Hello, again. It is I, @nickskapower. Inspired by @adamrocks05259 and @jliu23232, here is every S41 episode in ten words or less. However, this time, I will do it in the style of @jliu23232 (without whom this style would not be possible) and each date will be colored based on a rating of ABYSMAL, TERRIBLE, BAD, MEDIOCRE, WILD, GOOD, GREAT, or AMAZING. Finally, I will give an overall seasonal rating at the end. And this is going to be a looooooooooooong post, so grab a Coca-Cola (or Pepsi, whichever you prefer. 🤪) and enjoy!
We’ll begin our journey down memory lane w/…
Every S41 Episode in 10 Words or Less
September 11: Pretty eh start…
September 12: Another $50K loss already?!
September 13: Lord, the Wheel was horrific.
September 14: Don’t tell me we’re about to have an instant SKUNKING…
September 15: …and we did.
September 18: Could’ve been better.
September 19: Jason made up for a slow first half.
September 20: Finally, a BR win!
September 21: An unlucky day for grand prize losses…
September 22: Oh, hi, $75K…
September 25: Dining… JAR?
September 26: The maingame was quite rocky.
September 27: Too bad I was sick…
September 28: Not to good of a follow-up episode.
September 29: The BR should have been an EVENT.
October 2: The Triple Tossup Sweep was the only highlight.
October 3: Quite a bit of conservative gameplay.
October 4: Sam and Jenni had the battle.
October 5: And another decent match.
October 6: I really don’t have anything to say.
October 9: Created a duplicate of this episode. Whoopsie!
October 10: Thank goodness for the $6K Final Spin…
October 11: Picking up the TD space? Really?
October 12: What’s w/ that Z call?!
October 13: Tough call, but what a wild night this was.
October 16: Tiffany really cleaned up!
October 17: POISED is a tricky word.
October 18: Not even the BR win could save it.
October 19: What an ugly game this was…
October 20: There were too many duds.
October 23: Long time no see, Halloween Week!
October 24: Better maingame this time.
October 25: What in the Sam Hill was the Wheel’s Problem?!
October 26: I’m hoping for our first 4-1 week…
October 27: …spooky week, but we achieved just that.
October 30: Yet another somewhat scary game.
October 31: Enough with the penalties already!!!
November 1: This one took us on the gamut of emotions.
November 2: At long last, our first BANKRUPT-free episode all season!
November 3: Another tough call.
November 6: Not too exciting of a start to this week…
November 7: Ugh, first prize puzzle trip below $7K…
November 8: Wow, impressive BR solve!
November 9: One of the most random BRs ever.
November 10: Messy gameplay impacted by a horrific loss…
November 13: No penalty spins, but questionable gameplay.
November 14: Liz‘s sharp solves were enjoyable though.
November 15: HANGOUT strikes again…
November 16: Can we win a bigger amount for once?
November 17: YAY, THANKS!!!
November 20: DUDS. That is all.
November 21: That was just dreadful…
November 22: I could easily have given this episode a 0.
November 23: Head-scratcher of an episode.
November 24: Worst week of the season thus far.
November 27: Andy wrote the BR combo line like Bobby McBride.
November 28: The Final Spin made up for the bad maingame.
November 29: SPOILER: No more early feeds this week…
November 30: Definite forced loss material in the BR.
December 1: Enough w/ the abysmal episodes already!!!
December 4: The magical time once again, Secret Santa Sweepstakes…
December 5: Nice $20K+ match!
December 6: Nick‘s EXPRESS crash was hard to watch…
December 7: Okay, BAKED has SIX letters?!
December 8: Well, BAH HUMBUG.
December 11: Not a favorable outcome at all.
December 12: Beware The British Ogre!
December 13: Too wild for me to give a rating or grade.
December 14: Since when is “thumb” a verb?
December 15: It’s a Christmas miracle!
December 18: The Monday losing skid is over, folks!
December 19: Norway, Sweden, AND Finland in the Prize Puzzle trip?!
December 20: Welcome back, Andy!
December 21: Another good match but not a Prize Puzzle concern.
December 22: CARRIAGE PROPOSAL?!
December 25: Jill‘s exchange w/ Pat went viral.
December 26: Finally, a $75K win!
December 27: I hate $0 Prize Puzzle wins.
December 28: QUITE ALIKE is kind of fun to say.
December 29: WAY too many duds in this episode also.
January 1: That Speed-Up was… something.
January 2: Bad first half, good ending.
January 3: R1 was just excruciating…
January 4: Slam DONK.
January 5: What an embarrassing BR loss that was.
January 8: As if last week wasn’t bad enough already…
January 9: How much more BANKRUPT TRASH is there gonna be?!
January 10: Well, at least this episode is SLIGHTLY decent.
January 11: Whoa, an ampersand in the BR?
January 12: Our first car sweep since S28!
January 15: If they use VIVID one more time…
January 16: What in the world did I just recap?!
January 17: The BR made up for lost time.
January 18: Could Tina really only think of MINOR?!
January 19: I’m not surprised that the RHYME TIME puzzle was slammed.
January 22: Just what I needed after the last two weeks…
January 23: I think Micah meant “BLOOD orange slices”.
January 24: I wish Dustin would have won.
January 25: Andy using the sunglasses emoji made me grin.
January 26: “Who jumps at the chance these days?” — Mario Cantone
January 29: Did it have to end w/ a post-buzzer solve?!
January 30: Oh dear lord, not another bad game…
January 31: Only because of the five-figure match.
February 1: Welcome aboard, Justin!
February 2: Here we go, SKUNKED again…
February 5: “The MVPs of our show”.
February 6: The maingame could have been better.
February 7: Two PRs AND a Triple Tossup sweep?!
February 8: Welp, automatic all-female sweep.
February 9: I love Friday Finals in modern episodes.
February 12: Rest in peace, Grandpa…
February 13: Not so romantic of an episode…
February 14: INVESTMENT FIRM has NO CHANCE of fitting.
February 15: Slightly below average.
February 16: Good match to end the week.
February 19: This episode marks Justin’s first-ever recap.
February 20: ANOTHER. PENALTY. FILLED. EPISODE.
Febraury 21: Hats off to Alexis for her comeback win.
February 22: Great, now I wish COLOR BEAR CUBS were real.
February 23: Guess who’s back? 🦨
February 26: That moment when you see “Whitepages” in Andy’s comment.
February 27: I thought the short intro would spell disaster.
February 28: What a way to end a losing streak!
February 29: I have actually heard of the word SHINDIG.
March 1: At least there was a minimum sweep.
March 4: Finally, I get to recap my favorite week!
March 5: Joey cleaned up nicely in the front game!
March 6: Wow, AND back-to-back MDBRs?!
March 7: Now that’s what you call a MAJOR PR!!!
March 8: Four WCs in a row AGAIN?
March 11: And my second favorite week immediately after!
March 12: What a game between Marsha and Dylan!
March 13: Australia is a COUNTRY. OCEANIA is the continent.
March 14: Once again, we needed the $6K Final Spin.
March 15: Now it’s my turn to vacation… 😌
March 18: It’s a bird… it’s a plane… its… SUPER-JERRY!!!
March 19: “Avengers… ASSEMBLE!!” – Jerry Liu, 2024
March 20: I would have loved to recap this episode.
March 21: ‘Sup, Spider-Man?
March 22: Jerry was the real hero by filling in for me.
March 25: A one-letter solve…
March 26: …three $50K losses in a row…
March 27: …and a grand prize win w/ one second left?!
March 28: The maingame was too shaky.
March 29: Thank HEAVENS Emma saved our bacon this week.
April 1: I was afraid Alicia would say DRIED BANANA.
April 2: I’m surprised Andy didn’t give this a 1.
April 3: At least this was an improvement from last night.
April 4: R3 was just EXCRUCIATING.
April 5: Phew, thank the almighty WC.
April 8: What a rotten birthday present for Andy…
April 9: Welcome back, Louise!
April 10: Well… THAT’S never happened in a while.
April 11: Andy’s special week is turning sour again…
April 12: Now that’s better.
April 15: Looks like they’re still on a budget…
April 16: The maingame could’ve been smoother.
April 17: WHOA, now what are the odds of THAT?!
April 18: Who misses a sight word in the BR?
April 19: Fan Friday Word Of The Day: My home country.
April 22: Nice five-figure match with few penalties.
April 23: Things are getting back on track…
April 24: This is A FEEL-GOOD TELEVISION SERIES indeed.
April 25: JP loves all-cash winners.
April 26: This is the pure definition of “Abysmal”.
April 29: The less said about Friday’s EPIC FAIL, the better.
April 30: See you next season, Andy…
May 1: A pretty wild start to May.
May 2: Flat-out lackluster episode.
May 3: “Arr”. I’m weak after that pirate impression! 
May 6: Finally, a THING(S) win.
May 7: Another subpar game.
May 8: FUDDY DUDDY. I cannot.
May 9: A decent improvement.
May 10: The EXPRESS run was the main highlight.
May 13: Pat’s last compilation week…
May 14: A Triple Tossup sweep could’ve made a difference.
May 15: Honestly, there’s not much to write about this season.
May 16: Oops, someone forgot the “OF“…
May 17: “Thanks For The Memories” in the final compilation week?
May 20: Charles recovered nicely from his G repeat.
May 21: Hooray, a jackpot win!
May 22: It’s unimaginably rare to hear this audience booing.
May 23: Right in the butt!!!
May 24: Happy 8,000th, Wheel! Now the countdown commences. Ten…
May 27: …nine…
May 28: …eight…
May 29: …seven…
May 30: …six…
May 31: …five…
June 3: …four…
June 4: …three…
June 5: …two…
June 6: …one…
June 7: …thank you for everything, Pat.
And that, my friends and fellow admins, is every S41 episode reviewed in 10 words or less. Before we get to the stats, some notes about this season, etc., I would like to talk about my TOP 5 and BOTTOM 5 episodes. Do keep in mind that this is based solely on the episodes’ qualities themselves and not all major wins/losses will be factored into the lists. We’ll begin with…
TOP 5
5. May 21
Blake dominated the second half of this episode with a lucrative EXPRESS run, leading to a well-deserved INFINITI win in the BR after last night’s unclaimed prize. A reminder to Susan: Signaling devices are only for Tossup puzzles!
4. March 20
In a thrilling episode, Melinda‘s early MDW win wasn’t enough to secure victory. Berto‘s PP win, a much-needed cruise, ultimately turned the tide in his favor.
The BR was solvable by me with RSTLNE, a familiar pattern for long-time viewers. Luckily, Berto didn’t need any help and walked away with an impressive $100K! His genuine excitement made the win even more enjoyable.
3. May 24
@jliu23232‘s recap of this milestone episode perfectly captured the excitement, despite a few hiccups. Michael‘s infectious enthusiasm and incredible DJ win made it a truly unforgettable celebration!
2. June 6
In a thrilling episode, Hannah dominated the main game with a strategic EXPRESS run, racking up a significant lead. The excitement continued into the BR, where she landed a whopping $75K win, sending confetti and streamers showering down in what could be one of the final celebrations of the Pat Sajak era. To top it all off, viewers were treated to a delightful surprise – no SKUNKING during Pat’s final week!
1. NOVEMBER 17!!!
Despite a few missed puzzles, this episode delivered redemption with the season’s FIRST $100K WIN! Congratulations to V&T on their incredible victory!
But of course, the show is impossible without its bad moments and there were a handful of episodes that made me want to shut off the TV, but we just have no choice but to accept the fact and move on. Because of this, here we go w/ the section of this post we all dread…
BOTTOM 5
5. April 10
Well, this Wheel of Fortune episode was a rollercoaster. I was shocked that HOLLYWOOD stumped all three contestants in R1, but thankfully Laura quickly figured it out and capitalized on the opportunity. Laura continued her winning streak with another impressive solve in R3… AND THEN THE $100K TOTAL TRAINWRECK HAPPENED (FIRST SINCE KAYAKER FROM S35). It was heartbreaking to see her miss out on a guaranteed win by only $150. Those A’s would have been a lifesaver. 😖
4. January 16
After two lackluster episodes, my hopes for the rest of the week were dwindling. James‘ R1 guess of “HOTEL ROOF” after calling “F” was a head-scratcher. Extravagant hotel roofs? Not likely. And “APPLAUDING” just wasn’t going to work — another Triple Stumper? Seriously? Oh, and Jane, why risk another spin? That LaT was painful to watch. I nailed R5 right away just like Angela did and, thanks to a @jpgenius recap, I knew the BR answer with RSTLNE, but alas, perfection wasn’t meant to be.
3. April 2
This episode was a trainwreck from start to finish. R1 ended prematurely, setting a dismal tone. Things worsened in R2 with Sarah‘s devastating LaT, leading to a lackluster house minimum solve by Willie. With abysmal scores entering the Triple Tossup round (which was equally chaotic), disaster was imminent. Ultimately, Lauren‘s forgetfulness about collective nouns sealed the deal, resulting in a season-low $40K loss. The only silver lining? None of the big money wedges were hit.
2. December 1
The first episode in December was a tough one. Despite two players solving puzzles before the BR, the winner, Kristen, only managed to secure a meager $10,250. With no BR win to boost her total, she not only became the lowest-winning contestant of the season but also TIED THE RECORD-LOW WINNING TOTAL SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TRIPLE TOSS-UP FORMAT.
1. APRIL 26.
This episode takes the crown for WORST OF THE SEASON. It gave that chaotic February 8 episode from last season a run for its money. Kate‘s risky R1 spin cost her dearly, and the following rounds were riddled with penalties, including a T repeat by Ellie on the MDW. Kate‘s surprising comeback win after a throwaway guess in the Speed-Up was short-lived, as her BR bankrupt solidified this episode as a true disaster. She’s the EIGHTH PLAYER TO MISS OUT ON THE $100K GRAND PRIZE. What started as a decent week ended on a sour note.
As a bonus, the Wildest Episode Of The Season award goes to…
…
…
…
…OCTOBER 13. Jack dominated the maingame, securing a massive $14K PP trip and hitting the jackpot with five P’s in the Speed-Up round. His impressive performance earned him the FOURTH-HIGHEST MAIN GAME WINNINGS EVER! Unfortunately, the episode also featured the season’s first TRIPLE STUMPER. In the BR, Jack‘s letter choices matched the correct answer, but he couldn’t solve the puzzle, missing out on a substantial prize. This means we didn’t see a minimum sweep this week, and Keri (Tuesday’s contestant that week) avoided becoming the lowest-scoring winner at the time.
Next, I’d like to go over some notes about this season (apart from the season’s changes):
- All five BRs are lost on the week of September 11 (part of a seven-day losing streak), which means we had our first INSTANT SKUNKING since S23.
- Due to Vanna testing positive for COVID-19, Bridgette Donald-Blue (named 2023 Teacher of the Year by the California Teachers Association) filled in for her. This was the first time since 1991 A.D. that Vanna had missed an episode. Jim introduced just Pat, who then introduced Bridgette. The opening chant was done by children. This was the first time since the 2011 A.D. Teen Best Friends week that the normal opening chant was not used (not counting several Halloween episodes where it was lowered in pitch). Due to Vanna’s absence, no sixth episode was taped.
- On October 17, Nadine Cedro added an S to the last word in the R1 Crossword Puzzle FLY FINGERS BEAN NUT (in the category BUTTER____), but was still accepted. The closed captioning also displayed “nuts”. This did not affect the outcome.
- For the first time since 2016 A.D., scary sound effects replaced the BR envelope chime during Halloween Week.
- On October 26, Rhachel Royal-Fortune recited a poem congratulating Pat on his retirement. A clip of this was posted on the show’s social media and included in media articles before the episode aired.
- During the closing and credits on Halloween, Pat, Vanna, Maggie, and Jim handed out candy to various staff members’ children, including Bellamie Blackstone’s daughter. Maggie wore a Wheel-shaped blanket modified as a skirt.
- During the $100K win on November 17, the confetti did not fire. This appeared to have been a malfunction; during the closing segment, Pat jokingly wrote a letter of complaint to the “Johnson Confetti Machine Company”.
- On November 22, when Vanna activated the second Triple Tossup MIAMI BEACH, the second M lit up first instead of the H.
- On November 30, the NMC beeps did not sound in the Speed-Up.
- On December 4, the closed captioning wrote all three contestants’ last names as “[indistinct]”.
- December 7 is only the second known time that two puzzles on the same episode are solved with only one letter showing.
- During R3 on December 28, Pat does not prompt Michael Merritt to use his WC on TD despite earning it only two turns prior. This affects the outcome, as he later solves the puzzle, loses the card to BANKRUPT in R4, then finishes in second place.
- In R1, Carla Antonino picks up the WC before calling a letter. Pat instructs her to put it back, after which she calls an incorrect letter. When the card ends up being hit by Tiffiney Lee on the next turn, Pat walks over and readjusts the card before she calls her letter, which is in the puzzle.
- Pat and Vanna celebrated Maggie’s birthday with a cupcake from Vanna and a $5 bill from Pat.
- For the first time since 4/17/2009 A.D., an ampersand appears in the BR (BAGELS & DOUGHNUTS).
- NFL Superfan Tournament Week was the first NFL week played since January 2006 A.D..
- Not one, but two same-sex couples competed during Sweethearts Week.
- From March 5-8, four contestants in a row took the WC to the BR, and the first two of those contestants also took the MDW.
- As an April Fools’ Day prank, Jared Leto walked out with Vanna instead of Pat, and introduced the $1K Tossup.
- On April 23, the camera cut away too soon during the $1K Tossup, showing a brief shot of Vanna getting in place at the puzzle board before the wipe appears. Vanna was shown on-camera during the contestant interviews, due to Laura Trombino saying that she met Pat and Vanna shooting promos while on her honeymoon. Mikeya Bates‘ microphone shorted out when the R’s were revealed in R2. As a result, there was about a five-minute pause in recording before her microphone was fixed and the reveal of the R’s was re-shot. During the pause, stage manager Jimmy McGuire told Pat “the R’s have been populated” when explaining the situation, and Pat referenced this comment by saying “let’s get the O’s populated there” later in the round. After R2, there was a bumper where a partially-revealed puzzle themed to travel is shown (similar to the Puzzler), with Jim saying via voiceover, “Can you solve this special Holland America Line puzzle?”
- After Alex Harrell wins the Prize in R2, Pat began to throw to Jim before realizing he has already read the copy, at which point Jim was shown on-camera a second time. A clip of this uploaded to Facebook edited out Pat’s mistake and Jim’s subsequent comment by splicing in the Prize copy afterward.
- During the closing chat on April 30, Pat and Vanna drank margaritas made with the Margaritaville Portable Frozen Margarita Maker. The segment was re-shot due to Pat getting salt on his lips and tripping over his words on the first take.
- The audience booed the Bonus Puzzle QUIBBLING after Paul Dodson fails to solve it.
- On May 23, Tavaris Williams guessed RIGHT IN THE BUTT! on the $1K Tossup THIS IS THE BEST!, a moment which goes viral.
- On May 28, Brian Davis spun a BANKRUPT during Final Spin.
That’s all I have for now. If anyone has any more notes about this season, please feel free to let me know in the comments.
Portions of the materials used in this segment are trademarks and/or copyrighted works of the Wheel of Fortune History Wiki. This material is not official and is not endorsed by the Wheel of Fortune History Wiki. All rights reserved by the Wheel of Fortune History Wiki.
And now, let’s take a look at the stats:
As you can see, approximately 3/8 of the episodes were Mediocre and there were almost twice as many bad episodes as there were good. There were only five episodes under the Amazing rank, two of which contained $100K wins. This season was also almost a carbon copy of the awful S35 and S36.
In spite of this, however, I will say that this was a MEDIOCRE season. I was this close to giving it a BAD (and for a while, that seemed to be the final seasonal rating). The early portion of the season may have been lackluster for the most part and I gave a rating of 0 on the bottom three episodes this season in my humble opinion, but everything near the end of the season (as well as the Pat Sajak era) made for some great television.
SEASONAL RATING: 5.5
SEASONAL GRADE: E
In closing, my dear friends and esteemed fellow admins, as we bid adieu to Pat’s final season, let us reflect on the journey we’ve shared and the remarkable evolution of the show. With Alex Van Wagner taking the helm as director, we anticipate exciting new chapters ahead.
Season after season, we’ve witnessed changes, and this one is no exception. From adjustments to the Bonus Wheel to the return of the studio audience, each modification has added a fresh layer to the iconic game show experience. As we embrace these shifts, let us cherish the memories we’ve created together.
I extend heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication and support. Special thanks to @jliu23232 for his invaluable contributions, stepping in seamlessly during pivotal moments. Your commitment has been the cornerstone of our success.
As we look back on Pat’s illustrious tenure spanning 43 remarkable years, let us honor his legacy with fond memories and deep appreciation. Though he bids farewell as host, his influence will endure as he continues to guide the show in his role as consultant.
As we eagerly anticipate Ryan Seacrest’s stewardship in the upcoming season, let us remain open to the possibilities it holds. What are your reflections on Pat’s final season, and what do you envision for S42? Share your thoughts, for it is through our collective insight that we shape the future of this beloved show.
In closing, I extend warm wishes for an unforgettable summer ahead. Let us embark on this new chapter with optimism, unity, and the enduring spirit of Wheel of Fortune. Again, on behalf of myself, @jliu23232, @jpgenius, @jbeaugard01, and especially @andynwof as the big cheese of this website himself, thank you, Pat, for a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Scene: A group of friends (Jerry, JP, Justin, Nick, Danny, Antwan, Corey, Malek) and the mascot, Friendship Feed, are gathered at a cliffside, watching the sunset. A television nearby plays the final episode of Pat Sajak hosting Wheel of Fortune.
[Background sound of waves crashing]
Jerry: (Sighs) Man, this isn’t the same without Pat. Wheel of Fortune just won’t be the same.
JP: You’re telling me. Feels like the end of an era.
Nick: (Nods) Definitely. Though hey, gotta give a big welcome to the new guy!
Justin: (Smiling) Thanks, Nick! Happy to be here.
Danny: Speaking of new beginnings, Nick had an interesting idea for next season…
Nick: (Looks at Corey) How about Corey becomes the first-ever female admin?
Corey: (Surprised) Oh wow, Nick! Thanks! I… I don’t know what to say.
Antwan: You deserve it, Corey. Great call, Nick.
Malek: Absolutely!
[Suddenly, Jerry points excitedly]
Jerry: Hey! Guys, look behind you!
(Everyone turns around)
All (except Andy): Andy!
Andy: (Grinning, holding a suitcase) Hey everyone! Back from vacation!
Nick: (Pulls out his guitar) Welcome back, man! Perfect timing. How about we sing our usual ending song, make it extra special for Pat’s last hurrah?
Danny: Great idea!
JP: Sounds good!
Nick: ♫♫ Hey, this was really fun! ♫
Jerry: ♫ We hope you liked it too! ♫
Andy: ♫ Seems like we’ve just begun ♫
Andy, Jerry, and Nick: ♫ When suddenly, we’re through… ♫
Andy: ♫ Goodbye, goodbye, dear Pat Sajak ♫
Andy, Jerry and Nick: ♫ ‘Cause now it’s time to go ♫
Nick: ♫ But hey, I say, well, that’s okay ♫
Jerry: ♫ ‘Cause we’ll see you very soon, I know! ♫
Andy: ♫ Very soon, I know! ♫
JP: ♫ Oh, when Pat Sajak goes away ♫
Justin: ♫ It’s kind of sad, but then ♫
Danny: ♫ So sad, but then ♫
Antwan: ♫ It’s nice to know ♫
Corey: ♫ It won’t be long ♫
Malek: ♫ ‘Til we get to see the new host Ryan! ♫
Friendship Feed: ♫ The new host Ryan! ♫
(key changes from A to C)
All: ♫ Goodbye, goodbye, good friends, goodbye ♫
Andy, Jerry, JP, Justin, and Nick: ♫ Next season will be grand, we pray! ♫
Danny, Antwan, Corey, Malek, and Friendship Feed: (♫ Goodbye, we pray! ♫)
All: ♫ The hosts, the Wheel, and the studio will be waiting for you to come and play! To come and play! To come and play! ♫♫
All (spoken): Bye now!
(I end the song before performing one last quick strum of the C chord and quickly muting my guitar before everybody compliments and applauds each other’s performances.)
And then, Pat Sajak took his final bow… or did he?
WHEEL of FORTUNE with Andy Nguyen 