ T
_ _ E S T _ _ N S
_ E ‘ V E / _ _ T
A N S _ E R S

He solved “YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS, WE’VE GOT ANSWERS” for $7,900. But he was incorrect on the bonus answer w/ Charles Schwab; it was RadioShack.

SOLE DUD: L (Marci)
SOLE LaT: Felicia
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,600

Felicia: ZIP/Marci: $1K/Steve: $15,350

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Mystery Round: HEADLINE

Marci’s first w/ three T’s for $2,400, but the N failed her while she’s on the MW near $800. Steve’s second in line w/ three S’s for $2,400, three R’s to add $1,650, six E’s, and an $800 L pair. Board….

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

He solved “THREE-PEAT IS SWEET FOR L.A. LAKERS” for $4,600.

SOLE DUD: N (Marci)

Felicia: ZILCH/Marci: $1K/Steve: $19,950

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$3K Toss-Up: FICTIONAL CHARACTER

_ _ E / _ I C H _ _ I N
M A _

Felicia just made it in time w/ THE MICHELIN MAN, so she’s finally off the schneid.

Round 4: PROPER NAME

Coming out of her mouth next were three T’s for $1,350, a $300 N, but then E for end of turn. Marci also struck out w/ S, as did Steve w/ L. Felicia tried a $900 R, three A’s, and a $600 H pair before we looked at…

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

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is the organization for $2,650 and a new subtotal of $5,650.

DUDS: E (Felicia), S (Marci), L (Steve)

Round 5: THINGS

Marci’s first picks were a $300 S, two T’s for $900 more, but time’s running out…

_ _ _ T _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ T S

…and the remaining consonants were worth $1,300 apiece.

Marci: R
Steve: L
Felicia: 2 N’s
Marci: 2 M’s
Steve: C
Felicia: D
Marci: A
Steve: K (HUH?!)
Felicia: H

M _ N T H L _
_ A _ M _ N T S

Felicia made more than her own MONTHLY PAYMENTS in the amount of $3,900.

DUDS: R (Marci), C (Steve), D (Felicia), K (Steve)

FINAL SCORES
Felicia: $9,550/Marci: $1K/Steve: $19,950

GT: $30,500
BANKRUPT TRASH: $550

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Bonus Round

The third zero was landed on again.

Category: PHRASE

_ _ _ _ _ _ –
_ _ _ _ E _

All of the letters from the CAMP strategy (PCMA) are up there, but a solve is still no guarantee…

_ A C _ _ M –
P A C _ E _

He didn’t count his letters his carefully on top and said JAM-PACKED instead of VACUUM-PACKED, so he lost $25K.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: September 3, 2002

For info on the premiere, click HERE.

EPISODE #3707: HOT CARS WEEK

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ _ _ / _ _ _ C K
O _ / _ A W _

Louis blanked out.

_ _ E / C _ _ C K
O F / D A W _

Mary screamed out the answer at THE CRACK OF DAWN.

Mary Adams: admin. assistant for the Democratic Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives w/ two children, daughter-in-law Amy in the audience, and three grandchildren from Steelton, PA

Louis Pastis: chiropractor in Pasadena who enjoys hiking and mountain biking and also did the Heimlich maneuver on a man who was choking on popcorn from San Marino, CA

Idalys Martinez: former dancer on “American Bandstand” engaged to Tommy w/ two daughters (one in the audience) and a 2-month-old granddaughter from Fairview, TN

$2K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ _ / _ L L
_ D D S / _ P

IT ALL ADDS UP for Mary who was two for two this game.

Gift Tag: Festina WATCHES

Round 1: SHOW BIZ

Here she went w/ two T’s for $900, a $600 R pair, but then W for worthless. Second, Louis just made it past LaT, but S stood for sorry anyway. Third, Idalys called up two M’s for $1,100, a $350 D, an L for the $10K, buys of two A’s, E and O (she tried to “buy and owl” on her third purchase), but the sole dud vowel of U stopped her. Mary next said P for phooey. Louis lit up a $700 N pair, but then a not-so-good G call. Idalys’ second try ended quickly w/ H for hush. Mary picked up the WATCHES w/ F, but then said B for bad. Louis then said the last consonant of an $1,800 C pair…

F _ L M / C R _ T _ C
L E O N A R D / M A L T _ N

…and IDed FILM CRITIC LEONARD MALTIN (formerly on “Entertainment Tonight”) for $2,500.

DUDS: W (Mary), U (Idalys), P (Mary), G (Louis), H (Idalys), B (Mary)

FEATURED PRIZE: Hyatt Regency GRAND CAYMAN Resort & Villas worth $4,892

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Louis led off w/ five T’s for two grand, two R’s for $800 more, two E’s, a $1,200 S pair, and two O’s, but the BANKRUPT near $600 stole $3,500. Idalys secondly spun her way to a $1,200 P pair, but the sole dud of I tripped her up. Mary thirdly got herself into LaT trouble. Louis won’t find any C’s. Idalys found a $7K M pair…

_ _ M P T _
_ _ M P T _ / S _ T / O _
_ / _ _ _ _ / S T R E E T
_ O _ R _ _ _

…and nailed HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON A WALL STREET JOURNAL for $7,950.

DUDS: I (Idaylys), C (Louis)
SOLE LaT: Mary
SOLE BANKRUPT: Louis
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,400

Louis: $2,500/Idalys: $7,950/Mary: $3K

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Mystery Round: QUOTATION

The Mystery Prize this week was the $13,780 Ford Focus ZX3.

Idalys got going w/ an $800 S, and a T while on the MW near $800 before she risked her own $800…Focus! But after buying two I’s, the BANKRUPT near $600 blew up $14,330 cash & car — ouch. Mary’s second in line w/ three M’s for $1,800, two H’s for $1,200 more, five E’s, four N’s for another $2,400, two O’s, but then Y for yikes. Louis then said three F’s for $2,700…

I ‘ M / _ O N N _
M _ _ E / H I M / _ N
O F F E _ / H E
_ _ N ‘ T / _ E F _ S E

…and recited The Godfather line “I’M GONNA MAKE HIM AN OFFER HE CAN’T REFUSE” when he could’ve gone for the R’s.

SOLE DUD: Y (Mary)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Idalys

Louis: $5,200/Idalys: $7,950/Mary: $3K

This has been an unpleasant game thus far… -__-

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$3K Toss-Up: LIVING THING

W _ _ T E – T A I _ _ D
D E E _

Louis spotted the WHITE-TAILED DEER and took the lead by $250.

Speed-Up: ON THE MAP

Consonants were worth $1,600 apiece.

Louis: T
Idalys: R
Mary: N
Louis: F
Idalys: S
Mary: C
Louis: H
Idalys: M
Mary: D
Louis: L

S _ N T _ _ _ _
C H _ L _

Louis located SANTIAGO, CHILE for $4,800 more.

DUDS: R (Idalys), F (Louis), M (Idalys), D (Mary)

FINAL SCORES
Louis: $13K/Idalys: $7,950/Mary: $3K

GT: $23,950
BANKRUPT TRASH: $17,830 cash & Focus

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Bonus Round

Louis landed on the third zero.

Category: LIVING THING

This is a bird…

_ / _ _ _ E _ N

DCAM (he called the D twice in a row) was of very limited help…

A / _ _ _ E _ N

…and it wasn’t A RAVEN as he quietly thought. A PIGEON flew away w/ the $35K he could’ve won.

Oh, and Pat misheard one of the D calls as a B. Not that it would’ve mattered.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Retro Recap: April 14, 1998

EPISODE #2882: SPORTS FANTASY 

Jeff Fay: electronics sales mgr. married to Dory and soon-to-be-uncle from Lake Havasu, AZ (he’s moving to Anchorage, AK)

Laura Friedman: Univ. of SC senior studying broadcast journalism and reporter for a local college TV station from Columbia, SC (orig. from Chicago)

Melissa Eickenroht: hotel sales mgr. married to Roger w/ son Wyatt from San Antonio

Round 1: BEFORE & AFTER

Here went Jeff w/ a $250 R, a $350 S, but then BANKRUPT near purple $500 to lose $600. Second, Laura called up two T’s for $2K, a single E, a $900 N, a single A, a $250 P, and two O’s, but she repeated the C (there had to be a null cycle edited out). Melissa struck out w/ M, as did Jeff w/ B. Laura bought the last vowel of two I’s, but said W for worthless. Melissa then said an $800 K, but then F for flunk. Jeff lit up a $450 D and a $250 V to complete the board.

P O T A T O
S K I N
D I V E R

He read the answer for $700.

AIRED DUDS: M (Melissa), B (Jeff), W (Laura), F (Melissa)
AIRED BANKRUPT: Jeff
AIRED DQ: Laura’s C repeat

FEATURED PRIZE: ski trip to Mammoth Mountain Resort in California worth $3,612

Round 2: FILL IN THE NUMBER

Laura led off w/ four T’s for $10K, six E’s, a $400 H, a single A, three N’s for the SURPRISE, and four I’s and two O’s to clean out the vowels. She followed w/ a $2,500 F, a $250 P, a $1K R quartet (could’ve saved the $2,500 for this one), a $1,200 M pair, a $550 D, but she painfully BANKRUPTed in the same spot to give up $14,900 and her SURPRISE — ouch. Melissa then said a $700 J, a $250 Y, and an $1,800 S pair. Board…

J I M M Y / _ A R T E R
_ I N S / T H E / # # # #
E _ E _ T I O N / F O R
P R E S I D E N T

She solved JIMMY CARTER WINS THE #### ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT for $2,750 and got the $2K bonus w/ the year 1976.

PAINFUL BANKRUPT: Laura

Jeff: $700/Laura: TOUGH LUCK/Melissa: $4,750

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Jackpot Round: FICTIONAL CHARACTER

Melissa got going w/ three S’s for $1,200, a $1K R pair, two E’s, but then I for invalid. Jeff’s second in line w/ a $900 M, a $900 D, an A buy, an $1,800 L pair, three O’s, an $1,100 H pair, but then the BANKRUPT near green $500 to hand over $4,200 — I think Pat’s right in thinking he was reckless. Laura then said a $300 C, but she LaTed out. Melissa got up there a $500 K, but the BANKRUPT near purple $500 nailed her. Jeff lit up a $250 W, a $450 T, and a $450 N to complete the board.

S H E R L O C K
H O L M E S / &
D R . / W A T S O N

He read the answer for $1,150.

SOLE LaT: Laura
BANKRUPTS: 2 (everybody else)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,100

Jeff: $1,850/Laura: BAD SHAPE/Melissa: $4,750

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Speed-Up: PHRASE

Pat’s too strong for $5K, because consonants were worth $600 apiece.

Jeff: R (DUD)
Laura: four T’s
Melissa: two H’s
Jeff: N (DUD)
Laura: two S’s
Melissa: P (DUD)
Jeff: L
Laura: two C’s

L _ T ‘ S / C _ T / T _
T H _ / C H _ S _

LET’S CUT TO THE CHASE — after mistakenly saying GET for the second word, Laura finally earned $4,800 and won by $50.

DUDS: R (Jeff), N (Jeff), P (Melissa)

FINAL SCORES
Jeff: $1,850/Laura: $4,800/Melissa: $4,750

GT: $10,400
BANKRUPT TRASH: $20,200 plus SURPRISE

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Bonus Round

From -HEEL, Laura picked the L for her name.

Category: THING

This puzzle would later contribute to an INSTANT SKUNKING at the start of S23…

_ _ R _ L _ _ T

BMCO only added the vowel…

_ O R _ L _ _ T

…but she solved FORKLIFT no sweat and won the $25K for a grand total of $29,800 (she’s joined by her parents Kiera and Mike).

MY RATING: 5 (orig. a 6)

WoF Retro Recap: April 7, 1998

This episode that aired the day before I turned 11 marked the debut of a new category.

EPISODE #2877: SPRING BREAK

Carrie Lee: 4th grade teacher at Durham ES married to Bob w/ a 2-yr.-old daughter named Amanda from Philadelphia

Bobby Swango: a worker for the Metro Red Line (he built subways) who had a girlfriend from Simi Valley, CA

Julie Briggs: music teacher married to P.E. teacher Eric from Glendale, AZ

Round 1: SAME NAME

Carrie started w/ two T’s for $1,200, a $400 H, but then S for sorry. Second, Bobby called up a $250 R, two M’s for the SURPRISE, a single O, but then a VERY FOOLISH DUD of J — where did that come from, man?! -__- Third, Julie said P for phooey. Carrie resumed w/ a $250 B, a U buy, but then BANKRUPT to clean her out of $1,600. Bobby followed w/ a $500 N, but BOMBED OUT thinking D was the last consonant. Julie lit up that $600 G…

T O M / &
G R _ _ N
T H U M B

…and solved TOM & GREEN THUMB.

DUDS: S (Carrie), J (Bobby), P (Julie), D (Bobby)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Carrie

FEATURED PRIZE: Dolphin pool table from Beach Manufacturing worth $4,435

Round 2: FILL IN THE NUMBER *NEW CATEGORY ALERT*

Bobby LaTed out from the get-go. Julie secondly lit up three R’s for the $10K, three S’s for $2,700, two E’s, five T’s for the pool table (BIG waste there), and six I’s, followed by a $300 H, four N’s for the Free SPIN, a $350 W, the last vowels of three A’s and four O’s…and a $1,500 C trio before she finally went for the solve…

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

She solved TITANIC TIES RECORD WITH ## OSCAR NOMINATIONS for $13,850 and the pool table! But she was one number off on the bonus answer w/ 13; it was 14.

QUICK LaT: Bobby

Julie: $18,885 cash & pool table FS/Others: $0 each

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Jackpot Round: THINGS

Julie kept her FS after saying an automatic dud of T. Carrie’s up second w/ a $900 N, but then R for rats. Bobby’s third in line w/ a $900 S pair, but then M for mistake. Julie picked a $400 C, a $250 L, a $250 D, an E buy, a $900 F, and the last consonant of a $700 X (just missed Jackpot). We had…

S _ X
F L _ _ D
_ _ N C E S

She solved SIX FLUID OUNCES for $2,250.

DUDS: T (Julie), R (Carrie), M (Bobby)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,500

Julie: $21,135 cash & pool table FS/Others: ZERO a head

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Round 4: THE 70’s

Carrie opened w/ three T’s for $750, but the BANKRUPT near purple $500 stopped her cold. Bobby tried three R’s for $1,200, an O buy, a $1,500 B trio, a $900 L, but time’s running out…

R O B _ R T
B L _ _ _ / _ _
B _ R _ T T _

…w/ a $500 Final Spin. He then said S…

R O B _ R T
B L _ _ _ / _ S
B _ R _ T T _

…and solved ROBERT BLAKE AS BARETTA for his only $3,850 on the night.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Carrie

FINAL SCORES
Carrie: PARTING GIFTS/Bobby: $3,850/Julie: $21,135 cash & pool table

GT: $24,985
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,350

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Bonus Round

This week’s non-$25K prizes were…

• trip to Arizona and convertible ($24K+)
• trip to Florida and boat ($16K+)
• trip to South Padre Island and Jeep Wrangler ($21K+)
• trip to Panama City, FL and Yamaha GP760 WaveRunners ($18K+)

Julie picked the L.

Category: THING

Lead-offs…

_ L _ _ _ _ L E

DCMA only added the vowel…

_ L A _ _ _ L E

We’re unfortunately gonna have to put up an L for LOSS on the FLAGPOLE, because she’s not even close to winning the Florida/boat package. But I can tell you she did make it to the Friday Finals (I already have that recap up).

MY RATING: 7

My 11th Birthday Episode

WoF Retro Recap: October 16, 1992

EPISODE #1785

Peter Menges: 1-day champ w/ $62,002 cash & prizes (including a camper in the BR) from Newton, MA

Barbara Farrington: budget analyst w/ the Dept. of Energy in Washington D.C. from Forestville, MD

Marilyn Richardson: mgmt. consultant from Denver (orig. from Las Cruces, NM)

Round 1: PHRASE

Peter got started w/ a $450 T, a $200 S, a $900 R, but BANKRUPT took away $1,550. Second, Barbara called up a $1K N, a $400 C pair, a $200 Y, and a $300 P. We had…

C _ N / Y _ _
_ _ _ P / _
S _ C R _ T

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? I can’t, but she won her first $1,900.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Peter

FEATURED PRIZE: limited edition rainbow enchanted castle from Iris Arc Crystal worth $1,500

Round 2: THING

Barbara said an automatic dud of T, however. Marilyn secondly picked a $300 N, a $400 R, a $500 L (just missed SURPRISE), and buys of two E’s, three I’s, and O, but M stood for mistake. Peter thirdly LaTed out. Barbara got up there an $800 S pair, a $450 P, an X for the SURPRISE, an A buy, a $500 C, but then H for hush. Marilyn won’t get any D’s and Peter LaTed out again, so we’re quickly back to Barbara who picked off a $400 Z pair…

_ _ I Z Z I C A L
E X P R E S S I O N

We sometimes have a QUIZZICAL EXPRESSION when faced w/ tough puzzles (like this for example), but Barbara solved for $1,900 and the SURPRISE, which was a Ross-Simons 30 inch pearl necklace worth $4,850.

DUDS: T (Barbara), M (Marilyn), H (Barbara), D (Marilyn)
LaTs: 2 (both by Peter)

Barbara: $8,650 cash & necklace/Others: $0 each

Round 3: CLUE

Marilyn’s first w/ a $1,200 T trio, an $800 S, three E’s, a $300 L, and an I buy, after which came a $400 R pair, a single A, but the D tripped her up again. Peter tacked on a $500 W, a $200 B, the last vowel of O, but then G for goof. Barbara then said a $3,500 K…

_ I K E R ‘ S
W A T E R
B O T T L E

…and solved HIKER’S WATER BOTTLE. She also got the $500 bonus answer of canteen.

DUDS: D (Marilyn), G (Peter)

Barbara: $12,650 cash & necklace/Others: ZERO a head

FEATURED PRIZE #2: Penn fishing rod and a 6n Hawaiian fishing trip to the Kona Hilton Beach & Tennis Resort (includes a ride aboard the Kona Sunrise Charter) via Delta Airlines worth $5,398

Round 4: PHRASE

Peter opened w/ two R’s for a grand, but then S for stop. Barbara’s second in line w/ a $400 N, a $550 T, but time’s running out…

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

…and consonants were worth a measly $200 apiece.

Barbara: C
Marilyn: D (DUD)
Peter: Y
Barbara: L (DUD)
Marilyn: M (DUD)
Peter: F (DUD)
Barbara: P (DUD)
Marilyn: G (DUD)
Peter: W (DUD)

Y _ _  R / _ _ N _ R
_ / _ B _ _ C T

You hear these words in the courtroom, and Barbara swept the maingame w/ “YOUR HONOR, I OBJECT” for another $1,350!

DUDS: S (Peter), D (Marilyn), L (Barbara), M (Marilyn), F (Peter), P (Barbara), G (Marilyn), W (Peter)

FINAL SCORES
Peter: SHUTOUT (still left w/ $62,002)/Barbara: $14K cash & pearls/Marilyn: PARTING GIFTS

BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,550

Bonus Round

The leftover prizes were…

• Pontiac Sunbird convertible ($18K+)
• Grand Alpine Tour ($24K+)
• the cash

Barbara picked the H from WHE–.

Category: PHRASE

Two letters on the bottom to start…

_ _ _
_ N _ _ S

CHPO gave her a shot…

_ H O
_ N O _ S

WHO KNOWS? Well, she did for the total clean sweep and won the Sunbird SE convertible worth $18,576, giving her $32,576 cash & prizes on the night! She would be back for more on Monday.

MY RATING: 8