WoF Retro Recap: February 25, 2003

Going back to S20 and Lucas just uploaded the Tuesday edition of “Cruisin’ Fun”. HERE’S the link to the Monday edition.

EPISODE #3832: CRUISIN’ FUN

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

T _ K _ _ / B Y
_ _ R _ _ _ _ E

I was TAKEN BY SURPRISE that Cassie solved that one. Tuesday’s trio…

Cassie Thompson: biologist who enjoyed the outdoors from Grants Pass, OR

Derrik Dennis: statistical analyst in San Francisco who owned a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Will from Oakland (orig. from Tampa, FL; he moved from there w/ his best friend)

Brenda Randall: annuity new business analyst for a leading insurance co. from Windsor, CT

$2K Toss-Up: LIVING THING

_ I N I _ T _ _ E
_ _ O D L E

Derrik solved MINIATURE POODLE for control.

Gift Tag: HSN.con

Round 1: AROUND THE HOUSE

He started w/ a $900 S, four E’s, a $550 R, but then A for awful. Second, Brenda said L for loss. Third, Cassie took a $300 C, a B for the HSN.com gift tag, and a $300 X. We had…

E X E R C _ S E
B _ _ E

She solved EXERCISE BIKE for $1,600 cash & gift tag.

DUDS: A (Derrik), L (Brenda)

FEATURED CRUISE: Princess Cruise of the Caribbean worth $6,300

Jackpot Round: STAR & ROLE

Brenda’s first w/ three S’s for $1,800, a $550 L, six A’s, but then BANKRUPT near $600 to lose $2,100. Cassie secondly spotted an R for the cruise, a $1,200 N pair, two E’s, but the BANKRUPT near Jackpot wiped her out of $7,250 cash & cruise. Derrik thirdly got an $800 D, a $300 M, an $1K C pair, a J for the Free SPIN, but he got the same BANKRUPT Brenda got to give up $2,100. Said red player chose a $300 K, a $300 F, but then T for terrible. After Cassie LaTed out, Derrik filled in $350 H and a $450 Y to complete the board.

S E A N / H A Y E S
A S / J A C K
M C F A R L A N D

He read the answer for $800. And BTW, that character was from “Will & Grace”.

SOLE DUD: T (Brenda)
SOLE LaT: Cassie
BANKRUPTS: 3 (whole panel)
JACKPOT ENDED AT: $10,250

Brenda: ZIP/Cassie: $2,600 cash & GT/Derrik: $2,800

---

Mystery Round: CLUE

Car: KIA Spectra GS ($11,890)

Cassie led off w/ two T’s for $1,800, a $600 S pair, a $1,400 R duo, but then E for end of turn (that really surprised me, too). Derrik filled in three H’s for $900, five I’s, four N’s for $3,200 more, a $300 W, and four A’s, after which came a $300 D, a $1,200 L pair, the last vowels of two O’s and U, an $1,800 G trio, and an $800 P pair. Board…

T H I S / S H I P
R A N / A R O U N D
W I T H / G I L L I G A N
& / _ O _ P A N _

He solved “THIS SHIP RAN AROUND WITH GILLIGAN & COMPANY” for $7,500 and was correct on the bonus answer w/ The Minnow.

SOLE DUD: E (Cassie)

Brenda: ZILCH/Cassie: $2,600 cash & GT/Derrik: $13,300

---

$3K Toss-Up: THING

B _ _ A K _ A _ T
B _ _ _ _ T

Cassie’s one letter too many w/ BREAKFAST BISCUIT, but Brenda’s finally off the schneid w/ BREAKFAST BUFFET.

Round 4: EVENT

An $800 N got her started, but it’s S-U time…

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

…w/ a $1,400 Final Spin.

Brenda: 2 G’s
Cassie: R

_ _ _ _ N G / _
G R _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _

Cassie, it can’t be PLAYING A GRAND PIANO w/ just one N up there.

Derrik: S (DUD)
Brenda: L (DUD)
Cassie: 2 T’s

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

Cassie blew it again w/ TUNING A GRAND PIANO.

Derrik: M (DUD)
Brenda: K
Cassie: 2 A’s (Pat jokingly said TALKING TO A GRAND PIANO)
Derrik: D (DUD)
Brenda: C (DUD)
Cassie: 2 P’s

T A K _ N G / A
G R _ _ P / P _ _ T _

Now Cassie was stumped on the last word (TAKING A GROUP _____); $7K was at risk. Derrik then said the last consonant of H…

T A K _ N G / A
G R _ _ P / P H _ T _

He solved TAKING A GROUP PHOTO for the Final Spin amount.

DUDS: S (Derrik), L (Brenda), M (Derrik), D (Derrik), C (Brenda)
DQs: 3 (Cassie’s blown solves)

FINAL SCORES
Brenda: $3K/Cassie: $2,600 cash & GT/Derrik: $14,700

GT: $20,300
BANKRUPT TRASH: $11,450 cash & cruise

---

Bonus Round

Derrik’s best friend Robert and sister Becca were in attendance; he landed on the next-to-last zero.

Category: EVENT

Decent help up top…

_ _ L _ _ N _ / T _ E
_ _ _

PCHI was of very limited help…

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

He struck out w/ HOLDING THE CAR, BAR, BOX and HOLDING THE BOX. And he would be kicking himself given that he owned a pet named Will — it was WALKING THE DOG and he lost $35K.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Retro Recap: October 27, 1999

Here’s another Halloween classic from S17 and this one recently turned 21.

EPISODE #3158: HALLOWEEN WEEK

Preview Puzzle: PROPER NAME

A _ A N / A _ _ A

A: ALAN ALDA

Kevin Brown: physician w/ a girlfriend and a baby boy named Caleb who’s a fan of the Cowboys from L.A. (orig. from Little Rock, AR)

Colin Goldman: sales worker for a packaging co. who’s married for 20+ yrs. w/ two sons and a granddaughter and also collected miniature penguins from Santee, CA

Alane Avallone-Murphy: bank vice president for 23 yrs. who collected lighters and corks from East Meadow, NY

Round 1: SLOGAN

Kevin said an automatic dud of T while on $1K. Colin had the same result w/ S. Third, Alane called up two R’s for $900, a $400 N, but then L for loss. Kevin tried four M’s for $2,400, two O’s, but LaTed out. Colin foolishly called for a J. Alane lit up  three D’s for $2,700…

R _ _ O M M M _ N D _ D
_ _ / D R . / M O M

She solved “RECOMMENDED BY DR. MOM” for $4K, but she goofed on the bonus answer w/ Listerine; it was Robitussin.

DUDS: T (Kevin), S (Colin), L (Alane), J (Colin)
SOLE LaT: Kevin

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to Empire Hotel in NYC plus Broadway VIP tickets to see “Jekyll & Hyde” worth $2,560

Round 2: TITLE (PUZZLER)

The S let down Colin from the get-go. Alane secondly picked three T’s for $1,500, a $600 H pair, two E’s, but then N for negative. Kevin lit up two R’s for $1,800, a W for the Free SPIN, but the FS was no good at all, because he BANKRUPTed near $600 twice in a row. Colin followed w/ a $450 L, a $5K C pair, but repeated the N. Alane then said a B for the Jekyll & Hyde prize…

T H E
B L _ _ R / W _ T C H
_ R _ _ E C T

We had this earlier this week in our current season as a Tossup puzzle as she solved “THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT” for $1,850 and the prize. She had a chance for more money by solving this PHRASE…

_ _ I N _ –
_ I N G _ I N G

…but she blanked out on SPINE-TINGLING.

DUDS: S (Colin), N (Alane)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both by Kevin)
SOLE DQ: Colin’s N repeat

Alane: $8,410 cash & NYC/Men: $0 each

---

FEATURED PRIZE #2: Ghost Expeditions tour of New Orleans worth $3,832

Jackpot Round: PHRASE

Alane LaTed out from the get-go. Second for Kevin were a $600 T pair, a $300 S, but then R for rats. Third in Colin’s favor were a $600 L, a $350 N, but then D for dud on $3,500. Alane then said two F’s for $1,200…

_ N / _ / S T _ T _
_ F / F L _ _

…and she knew our minds can sometimes be IN A STATE OF FLUX.

DUDS: R (Kevin), D (Colin)
SOLE LaT: Alane
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,050

Alane: $9,610 cash & NYC/Men: $0 each

---

Round 4: AROUND THE HOUSE

Kevin struck out right away w/ T. Colin got an $800 S, but he failed again on TD again, this time w/ L. Alane lit up a $600 H, a $600 D pair, an I buy, and a $900 C. We had…

C _ _ D _
D I S H

She solved CANDY DISH for $1,850 more and $11,460 so far.

DUDS: T (Kevin), L (Colin)

Speed-Up: PEOPLE

After Pat’s BANKRUPT near $600, consonants were worth $1,300 apiece.

Colin: 2 S’s
Alane: T
Kevin: R
Colin: L (DUD)
Alane: H (DUD)
Kevin: D (DUD)
Colin: C
Alane: N (DUD)
Colin: M (DUD)
Kevin: F (DUD)
Alane: B (DUD)
Colin: P (NMC; beeps didn’t sound)
Kevin: A (DUD)
Alane: 2 O’s

S C O R P _ O S

Alane solved SCORPIOS for the $500 house minimum and the maingame sweep.

DUDS: T (Alane), L (Colin), H (Alane), D (Kevin), N (Alane), M (Kevin), F (Colin), B (Alane), A (Colin)

FINAL SCORES
Alane: $11,960 cash & NYC/Men: PARTING GIFTS EACH

BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,800

---

Bonus Round

Alane chose the H from WH-EL.

Category: PERSON

This is a hockey/soccer position…

_ _ _ L _ E

MCDO only added the vowel…

_ O _ L _ E

The GOALIE denied her from winning $25K (she thought she lost one of the cars).

At the end, Vanna brought in her daughter Giovanna dressed as a fairy.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: May 30, 2005

Lucas just uploaded the season finale week for S22 was titled “Life’s a Beach” (and this was a compilation). Dat Nguyen at first uploaded this episode but had to take it down given that he realized he was unfortunately hit by copyright infringement by SONY regarding his uploads of S24’s “Just for Fun”and S25 “Ticket to Ride”.

EPISODE #4286: LIFE’S A BEACH

The setting for this one’s “Caribbean Week”.

$1K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ D _ P _ I N G
_ / P _ T

This was a rather appropriate puzzle for Shelley, because she recently was ADOPTING A PET. Playing on this Memorial Day were…

Shelley Sealover: mom of twin 7.5-yr.-old boys who enjoyed photography, video and island travel from Dundalk, MD

Juanita Lucero: letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service married to Joe w/ two kids and a grandson (and she also kissed the Blarney Stone) from Denver

Marcus Oliver: customer service worker and a professionally trained actor from Las Vegas (orig. from the Bay area)

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

S M A R _ Y –
P A N _ S

Marcus the SMARTY-PANTS solved for control.

Gift Tags: Celestron and Ocean Pacific

Round 1: STAR & ROLE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

This round was all Marcus: a $300 T, a $900 R pair, three E’s, four S’s for that Free SPIN, two A’s, a $600 N, and a $300 P.

_ _ _ E / _ _ E R S / A S
A _ S T _ N / P _ _ E R S

He solved MIKE MYERS AS AUSTIN POWERS for a $1,600 PR and a trip to where Mike’s character was from — ENGLAND from NWA World Vacations worth $6,550.

FEATURED PRIZE: trip to Bel Air Plantation on the island of Grenada worth $7,622

Jackpot Round: SHOW BIZ

Here went Shelley w/ three R’s for $2,700, an S for the Caribbean trip, four E’s, four T’s on Jackpot, and an A, followed by a $3,600 N quartet, a $350 G, but then the BANKRUPT near Jackpot to deprive of $13,772 cash & Caribbean. Juanita next got the BANKRUPT near $600. Marcus then said two W’s for $1,100…

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

…and realized that WWE today stood for WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,700

Shelley: $1K/Juanita: NOTHING/Marcus: $11,250 cash & England FS

---

Mystery Round: PHRASE

Car: Chevy Aveo ($13,710)

Juanita led off w/ two N’s for $1,200, four T’s for $1,800 more, but then R for rats. Marcus was second in line w/ two S’s for $1,600, four O’s, an L for the Celestron gift tag, and four E’s, followed by a $600 D pair, a U buy, a $300 B, and the final vowels of two I’s and three A’s. Board…

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

Some items have this warning if you’re out in the pool and this guy solved NOT TO BE USED AS A FLOTATION DEVICE for $2,250 cash & gift tag.

SOLE DUD: R (Juanita)

Shelley: $1K/Juanita: BUPKIS/Marcus: $13,500 cash & prizes FS

---

$3K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

C _ _ N _ M _ N
& / N U _ _ _ _

Marcus solved the spices of CINNAMON & NUTMEG to go to $16,500.

Round 4: TITLE

He used his FS right away after hitting BANKRUPT near $600, then he said a $5K T, two E’s, but got the same BANKRUPT again to lose $4,750. Shelley lit up an $800 R, but the BANKRUPT near $500 stopped her just as quick. Juanita got two L’s for $1,800, but said N for negative and it’s S-U time…

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

…w/ a $1,600 Final Spin.

Marcus: S
Shelley: 3 W’s

W _ _ S T L E / W _ _ L E
_ _ _ / W _ R _

Shelley solved the Snow White tune “WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK” for $4,800.

SOLE DUD: N (Juanita)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (everybody else)

FINAL SCORES
Shelley: $5,800/Juanita: $500 GOOSEEGG/Marcus: $16,500 cash & prizes

GT: $22,800
BANKRUPT TRASH: $19,322 cash & Caribbean

---

Bonus Round

The cars on this set were a Ford Thunderbird Convertible and a Nissan Murano. After he introduced two of his best friends (one of them named Mari who appeared on the show exactly one week ago; the other named Sean), Marcus landed on the U of BONUS.

Category: PROPER NAME

This actor is the brother of Beau and son of Lloyd…

_ E _ _
_ R _ _ _ E S

BMDA gave him at least the last name…

_ E _ _
B R _ D _ E S

…but he botched the first w/ JED, TED and FRED. It was JEFF BRIDGES…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…AND HE WAS THE SIXTH & FINAL $100K LOSER THIS SEASON.

MY RATING: 4

WoF Retro Recap: February 24, 2003

This was their first episode back from their 3-week Nashville road trip.

EPISODE #3831: CRUISIN’ FUN

$1K Toss-Up: PEOPLE

E A R L Y
_ I _ _ R S

I’m NOT one of the EARLY RISERS, but Dianna’s correct to get on the board. First players of that week were…

Dianna Griffin: customer service rep w/ three kids who’s the youngest of six girls and also coached cheerleading, basketball, and baseball from Oakland, CA

Deb Parra: exec. marketing assistant for the largest fast food restaurant in the world married to Tony for 20 yrs. from Naperville, IL

Chuck di Visorio (?): gym teacher as P.S. 243 (kindergarten-6th grade), bartender on the weekends, and fantasy football player from Massapequa Park, NY

$2K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

T _ E / _ E _ T
I N D I E _

Deb only got the first word.

T _ E / _ E _ T
I N D I E S

Chuck located THE WEST INDIES.

Gift Tag: Discover

Round 1: SHOW BIZ

A $2,500 S got him started, but the $10K’s right side got him just as quick. Second, Dianna called up two T’s for $600, a $600 R, two E’s, an L for the Free SPIN, and two A’s, followed by a $1,400 N quartet, two I’s, and a solve attempt…

L A T E / N I _ _ T ‘ S
_ _ N A N / _ ‘ _ R I E N

She IDed LATE NIGHT’S CONAN O’BRIEN for $1,850.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Chuck

FEATURED CRUISE: Princess Cruise to Alaska worth $7,700 (PRINCESS)

Jackpot Round: QUOTATION

Dianna’s first w/ a T on Jackpot, four H’s for $3,600, seven E’s, a $450 R, but then a baddie in G and she saved the FS. Deb then said EIGHT S’s for four grand…

S H E / S E _ _ S
S E _ S H E _ _ S
_ _ / T H E
S E _ S H _ R E

…and recited “SHE SELLS SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE”.

SOLE DUD: G (Dianna)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,650

Deb: $4K/Chuck: $2K/Dianna: $2,850

---

Mystery Round: SAME NAME

Car: Honda Civic ($14,070)

The S was good to Deb last time, but not in this puzzle. Chuck secondly BANKRUPTed near $3,500. Dianna thirdly picked a T on the MW near $900 and obviously risked…no car. After turning in the FS, she LaTed out. Deb restarted w/ a $3,500 R, three E’s, a $2K H quartet, buys of O and U, an L for the cruise, a $1,600 N pair, a $400 P, a $300 C, and two I’s. We had…

H _ _ _ I I _ N / &
T H R E E – H O L E
P U N C H

She solved HAWAIIAN & THREE-HOLE PUNCH for $6,800 and the cruise.

SOLE DUD: S (Deb)
SOLE LaT: Dianna
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Chuck, Dianna)

Deb: $18,500 cash & cruise/Chuck: $2K/Dianna: $2,850

---

$3K Toss-Up: THINGS

_ _ _ S / &
C R A F _ S

Dianna solved ARTS & CRAFTS to move to $5,850.

Round 4: PHRASE

But her first call of T stood for turnover. Deb chose two S’s for $800, but then R for rats. Chuck tried a $300 N, but then L for loss. Dianna said another baddie of F. Deb lit up an $1,100 H pair, buys of A and E, but she LaTed out. Chuck followed w/ a $300 C, a $300 P, two I’s, and a $1,600 M pair before we saw…

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

He replied “MY SHIP HAS COME IN” for $2,250.

DUDS: T (Dianna), R (Deb), L (Chuck), F (Dianna)
SOLE LaT: Deb

Deb: $18,500 cash & cruise/Chuck: $4,250/Dianna: $5,850

Speed-Up: PERSON

The Final Spin was set at $1,550.

Deb: T
Chuck: N
Dianna: S
Deb: 2 R’s
Chuck: L
Dianna: V
Deb: 2 C’s
Chuck: H (DUD)
Dianna: 4 E’s
Deb: L repeat
Chuck: F (DUD)
Dianna: J (WHAT?!) (the buzzer sounded on that call)
Deb: M (DUD)
Chuck: 2 P’s

P E _ C E / C _ R P S
V _ L _ N T E E R

It took a while, but Chuck solved PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER for $6,200.

DUDS: H (Chuck), F (Chuck), J (Dianna), M (Deb)
SOLE DQ: Deb’s L repeat

FINAL SCORES
Deb: $18,500 cash & cruise/Chuck: $10,450/Dianna: $5,850

GT: $34,800
BANKRUPT TRASH (not including MW gamble): $2,500

---

Bonus Round

The cars this week were a BMW 3 series sedan and a Ford Explorer Sport. After she introduced her aunt and uncle (they drove in from Lake Tahoe), Deb landed on the comma.

Category: PHRASE

This puzzle was reused early on in S28 in Vegas (and it was solved for a Lexus convertible)…

T _ _ E / _
_ _ _

CDMA added just two of the vowel…

T A _ E / A
_ _ _

…and the last word wasn’t BREAK, LEG, JET, or CAVE according to her. She wouldn’t TAKE A BOW on winning $25K.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: October 18, 2002

It’s the end of this season’s salute to the Golden State! Click here for the Thursday episode before this one.

EPISODE #3740: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

D_ N ‘ T / _ _ E N T I O N
I T

It’s another of saying “you’re welcome” and Steve was on the board w/ “DON’T MENTION IT”. Friday’s players…

Steve Palmisano: computer analyst for a major financial institution married to Kathy (they’re expecting their first child) and had been on many cruises from Bayside, NY

Lauren Mackenzie: Northwestern theater major who’s a very adventurous person from Lafayette, CA (outside of San Francisco)

Kathy Fowler: domestic engineer married to Steve w/ two daughters and two grandsons from Coto de Caza, CA

$2K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ A I _ Y
E X _ R _ I S E

Lauren had her DAILY EXERCISE.

Gift Tag: Coleman

Round 1: LIVING THING

After a possible null cycle, she picked two R’s for $5K, but then N for negative. Second, Kathy called up a $900 S, an E buy, but then L for loss on the Free SPIN. Third, Steve took two D’s for $800, an O buy, a $300 B, but he LaTed out. Lauren then said a $600 P…

B _ R D / O _
P _ R _ D _ S E

…she spotted a BIRD OF PARADISE for $5,600 and $7,600 so far.

AIRED DUDS: N (Lauren), L (Kathy)
AIRED LaT: Steve

FEATURED CALIFORNIA TRIP: Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz worth $4,150

Jackpot Round: THING

But Kathy said an automatic dud of T, as did Steve w/ N. Going to Lauren already who said an R on Jackpot, an S for the Free SPIN, but she LaTed out. Kathy restarted w/ a $300 L, a $900 F pair (not quite to the CA trip), buys of O and three E’s, but then D for dud on $3,500. Steve then said two G’s on Jackpot…

_ / _ _ G E / S _ G _
O F / R E L _ E F

…we breathed A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF as he solved for a $10,350 pot.

DUDS: T (Kathy), N (Steve), D (Kathy)
SOLE LaT: Lauren

Kathy: NOTHING/Steve: $11,350/Lauren: $7,600 FS

---

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Car: KIA Rio ($9,361)

Steve got up there four T’s on the MW near $900 and turned down the $2K buyout for…the KIA! Next up were two H’s for $600, an $800 F, a $300 R, buys of two O’s, three E’s and two I’s, but then C for crud. Lauren chose a $300 L, a $1,600 S pair, a $1,200 N quartet, a $500 B on the other MW, and a $400 D. Board…

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

There’s no such game called KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE TENNIS, but she solved for $4K.

SOLE DUD: C (Steve)

Kathy: BUPKIS/Steve: $11,350/Lauren: $11,600 FS

---

$3K Toss-Up: PERSON

_ / S T _ D E _ T
D _ _ V _ _

A STUDENT DRIVER got Kathy on the board.

Round 4: PLACE

First up were a $1,200 T pair, two R’s to double up (just made it past BANKRUPT near $500), three E’s and A, a $400 H, but it’s S-U time…

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

…w/ the two remaining consonants worth $1,300 every time it appears. She then said two N’s…

_ _ N N E R
T H E A T E R

…and won another $4,900 towards maybe going to a DINNER THEATER — PR.

FINAL SCORES
Kathy: $7,900/Steve: $11,350/Lauren: $11,600

Pat throws away the FS disc when he talked to Lauren.

GT: $30,850
NO BANKRUPTS

---

Bonus Round

The cars on this set were a Chrysler PT Cruiser and a Saturn VUE. After we saw her mom and cousin (Pat almost forgot about that), Lauren landed on the W.

Category: EVENT

Stingy RSTLNE help…

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

She WIPED OUT of the game w/ CMDO and lost the PT Cruiser; it was HAVING A BABY.

MY RATING: 6

_ _ _ _ _ _ / _
_ _ _ _

Pat and Vanna spend some time at the puzzleboard w/ what looks like the same “empty” puzzle, since everyone wonders how it works.

Vanna actually does have to touch it, but nothing happens unless it turns blue. She asks to “ding” the blank which is the rightmost A, but they “ding” the G instead so she has to walk and touch that one on the right side. Vanna also mentions that each space is an actual TV monitor turned sideways.

Pat asks to try one, so they “ding” the N. Pat tries touching the top and bottom, but nothing happens. He has to touch the right side. But really, it’s not that hard.

OBIT: Sean Connery

Sean Connery, the Scottish actor best known for being the first to play secret agent James Bond on the big screen, died peacefully in his sleep today at the age of 90.

His name was used as a puzzle in late S31 on June 11, 2014 (HOLLYWOOD LEGEND SEAN CONNERY).

May he rest in peace.

WoF Retro Recap: October 25, 1999

This was the start of their Halloween back in S17.

EPISODE #3156: HALLOWEEN WEEK

Preview Puzzle: THING

_ _ T R I C _

A: OSTRICH (not a PROPER NAME of PATRICK, Pat)

Joe Silvers: tax administrator for Davidson County who’s married w/ two kids, four grandkids and three stepsons from Lexington, NC

Patty Gallagher: substitute elementary schoolteacher recently married to Pat from Hatboro, PA

Nisa Cirulnick: exec. assistant at a major entertainment co. from L.A. (orig. from Miami)

Round 1: EVENT (PUZZLER)

Joe kicked off w/ a $500 T, a $550 N, but then the sole dud vowel of I for invalid. Second, Patty called up two R’s for $1,600, three E’s, but then D for dud. Third, Nisa took a $400 S, a $300 L, and two A’s. We had…

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

Don’t forget to set your clocks backward tomorrow night, because you’re getting AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP. She solved for just $450, but had a chance to solve this THING…

_ L _ _ M
_ L O _ K

She knew it was ALARM CLOCK.

DUDS: I (Joe), D (Patty)

FEATURED PRIZE: Panasonic DVD player and TV plus a DVD collection from Universal Studios Home Video (including the release of “The Mummy” starring Brendan Fraser) worth $3,500

Round 2: STAR & ROLE

Patty’s off and running w/ two R’s for $1,200, but then N for negative. Nisa secondly spun her way to two S’s for $1,400, four A’s, an $800 H pair, but then LaT. Joe thirdly picked T for turnover. Patty next lit up three E’s, but the $10K’s left side deprived her of $950. Nisa then took a stab at this…

S A R A H
_ _ _ H E _ _ E
_ E _ _ A R / A S
_ _ _ _ _

She nailed SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR AS BUFFY for $1,950 (but there four L’s left behind).

DUDS: N (Patty), T (Nisa)
SOLE LaT: Nisa
SOLE BANKRUPT: Patty

Nisa: $5,400/Others: $0 each

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: Shipwreck 1999 attraction aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach worth $3,900

Jackpot Round: SAME NAME

Nisa led off w/ two T’s for $1,200, an $1,800 R trio (just missed $3,500), but then L for loss. Joe didn’t do any better w/ Y. Patty picked off a $450 N, but BANKRUPTed near Jackpot. Returning to Nisa who said two S’s for the Queen Mary trip, a $3,500 F, three E’s, a $900 P, two A’s, a $300 B, but then a MAJOR DUD of G to leave $11,100 cash & Queen Mary trip sitting there (there was a null somewhere this round). Joe foolishly picked a K. Patty then said a $500 H, but LaTed out. That allowed Nisa to solve…

B E H A _ _ _ R / &
D R E S S
P A T T E R N

…BEHAVIOR & DRESS PATTERN for $11,100 cash & Queen Mary.

AIRED DUDS: L (Nisa), Y (Joe), G (Nisa), K (Joe)
AIRED LaT: Patty
AIRED BANKRUPT: Patty
UNCLAIMED AIRED JACKPOT: $14,050

Nisa: $16,500/Others: ZERO a head

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Round 4: PHRASE

The N failed Joe from the get-go. Patty lit up a $500 R, a $600 T pair, five E’s, an H for the entertainment package, but then A for awful. Nisa quickly BANKRUPTed near $500. Joe lost another turn w/ L. Patty picked a $300 M, two I’s to clean out the vowels, but then D for dud. Nisa said another baddie of F. Joe got an $800 G, but time’s running out…

I T / G I _ E _ / M E
T H E / _ R E E _ _

…and the Final Spin was set at $1,300. He then said two S’s…

I T / G I _ E S / M E
T H E / _ R E E _ S

…and solved “IT GIVES ME THE CREEPS” for $3,400.

DUDS: N (Joe), A (Patty), L (Joe), D (Patty), F (Nisa)
INSTA-BANKRUPT: Nisa

FINAL SCORES
Joe: $3,400/Patty: PARTING GIFTS/Nisa: $16,500 cash & Queen Mary

GT: $19,900
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,400

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Bonus Round

This week’s non-$25K prizes were…

• trip to Germany (incl. visits to Munich and Heidelberg ($23K+)
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder ($25K+)
• trip to Transylvania ($24K+)
• Chevrolet Silverado ($33K+)

Nisa chose the first E (after a delay, a cat screeching was heard).

Category: PHRASE

This one-liner started as…

N _ / _ _ _ E

BGHO gave her two of the vowel…

N O / _ O _ E

This is NO JOKE — she won the cash for a final total of $41,500 cash & Queen Mary. Her friend Sue celebrated w/ her.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Retro Recap: Halloween 2002

As promised for AnimeDude, here’s Halloween 2002 (turning 18). But it’s quite scary too.

EPISODE #3749: HALLOWHEEL

$1K Toss-Up: THING

G _ A V _ _ _ R D
S H _ _ _

I’ve worked  a GRAVEYARD SHIFT before (and it WASN’T pleasant for me), but she’s correct and these were the players on this spooky day…

Adrienne Matthews: was in her final year of her doctorate program at USC School of Pharmacy from Hawthorne, CA (orig from Houston, TX)

Pam Crawford: rental representative who’s also a pool shark (in a league for a few years) from Windsor, ON (orig. from Cedar Springs, OH, the greatest small town w/ about 250 people in the world according to her)

W.C. Fields (NOT the actor): songwriter who’s married w/ 10 of the “ugliest” kids and 10 “wonderful beautiful” grandchildren from Charlotte, TN

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

L E A _
C _ _ _ I N E

This is a frozen meal brand and Pam knew that was LEAN CUISINE.

Gift Tag: hpshopping.com

Round 1: SAME NAME

She kicked off w/ a $450 N, a $1,200 T pair, two I’s, a $600 R duo, two O’s, but then S for sorry. Second, W.C. said an automatic dud of L. Third, Adrienne took a $500 D, two E’s, a $300 X, and a $900 P pair. We had…

P R O _ / &
E X P I R _ T I O N
D _ T E

She solved PROM & EXPIRATION DATE for $1,450 and $2,450 so far.

DUDS: S (Pam), L (W.C.)

FEATURED PRIZE: week’s stay aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach (includes Ghosts & Legends tour) worth $3,500

Jackpot Round: PLACE

W.C.’s first w/ three S’s for $10,500, but then R for rats. Adrienne also whiffed w/ C for crud. Pam thirdly picked a $500 T, but BANKRUPTed near $600. Next for W.C. were a $450 L, five N’s for $17,500 more, buys of two I’s, two E’s and three A’s, and a $400 M (as in “mama”). But after an O buy, THE SAME BANKRUPT FORCED HIM TO PUT $27,850 IN THE GRAVE — UNBELIEVABLE. After Adrienne got the exact same fate, Pam lit up a $900 D trio and a $450 Y. Board…

D I S N E Y L A N D ‘ S             
_ A _ N T E D
M A N S I O N

She IDed DISNEYLAND’S HAUNTED MANSION for $1,350.

DUDS: R (W.C.), C (Adrienne)
BANKRUPTS: 3 (whole panel)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: CAULDRON: $15,050

Adrienne: $2,450/Pam: $3,350/W.C.: HEARTBROKEN

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Mystery Round: SHOW BIZ

The $11,479 Hyundai Accent’s back in play.

Adrienne got the MW decision right away next to $900 w/ a T and obviously took the chance…Hyundai! Next up were a $600 R, three E’s, an S for the Halloween wedge, a single A, but then the BANKRUPT near $3,500 to give up $15,079 cash & prizes (including that car). Ouch. Pam followed w/ a $600 N pair, but then M for mistake. W.C. uncovered a $1,200 C pair, four I’s and two O’s, an H for the hpshopping.com gift tag, a $600 L pair, a $300 D, a $600 V, and an $800 K. Board…

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

He solved ACTION FLICK HERO VIN DIESEL for $4K cash & GC.

SOLE DUD: M (Pam)
PAINFUL BANKRUPT: Adrienne

Adrienne: $2,450/Pam: $3,350/W.C.: $4K cash & GT

Dismal game so far…

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$3K Toss-Up: EVENT

_ / F _ _ L / _ _ _ N

Pam nearly doubled her winnings by spotting A FULL MOON.

Speed-Up: ON THE MAP

This would make up for lost time — a $6K Final Spin! (Pat: “Someone had to break the Halloween jinx!”)

Pam: N (DUD)
W.C.: R (DUD)
Adrienne: 2 T’s
Pam: FIVE S’s!

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

Pam gave a questionable pronunciation of the bottom word of SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS (she said it as “mass-a-tu-setts”)…it’s acceptable for $30K and the win!

DUDS: N (Pam), R (W.C.)

FINAL SCORES
Adrienne: $2,450/Pam: $36,350/W.C.: $4K cash & GT

GT: $42,800
SEASON-WORST BANKRUPT TRASH BACK THEN: $43,429 cash & treats

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Bonus Round

After she introduced her mom and sister, Pam landed on the first zero.

Category: THING

This one-liner began as…

_ / R _ _ _ E

CMGO added just one more letter…

_ / R _ _ M E

I don’t have A RHYME for you, but she solved before the timer started and won $25K for a final total of $61,350.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: Halloween 1996

This classic episode from S14 is turning 24. The theme wasn’t really Halloween, but they were sure in the spirit.

EPISODE #2579: SOUTHWESTERN WEEK

At the start, we were shown glow-in-the-dark pumpkins of the hosts.

Larry Frasier, Sr.: retired supervisor of an aluminum co. married 38 yrs. w/ four kids and six grandkids from Boonville, IN

Brad Smith: student at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology studying mechanical engineering and a member of Phi Gamma Delta from Cicero, IN

Sujata Mukherjee: elementary schoolteacher married w/ two kids from Forest Hills, NY

Round 1: PHRASE

Larry started w/ two R’s for $1,400, but then N for negative. Second, Brad called up a $250 T, a $2K S duo, an E buy, a $500 F, and an O buy, followed by a $250 H, two A’s to clean out the vowels, but then the BANKRUPT near purple $500 to lose $2,250. Sujata then said a $250 D, a $250 C, and a $600 P pair to complete the board.

S T R A P P E D
F O R / C A S H

She read the answer correctly for $1,100.

SOLE DUD: N (Larry)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Brad

FEATURED PRIZE: Wickenburg Inn Dude Ranch & Tennis Club in Arizona worth $3,421

Round 2: FILL IN THE BLANK

Brad’s first w/ four T’s for $2,200, a $1,400 R pair, buys of E and two A’s, an $800 S pair, a $1,200 N pair, and an I, after which he said a $500 L pair, a $1,200 M pair, and two Y’s for the SURPRISE. Board…

S M A R T Y – / ?
_ E L L – _ _ T T _ M / ?
A N T S / I N
Y _ _ R / ?

He actually included the $2K bonus answer of pants in his solve; hence, he solved SMARTY-pants, BELL-BOTTOM pants, ANTS IN YOUR pants for $8,550 plus the SURPRISE, which was a Wurtlitzer 1015 CD jukebox worth $8,916 — PR.

Larry: NOTHING/Brad: $17,466 cash & jukebox/Sujata: $1,100

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Jackpot Round: EVENT

Here went Sujata w/ the calling of two T’s for $1,100, five R’s for $1,250 more, four N’s for another grand, and five E’s, followed by a $500 S pair, a $600 C, an O buy, but then F for flunk. Larry then lit up two L’s on Jackpot ($7,300), a $1K G pair, a $500 D pair, a $250 W, and a V for the Arizona trip to clean out the consonants.

L E E
S _ R R E N D E R S / T O
G R _ N T / E N D _ N G
C _ V _ L / W _ R

For remembering LEE SURRENDERS TO GRANT ENDING CIVIL WAR, he won $1,750 and that Arizona trip.

SOLE DUD: F (Sujata)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,300

Larry: $5,171 cash & AZ/Brad: $17,466 cash & jukebox/Sujata: $1,100

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Speed-Up: BEFORE & AFTER

It’s a $600 Final Spin.

Larry: R
Brad: 2 T’s
Sujata: S
Larry: L (DUD)
Brad: N (DUD)
Sujata: D
Larry: H
Brad: C (DUD)
Sujata: B (DUD)
Larry: F
Brad: M (DUD)
Sujata: J (WHAT?!)
Larry: W
Brad: P (DUD)
Sujata: G
Larry: X (EXCUSE ME?!)
Brad: Y

_ Y _ / _ F
T H _ / T _ G _ R
W _ _ D S

Brad got the EYE OF THE TIGER WOODS for $1,800.

DUDS: L (Larry), N (Brad), C (Brad), B (Sujata), M (Brad), J (Sujata), P (Brad), X (Larry)

FINAL SCORES
Larry: $5,171 cash & AZ/Brad: $19,266 cash & jukebox/Sujata: $1,100

GT: $25,537
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,250

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Bonus Round

Brad picked the W from W-E-L.

Category: THING

Here’s 1/5 of the answer…

_ _ _ S _
_ R _ _ _

DCPI only added the vowel…

_ _ I S _
_ R _ _ _

He went way off w/ IRISH CREAM (this is a family show, young man!). Because he didn’t get out the WHISK BROOM (I recapped the May 31, 2004 w/ this answer), he lost the Chevy Cavalier convertible. Despite the loss, he made it to the Friday Finals.

MY RATING: 6

Week 7 Stats

Total This Week: $241,350 (SEASON-LOW — not bad.)

Total for the Season: $2,033,343

BR Win Record: 15-20 (.429)

BR Car Wins: 6

• 2 BMW i3s
• 1 maZDa CX-30
• 1 MINI Cooper Convertible
• 1 Ford Explorer
• 1 Buick Encore

Prize Wedge Wins: 8

Gift Tag Wins: 13

Mystery Wedge Wins: 5

Mystery was Flipped-Declined: 17-2

MW Flip was $10K-Bankrupt: 10-7

$10K MW was next to LaT: 8

$10K MW was next to $650: 9

Express was Played-Passed: 7-4

-Successes: 2

-Crashes: 5

Wild Card Usages

-Maingame: 3 on $3,500

-BR: 1

FP Vowels/Consonants: 22/17

5-Round Games: 3 (one went to R6 on Oct. 2)

Gooseegg Victims: 6

Tossup Triple Stumpers:

Red Winners: 14

Yellow Winners: 11

Blue Winners: 10

This Week’s Bankrupt Trash: $49,350

Total Bankrupt Trash for the Season: $256,950 + 1 prize of unknown value

Biggest Bankrupt: $24,250 (Oct. 26)

Top Winning Totals: $117,500 (Oct. 12), $84,432 (Sept. 30), $81,900 (Oct. 8)

Bottom-Winning Totals: $13,497 (Oct. 14), $12,350 (Sept. 29), $11,800 (Oct. 30)

Season-High Week: $350,996 (Road Trip)

Season-Low Week: $241,350 (Halloween Week)

Final Spins This Season

$1,500 FS: 12
$1,550 FS: 1
$1,600 FS: 2
$1,650 FS: 8
$1,700 FS: 10
$1,800 FS:
$1,900 FS: 1
$6K FS: 1

Bonus Round Stats

Perfect BR Weeks: 0
4-1 Weeks: 0
3-2 Weeks: 2
2-3 Weeks: 4
1-4 Weeks: 1
BR Shutouts: 0
MDBRs: 0

PERSON (or PEOPLE): 3/10; 2-1

PLACE(S): 2/3; 1-1

THING(S): 2/33; 2-0

PHRASE: 10/22; 3-7

EVENT: 3/8; 1-2

OCCUPATION: 1/1; 1-0

SHOW BIZ:

AROUND THE HOUSE: 1/2; 0-1

ON THE MAP:

FOOD & DRINK: 5/9; 3-2

FUN & GAMES: 0/2

IN THE KITCHEN: 1/2; 1-0

LIVING THING(S): 3/3; 1-2

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?: 4/7; 0-4

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?: 0/3

$38K: 7/14

$45K: 0/3

$50K: 1/2

$100K (or $1M): 1/2

CAR: 6/14