WoF Retro Recap: October 6, 1992

EPISODE #1777

Sandy Joseph: professor of nursing at Santa Monica College who’s married w/ three children and also coached soccer and baseball

Jennifer Burger: married computer programmer and 1-day champ w/ $34,700 cash & car (including the Volvo 940 GLS sedan) from Huguenot, NY

Dalet Brady: copy editor for a magazine publisher in Southern California

Round 1: PHRASE

Sandy BANKRUPTed from the get-go. Second, Jennifer called up a $500 T, a $500 N, two A’s, a $450 D, a $500 R pair, three E’s to clean out the vowels, a $250 S, and a $300 C. We had…

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

She solved CHAPTER AND VERSE for $2K.

INSTA-BANKRUPT: Sandy

FEATURED PRIZE: Orrefors barware and stemware plus Oneida Silversmiths serving pieces worth $3,355

Round 2: BEFORE & AFTER

Jennifer’s first w/ three T’s for $750, two E’s, four H’s for $3K, but then a baddie of G. Dalet secondly picked a C for the SURPRISE, an N for the Free SPIN, a $900 D, and two A’s, followed by an $800 W, two O’s, an $800 R pair, and a solve attempt….

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

It’s probably a bad idea if you LET YOUR HAIR DOWN THE HATCH, but she solved for $2K and the SURPRISE, which was a trip to the Caribe Hilton Hotel & Casino in Puerto Rico worth $3,102.

SOLE DUD: G (Jennifer)

Sandy: NIL/Jennifer: $2K/Dalet: $5,102 cash & P.R. FS

Round 3: CLUE

Dalet got going w/ a $400 R, an S for the crystal, a $300 T, a single E, a $600 N, a $1K L pair, and four A’s, after which came a $500 G pair, the last vowel of U, but then C for crud and she used the FS…only to strike out w/ M, so $2,050 and the crystal prize were at risk. Sandy wouldn’t get a $1K B. Jennifer then said an $800 Y pair, a $3,500 P, but she repeated the the C after much thought. Dalet then said a $200 F…

L A N G U A G E
& / F L A _ Y
P A S T R Y

She solved LANGUAGE & FLAKY PASTRY for $2,250 and the crystal. She also got the $500 bonus answer of Danish.

DUDS: C, M (Dalet), B (Sandy)
SOLE DQ: Jennifer’s C repeat

Sandy: NADA/Jennifer: $2K/Dalet: $11,207 cash & prizes

FEATURED PRIZE #2: trip to Hotel Zurich Switzerland worth $7,758

Round 4: THING

Sandy opened w/ a $700 T, but then S for sorry. Jennifer got up there a $400 N, but no more w/ R on the Switzerland trip. Dalet lit up a $500 L, a $5K D, but then A for awful. After Sandy’s non-existing H, it’s S-U time…

_ _ N D
_ _ L _ _ _ T _

…w/ a $5K Final Spin!

Jennifer: M (DUD)
Dalet: C
Sandy: B (DUD)
Jennifer: P (DUD)
Dalet: E
Sandy: F (DUD)
Jennifee: W

W _ N D
_ E L _ C _ T _

Jennifer solved WIND VELOCITY for $5,400.

DUDS: S (Sandy), R (Jennifer), A (Dalet), M (Jennifer), B (Sandy), P (Jennifer), F (Sandy)

FINAL SCORES
Sandy: PARTING GIFTS/Jennifer: $7,400 (out w/ $42,100)/Dalet: $11,207 cash & prizes

GT: $18,607
NO BANKRUPT TRASH

Bonus Round

In addition to the $25K, this was what’s left…

• audio/video package ($27K+)
• grand piano ($23K+)
• private United Kingdom trip ($22K+)

Dalet chose the first E.

Category: THING

Here’s 1/3 of the answer…

_ S _
_ _ N

CHMA was a PERFECT combo…

A S H
C A N

…and she read the answer for a Steinway grand piano worth $23,300, giving her a 1-day total of $34,507 cash & prizes. Sister Kimberly greeted her.

MY RATING: 7

Dalet’s second day

WoF Retro Recap: December 22, 2006

EPISODE #4560: ROUTE 66

Before the game started, Pat found contestant coordinator Jackie Lamatis’ lost ID badge.

$1K Toss-Up: PLACE

M O D E _ N / _ _ T
M _ S E U _

Joanne blanked, but Michael solved MODERN ART MUSEUM. End-of-week panel…

Michael Goldring: telephone field technician for a major communications co. married to Elissa w/ a 2-yr.-old son named Zachary who’s a fan of the N.Y. Rangers from Staten Island

Joanne Yoder: school volunteer married 17 yrs. to Bill w/ two sons from Tullahoma, TN

Mary Saggal: recent graduate of Fordham Univ. who’s a newlywed from Pawtucket, RI

$2K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

_ I _ C _ E N
_ A B _ _ _ _ S

Michael built some KITCHEN CABINETS to triple up.

FEATURED TRIP: Santa Fe, NM from the Santa Fe Visitors & Convention Bureau worth $5,500

Round 1: RHYME TIME

He started w/ a $400 T, three M’s for $2,700 more, six E’s and three A’s, but then a baffling dud of K. Second, Joanne called up four H’s for the Free SPIN, but used it right away after hitting LaT….and she struck out w/ C for crud. Mary got up there two F’s for $1,100, four O’s, but BANKRUPTed normally and lost $850. Michael then took a stab at this…

O H / _ _ _ E / M E
A / H O M E
_ H E _ E / T H E
_ _ F F A _ O / _ O A M

…but all he could say was “OH TAKE ME A…”. Joanne then said a $1,200 R pair, a single I, an $800 W, and a $300 G. Board…

O H / G I _ E / M E
A / H O M E
W H E R E / T H E
_ _ F F A _ O / R O A M

She solved “OH GIVE ME A HOME WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM” for $2,050.

DUDS: K (Michael), C (Joanne)
SOLE LaT: Joanne
SOLE BANKRUPT: Mary
SOLE DQ: Michael’s blown solve

Jackpot Round: THINGS (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Joanne’s first w/ a $400 S, four E’s, but then T for turnover. Mary secondly spotted three R’s for $1,800, but no more w/ G. Michael thirdly picked a $300 N, but then P for phooey. Joanne then said an $1,800 B trio and three A’s. Board…

_ A R _
_ A R _ B B E A N
B R E E _ E S

She solved for $1,700 and would feel the WARM CARIBBEAN BREEZES on her trip to a resort from the Caribbean Escapes Collection in ANGUILLA w/ AA.com airfare worth $7,800.

DUDS: T (Joanne), G (Mary), P (Michael)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9K

Michael: $3K/Joanne: $11,550 cash & Caribbean/Mary: ZIPPO

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Mystery Round: WHERE ARE WE?

Mary led off w/ four R’s for $3,600, three A’s, but then LaT. Michael’s up second w/ two T’s for $1,600, three N’s for $2,400 more, three E’s and two I’s, but then M for mistake. Joanne’s third in line w/ three S’s for the XM Satellite Radio package, a $600 D, six O’s, a $1,350 G trio, a $300 H, two U’s to wipe out the vowels, a $900 W, a $300 P, and a $300 L. The layout…

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

She solved WASHINGTON, TOUR GROUPS, OVAL OFFICE, & ROSE GARDEN for $4,250 cash & radio package. But she was too generic on her answer of Washington D.C. and she got the bonus answer of The White House just after the buzzer.

SOLE DUD: M (Michael)
SOLE LaT: Mary

Michael: $3K/Joanne: $15,800 cash & prizes/Mary: BUPKIS

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$3K Toss-Up: LIVING THING

_ _ _ _ W E _ L _ R

Michael swept the Tossups w/ ROTTWEILER.

Round 4: ON THE MAP

He LaTed out from the get-go. Second for Joanne were a $300 N, two S’s to triple up, but it’s S-U time…

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

…w/ a $1,400 Final Spin.

Joanne: G (DUD)
Mary: M (DUD)
Michael: 2 T’s
Joanne: C
Mary: R (DUD)
Michael: P (DUD)
Joanne: 2 E’s
Mary: F (DUD)
Michael: 3 H’s

T H E / S _ _ T H
C H _ N _ / S E _

Michael located THE SOUTH CHINA SEA for $7K.

DUDS: G (Joanne), M (Mary), R (Mary), P (Michael), F (Mary)
INSTA-LaT: Michael

FINAL SCORES
Michael: $13K/Joanne: $15,800 cash & prizes/Mary: $1K GOOSEEGG

GT: $29,800
BANKRUPT TRASH: $850

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Bonus Round

Before Joanne spun the little wheel, Pat showed her a map of the Caribbean and the place where she’s going to. And awaiting the final result were her aunt Diane and sister-in-law Kathy. The BW stops on the N of BONUS.

Category: SONG LYRICS

These lyrics were made famous by Frank Sinatra…

_ / _ _ _ / _ T
_ _ / _ _ _

CDPO added just two D’s…

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

…and she got the bottom line wrong w/ BY ME. She didn’t recite “I DID IT MY WAY“ and she was the other Winnebago Access loser.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Retro Recap: December 21, 2006

EPISODE #4559: ROUTE 66

$1K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ _ _ I F O _ _ I A
V _ _ _ Y A _ D

Patricia solved CALIFORNIA VINEYARD to get on the board among this Thursday trio…

Patricia Stangl: admin. assistant at the Univ. of Pittsburgh at Greensburg married to John w/ two kids from Greensburg, PA

Doug Bock: major telecommunications co. worker married to Angie w/ a son named Jonathan from Troutville, VA

Staci Thompson: policy analyst getting ready for law school and has three daughters from Glendale, AZ

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

H U R L Y –
B U R _ _

Patricia tripled up w/ HURLY-BURLY.

FEATURED PRIZE: a DVD/Blu-Ray copy of “Talladega Nights” plus a trip to Vegas w/ a Richard Petty driving experience worth $6,879

Round 1: PHRASE

This round’s all Patricia: two T’s for $600, four E’s, a $500 H, two A’s, a $1,600 S quartet, two F’s for the WC, and a $300 N.

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

She solved for a $2,500 PR and this was A FEAST FOR THE SENSES — a $4,500 LastMinuteTravel.com trip to PORTUGAL.

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Doug’s first w/ two T’s for $600, but then E for end of turn. Second, Staci said S for sorry while on Jackpot. Third, Patricia took a $550 R, but foolishly used her WC (why, lady?!) to get a single C. After an O buy, she BANKRUPTed near $650 to lose $850. Doug got the exact same fate to hand over the $350 remainder. Staci chose an $800 N, but then D for dud. Patricia next said a VERY FOOLISH CHOICE of J — seriously?! -__- Doug lost another turn w/ L, as did Staci w/ F. Patricia got a $400 G, a $600 P, four A’s, a $450 B and the last vowel of I. The board now…

G R A _ _
B O A T
C A P T A I N

She landed on Jackpot…but BOMBED OUT w/ M for mistake. Doug landed on Jackpot, lit up the V…

G R A V _
B O A T
C A P T A I N

…and solved GRAVY BOAT CAPTAIN for $500 and an $11,200 pot.

DUDS: E (Doug), S (Staci), D (Staci), J (Patricia), L (Doug), F (Staci), M (Patricia)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Patricia, Doug)

Patricia: $10K cash & Portugal/Doug: $11,700/Staci: NOTHING

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Mystery Round: EVENT

Two T’s for $1,100 got Staci going, but then S for sorry. Patricia controlled the rest of the round for two N’s for the Garmin GPS gift tag, a $1,200 G trio, three I’s, a $3,500 H, six E’s and two A’s, a $300 P, a $1,200 L trio, and a $7K C pair.

_ E C I T I N G
T H E / P L E _ G E / _ _
A L L E G I A N C E

I remember RECITING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE while in high school and she solved for $13,450 cash & GPS.

SOLE DUD: S (Staci)

Patricia: $23,450 cash & prizes/Doug: $11,700/Staci: BUPKIS

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$3K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ _ _ C _ R D
_ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E

Doug quickly pinpointed CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Round 4: FUN & GAMES

First up were a $450 R, two E’s, but then LaT and it’s S-U time…

_ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ E _ _ _ _ / _ _ R _ _

…w/ a $1,450 Final Spin.

Doug: T
Staci: R repeat
Patricia: G
Doug: N
Staci: 2 B’s
Patricia: 2 S’s

_ _ _ E _ T _ N G
B _ S E B _ _ _ / _ _ R _ S

Doug’s COLLECTING BASEBALL CARDS for another $4,550.

SOLE LaT: Doug
SOLE DQ: Patricia’s R repeat

FINAL SCORES
Patricia: $23,450 cash & prizes/Doug: $19,250/Staci: $1K GOOSEEGG

GT: $43,700
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,200

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Bonus Round

Nobody w/ Patricia, but she landed on the N of BONUS.

Category: THING

Here’s 1/4 of the answer…

_ _ _ _ L _
_ _ _ _ E T

MJHO was an interesting combo, but that only added…

_ _ M _ L _
_ _ _ _ E T

This WON’T be going into her FAMILY BUDGET (she quietly thought of words ending in –BLE on the top) — the Winnebago.

At the end, we got a glimpse of the studio from Pat’s POV. Some of the staff were mentioned (Harry, Steve Schwartz, contestant coordinators Jackie and Shannon, etc.).

MY RATING: 5 (orig. a 6; ugly R2 + Winnebago loss)

WoF Retro Recap: December 20, 2006

EPISODE #4558: ROUTE 66

$1K Toss-Up: FUN & GAMES

_ _ _ V I A L
P _ _ S U _ _

Larry IDed “TRIVIAL PURSUIT”. The midweek trio…

Larry Diener: salesman for a freight co. in L.A. who’s the owner of a Chihuahua named Yogi Bear and was taking up boxing

Shaylawnda Davis: large dept. store worker w/ a 9-yr.-old boy named Jamari and had a sister serving in Iraq in the Air Force from Cleveland Heights, OH

Barbara Walberg: auto parts manufacturer and collector of heart-shaped rocks w/ two sons from Sequim, WA

$2K Toss-Up: IN THE KITCHEN

C H _ _ _ E
G R _ _ _ R

Barbara got out a CHEESE GRATER.

FEATURED TRIP: Hotel Monaco in Chicago worth $4,800

Round 1: SAME NAME

She started w/ a $600 T pair, an R for the $10K, an S for the XM Satellite Radio gift tag, a single E, but then A for awful. Second, Larry said N for negative. Third, Shaylawnda took a $900 P, but then bought a worthless U. Barbara got a $1,200 L pair, but then M for mistake on the Chicago trip. Larry then said the last consonants of a $450 F and a $300 B.

F R _ _ T / &
B E L T
L _ _ P S

He solved FROOT & BELT LOOPS to tie Barbara for the early lead.

DUDS: A (Barbara), N (Larry), U (Shaylawnda), M (Barbara)

Jackpot Round: PLACE

Larry led off w/ five N’s on Jackpot, but then the sole dud vowel of E for end of turn. Shaylawnda also missed w/ L for loss. Barbara tacked on two T’s for a grand, but BANKRUPT near $600 stopped her cold. Larry lit up two S’s for $800, three A’s and three I’s, a $500 G, four R’s for $1,600 more, and three O’s. We had…

_ I N I N G / _ A R
O N / A / _ R O S S –
_ O _ N T R _ / T R A I N

There were three C’s left behind, but he solved DINING CAR ON A CROSS-COUNTRY TRAIN for $4,400.

DUDS: E (Larry), L (Shaylawnda)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Barbara

Shaylawnda: NOTHING/Barbara: $2K/Larry: $6,400

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Mystery Round: PHRASE (PRIZE PUZZLE)

R for rats was how Shaylawnda started. Second in line, Barbara picked a $900 S, but the same BANKRUPT got her and Larry back-to-back. Shaylawnda tried again w/ a $900 L, but the N tripped her up. After Barbara quickly BANKRUPTed near TD, Larry lit up a $10,500 T trio and bought two E’s and two A’s. Board…

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

He won $10K and a trip to THE ALOHA STATE, which of course is HAWAII at the Kauai Marriott Resort & Spa w/ AA.com airfare worth $6,529. BTW, the way he phrased for the solve was “How about (said puzzle solution)”.

DUDS (both by Shaylawnda): R, N
BANKRUPTS: 3 (Barbara 2x, Larry)

Shaylawnda: HARD LUCK/Barbara: $2K/Larry: $22,929 cash & HI

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$3K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

_ E _ L
D E A L

Shaylawnda had a MEAL DEAL to finally get off the schneid.

Round 4: PROPER NAME

She just missed $5K, but still got a $600 L to start. Next up were a $1,200 R pair, three A’s, a $2,400 N trio, two E’s, but then M for mistake. Barbara also whiffed w/ T for turnover. Larry then said two S’s for a grand…

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

He IDed OSCAR WINNER NICOLAS CAGE.

DUDS: M (Shaylawnda), T (Barbara)

Shaylawnda: $3K/Barbara: $2K/Larry: $23,929 cash & HI

Speed-Up: THING

Consonants were worth the $1,300 minimum.

Barbara: M (DUD)
Larry: T
Shaylawnda: 2 L’s
Barbara: R (DUD)
Larry: S (DUD)
Shaylawnda: 2 P’s
Barbara: H

T _ L _ P H _ _ _
P _ L _

Barbara solved TELEPHONE POLE for said FS amount.

DUDS: M (Barbara), R (Barbara), S (Larry)

FINAL SCORES
Shaylawnda: $3K/Barbara: $3,300/Larry: $23,929 cash & HI

GT: $30,229
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,900

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Bonus Round

Larry brought along his mom and friend Beth; he landed on the A of CASH.

Category: THING

Two T’s and an R to start…

_ / T _ _ _ T
_ R _ _

But he WIPED OUT of the game w/ CMOD and he wouldn’t have A TIGHT GRIP on $45K. He did give a shout-out to his dog, though.

End Note: Larry passed away on his 58th birthday in this obituary note I found HERE.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: December 19, 2006

EPISODE #4557: ROUTE 66

$1K Toss-Up: SONG TITLE

_ _ M P _ _ ‘ / J A _ K
_ _ _ _ _

Kent IDed the Rolling Stones tune “JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH”. Tuesday’s trio…

Kent Turski: self-employed contractor and sportsaholic married to Jill for 12 yrs. w/ two daughters from Chandler, AZ

Lynn Rummel: school counselor at Sims ES married for a yr. to Kenny (they’re expecting a girl) from Conyers, GA

Ann Cobb: physician’s assistant married to Tremayne for 9 yrs. w/ three kids who can write upside down from Upper Marlboro, MD

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

C L A S S
_ _ _ _ _

Lynn probably wasn’t a CLASS CLOWN, but she’s right for control.

FEATURED TRIP: Flagstaff, AZ from the Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau worth $4,500
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Garmin

Round 1: THING (PRIZE PUZZLE)

She led off w/ four T’s for two grand, but then E for end of turn. Second, Ann called up a $300 R, a $300 S, but she repeated the E. Kent then said three N’s for $1,350…

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

Now this was INSTANT GRATIFICATION for this guy — a trip to the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in CANCUN w/ Aeromexico airfare worth $7K.

SOLE DUD: E (Lynn)
SOLE DQ: Ann’s E repeat

Jackpot Round: PHRASE

Ann’s up first w/ two T’s for $600, but then S for sorry. Kent also had the same result w/ N. Lynn thirdly lit up three R’s on Jackpot, but no more w/ L. On Ann’s second try, she got a C on Jackpot, a single A, but then M for mistake. Kent followed w/ a $600 F, six O’s, a $900 Y trio, and five U’s. Board…

Y O U / _ A _ _
Y O U R / _ O R _
C U T / O U T
F O R / Y O U

YOU HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU, sir, if you wanna win big; he solved for the house minimum.

DUDS: S (Ann), N (Kent), L (Lynn), M (Ann)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,300

Ann: ZIP/Kent: $10,350 cash & Cancun/Lynn: $2K

---

Mystery Round: SAME NAME

Kent’s off to a nice $7K start w/ two T’s, followed by an E, but then the sole dud vowel of A for awful. Lynn’s up second w/ two S’s for $800, three I’s, but then BANKRUPT near $600 to lose $550. Ann’s third in line w/ three R’s for $1,200, three O’s, a $550 N, a $300 M, a $600 W pair, a $3,500 C, but then the BANKRUPT near TD to give up $5,900. Kent won’t take any chances…

M I C R O S O F T / &
_ R I _ E – T _ R _
W I N _ O W S

He solved MICROSOFT & DRIVE-THRU WINDOWS for $6,500.

SOLE DUD: A (Kent)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)

Ann: ZILCH/Kent: $16,850 cash & Cancun/Lynn: $2K

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$3K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK

C R _ _ M / _ F
W _ _ _ _

Ann had some CREAM OF WHEAT to get off the gooseegg bench.

Round 4: EVENT

This round’s all Ann: two R’s for $1,600, a $600 T, two E’s, a $900 S, two A’s and two I’s, a $600 N pair, a $600 G pair, a $900 Z, and two O’s to clean out the vowels.

R E O R G A N I Z I N G
A / _ _ O S E T

She’s REORGANIZING A CLOSET for $4,200 — PR.

Ann: $7,200/Kent: $16,850 cash & Cancun/Lynn: $2K

Speed-Up: PROPER NAME

Consonants were worth $1,500 each.

Kent: 3 T’s
Lynn: N
Ann: P (DUD)
Kent: L (DUD)
Lynn: 2 M’s

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

He’s the rival to late-night comic Jimmy Kimmel, as Lynn IDed ACTOR MATT DAMON for $4,500.

DUDS: P (Ann), L (Kent)

FINAL SCORES
Ann: $7,200/Kent: $16,850 cash & Cancun/Lynn: $6,500

GT: $30,550
BANKRUPT TRASH: $6,450

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Bonus Round

Jill the wife was in attendance and this man also landed on the $.

Category: PHRASE

This two letters got him started…

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

MFGO’s a GREAT combo…

_ O R _ / O F
M O _ T _

He had the WORD OF MOUTH to end the losing streak…

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…and even better — he won the $67,177 Winnebago Access, giving him a final total of $84,027 cash & prizes!

MY RATING: 8

WoF Retro Recap: December 18, 2006

Thank you to tjdygks57 for informing me of S24’s Route 66 week posted by Lucas. This week followed that HORRIBLE “Weekend in New England” week. And we were on a 6-episode losing streak in the BR at the time.

EPISODE #4556: ROUTE 66

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ U _ _ / A S
_ / _ _ T _ O N

Evelyn’s CUTE AS A BUTTON and these were the opening panelists that week…

Evelyn Calvoni: engaged lady going to law school at the Univ. of Denver who speaks Russian because her parents were Russian immigrants from Denver (orig. from Brooklyn and Phoenix)

Linda Arnold: retired math teacher and tour guide at Hearst Castle married to her HS sweetheart Mark 33 yrs. ago w/ three sons and three daughters-in-law from Los Osos

Jeff Yates: 911 dispatcher married to Amy w/ one daughter and another girl on the way (he couldn’t do a Charlie O’Donnell impression) from McMinnville, OR

$2K Toss-Up: TITLE

M E N ‘ S
J O U _ _ _ L

Jeff IDed “MEN’S JOURNAL”.

FEATURED PRIZE (presented by Tori Spelling): “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place” Seasons 1 DVD box set package from CBS/Paramount Home video plus a trip to L.A.’s hottest spots w/ accommodations at the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo and spa treatments at Spa 415 worth $4,206
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: XM Satellite Radio

Round 1: BEFORE & AFTER

He instantly BANKRUPTed near $600. Second, Evelyn called up a $350 S, two T’s for $600 more, two A’s, but the $10K’s right side took away her $700 remainder. Third, Linda said N for negative on the Beverly Hills/Melrose Place package. Jeff then said a $5K R pair, four E’s and a P for that WC. We had…

_ _ T E R
S P A _ E
_ E A T E R

He solved OUTER SPACE HEATER for $4,750 and $6,750 so far.

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

Jackpot Round: SONG LYRICS

Evelyn said an automatic dud of S. Linda secondly got the L.A. trip package this time w/ two T’s, but she repeated the S. Jeff thirdly picked two R’s for the Free SPIN, an N on Jackpot, but then L for loss on Jackpot and he turned in the FS. Next up were two E’s and four I’s, and F on Jackpot, and a $1,200 D pair. Board…

E _ E R _ T _ I N _
I / D _
I / D _ / I T
F _ R / _ _ _

He solved Bryan Adams’ “EVERYTHING I DO, I DO IT FOR YOU” for $1,700.

DUDS: S (Evelyn), L (Jeff)
SOLE DQ: Linda’s S repeat
JACKPOT ENDED AT: $8,350

Jeff: $8,450 WC/Evelyn: $1K/Linda: NIL

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Mystery Round: FOOD & DRINK (PRIZE PUZZLE)

Linda struck out right away w/ T, as did Jeff w/ S while he’s on $3,500. Evelyn tacked on two N’s on the MW near $800 and flipped it over…bad news. Speaking of bad news, Linda wasted another turn w/ the same normal BANKRUPT. Jeff whiffed again w/ H. Evelyn lit up two D’s for $1,100, three A’s, a $900 R, four E’s, and a $1,200 B trio. Board…

_ _ R N E D / B E E _
A N D / _ A B B A _ E

She solved for $2,700 and would have some CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE in IRELAND from Dooleyvacations.com w/ AA.com airfare worth $5,891.

DUDS: T (Linda), S (Jeff), H (Jeff)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)

Jeff: $8,450 WC/Evelyn: $9,591 cash & Ireland/Linda: NADA

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$3K Toss-Up: OCCUPATION

_ _ _ _ I T _ R E
M A K _ _

Jeff’s in five-figure territory w/ FURNITURE MAKER.

Round 4: ON THE MAP

But he instantly BANKRUPTed near $600 to lose the WC (though Pat didn’t ask for the cardboard at first). Down Evelyn’s road second were two R’s for $1,400, but then the BANKRUPT near $500. Linda didn’t do any better w/ S for sorry. Jeff picked a $600 T, an N to double up, buys of E and I, but then a not-so-good G call. Evelyn followed w/ a $1K M pair, but it’s S-U time…

_ _ _ T I M _ R E
M _ R _ _ _ N _

…w/ a $1,600 Final Spin. She then said two L’s…

_ _ L T I M _ R E
M _ R _ L _ N _

…and located BALTIMORE, MARYLAND for $4,200.

DUDS: S (Linda), G (Jeff)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Jeff, Evelyn)

FINAL SCORES
Jeff: $11,450/Evelyn: $13,791 cash & Ireland/Linda: $1K GOOSEEGG

GT: $26,241
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus WC and MW gamble): $2,100

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Bonus Round

This week’s vehicles were the $67,177 Winnebago Access and a Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. After we see her mom Sophia and brother Michael, Evelyn landed on the $.

Category: PHRASE

Two letters up top to start…

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

CMBA didn’t add much besides the obvious A…

_ _ T / A N _
_ _ M _ _

This kind of weather happens during summertime, but she didn’t know it was HOT AND HUMID and she lost $30K.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: February 25, 2004

Ah, my first recap w/ an episode from Phoenix. This was the midweek edition of Teen Best Friends (the last week of their three weeks taped at Dodge Theatre).

EPISODE #4023: TEEN BEST FRIENDS (PHOENIX)

$1K Toss-Up: AROUND THE HOUSE

_ _ _ _ M / &
D U S _ _ A N

Andrew & Josh got out a BROOM & DUSTPAN. The lowdown on these teams…

Andrew Weintraub & Josh Borenstein (12th graders): Andrew did volunteer student research at a hospital while Josh was involved in choir, held leadership positions in his youth organizations and hoped to be a U.S. Ambassador to Israel; these guys who’ve known each other since 3rd grade were from Scottsdale, AZ

Donovan Sanders & Julie Baker (11th graders): Julie had art ambitions while Donovan hoped to become an actor; these friends for 5 yrs. were from Glendale, AZ

Julie Young & Alx Tuscano: Alx enjoyed dancing and playing guitar and sang in the shower while Julie was in student government and hoped to become a famous singer; these girls who met in chorus were from Phoenix

$2K Toss-Up: LANDMARK

_ H _ / _ H _ _ E
H O _ _ E

J & A IDed THE WHITE HOUSE (George W. Bush lived there at the time).

Gift Tag: Southwest

Round 1: PERSON

They said an automatic dud of S on the Southwest gift tag. Second, the boys called up two N’s for $5K, A and two I’s, a $600 H, a $900 T pair, an R for the gift tag, and four E’s, followed by a $700 D, a $300 L, a $300 F…but then the $10K’s right side to wipe them out of $8,050 cash & gift tag. D & J then lit up a $2,500 P…

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

…and Julie shouted the right one of AN EXPERT IN THE FIELD.

SOLE DUD: S (J & A)
SOLE BANKRUPT: boys

FEATURED PRIZE: TicketsNow.com gift certificates worth $5K ($2,500 per player)

Jackpot Round: THINGS

The boys were off to a $900 start w/ three N’s, followed by two I’s, a $1,200 T quartet, three E’s, an $1,100 H pair, a $550 R, a $1,650 S trio, but they repeated the H; $4,900 was at stake for them. D & J then said an $800 D, two A’s, and an L on Jackpot. Board…

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

They screamed THE LATEST TRENDS IN FASHION for $550 and an $8,550 pot!

SOLE DQ: H repeat by the boys

D & J: $11,600/J & A: $2K/A & J: $1K

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Mystery Round: EVENT (PRIZE PUZZLE)

$10K Gift Certificate: macys.com

D & J got the MW decision right away (next to $900) w/ N and obviously went for it…macy’s! Next up were five L’s for $1,500, three A’s and two E’s, a $500 G, a single I, a $300 P, an $1,800 Y pair, but then the BANKRUPT near $600 to clean them out of $13,350 cash & GC — doggone it. J & A wasted a turn w/ the BANKRUPT near $3,500. A & J then said a $1,400 B pair and an $800 C before we look at a very familiar puzzle…

P L A Y I N G
B E A C H _
_ _ L L E Y B A L L

This puzzle under F & G won me a trip to the Bahamas on my episode as these guys solved for $2,200 and would be PLAYING BEACH VOLLEYBALL near the Divi Little Bay Resort in ST. MAARTEN; these trips w/ Delta airfare totaled $9,600.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (D & J, J & A)

D & J: $11,600/J & A: $2K/A & J: $12,800 cash & Caribbean

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$3K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

_ _ _ _ / _ T _ R
_ _ _ A _ _ / D U _ F

You know her for playing Lizzie McGuire, but A & J flubbed w/ ROCK STAR HILARY DUFF.

_ E E _ / S T _ R
_ _ _ A _ Y / D U F F

D & J got TEEN STAR HILARY DUFF to take back the lead.

Speed-Up: PHRASE

Consonants were worth $6K apiece!

D & J: L (DUD)
J & A: S
A & J: A (the boys said A and I at the same time and Josh said T during their think time)
D & J: 2 T’s
J & A: R
A & J: I (Andrew said D during their think time)
D & J: D (DUD)
J & A: M (DUD)
A & J: P (DUD)
D & J: U (DUD)
J & A: N
A & J: 2 G’s

I ‘ _ _ / G _ T
G R _ A T / N _ _ S

Andrew said V during the boys think time instead of solving for $12K — UGH. Julie then said W…

I ‘ _ _ / G _ T
G R _ A T / N _ W S

I’VE GOT GREAT NEWS — she and Donovan solved for $18K and the big win!

DUDS: L, D (both by D & J), M (J & A), P (A & J), U (D & J)

FINAL SCORES
D & J: $32,600/J & A: $2K/A & J: $12,800 cash & Caribbean

GT: $47,400
BANKRUPT TRASH: $21,400 cash & prizes

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Bonus Round

This week’s vehicles were 2004 Saturn IONs and 2004 Jeep Wranglers. Donovan introduced his parents and his brothers (Donny, Dwan, Darius) while Julie introduced her parents (Laurie and Chuck), sister Jennifer and her grandmother. Julie took that BW to the first zero.

Category: PERSON

Here’s 1/4 of the answer…

_ _ _ _ E _
_ _ _ L _ E

DCHA added another trio…

H _ C _ E _
_ _ A L _ E

Julie got the first word early…and Donovan got the other one of HOCKEY GOALIE for $25K, giving them a final all-cash total of $57,600.

MY RATING: 7 (orig. an 8; too much lost to BANKRUPT)

WoF Retro Recap: October 9, 1998

EPISODE #2950: BRITISH ISLES

Libra Taylor: Rice Univ. student majoring political science hoping to go to law school and a member of the women’s volleyball team at Rice from Houston

Mark Harris: account mgr. for a telecommunications co. who’s married (they’re expecting their first child) from Canyon Country, CA (and he did an impression of John Travolta on the air!)

Cathy Messer: marketing dir. of a major pizza chain married to Ray w/ three kids from North Little Rock, AR

Round 1: EVENT

Libra kicked off w/ a $450 T, two R’s for $500 more, a $250 H (she tried to buy a vowel right after spinning that amount), but then C for crud. Second, Mark said D for dud. Third, Cathy called up a $300 N, a $300 G, a single I, a $350 P, a $300 Y, two A’s, and a $600 S. We had…

H _ _ S _ _ A R _ I N G
P A R T Y

She won $1,350 towards throwing a HOUSEWARMING PARTY.

DUDS: C (Libra), D (Mark)

FEATURED PRIZE: a signed printed photograph of The Beatles from Kenneth Rendell Gallery worth $7,500 (BEATLES)

Round 2: HUSBAND & WIFE

Mark’s first w/ a $400 R, but then T for turnover. Cathy secondly got four N’s for the Beatles photograph, two L’s for $600, three I’s, a $300 G, and four E’s.

_ I N G
_ E R _ I N _ N _ / &
_ _ E E N
I _ _ _ E L L _

She IDed KING FERDINAND & QUEEN ISABELLA for $400 and the Beatles photograph. And this round’s a PUZZLER, so she had a chance to win $3K more by solving this EVENT…

_ _ L _ M _ _ _
_ A _

She forgot that we celebrated COLUMBUS DAY in the month of October.

SOLE DUD: T (Mark)

Cathy: $9,250 cash & photograph/Others: $0 each

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: Hotel St. Peter Seefeld in Austria worth $7,660 (AUSTRIA)

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Cathy said an automatic dud of N, as did Libra w/ T while she’s on $3,500. Mark rattled off a $600 R, a $300 D, four O’s, but then M for mistake. Cathy said another baddie of S, as did Libra w/ P for phooey. Mark found a $2,700 C trio, but then E for end of turn. On Cathy’s third try, she chose a $2,400 L trio, a $300 K, and two A’s and three I’s to clean out the vowels. Board…

_ I O L O _ I C A L
C L O C K
R A D I O

She solved BIOLOGICAL CLOCK RADIO for $2,200.

DUDS: N (Cathy), T (Libra), M (Mark), S (Cathy), P (Libra), E (Mark)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $13,250

Cathy: $11,450 cash & Beatles/Others: ZERO a head

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Round 4: PHRASE

Libra led off w/ four T’s for two grand, two R’s for $500 more, four E’s, but she LaTed out. Mark’s up second w/ four L’s for $3,200, a $350 S, and an $800 C (so close to LaT). We had…

_ T ‘ L L / _ E
_ _ R / L _ T T L E
S E C R E T

He solved “IT’LL BE OUR LITTLE SECRET” for his first $4,350.

SOLE LaT: Libra

Libra: NOTHING/Mark: $4,350/Cathy: $11,450 cash & Beatles

Round 5: THINGS

Mark LaTed out form the get-go. Cathy didn’t do any better w/ N. Libra got a $10K T pair, an $800 S pair, an E, but no more w/ H. Mark picked a $350 B, but LaTed out again. After Cathy’s $600 C to clean out the consonants…

T _ S T E
B _ D S

…she solved TASTE BUDS. And the game was over right there.

DUDS: N (Cathy), H (Libra)
LaTs: 2 (both by Mark)

FINAL SCORES
Libra: PARTING GIFTS/Mark: $4,350/Cathy: $12,050 cash & Beatles

GT: $16,400
NO BANKRUPTS

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Bonus Round

The trip on the QE2 and the $25K were the remaining prizes. Cathy picked the W from W-E–.

Category: THING

This is something you measure…

_ _ R _ S T _ _ _

CMDA gave her a shot…

_ A R D S T _ C _

…but she blew it w/ CARDSTACK, HARDSTOCK, and CARDSTOCK. It was YARDSTICK and she lost the QE2 trip.

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: May 5, 1998

EPISODE #2897: HOUSTON WEEK

Mike Norris: sales mgr. at a major automobile dealership who’s married w/ three kids from Friendswood

Cheryl Leonard: engineer w/ a major electric utility co., gospel singer, and foster mom w/ two kids from Fresno

Melissa Elliott: worker w/ the law dept. of a major oil co. for 17 yrs. and mom of three kids from Pearland

Round 1: CLASSIC TV

Mike started w/ three T’s for $1,350, but LaTed out just as quick. Second, Cheryl called up two H’s for $2K, two E’s, a $250 S, and a $250 C. We had…

T H E / C _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ E T T / S H _ _

There were two R’s left behind, but she solved “THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW” for $2,250.

SOLE LaT: Mike

FEATURED PRIZE: $3K shopping spree at the Galleria

Round 2: THINGS

Cheryl’s off and running w/ two S’s for $1,400, two N’s for $1,200 more, buys of two A’s, five E’s, three I’s, and O to clean out the vowel shop, but the $10K’s right side cleaned her out of $1,600. Melissa secondly BANKRUPTed near the purple $500. Mike thirdly got up there two C’s for $1,100, a $500 H pair, and a $600 K. Board…

C H I C K E N –
_ _ I E _ / S _ E A K
S _ O _ H E _ E _
I N / _ _ A _ _

He ate a CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK SMOTHERED IN GRAVY for only $2,800, because he didn’t go on for three T’s, two R’s and two D’s.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)

Mike: $2,800/Cheryl: $2,250/Melissa: ZERO

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: colored NASA photograph of famous astronauts from the Kenneth Rendell Gallery worth $3,750

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Melissa first picked a T on Jackpot, a $550 S, an $1,800 R pair (made it past that same normal BANKRUPT), three A’s and two E’s, and two C’s for the Galleria shopping spree, followed by a $600 B (just dodged the other BANKRUPT), a $250 V, an O at the beginning, a $250 N (just dodged LaT), the last vowel of two I’s, a $600 D (just missed $3,500), a $300 K, a $350 Y, a $600 M (just dodged the BANKRUPT near green $500)…but then F for FATAL DUD to leave $7,300 cash & shopping spree on the table (she thought it was OF — big ouch, indeed. Mike won’t take any chances…

O _ / M Y / A C _ I N _
B A C K – S E A T
D R I V E R

OH MY ACHING BACK-SEAT DRIVER…he solved for just the $500 house minimum when he could’ve gone for the twin H’s.

SOLE FATAL DUD: F (Melissa)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,650

Mike: $3,300/Cheryl: $2,250/Melissa: BAD SHAPE

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Speed-Up: PEOPLE

Consonants were worth $600 apiece.

Mike: R
Cheryl: T (DUD)
Melissa: 2 S’s
Mike: L
Cheryl: 2 C’s

R _ _ _ _
C _ _ _ _ _ S / &
C L _ _ _ S

Cheryl nailed RODEO COWBOYS & CLOWNS for $1,200 and the win by $150.

SOLE DUD: T (Cheryl)

FINAL SCORES
Mike: $3,300/Cheryl: $3,450/Melissa: PARTING GIFTS

Well, at least Melissa made things interesting in R3.

GT: $6,750
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,600

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Bonus Round

Cheryl chose the first E.

Category: PEOPLE

This seven-letter answer started as…

_ E _ _ N _ S

CMDO only added…

_ E M _ N _ S

She said the right one of GEMINIS on the buzzer, but they had to check the tape…and the ruling was that she WON the Wellcraft 1860S ski boat worth $21,136, giving her a possible spot in the Friday Finals w/ $24,586. She was greeted by her 13.5-yr.-old son Cedric and fiancee Greg.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Retro Recap: March 1, 1995

EPISODE #2263: WALT DISNEY WORLD WEEK II

Renae Watley-Williams: 2-day champ w/ $21,250 cash & prizes from Cranberry Township, PA

Mike Walczewski: PA announcer for a the New York Knicks married to Cheryl w/ two kids from Hastings-on-Hudon, NY

Jackie Jordan: telephone service rep w/ two kids, a niece and a nephew from Riverdale, MD

Round 1: THING

Renae started w/ an instant dud of S. Second, Mike called up two T’s for the Free SPIN, but then P for phooey. Third, Jackie also struck out w/ N. Renae LaTed out. Mike tried two R’s for $500, but then E for end of turn. Jackie missed again w/ L, as did Renae w/ H. Mike won’t get the SURPRISE w/ D. Jackie got a $400 C, a $750 M, but then I for invalid. Renae fouled up w/ F. Mike then got the SURPRISE that time w/ the last consonant of V.

C _ _ R T R _ _ M
T V

He solved COURTROOM TV for $250 and the SURPRISE, which was a 7d trip to the Ala Moana Hotel in Hawaii worth $3,740.

DUDS: S (Renae), P (Mike), N (Jackie), E (Mike), L (Jackie), H (Renae), D (Mike), I (Jackie), F (Renae)
SOLE LaT: Renae

FEATURED PRIZE: Emser International French tapestry RUG worth $3,500 (Vanna modeled it at the French Pavilion)

Round 2: BLANK

Mike’s first w/ three S’s for $1,050, a $2,500 T, three E’s, A and two I’s, a $500 R, and three O’s to wipe out the vowels. But the P unfortunately failed him again. Jackie lit up a $400 L pair, three L’s for $1,500 more, and a $600 C trio. Board…

_ A S _ I O N / ?
C O L L E C T O R ‘ S / ?
L I C E N S E / ?

She solved FASHION ? COLLECTOR’S ? LICENSE ? for $2,500 and got the $500 bonus for saying plate for the blanks.

SOLE DUD: P (Mike)

Renae: ZIP/Mike: $3,990 cash & Hawaii FS/Jackie: $3K

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Round 3: MEGAWORD

N for no was how Jackie started. Renae landed on a $3,500 and found a T, but the E failed somebody again. Mike used his FS after picking R, but struck out w/ L. Jackie filled in a $500 M, two B’s for $900, a single O, but the $10K’s left side wiped out her $1,150 remainder. Renae bought an I, got the rug w/ S, and bought the leftover vowel of A. The word…

B O M B A S T I _

She solved BOMBASTIC for $2,750 and the rug. Here’s how she used it in a sentence…

“Being on WHEEL of FORTUNE is a BOMBASTIC experience.”

Pat asked for a ruling or turning to “the giant grey area” from producer Nancy Jones and she replied “If she really feels that way!” and that was acceptable.

DUDS: N (Jackie), E (Renae), L (Mike)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jackie

Renae: $6,750 cash & rug/Mike: $3,990 cash & HI/Jackie: $3K

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FEATURED PRIZE #2: marked CHINA

Round 4: PHRASE

First from Renae were a $350 S, a $200 D, a T for the China trip, but time’s running out…

D _ _ ‘ T / _ _ _ _
_ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ S

Renae: 3 N’s
Mike: Y
Jackie: K (HUH?!)
Renae: 2 P’s
Mike: A
Jackie: 2 L’s

D _ N ‘ T / P _ L L
A N Y / P _ N _ _ _ S

Jackie replied “DON’T PULL ANY PUNCHES” for $500.

SOLE DUD: K (Jackie)

FINAL SCORES
Renae: $6,750 cash & rug ($28K so far)/Mike: $3,990 cash & HI/Jackie: $3,500

GT: $14,240
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,150

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Bonus Round

Renae (who’s a “bombastic player” according to Pat) retired undefeated, but didn’t have much luck here. She tried to make it happen after picking the first E.

Category: PERSON

This was Kari Merchant’s winning puzzle for $100K in S24…

_ _ L _ _ E
_ _ _ N

CDMA gave her two more…

_ _ L D _ E
_ A _ N

She blanked out on GOLDIE HAWN and lost the trip to Perugia, Italy. Despite that, Pat asked her hubby Rick to come over and greet her. And this was the lowest known total for an undefeated champion.

MY RATING: 6

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