WoF Recap: September 8, 2020

(NOTE: The production number for this episode and Thursday retain their numbers from their originally-scheduled week. Hence, tonight is #7207 and our unintended Season Finale is #7209.)

EPISODE #7207: AMERICA’S GAME V

This will be the last episode for a while with a studio audience, because we’re on the set of “Carnival Week of Fun!”.

$1K Toss-Up: WAYW?

_ O M _ _ R T A _ L E
_ _ U _ / J E _ _ S

Patrick gets out a pair of COMFORTABLE BLUE JEANS. He’s not the only man on this panel…

Patrick Bolton: project manager for a footwear co. (he works mainly on websites and applications) who enjoys beach volleyball from Manhattan Beach, CA

Travis Whitmire: sales worker for a metallurgical co. in the Midwest married 5 yrs. to Kaylee from Chicago

Nicole Nurse-Foreman: family doctor who’s also a newlywed from Pleasant Hill, CA

$2K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK

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

Patrick gets a piece of SIRLOIN STEAK.

FEATURED CRUISE: Carnival Panorama cruise of the Mexican Riviera worth $7,934
Gift Tag: Hello FRESH

Round 1: WAYD?

He just misses $2,500 and gets the BANKRUPT nearby. Second, Travis says an automatic dud of T. Third, Nicole takes two R’s for $1,100, two S’s for another $1,600, two A’s, but the same BANKRUPT steals her $2,450 remainder. On Patrick’s second try, he finds four N’s for $3,600, three obvious I’s, a $900 G, two E’s, a W for that WC, and a $2K L quartet. We have…

L E A R N I N G
N E W / _ _ L I N A R _
S _ I L L S

He’s LEARNING NEW CULINARY SKILLS for $6,500.

SOLE DUD: T (Travis)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (everybody else)

Mystery/Crossword Round: OPPOSITES

Travis says another insta-dud, this time w/ S for sorry. Nicole secondly spots a $550 R, but LaTs out just as quick. Patrick thirdly says P for phooey. Travis gets up there a $1,300 T pair, a single A, a $700 N, four E’s, a $600 X, the last vowel of I, and a FP L. Grid…

• E N T E R
• X            E
• I          _ A _ E
• T            L

FAKE is the last remaining word for $2,350.

DUDS: S (Travis), P (Patrick)
SOLE LaT: Nicole

Patrick: $9,500 WC/Travis: $2,350/Nicole: ZIP

---

PP/Express Round: PHRASE

The S fails Nicole from the get-go. Patrick’s second in line w/ a $600 T, but then R for rats. Travis is up third w/ a $650 H, a W to double up, a single I, a $500 N, and a U buy, followed by an F for the gift tag, two A’s, but then a not-so-good G call. Nicole tacks on a $650 M, a $900 J, but the O is not the last vowel. Afterwards…

J A M – _ A _ _ _ _
W I T H / F U N

Patrick’s going on something that’s JAM-PACKED WITH FUN — the Carnival Horizon CARIBBEAN CRUISE worth $9,863.

DUDS: S (Nicole), R (Patrick), G (Travis), O (Nicole)

Patrick: $19,963 cash & cruise WC/Travis: $2,350/Nicole: ZILCH

---

Triple Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

1.

S _ A M _ _ _ / &
C O N D _ _ _ _ N _ R

All of these are things in your bathroom — Patrick gets SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER.

2.

_ _ _ W _ _ / _ E _
& / _ A _ _ / S _ _ P

Patrick scores again w/ SHOWER GEL & HAND SOAP.

3.

_ _ _ B L _ / _ _ T _
& / _ U B _ _ R / _ _ _ _ Y

Patrick sweeps ’em all w/ BUBBLE BATH & RUBBER DUCKY.

Speed-Up: PEOPLE

Consonants will be worth $1,650 apiece.

Patrick: S
Travis: R
Nicole: two T’s
Patrick: two N’s
Travis: C — DUD
Nicole: M — DUD
Patrick: E
Travis: H
Nicole: two P’s

_ _ R T H _
_ P P _ N E N T S

She STILL CAN’T pull the trigger for $6,600.

Patrick: W

W _ R T H _
_ P P _ N E N T S

Patrick knows he had some WORTHY OPPONENTS for $6,600.

DUDS: C (Travis), M (Nicole)

FINAL SCORES
Patrick: $32,563 cash & cruise WC/Travis: $2,350/Nicole: $1K GOOSEEGG

GT: $35,913
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,450

Patrick will be picking from…

• EVENT
• PHRASE
• FUN & GAMES

Pat just knew that this player would pick F & G.

---

$100K Bonus Round

This guy brought along mom Paulette, stepbrother Rob, his girlfriend Stephanie, and the girlfriend’s mom Grace; Patrick lands on the of M of GAME. This long one starts out as…

_ / _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _
_ _ R _ N _ / L _ N _ _

CGFA and M give him besides the obvious A…

A / _ _ _ C _ / _ _ G
_ _ R _ N G / L _ N C _

I dunno if he has taken A QUICK JOG DURING LUNCH recently, but I do know that he only gets the bottom line right and he loses $45K.

MY RATING: 7 (orig. a 6)

WoF Retro Recap: February 18, 2000

EPISODE #3240: NEW ORLEANS WEEK

Preview Puzzle: PLACE

_ _ E N _ H
_ U A _ T E _

A: FRENCH QUARTER

Playing on Vanna’s 43rd birthday were…

Shawnette Sylvester: a lady transitioning from general mgr. to entrepreneur at a hot sauce and spice store who won a 1st place international award for her first time blending hot sauce and engaged to Arthur from New Orleans

Tim Goode: deputy U.S. Marshall for 14 yrs. who was involved in Operation Just Cause in 1989 down in Panama and married to Kyle from Slidell, LA

Sherry Schonekas: director of operations for the Tulane Baseball Team from Kenner, LA

Round 1: PROPER NAME (PUZZLER)

Shawnette started w/ a $300 T, but then H for hush. Second, Tim called up two R’s for two grand, but then the sole dud vowel of E for end of turn. Third, Sherry took two S’s for a grand, but she LaTed out. Shawnette got a $600 N, a single A, but then D for dud. Tim then said a $900 G, two O’s, a $300 M, and a $300 L to clean out the consonants.

L O _ _ S
A R M S T R O N G

He IDed jazz legend and trumpeter LOUIS ARMSTRONG for $3K. To double his money, here’s a TITLE…

_ E L L _ / _ _ L L _

He caused the audience to laugh w/ his guess of JELLY BELLY, which is a PROPER NAME of a candy. It was “HELLO DOLLY”.

DUDS: H (Shawnette), E (Tim), D (Shawnette)
SOLE LaT: Sherry

FEATURED PRIZE: Panasonic Palmcorder (300x digital zoom LCD, 3″ color monitor and viewfinder) plus Panasonic SuperFlat TV worth $2,500

Round 2: SLOGAN

Tim’s off and running w/ three L’s for $2,400, four E’s, but the H failed somebody again. Sherry secondly spun her way to an S for the $10K, a $900 N, but then T for terrible. Shawnette thirdly lit up three R’s for $7,500, six U’s and A, a $300 P, a $1,600 Y pair, and four O’s. Board…

_ O U _ L E / Y O U R
P L E A S U R E
_ O U _ L E / Y O U R
_ U N

Though she could’ve gone on for the D’s and B’s, she solved “DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN” for $8,650. And she got the $3K bonus for saying (Wrigley’s) Doublemint gum.

DUDS: H (Tim), T (Sherry)

Shawnette: $11,650/Tim: $3K/Sherry: ZERO

---

FEATURED PRIZE #2: Collette Tour of Copenhagen, Denmark w/ accommodations at the Admiral Hotel worth $5,036 (the hostess in the audience that night was Maria Hirse)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Sherry’s next chance to score began w/ two T’s for $1,800, four N’s for $3,200 more, four A’s, a $3,500 D,  and two E’s, followed by a $400 Y, a W for the Denmark trip, but then a possibly fatal dud in R while on $3,500. Shawnette uncovered a $550 M, an $800 S pair, but the sole dud vowel of U stopped her. After Tim LaTed, out, Sherry bought an O but painfully BANKRUPTed near Jackpot to give up $13,186 cash & trip (though Pat didn’t come over and take the trip away) — ouch. Shawnette then said a $300 V and an $800 L. Board…

S A V _ N _ S / A N D
L O A N / M E / A
T W E N T Y

She solved SAVINGS AND LOAN ME A TWENTY for $2,200.

DUDS: R (Sherry), U (Shawnette)
SOLE LaT: Tim
PAINFUL BANKRUPT: Sherry
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $16,150

Shawnette: $13,850/Tim: $3K/Sherry: HARD LUCK

---

Speed-Up: ON THE MAP

Consonants were worth $1,600 apiece.

Shawnette: L
Tim: P (DUD)
Sherry: S (DUD)
Shawnette: C
Tim: D (DUD)
Sherry: 2 F’s
Shawnette: B (DUD)
Tim: M

_ _ L F / _ F
M _ _ _ C _

Tim located the GULF OF MEXICO for $1,600.

DUDS: P (Tim), S (Sherry), D (Tim), B (Shawnette)

FINAL SCORES
Shawnette: $13,850/Tim: $4,600/Sherry: PARTING GIFTS

GT: $17,450
BANKRUPT TRASH: $13,186 cash & Denmark

---

Bonus Round

Shawnette picked the L from WHE-L.

Category: THING

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

_ _ _ E
_ _ _ _ E R

MDHO added two more…

_ _ _ E
_ O _ D E R

…but she was stuck w/ some kind of HOLDER. Since she forgot about the makeup people applying FACE POWDER to her, she lost the trip to Puerto Rico.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Retro Recap: February 17, 2000

EPISODE #3239: NEW ORLEANS WEEK

Preview Puzzle: OCCUPATION

G _ _ R _ E T
_ H E _

A: GOURMET CHEF

Paul Schneller: electrician married for almost 3 yrs. and a Cubs fan in addition the Saints from Marrero, LA

Reverend James Casimier: pastor of the Galilee Baptist Church and Christian Community married 30 yrs. whose personal slogan was “I’m too blessed to be stressed” from New Orleans

Gretchen Stiegler: kindergarten teacher at Stuart Hall who graduated from Loyola Univ. in New Orleans from Metairie, LA

Round 1: PHRASE (PUZZLER)

This round’s all Paul: three T’s for $2,400, a $550 H, three I’s, a $600 Y pair, a $300 N, a $600 S pair, and a $2,400 W quartet.

I / S _ W / I T
W I T H / _ Y / _ W N
T W _ / _ Y _ S

I SAW IT WITH MY OWN TWO EYES that he scored a $6,600 PR. To turn the first 6 into a 9, here’s a PERSON…

_ I _ N E _ _

No guess from him; it was WITNESS.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to Rome, Italy from Collette Tours (incl. 4-star hotel accommodations & chance to see a taping of Wheel in Italy) worth $4,854 (the hostess from the Italian version wasn’t in the audience)

Round 2: TITLE

James started his journey w/ two R’s for $1,600, three T’s for $1,350, a single E, a $450 W, a $700 S, and three A’s, followed by a $600 M, a $600 H, but then a CRITICAL PURCHASE in O to leave $4,550 on the table. Gretchen didn’t do any better w/ C. Paul took a $550 L, a $500 V, a $600 N, and a $700 G to clean out the consonants.

M A R T H A
S T E W A R T
L _ V _ N G

He solved “MARTHA STEWART LIVING” for $2,350. Said lady of this puzzle made a cameo.

DUDS: O (James), C (Gretchen)

Paul: $8,950/Others: $0 each

---

FEATURED PRIZE #2: 3n trip to the JVC Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI worth $5,598

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Gretchen led off w/ two T’s for $600, but then L for loss. Paul landed on the Italy trip, but there’s no N. James got up there a $3,500 D, but the BANKRUPT near Jackpot nailed him just as quick. Gretchen got a $2,400 R trio, but then H for hush. Paul lit up a $600 S, three E’s, and a $7K C pair. Board…

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

There’s no such person called a DIVORCE COURT JESTER, but he solved for $7,350.

DUDS: L (Gretchen), N (Paul), H (Gretchen)
SOLE BANKRUPT: James
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $15,300

Paul: $16,300/Others: ZERO a head

---

Speed-Up: THINGS

Consonants were worth $6K apiece!

Paul: T
James: S
Gretchen: R
Paul: N
James: D (DUD)
Gretchen: 2 P’s

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

Gretchen got some RIPE CANTALOUPES for $18K and the comeback win!

SOLE DUD: D (James)

FINAL SCORES
Paul: $16,300/James: PARTING GIFTS/Gretchen: $18K

GT: $34,300
BANKRUPT TRASH: $3,500

---

Bonus Round

We were 0-3 so far and Gretchen tried to change course after picking the second E.

Category: PHRASE

This is also a movie franchise…

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

MPDA guaranteed at least a couple letters…

_ A S T / A N D
_ _ R _ _ _ S

…and she won a FAST AND FURIOUS automobile — her new 2000 Mustang Convertible worth $24,365, giving her a final total of $42,365 cash & car! She took her parents and boyfriend to her new ride.

MY RATING: 8

WoF Retro Recap: February 16, 2000

EPISODE #3238: NEW ORLEANS WEEK

Preview Puzzle: THING

_ O O _ O O
_ O L L

A: VOODOO DOLL (not a CUCKOO DOLL, Pat)

Jo-Ann Testa: theater teacher who’s done a lot of performing in community theater from New Orleans

John Bonin: worked for the largest rental car co. in North America and married to Nicole (they own two horses) from Abita Springs, LA

Angela Walsh: married lady to Chris who had a massive teddy bear collection (she had almost 150) from Covington, LA (orig. from Clarksburg, TN)

Round 1: PHRASE (PUZZLER)

Jo-Ann started w/ three T’s for the Free SPIN, a $1K N, but BANKRUPTed away her money and used her FS. Next up were a $500 R, two O’s and A, but then LaT.  Second, John called up a $350 P, two S’s for $900 more, an E buy, and a $900 H pair. Board…

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

Also the name of one of their past theme weeks, he solved SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY for $1,900. To turn that into $4,900, here’s THINGS…

_ A N N _ _ S

He forgot about his MANNERS.

SOLE LaT: Jo-Ann
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jo-Ann

FEATURED PRIZE: WebTV Plus home entertainment system worth $3,528

Round 2: HEADLINE

John oddly went for a B at the beginning, and there’s unsurprisingly none. Angela secondly picked two S’s for $1,200, two T’s for $1,800 more, five E’s, a $1,400 R pair, but then A for awful. Jo-Ann thirdly found a $500 L, a $300 N, but no more w/ K. John restarted w/ a $900 G, but there’s no O to buy. Angela got up there a $300 Y, the last vowel of two I’s, a $900 J, an $800 F, and a $1K D pair. Board…

J E R R Y
S E I N F E L D
G E T S / _ I T _ _ E D

She solved “JERRY SEINFELD GETS HITCHED” for $6,650.

DUDS: B (John), A (Angela), K (Jo-Ann), O (John)

Jo-Ann: ZIP/John: $1,900/Angela: $6,650

---

FEATURED PRIZE #2: trip to Turkey & Greece from Collette Tours (3n cruise through the Greek Islands included) worth $7,368 (Ozlem Yildis of the Turkish version was in the audience that night)

Jackpot Round: PLACES

Angela’s first w/ three S’s for $1,500, an $800 R, a single A, but then BANKRUPT near Jackpot to lose $2,050. Second in line, Jo-Ann struck out w/ H. John won’t pick up the cruise wedge w/ L for loss. Angela got a $300 D, but no more w/ P for phooey. Jo-Ann missed again w/ F for flunk. John lit up an $800 C, an M for the WebTV prize, three O’s, but then a baddie in G. Angela followed w/ a $550 V, two E’s, but then W for worthless on the cruise wedge. Jo-Ann cleaned out the consonants w/ a $300 B and a $900 Y.

M O S S – C O V E R E D
B A Y O _ S

She solved MOSS-COVERED BAYOUS for $1,200.

DUDS: H (Jo-Ann), L (John), P (Angela), F (Jo-Ann), G (John, W (Angela)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Angela
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,600

Jo-Ann: $1,200/John: $1,900/Angela: $6,650

---

Speed-Up: RHYME TIME

Consonants were worth $1,600 a pop.

Jo-Ann: 4 T’s
John: 2 S’s
Angela: 3 H’s

_ H _ T ‘ S / H _ T
_ H _ T ‘ S / _ _ T

Angela knew WHAT’S HOT, WHAT’S NOT for $4,800 more.

FINAL SCORES
Jo-Ann: $1,200/John: $1,900/Angela: $11,450

GT: $14,550
BANKRUPT TRASH: $3,050

---

Bonus Round

Angela got the L envelope.

Category: PERSON

The RSTLNE aid…

_ _ _ E
R _ _ E R

DMWI gave her a complete word and one on top…

_ I _ E
R I D E R

She BLEW IT w/ HIDE RIDER and TIME RIDER. It was BIKE RIDER (she said she loved to go bicycling, unfortunately) and she lost the Chrysler 300M.

MY RATING: 5 (for that bad BR loss)

WoF Retro Recap: February 15, 2000

EPISODE #3237: NEW ORLEANS WEEK

Preview Puzzle: THING

_ _ J _ N
_ _ _ K I N G

A: CAJUN COOKING (Pat went way off course w/ BILLIE JEAN KING)

Milton Lambert: mgr. of a major pipeline co. married to Sharon (he loves Cajun cooking) from Lutcher, LA

Luther Williams: scriptural cryptologist (he researched hidden messages in the Bible) who’s been studying jazz piano since age 6 from New Orleans

Kara Duplantier: flight attendant and LSU alumni (as well as the LSU Golden band from Tigerland where she played the piccolo and met her hubby Andre) from Zachary, LA

Round 1: PEOPLE (PUZZLER)

He started w/ a $300 T, four E’s, two S’s for $900 more, but then B for bad. Second, Luther said R for rats. Third, Kara took a $300 G, the last vowel of U, a $450 N, a $550 W, and an $800 D (so close to LaT). We had…

W E E _ E N D
G U E S T S

She solved WEEKEND GUESTS for $1,850. To turn that into $4,850, here’s a THING…

_ E L _ _ M E / M _ _

She only got the first word of WELCOME MAT.

DUDS: B (Milton), R (Luther)

FEATURED PRIZE: $4K shopping spree at Simon Malls

Round 2: PHRASE

Luther’s first w/ a $300 S, a single A, a $500 T, a $1K Y pair, two E’s, an $800 R pair, and two O’s before he LaTed out. Kara secondly picked two M’s for $1,100, two N’s for $600 more, and a $1K G pair. Board…

S T O _
Y O _ ‘  R E / M A _ _ N G
M E / _ _ N G R Y

She rightfully said “STOP, YOU’RE MAKING ME HUNGRY” for $2,700. Afterwards, Wolfgang Puck made a cameo.

SOLE LaT: Luther

Kara: $4,550/Men: $0 each

---

FEATURED PRIZE #2: trip to the Radisson SAS Hotel in Berlin from Colette Tours + tickets to a taping of Glücksrad (German WoF) worth $4,892 (Sonya Kraus of the German version was in the house)

Jackpot Round: PLACES

This round’s all Kara: two N’s for $1,200, two A’s, a $3,500 T, three E’s, a $900 L, three R’s for the shopping spree, a $550 S, three I’s, a $450 D, an $1,100 C pair, and four O’s to clean out the vowels.

D E C O R A T I _ E –
I R O N _ O R _
_ A L C O N I E S

She knew that there’s DECORATIVE-IRONWORK BALCONIES in New Orleans for $6,700 and the SS — PR!

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,550

Kara: $15,250 cash & SS/Men: HARD LUCK

---

Speed-Up: RHYME TIME

Consonants were worth $1,600 apiece.

Milton: S (the ding mistakenly sounded)
Luther: T (he said SLIM for the first word)
Kara: M
Milton: 2 R’s
Luther: B
Kara: 2 F’s

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

Kara swept the maingame w/ SURF AND TURF for another $3,200!

DUDS: M (Kara), B (Luther)

FINAL SCORES
Kara: $18,450 cash & SS/Men: PARTING GIFTS EACH

NO BANKRUPTS!

---

Bonus Round

Kara got the H.

Category: THING

Almost 1/2 the letters already in this one-liner…

_ _ R E / _ _ L _

CDMA only added…

_ _ R E / _ _ L D

…and it wasn’t some kind of COLD according to her. It was PURE GOLD and she lost Mitsubishi Montero.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: Valentine’s Day 2000 — NEW ORLEANS OPENER

This was the start of their two-week stay at the Louisiana Superdome (it’s now Mercedes-Benz) in New Orleans.

EPISODE #3236: NEW ORLEANS WEEK

(No Preview Puzzle done here.)

Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters were the house band this week. And the hosts entered via the Wheelmobile.

Kenny Swayze: silk screener married 4 yrs. nicknamed “Crazy Swayze” from Lacombe, LA

Heather Brahney: a single-looking student at Delgado Community College who demonstrated the noise the TV warrior princess Xena made on the air from New Orleans

Alisha August: a single-looking student at Delgado Community College and credit analyst for a major retailer who’s a fan of the movie “Grease” from Lake Charles, LA

Round 1: THING (PUZZLER)

Kenny started w/ a $600 T, a $900 S, two E’s, but then LaT. Second, Heather called up a $400 N, but then L for loss, which then got repeated by Alisha. Kenny got a $900 R, a $900 H pair, a $600 D pair, three A’s, a $300 P, a $600 C, and the last vowel of two O’s. After a $700 B…

H E A R T – S H A P E D
B O _ / O _ / C A N D _

…he got a HEART-SHAPED BOX OF CANDY for $4,750. To turn that into $7,750, here’s a PERSON…

_ Y / _ _ L E N _ _ N E

You bet he knew that’s MY VALENTINE.

SOLE DUD: L (Heather)
SOLE LaT: Kenny
SOLE DQ: Alisha’s L repeat

FEATURED PRIZE: The New Orleans School of Cooking (includes a hands-on experience w/ chef Kevin Belton in your own home and 14 of your friends) worth $3,500

Round 2: PROPER NAME

N for no was how Heather started. Alisha secondly found a $900 S pair, two A’s, a $300 L, a single I, but then C for crud. Kenny lit up a $1,600 D pair, two H’s for the Free SPIN, and a $600 F pair. The answer to this person is a famous “Baywatch” and “Knight Rider” star…

D A _ I D
H A S S _ L H _ F F

He IDed DAVID HASSELHOFF for $2,200. Speaking of the Hoff, he made a cameo.

DUDS: N (Heather), C (Alisha)

Kenny: $9,950 FS/Ladies: $0 each

---

FEATURED PRIZE #2: trip to Sydney, Australia from Collette Tours w/ accommodations at The Grace Hotel worth $6,166 (Sophie Falkiner, the hostess of the Australian version of the show back then, was in the house that night)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

An $800 S got Alisha started, followed by a $400 T, a $450 R, three E’s, but then N for negative. Second in line, Kenny used his FS after saying a baddie in L, then he picked a $600 D, a single A, but then the sole dud vowel of I. Heather lit up an H on Jackpot, a $300 B, four O’s, and a K on Jackpot.

O _ E R D _ E
B O O K
O _ / _ A T _ H E S

Set off the fireworks — she solved OVERDUE BOOK OF MATCHES for $50 plus an $8,750 pot.

DUDS: N (Alisha), L, I (both by Kenny)

Kenny: $9,950/Heather: $8,800/Alisha: NOTHING

---

Speed-Up: PLACE

Consonants were worth $1,500 apiece.

Kenny: T
Heather: S (DUD)
Alisha: H
Kenny: R
Heather: 2 W’s

_ / R _ _ _ / W _ T H
_ / _ _ _ W

Take away the first A and you would get a theme week early on in S27 — Heather got A ROOM WITH A VIEW for $3K and the win.

SOLE DUD: S (Heather)

FINAL SCORES
Kenny: $9,950/Heather: $11,800/Alisha: PARTING GIFTS

GT: $21,750
NO BANKRUPTS!

---

Bonus Round

This week’s non-$25K prizes were…

• Chrysler 300M ($32K+)
• Mitsubishi Montero ($22K+)
• trip to Puerto Rico ($15K)
• Ford Mustang Convertible ($24K+)

Heather picked the second E.

Category: THING

Nothing but T’s on each end of this one-wordy…

T _ _ _ _ _ T

HDMO only added the vowel…

T _ _ _ O _ T

She’s not even close w/ TIMEOUT and TOPCOAT. It was TUGBOAT and she lost the Puerto Rico trip.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: January 30, 2006

Going back to S23 for the start of “Viva Las Vegas”. I already have the Friday edition of that week.

EPISODE #4391: VIVA LAS VEGAS

We start with the jetpack lady.

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

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

Rob won some money for A NIGHT ON THE TOWN. He wasn’t the only man of this opening panel of the week…

Rob Lindquist: journalism graduate of Iowa State University hoping to be on the radio talking about sports (this is his life despite the fact that he worked for an insurance co.) from Carroll, IA

Chayni Richardson: married lady w/ three kids who recently joined a volleyball team from Gilbert, AZ

Ken Fousel: retired Lt. Colonel from the U.S. Air Force married for 57 yrs. w/ two sons from San Diego

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

W _ _ L Y –
N _ _ L _

Ken started to say the answer, but it’s Rob who tripled up w/ WILLY-NILLY.

FEATURED VEGAS TRIP: Mandalay Bay worth $4,050
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tags: Vegas.com and RICARDO luggage

Round 1: PHRASE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

He’s off and running w/ a $300 R, a $500 N, four E’s, but then L for loss of turn. Second, Chayni said S for sorry. Third, Ken called up four T’s for $3,600, but then B for bad. After Rob said two G’s for $1,200…

G E T T _ N G / _ _ _ R
_ E E T / _ E T

Not only did you win $1,750, man, you would be GETTING YOUR FEET WET in PUERTO VALLARTA from Vallarta.com w/ airfare from Meixcana worth $4,200. His new subtotal was $8,950.

DUDS: L (Rob), S (Chayni), B (Ken)

Jackpot Round: SAME NAME

Chayni got started w/ two T’s for $7K, but the S failed her again. Ken secondly got four R’s for $2,200 (he mistakenly looked at the BANKRUPT near Jackpot), but no more w/ N. Rob thirdly struck out w/ D for dud. Back to Chayni, and her $7K was taken away by the BANKRUPT near Jackpot (she tried to say M). On Ken’s second try, he got the luggage w/ H, only to hit the other BANKRUPT, so there went that gift tag along with his $2,200 cash. Rob wasted another turn w/ the same BANKRUPT Chayni got. Said middle player wanted the letter she tried to call on that BANKRUPT, but it was a dud anyway. Ken lit up a $600 Y, but LaTed out (the graphic didn’t show). Rob followed w/ a $900 L, three A’s, an $800 C, O and three E’s, a $600 B, and three P’s for the Vegas.com gift tag. Board…

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

He solved TUPPERWARE & BACHELOR PARTY for $2,550 cash & GC.

DUDS: S (Chayni), N (Rob), D (Rob), M (Chayni)
SOLE LaT: Ken
BANKRUPTS: 3 (everybody)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $13,850

Rob: $11,500 cash & prizes/Others: $0 each

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Mystery Round: STAR & ROLE

Ken’s first w/ a $400 T, three R’s for $2,700 more, but then a trap in Y. From here, it’s all Rob: two S’s for $1,100, four A’s, and three N’s for $900.

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

He solved ANTONIO BANDERAS AS ZORRO for $1,750.

SOLE DUD: Y (Ken)

Rob: $13,250 cash & prizes/Others: ZERO a head

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$3K Toss-Up: FUN & GAMES

_ I G U R E
S _ A _ _ _ G

Chayni’s scoreless no more w/ the sport of FIGURE SKATING.

Round 4: THING

Next from her mouth were two S’s for $1,200, two T’s for $1,600 more, but then I for invalid. Ken filled in two N’s for $600, bought two A’s, but LaTed out. Rob tacked on three C’s for $2,700 and bought the leftover vowels of O and two E’s. Near-complete board…

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

He solved CONTACT LENS CASE for $2,200 more.

SOLE DUD: I (Chayni)
SOLE LaT: Ken

Rob: $15,450 cash & prizes/Chayni: $3K/Ken: BUPKIS

Speed-Up: PEOPLE

Consonants were worth $1,400 a pop.

Ken: two T’s
Rob: two N’s
Chayni: two S’s
Ken: P

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

Ken solved PARENTS OF TWINS for his only $4,200 on the night.

FINAL SCORES
Rob: $15,450 cash & prizes/Chayni: $3K/Ken: $4,200

GT: $22,650
BANKRUPT TRASH: $10,200 cash & luggage

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Bonus Round

After introducing his girlfriend and mom Cindy, Rob landed on the H of CASH.

Category: IN THE KITCHEN

Here’s 1/3 of the answer…

_ _ N _
_ _ _ E R

CDPI added two more…

_ _ N D
_ I _ E R

He’s not even close w/ FINDER or BAND GRINDER. It was HAND MIXER (Pat to Rob: “I just don’t see you in there making the chocolate chip cookies.”) and he lost $25K.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Retro Recap: November 15, 2007

EPISODE #4729: PEOPLE (TM) CELEBRITY WEEK

Thursday’s celebs…

Alison Sweeney: actress on “Days of Our Lives” and host of “The Biggest Loser” at the time who’s also a frequent WoF contestant

Jeff Probst: the host of “Survivor”

Paige Hemmis: interior designer on”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

$1K Tossup: PHRASE

C O V E _ / T O
C O _ E R

Nancy likely read an issue of “People” COVER TO COVER. Thursday’s civilians…

Nancy Kaufman: elementary school teacher’s assistant married to Bruce for 17 years w/ a teenage son from Bellmore, NY; Paige played for Habitat for Humanity for Greater L.A., an organization that builds homes for those in need

Susan Moran: full-time elementary education student at Salem State College and waitress from Salem, MA; Jeff played for Serpentine Project, which helps kids in the foster care system transition to adulthood

Nick Giovine: Old Bridge, NJ; full-time student at Kean University; Alison played for the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, an organization that helps families of fallen CHP officers (and Alison’s playing for her husband’s CHP academy classmate Greg Bailey, who was killed in a DUI)

$2K Tossup: AROUND THE HOUSE

B _ I C _
_ _ R E _ L _ _ E

Susan warmed up by a BRICK FIREPLACE.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas & Spa in Palm Springs worth $7K
Gift Tag: eBay

Round 1: SONG LYRICS

This round’s all S & J: a $1K R pair, a $2,700 T trio, two A’s and three E’s, and a $900 S trio.

S T A R T
S _ R E A _ _ _ ‘
T _ E / _ E _ S

Two N’s left behind, but Susan would “START SPREADIN’ THE NEWS” like Frank Sinatra after solving for $4,100 and $6,100 so far — PR.

Jackpot Round: THING (PRIZE PUZZLE)

N & A were first w/ three N’s for $900, a $600 S, three E’s, an $800 T, two O’s and I’s, but then the BANKRUPT near $600 to lose $1,550. From here, it’s all N & P: two C’s for $800, a $600 R, an $800 D pair, a $1,200 G pair, a $600 L pair, and an $800 H.

D E S I G N E R
H _ N D _ _ G
C O L L E C T I O N

They’ve won $4,800 and Nancy would likely be shopping for a DESIGNER HANDBAG COLLECTION on her VacationCompare.com trip to MILAN, ITALY worth $5K.

SOLE BANKRUPT: N & A
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,800

N & P: $10,800 cash & Milan/S & J: $6,100/N & A: ZIP

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Mystery/Big Money Round: BEFORE & AFTER

This round’s all N & P: a $300 T, five R’s for $2K, two O’s, a $1,200 S pair, four E’s, a D for that WC, the last vowel of two I’s, a $300 F, and an $800 B pair.

R E T I R E D
B O _ E R S
O R / B R I E F S

I don’t think there’s such thing as RETIRED BOXERS OR BRIEFS, but they solved for $3,850 — PR #2.

N & P: $14,650 cash & Milan WC/S & J: $6,100/N & A: ZILCH

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$3K Tossup: SHOW BIZ

_ _ R _ C _ I N G
_ / _ L _ _

Susan blew it w/ PRACTICING A PLAY — that’s not gonna fit, girl.

D _ R E C _ I N G
_ / _ L _ _

Nancy and Paige said two different answers at the same time (Nancy said DIRECTING A while Paige had WRITING A), but Paige went w/ the right one of DIRECTING A PLAY.

Speed-Up: PLACES

$1,300 per consonant here.

N & P: two T’s
S & J: three S’s
N & A: three R’s

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

Ugh, Nick, FAST-FOOD RESTAURANTS doesn’t fit when there’s an R on top. -__-

N & P: N
S & J: L

_ _ R L _ – _ _ _ _ _ S
R _ S T _ _ R _ N T S

Susan got closer, but still flubbed w/ WORLD-CLASS RESTAURANTS.

N & A: three A’s
N & P: D

_ _ R L D – _ A _ _ _ S
R _ S T A _ R A N T S

Nancy won another $5,200 towards dining at some WORLD-FAMOUS RESTAURANTS.

DQs: 2 blown solves (Nancy’s opposition)

FINAL SCORES
N & P: $22,850 cash & Milan WC/S & J: $6,100/N & A: $1K GOOSEEGG FOR NICK

GT: $29,950
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,550

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Bonus Round

Nancy brought along her husband Bruce and their son Corey; Paige landed on the second zero of $100,000.

Category: THING

The RSTLNE could only provide…

_ _ _ _ _
_ E _ _ R _

Unfortunately, they COMPLETELY WIPED OUT w/ DPGA and B, so they wouldn’t have a FUZZY MEMORY of winning $30K.

Friday night’s celebs were all soap opera actors (I already covered that)…

• Robin Strasser (“One Life to Live”)
• Jacob Young (“The Young and the Restless”)
• Gina Tognoni (“Guiding Light”)

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: November 12, 2007

As promised, we fast forward to S25 and we’re looking at a couple shows during their second week in NYC at Radio City Music Hall.

EPISODE #4726: PEOPLE (TM) CELEBRITY WEEK (NYC)

The first celebrities of the week were…

Robert Gossett: played a detective on “The Closer”, he highest-rated series on TNT at the time

Diane Neal: played a prosecutor on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

Neil Patrick Harris: Emmy nominee (and eventual winner) from “How I Met Your Mother”

$1K Tossup: THING

C H _ _ _ F _ _ _ E D
_ _ M O _ _ I _ _

Diana wasn’t so sure if she saw a CHAUFFEURED LIMOUSINE…why worry — that’s correct. The first civilians that week…

Diana Mallon: retired secretary married to Bob for 45 years w/ three kids and two daughters from Bellmore, NY; Robert’s playing for A Place Called Home, a community-based group in South L.A. with a mentoring program

Megan Sippey: clinical research assistant at the trauma program at Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh who planned on going to med school from Pittsburgh; Neil’s playing for Children’s International, an organization that helps impoverished kids with food, education, health, and latrines

Seth Ramus: Freeport, ME; psychology and neuroscience professor married to Lisa and watches “SVU” all the time; Diane’s playing for African Children’s Choir, a chorus of orphans from Africa who tours the world, with the funds used to pay for their expenses up until college

$2K Tossup: ON THE MAP

_ _ _
A _ I R _ _ _ _ C _ S

Megan, THE AMERICAS dosen’t even fit and is too short.

T _ _
A D I R _ _ _ _ C _ S

Seth locates THE ADIRONDACKS, which is in upstate New York.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to the Wine Country Inn & Gardens (now Cottages) in Napa Valley, CA sponsored by Maxwell House worth $5K
Gift Tag for Most of the Week: eBay

Round 1: LIVING THINGS (PRIZE PUZZLE)

S & D got started w/ two T’s for $600, an $800 S, a $1,200 R trio, but then N for no. Second, D & R wasted a spin w/ that normal BANKRUPT. Third, M & N took two H’s for the WC, a $700 D, three I’s, an $800 G, a $900 B, E and three O’s, a $1,200 C pair, a $450 D, a $900 L trio. We had…

B R I G H T L _
C O L O R E D
T R O _ I C _ L
F I S H

They solved for $4,200 and Megan would see some BRIGHTLY COLORED TROPICAL FISH on her CheapTickets trip to The Westin St. John Resort & Villas in the VIRGIN ISLANDS worth $7,902.

SOLE DUD: N (S & D)
INSTA-BANKRUPT: D & R

Jackpot Round: PHRASE

D & R’s initial picks were a $300 R, a $1,400 N pair, but then S sorry. M & N secondly controlled the rest of the round: a $2,100 T trio, E, a $3,200 H quartet, two I’s, a $1,200 G pair, two O’s and U’s to wipe out the vowel shop, a $900 M, and a $2,400 C trio.

C O M I N G
T H R O U G H
I N / T H E
C _ U T C H

Megan’s COMING THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH for another $8,800.

SOLE DUD: S (D & R)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,200

M & N: $20,902 cash & trip WC/S & D: $2K/D & R: $1K

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Mystery/Big Money Round: PEOPLE (TM)

The $10K this week was sponsored by Maxwell House. And that company was donating $10K to Second Harvest, a hunger relief organization on each of this week’s episodes.

M & N led off w/ a $400 N , a $1,200 T pair, four E’s and A, an H for the Wine Country trip, but then C for crud. Second in line, S & D picked two S’s for $1,200, but then R for rats on the MW next to $900. D & R landed on the other MW and lit up an M before they took the obvious risk…wrong one. After M & N spun once for a $450 L…

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

Megan solved “THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE” for $1,550 plus the Wine Country trip.

DUDS: C (M & N), R (S & D)
SOLE BANKRUPT: D & R

M & N: $27,452 cash & trips WC/S & D: $2K/D & R: $1K

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$3K Tossup: SHOW BIZ

P I _ _ _
_ E _ I T A L

Megan’s team was up over $30K w/ PIANO RECITAL.

Speed-Up: EVENT

We didn’t quite make it to TD, because consonants were worth $1,300 apiece.

M & N: two S’s
S & D: S (DUD)
D & R: R
M & N: two L’s
S & D: B (DUD)
D & R: three C’s
M & N: A

C _ N _ _ R _ N C _
C A L L

Neil got the answer, but was right after the buzzer. S & D then said the F…

C _ N F _ R _ N C _
C A L L

…and solved CONFERENCE CALL within the 3-sec. time limit for $1,300.

DUDS (both by S & D): S, B
SOLE DQ: Neil’s late solve

FINAL SCORES ($10K for stars’ charities this week)
M & N: $30,452 cash & trips WC/S & D: $3,300/D & R: $1K

NON-CHARITY GT: $34,752
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus MW gamble): $0

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Bonus Round

The two cars on the set this week were a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 and a 2008 BMW 3-series coupe. Megan introduced her sisters Maura and Shannon, then she landed on the O of BONUS.

Category: THING

Two R’s and an N to start…

_ _ _ R
R _ _ _ _ N

MYDO and C only add the vowel…

_ _ _ R
R _ _ _ O N

Megan said YOUR before time started, then she said the correct first word and Neil got the other one, so both solved HAIR RIBBON for $30K! She departed w/ $60,452 cash & trips (that amount went to Neil’s charity). BTW,  Neil said he was stumped before Megan said HAIR.

MY RATING: 8