WoF Recap: April 9, 2013

EPISODE #5802: ISLAND HOPPING

Repeat Clip (Family Week Feb. 12, 2001 in Hawaii): Edward forgetting the noise he just made prompting Pat to say “Good night, everybody; thank you for coming!”

$1K Toss-Up: THINGS

_ _ K I
_ _ R C _ _ S

Jeff solves TIKI TORCHES. Playing tonight…

Jeff Ragland: Dept. of Transportation highway technician, married to Erin w/ two children from Chillicothe, OH

Cheryl Jozefiak: HR worker for a vacation company who’s married and likes to travel, cook, and read from Del Ray Beach, FL (orig. from MA)

Wendy Lawrenson: special needs trust co. accounting manager who wants to win enough to buy a motorcycle and is a mom of three kids from Highlands Ranch, CO

$2K Toss-Up: THE 70’S

_ _ _ / B _ _ D Y
_ _ _ _ _

Jeff’s two for two w/ “THE BRADY BUNCH”.

FEATURED ISLAND GETAWAY: MarineMax boating trip to the British Virgin Islands worth $8,199
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Maui Jim

Jackpot Round: SHOW BIZ

He immediately strikes out w/ S while on $2,500. Second, Cheryl BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s left side. Third, Wendy gets herself going w/ a $650 N and three E’s but then the BANKRUPT near top dollar to lose the $400 remainder. Jeff’s able to cash in on top dollar this time courtesy of twin T’s, but next is a bad purchase in A. On her second turn, Cheryl tries three R’s for $900 and four O’s, but she hits the other normal BANKRUPT to give back $650. Wendy and Jeff then BANKRUPT back-to-back near $2,500 (the man loses $4,750), so we quickly come back to Cheryl. She puts up two C’s while on Jackpot…

_ R E E / O _ T _ O O R
C O N C E R T

…and solves FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT for $12,450 (including an $11,450 pot)! That was an ugly round but it ended very nicely!

DUDS (both by Jeff): S, A
BANKRUPTS: 5 (twice by each lady)

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Cheryl starts w/ T for terrible. Second for Wendy are an $800 S and N for nothing. Third, Jeff tacks on two L’s for $1,800 and a single E, but here comes the BANKRUPT near $3,500. Everybody has two of ’em so far tonight. Cheryl next calls two R’s and goes for what’s behind the MW next to the MDW…$$$. Following that are an A via FP, a $3,500 P, but then a bad vowel of I to squander $13,250. Afterwards are a $600 C and a $1K M courtesy of Wendy…

M _ R P _ _ ‘ S
L A _
C L E R _

She’s won her first $2,400 w/ MURPHY’S LAW CLERK.

DUDS: T (Cheryl), N (Wendy), I (Cheryl)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jeff

Cheryl: $12,450/Wendy: $2,400/Jeff: $3K

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Oct. 1, 1999): THING

This pair of family members playing at Universal Studios in Orlando (Sandra & Dave) called for HCMA…

_ E E _ N _ _ H T S

…but they couldn’t recall that this show airs on WEEKNIGHTS.

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Prize Puzzle Round: FOOD & DRINK

Wendy’s first moves are two $600 N’s and the LaT. Secondly, Jeff collects an $800 T, a $1,400 pair of S’s and all of the available vowels (five E’s, A, three I’s, two O’s on FP). After that are three P’s for $2,100, but then the BANKRUPT near $650 to toss away $3,550; that’s his third one tonight. As for Cheryl…

_ E _ _ E S _ I N _
P I N E A P P _ E
S _ O O T _ I E

…she will have a REFRESHING PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE during her Hotwire.com stay at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in MAUI worth $6,034.

SOLE LaT: Wendy
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jeff

Cheryl: $18,484 cash and HI/Wendy: $2,400/Jeff: $3K

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$3K Toss-Up: IN THE KITCHEN

_ O _ _ B O O K
_ _ A _ D

Wendy totally blows it w/ COOKBOARD.

_ O O _ B O O K
_ T A _ D

Jeff sweeps the Toss-Ups w/ COOKBOOK STAND.

Round 4: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

After Jeff does a little work (three $300 S’s, $500 N, three I’s, a $5K G), we go into Speed-Up Mode…

S I _ _ I N G
S I _ _ S _ _ _ _ _

…w/ a $1,300 Final Spin (Jeff just lost his nametag, BTW).

Jeff: L
Cheryl: R
Wendy: 2 T’s
Jeff: 3 D’s

S I T T I N G
S I D _ S _ D D L _

Jeff’s SITTING SIDESADDLE for $11,350.

SOLE DUD (after Final Spin): R (Cheryl)

FINAL SCORES
Cheryl: $18,484 cash and HI/Wendy: $2,400/Jeff: $17,350

GT: $38,234
BANKRUPT TRASH: $10,900

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$100K Bonus Round

The name of Cheryl’s husband is Alan; she lands on the E of AMERICA’S.

Category: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

There are some possibilities for this one-word puzzle…

_ _ N _ _ N _

Guess what she gets from GPHI…

_ _ N _ I N G

…just the obvious stuff and she’s wrong w/ BONDING (that’s what I would’ve thought) and FINDING. Like Tameka from last night, she won’t be BANKING the $45K.

$5K SPIN ID: GB0810048

MY RATING: 5

WoF Recap: April 8, 2013 — My 26th Birthday!

As I celebrate my 26th birthday today, we’re going “Island Hopping” all week long.

EPISODE #5801: ISLAND HOPPING

Opening Flashback Clip (2011): At a Sandals resort, Vanna makes a sleeping Pat fall off a sofa into the water.

Dalmatian Location on the Set: under a hut

$1K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

B A H _ _ A
M _ _ _

Debbie gets BAHAMA MAMA, and let’s talk to our first panel this week…

Debbie Pizzulo: VP of accounts receivable for 34 skilled nursing facilities married to Tony w/ two sons and two daughters-in-law from Coral Springs, FL

Tameka Thomas: Air Force program manager and soccer mom married to Darren w/ four children from Dayton, OH

Austin Arcenaeux: policy analyst for a state Senator who got his Master’s (Political Science) from Texas State Univ. and likes to play basketball, video games, and paintball from San Marcos, TX

$2K Toss-Up: PLACE

B _ _ C H _ R
S H O P

Tameka will spin first after solving BUTCHER SHOP.

FEATURED ISLAND GETAWAY: Greece from g adventures worth $8,856
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: h2o+
THIS WEEK’S 1/2 CAR: smart car

Jackpot Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? (hula girl statue)

Her first picks are three $900 N’s, four I’s, two $300 G’s, three A’s, a $350 T, and three $450 S’s. She thought of solving at this point, but she decides to go on. She next gets the h2o+ gift tag w/ two L’s, gets the Greece trip w/ the P, and buys two E’s (she forgot to pick up the wedge after buying the E). Now she decides to solve…

L E A _ I N G
A / L A S T I N G
I _ P _ E S S I _ N

She’s LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION for $6,750 cash and skin care plus the Greek trip worth a total of $15,606 that round — PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8K

Mystery Round: FOOD & DRINK

Austin picks up the WC right away w/ a T. He follows up w/ a $550 R, six E’s, but then a dud vowel of A. After that, it’s all Debbie — six $500 S’s, two I’s and O to finish off the vowels, a $400 D, and four $500 N’s.

_ O N E _ E S S
S _ I N _ E S S
_ _ I _ _ E N
T E N D E R S

She eats up some BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN TENDERS for $4,900.

SOLE DUD: A (Austin)

Austin: WC/Debbie: $5,900/Tameka: $17,606 cash and prizes

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Oct. 21, 1988): THING

Myrna had this to work w/ after calling CDPA…

_ _ N _ E R
P A _ N T _ N _

…but she didn’t solve FINGER PAINTING.

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Prize Puzzle Round: MOVIE QUOTE

Debbie does most of the work here — two $900 S’s, buys of four A’s, three I’s, and six E’s, a $300 V, the last vowel of four O’s, three $600 T’s, but then D for dud. Tameka then goes for her second trip…

T O T O / I ‘ V E / A
_ E E _ I _ _ / _ E ‘ _ E
_ O T / I _ / _ A _ S A S
A _ _ _ O _ E

She correctly recites “TOTO, I’VE A FEELING WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE” (from “The Wizard of Oz” and not “Rambo 2”, Pat!) for a $6,400 Hotwire trip to the Renaissance ST. CROIX Carambola Beach Resort & Spa.

SOLE DUD: D (Debbie)

Austin: WC/Debbie: $5,900/Tameka: $24,006 cash and prizes

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$3K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

_ E _ E V I _ I O N
S T U _ I _

Debbie knows that she paid a visit to a TELEVISION STUDIO, so up to $8,900 she goes.

Round 4: PHRASE

Two $500 T’s get her started followed by all the valid vowels of this puzzle (three A’s, three E’s, and an O), but then S for sorry. Second, Tameka hits the roadblock in R. Third, Austin takes two N’s while on a $500 space and uses the WC on the advice of Pat (still a bad move even if it’s late in the game, IMO) to get $1K more from two M’s. Board right now…

M A _ E / A
M E N T A _ / N O T E

He will MAKE A MENTAL NOTE that he finally got on the board w/ $2K.

DUDS: S (Debbie), R (Tameka)

Austin: $2K/Debbie: $8,900/Tameka: $24,006 cash and prizes

Round 5: THINGS

Tameka’s first three spins all land on $500 — S, two T’s, two N’s. In between these consonant picks are A and two E’s. But after a $1,200 pair of T’s, it’s S-U time…

_ _ S T E _ _ / A N D
_ N T _ _ _ _ E

…and the leftover consonants are worth $1,500 each (there was a BANKRUPT edited out).

Tameka: 2 R’s
Austin: M
Debbie: G

M _ S T E R _ / A N D
_ N T R _ G _ E

There’s no MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE that Debbie won another $1,500.

FINAL SCORES
Austin: $2K/Debbie: $10,400/Tameka: $24,006 cash and prizes

GT: $36,406
PENALTY SPACE FREE EPISODE!

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$100K Bonus Round

The ’13 maZDa MX-5 Miata is back in play for this week. Tameka brought along her cousin and two of her friends, then she lands on the &.

Category: PHRASE

Light up some letters, Vanna…

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

CDPA doesn’t add too much…

_ _ _ _ L _
P R _ _ _ T A _ L E

…and she loses the $45K in what could’ve been a HIGHLY PROFITABLE round.

$5K SPIN ID: PG03379

MY RATING: 6

Week 29 Stats

Total this Week: $267,889
Total for the Season: $7,357,512 
BR Win Record: 59-86 (.407)   
Total Car Wins: 30
-1/2 Car: 13
-BR Car: 17  
$100,000 Wins-Losses: 4-3 
$1M Bonus Rounds: 6      
Perfect BR Weeks: 0      
BR SHUTOUTS: 3       
Prize Wedge Wins: 30 
Gift Tag Wins: 41      
Jackpot Wins: 9       
Mystery Wedge Wins: 11  
Found Mystery $10K-Bankrupt: 28-23  
Mystery $10K was on $700: 36  
Mystery $10K was on $300: 29  
Mystery was Flipped-Declined: 51-13  
Wild Card Usages
Maingame: 7 (1 on $900, 2 on $2500, 4 on $3500)
BR: 15 
FP Vowels/Consonants/Solves: 85/39/0 
5-Round Games: 33 
6-Round Games: 3  
$6,000 FINAL SPINS: 13  
Gooseegg Victims: 29 
Red Winners: 52 
Yellow Winners: 50  
Blue Winners: 43  
This Week’s Bankrupt Trash: $45,380*
Total Bankrupt Trash for the Season: $724,477*
Biggest Bankrupts: $27,100 (Sept. 24); $16,420 (Feb. 11); $15,960* (Dec. 3)
Season-Worst Bankrupt Trashes for One Night: $40,100* (Sept. 24); $28,200* (Nov. 16); $22,750* (Jan. 21)
Highest-Winning Totals: $147,000 (Dec. 28), $137,250 (Nov. 21), $129,600 (Oct. 17)      
Lowest-Winning Totals: $9,100 (Mar. 20), $9,550 (Jan. 22), $10,100 (Dec. 10)
Highest Maingame Winnings: $74,772 (Dec. 28); $72,300 (Dec. 21); $58,580 (Dec. 13)
Lowest Maingame Winnings: $15,350 (Oct. 4); $17,450 (Mar. 14), $17,964 (Nov. 6)
Season-High Week: $377,702 (Week #15: Happy Holidays)
Season-Low Week: $151,104 (Week #6: Teachers Week)

WoF Recap: April 5, 2013

EPISODE #5800: SPRING BREAK

Opening Clip (Feb. 5, 2001 during College Week in D.C.): A contestant nmed James solves GOPHER despite striking out w/ CDMA; that prompted Mr. Sajak to do a “Pat down” (the think music was retained but the BR win cue was dubbed over by the post-BR win grand total reveal cue).

$1K Toss-Up: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

_ E A _ I _ _
_ L I _ – F L _ P S

Erica’s WEARING FLIP-FLOPS, but it’s Dan who gets on the scoreboard first. Time to meet the two men and sole lady competing tonight…

Dan Baer: academic dean at Southeastern Free Will Baptist College and ventriloquist married to Debbie for 38 years with four children and seven grandchildren from Wendell, NC

Erica Pridey: church communications worker and new aunt who thinks she’s a TV/movie nerd from Ft. Collins, CO

Tommy Pirchio: law firm case manager married to Erica with a son, met the Dalai Lama three times from D.C.

$2K Toss-Up: THING

_ _ _ B I N _ T I _ N
L _ C _

Erica solves COMBINATION LOCK.

FEATURED SB VACATION: Bienville House in New Orleans w/ hotwire.com travel worth $5K

Jackpot Round: TV QUOTE

She leads off w/ two $600 T’s, and three E’s, but she and Tommy LaT out back-to-back. Third, Dan picks up the New Orleans trip w/ an H, after which he says two A’s, two $450 N’s, one O, and $500 L and S singles, but he too gets LaT. Erica next fills in two F’s for $1,800…

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

…and solves “SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER” for $2,750.

LaTs: 3 (entire panel)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,450

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Tommy picks up the MDW right away w/ two T’s, but then says N for nothing. Second, Dan BANKRUPTs next to $650. Third, Erica calls for two $300 R’s, four E’s, three $550 S’s and two I’s, but then gets the same BANKRUPT to lose the $1,750 remainder. It also nails Tommy and takes away his MDW. Dan then lights up the $800 P, two $500 L’s, and four O’s…

P R I _ E L E S S
_ E I R L O O _
T O _ _ T O E S

…he solves PRICELESS HEIRLOOM TOMATOES for $1,550.

SOLE DUD: N (Tommy)
BANKRUPTS: 3 (entire panel)

Tommy: NIL/Dan: $2,550/Erica: $4,750

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (16th Season Premiere Week from Pittsburgh, Sept. 11, 1998): THING

CMDI should be enough to solve this one…

_ _ R M _ N I C _

…but this family duo (Wally & Wendy Wrona) failed miserably in solving HARMONICA.

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Prize Puzzle Round: PHRASE

First, Dan has that WC w/ three T’s and spends some of his $1,500 for two E’s and four A’s. Next up are a $900 R, two $500 N’s, but then L for loss while on top dollar. Second, Erica claims the 1/2 CAR near $900 w/ two S’s, buys a U and declines her smart car opportunity for a look at…

S A T _ S _ A _ T _ _ N
_ U A R A N T E E _

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED for this lady — she’s won $750 plus a $5,754 bookit.com trip to the Blue Waters Hotel & Resort in ANTIGUA.

SOLE DUD: L (Dan)

Tommy: NADA/Dan: $2,550/Erica: $12,054 cash & Antigua

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$3K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

M O _ _ _ _
_ R E _ _ A N

Dan IDs MORGAN FREEMAN for a new total of $5,550.

Speed-Up: PEOPLE

Consonants are worth $1,800 apiece.

Dan: 3 T’s
Erica: 2 S’s
Tommy: H
Dan: N (DUD)
Erica: Y
Tommy: 2 L’s

_ _ _ S T S / _ T / T H _
_ _ Y _ L / _ _ L _ _ _

The GUESTS AT THE ROYAL PALACE will be pleased that Tommy avoided being the latest gooseegg victim for his only $5,400 on the night.

SOLE DUD: N (Dan)

FINAL SCORES
Tommy: $5,400/Dan: $5,550/Erica: $12,054 cash & Antigua

GT: $23,004
BANKRUPT TRASH (MDW excluded): $1,750

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$100K Bonus Round

In Erica’s cheering section are her mother Kindra, aunt (Shelly?), and cousin (name?). The last stopping point for the week is the R of AMERICA’S.

Category: THING

Once again, two letters to start…

S _ _ _ _ N _
_ _ _ _

DMPI doesn’t do much…

S _ _ _ I N _
_ _ _ M

…and she’s way off thinking it’s some kind of TEAM. She doesn’t know that I use SHAVING FOAM to clear away the small hairs on my face and she loses the $50K.

$5K SPIN ID: JL8785503

MY RATING: 4 (originally a 5)

WoF Recap: April 4, 2013

EPISODE #5799: SPRING BREAK

Encore Clip (Oct. 20, 1998): The hosts eat candy and show off their red tongues

$1K Toss-Up: PERSON

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

I don’t know if Jessica is a STRONG SWIMMER, but she’s on the board first among this panel…

Jessica Eby: UCLA law student married to Fabricio from L.A. who likes outdoor adventure sports (originally from Cheverly, MD)

Brian Portman: auto-body repair shop controller who also says that he’s a gambler from Knoxville, TN

Dana Conway: process engineer at a major medical manufacturing facility and mother of a 13-yr.- old son named Noah from Newark, DE

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

S W _ _ _ S / A _ D
T R E A _ _

Jessica’s two for two w/ SWEETS AND TREATS.

FEATURED TRIP: Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats ride on Crane Lake in MN worth $6,327

Jackpot Round: THE 70’s

First from Jessica are four $400 S’s, four E’s, but then the LaT. Second, Brian takes two $550 R’s but then the sole dud vowel of A. Third, Dana calls for two $800 T’s and a couple I’s, but then BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s left side to lose the $1,350 remainder. Jessica then fills in two L’s ($350 each) and U’s…

_ _ L _ E S T E R
L E I S U R E
S U I T S

…and solves POLYESTER LEISURE SUITS for another $1,800.

SOLE DUD: A (Brian)
SOLE LaT: Jessica
SOLE BANKRUPT: Dana
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,100

Mystery Round: SAME NAME

Brian immediately picks up the 1/2 CAR next to $900 w/ three N’s, buys an A, and gets the other 1/2 CAR w/ the obvious D. But after buying three E’s, the same MDW BANKRUPT comes by to take away $1,500 and the smart car; ouch. Dana doesn’t do any better w/ the LaT. Third, Jessica uncovers L ($300) and O singles, but then says R for roadblock while on the ebags.com gift tag. Trying to recover from that car loss, Brian selects two $450 S’s, the remaining four I’s, a $550 G and two C’s while on the MW next to LaT. You bet he’s gonna gamble $1,200…the $10K is there…

_ I S _ I N G / A N D
_ O E _ I C
L I C E N S E

…and he’s right w/ FISHING AND POETIC LICENSE for $11,200.

SOLE DUD: R (Jessica)
SOLE LaT: Dana
SOLE BANKRUPT: Brian

Jessica: $4,800/Brian: $11,200/Dana: ZIP

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Dec. 29, 1992): EVENT

Remember Kelly Vaught from back then? Here, he chose CDMI and had this to work w/…

_ _ C T I _ N

…but he didn’t get AUCTION and lost a $20K+ Pontiac Trans Sport.

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Prize Puzzle Round: TITLE (it’s a short one)

Dana strikes out right away w/ the R. Second, Jessica LaTs out. Third, Brian chooses two $300 N’s, buys four A’s, lights up a $700 L, and says E for error. After Dana misses again w/ T…

_ A N / _ _
L A / _ A N _ _ A

…Jessica solves the musical “MAN OF LA MANCHA” for this hotwire.com vacation — a $6,300 Brendan Worldwide Vacatios TOUR OF SPAIN.

DUDS: R (Dana), E (Brian), T (Dana)
SOLE LaT: Jessica

Jessica: $11,100 cash & Spain/Brian: $11,200/Dana: ZILCH

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$3K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

_ A T _ _ _ A Y
M _ T _ N _ E

Brian gets SATURDAY MATINEE to move to $14,200.

Round 4: PHRASE

Brian does some work (three $350 N’s, three I’s, A, $450 C, three E’s, $400 T) only to lose his turn w/ the P (I thought the third word was gonna be KEEP). After that, Dana fills in three singles ($550 M, $700 F, $900 B)…

I / C A N / F E E _ / I T
I N / M _ / B _ N E _

She says “I CAN FEEL IT IN MY BONES” for her first $2,150.

SOLE DUD: P (Brian)

Jessica: $11,100 cash & Spain/Brian: $14,200/Dana: $2,150

Speed-Up: THING

Consonants are worth $1,700 each.

Dana: 2 T’s
Jessica: S (DUD)
Brian: R
Dana: N (DUD)
Jessica: L
Brian: D
Dana: P (DUD)
Jessica: 2 M’s

L _ M _ T _ D – T _ M _
_ _ _ _ R

Jessica accepts this LIMITED-TIME OFFER for $5,100 and the win.

DUDS: S (Jessica), N (Dana), P (Dana)

FINAL SCORES
Jessica: $16,200 cash & Spain/Brian: $14,200/Dana: $2,150

GT: $32,550
BANKRUPT TRASH: $17,180 cash and smart car

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$100K Bonus Round

Fabricio the hubby and a friend of Jessica’s named Jen is in attendance; here comes the ol’ W for this player.

Category: FOOD & DRINK

Not much in this one…

_ E _ _ _ E
_ _ _ _ _

DHC aren’t there, but maybe the I’s will save her…

_ E _ _ I E
_ I _ _ _

…she doesn’t have much of anything, so she won’t be ordering a VEGGIE PIZZA w/ the extra $30K.

$5K SPIN ID: PC1060660

MY RATING: 5

WoF Recap: April 3, 2013

Let’s see how much damage tonight’s players can do after Jeff from last night became the fourth $100K winner of the season.

EPISODE #5798: SPRING BREAK

Opening Flashback Clip (Sept. 25, 2000): Maggie and Patrick act as the hosts at the end of this episode.

$K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

P A _ _ / S P R I N _ S
_ _ _ I _ _ _ _ _ A

Grace solves PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA. Here they are…

Grace Park: Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo grad student studying education and an aspiring counselor from San Luis Obispo

Stacey St. John: online marketing specialist and barbershop quartet singer (Sweet Adelines International) married to Chad for 18 yrs. w/ two boys from Liberty Twp., OH

Mike Lee: nonprofit worker (Home Life) who volunteers for six organizations from Corvallis, OR

(NOTE: On this week’s shows, their Dalmatian is sitting near a white beach chair and a pair of surfboards.)

$2K Toss-Up: PERSON

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

Mike isn’t gonna be MY NEW BEST FRIEND, but he’ll be spinning first.

SB VACATION: Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek w/ $1K UndercoverTourist.com credit worth $6K (this resort is celebrating Florida’s 500th anniversary)

Jackpot Round: THE 80’s

He’s up first w/ two S’s for the WC but then T for terrible. Second, Grace picks up the 1/2 CAR near $900 w/ three R’s, buys an I, but then craps out w/ C. Third, Stacey also misses w/ N. Mike next picks up the MDW w/ triple F’s…

F _ R R I S
_ _ _ _ _ _ R ‘ S
_ _ _ / _ F F

…and quickly solves FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF for the house minimum and that sparkly piece of cardboard. You could’ve gone for the L’s, sir…

DUDS: T (Mike), C (Grace), N (Stacey)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,300

Mystery Round: FOOD & DRINK

Grace’s first choices are two S’s for $1,200, five R’s for that Orlando trip, four A’s, and two $800 T’s before we see…

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

…she blows the solve w/ BRATWURSTS AND SAUERKRAUT; that could very well cost her $11,050 cash and Florida. After that bad moment, Stacey inserts two N’s and F’s ($500 and $400, respectively)…

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

…and makes the $1,800 solve of FRANKFURTERS AND SAUERKRAUT.

SOLE DQ: Grace’s blown solve

Mike: $3K WC MDW/Grace: $1K/Stacey: $1,800

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Jan. 14, 1999): PHRASE

MDGA gave this woman named Suzette…

T _ _ M _ S / _ _

We don’t give her the THUMBS UP for not solving this one. However, it was solved for $25K on Nov. 5, 2008 (start of their Hawaii road trip).

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Prize Puzzle Round: SAME LETTER (Pat doesn’t say immediately that this is a PP)

Stacey starts w/ twin E’s via FP, three $700 S’s, three A’s, two FP O’s, but then the sole dud vowel of I. Second, Mike gets the same 1/2 CAR w/ a T, a $500 H, two U’s, and the SL of four $900 F’s, but the BANKRUPT near $650 burns up all three of his cardboard pieces along w/ $4,350. Third, Grace falls victim to the other normal BANKRUPT. Stacey then picks off four $650 R’s…

F A _ U _ O U S
F R A _ R A _ T
F R E S H
F _ O _ E R S

…and solves this puzzle for $4,200 plus a hotwire.com trip to where she might look at FABULOUS, FRAGRANT FRESH FLOWERS — the Divi Carina Bay Resort in ST. CROIX worth $7,980.

SOLE DUD: I (Stacey)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (oppoents)

Mike: $3K/Grace: $1K/Stacey: $13,980 cash and St. Croix

---

$3K Toss-Up: THING

S T A T U S
S _ M B _ _

Grace gets STATUS SYMBOL to climb up to $4K.

Round 4: PHRASE

But she insta-duds w/ T. Second, Stacey selects a $300 S, three $350 N’s, A and E singles, two $300 R’s, O, three $500 L’s, and the last vowel of three I’s. She goes one more time…and barely stays on $5K for the G.

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

She’s FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS for another $7,450.

SOLE DUD: T (Grace)

Mike: $3K/Grace: $4K/Stacey: $21,430 cash and St. Croix

Speed-Up: LIVING THING

Consonants are worth $6K apiece!

Stacey: T (DUD)
Mike: 2 S’s
Grace: R
Stacey: N
NULL CYCLE
Mike: 2 I’s
Grace: G (DUD)
Stacey: D (DUD)
Mike: E
Grace: O (DUD)
Stacey: A

S I _ E R I A N
_ _ S _ _

Stacey seals the deal w/ SIBERIAN HUSKY for another $6K.

AIRED DUDS: T (Stacey), G (Grace), D (Stacey), O (Grace)

FINAL SCORES
Mike: $3K/Grace: $4K/Stacey: $27,430 cash and trip

GT: $34,430
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding cardboard): $4,350

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$100K Bonus Round

Stacey brought along a friend named Christa; the Bonus Wheel stops on the I of WIN.

Category: THINGS

These are what you see in many museums…

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

She’s frontloading the alphabet (DBCA in that order)…

D _ S _ L A _ S / A N D
E _ _ _ B _ T S

…but she blows the last word w/ ELBOWS. The answer was DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITS and she doesn’t win the $30K.

$5K SPIN ID #133: PH4582620

MY RATING: 6

WoF Recap: April 2, 2013

EPISODE #5797: SPRING BREAK

Repeat Clip (Nov. 21, 1996): Pat and Vanna trade places in the BR segment since he had a sore throat (the puzzle solve cue back then wasn’t dubbed over).

$1K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ _ _ T
L _ U _ E _ D A L E

Jeff locates the Florida city of FORT LAUDERDALE. Tuesday’s players…

Jeff Ellingson: photographer/actor who traveled around the world and used to be a drummer from L.A. (orig. from Fargo, ND)

Heidi Wyrosdick: lab technician at the Univ. of Tennessee vet school and local restaurant waitress from Knoxville, TN; she and husband Brian (they have a 4-yr.-old daughter) got engaged at a dive show w/ a stingray and shark tank since she used to work an aquarium

Katrell Gray: homemaker married to Travis, has twin daughters and a son from Alexandria, KY

$2K Toss-Up: THE 90’s

_ H E / _ I L E N C _
O _ / T H E / _ A M B S

Jeff’s two for two w/ “THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS”.

SB VACATION: Marcel’s Creative Exchange Boutique Hotel in Amsterdam w/ BedandBreakfast.com airfare worth $7,500
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: eBags

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

He strikes out right away w/ S while on top dollar. Second, Heidi also misses w/ R. Third, Katrell takes a $650 T, four A’s and two N’s for the 1/2 CAR near $900, but after her next purchase of twin E’s is D for dud. Jeff next digs up a $550 C, an H for the ebags.com gift tag, a single I, three $600 B’s, the last vowel of O, and a $900 G. We have…

I N _ _ A T A B _ E
B E A C H
B A _ _
G O _ N

I doubt that ladies would want to buy an INFLATABLE BEACH BALL GOWN, but he solves for $4,250 cash and gift tag.

DUDS: S (Jeff), R (Heidi), D (Katrell)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,500

Mystery Round: PHRASE

Heidi gets off to a bad start w/ the BANKRUPT near $650. Second, Katrell says an R while on the MW next to LaT and takes the obvious flip…$10K! She follows up w/ three $300 T’s, four O’s, but then the MDW’s right-side BANKRUPT to flush away $10,650. Third, Jeff spots three $350 H’s and E’s, but then a dud vowel of A. Back to Heidi who requests two $300 S’s, the last vowel of four I’s, and five $350 G’s before we see…

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

GOING, GOING, SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER for her first $2,100 is Heidi.

SOLE DUD: A (Jeff)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both women)

Katrell: ZIP/Jeff: $7,250 cash & gift tag/Heidi: $2,100

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (1993): PERSON

CMPI gave this lady named Stephanie…

C _ I L _

…and she solved CHILD.

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Prize Puzzle Round: PLACE

Here goes Katrell w/ a $300 R, three T’s for the other 1/2 CAR, two A’s, three $800 S’s, and two I’s, followed by $3,500 C, but sole dud vowel of E stings her. Jeff then goes for the mystery trip…

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

He’ll be going to a FANTASTIC SURFING SPOT courtesy of Hotwire — The Westin MAUI Resort & Spa Ka’anapali worth $7,030.

SOLE DUD: E (Katrell)

Katrell: ZILCH/Jeff: $14,280 cash & prizes/Heidi: $2,100

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$3K Toss-Up: CHARACTER

_ H _ / P I E D
_ _ P _ R

Heidi IDs THE PIED PIPER to move to $5,100.

Round 4: THING

First, Heidi gets shot down by the same BANKRUPT she got before. Second, Katrell LaTs out. Third, after asking the audience to applaud Pat on how great the host is (he should have saved this comment after the maingame is over, IMO), Jeff uncovers $450 T and R singles w/ two A’s in between, but it’s Speed-Up time…

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

…w/ a $1,900 Final Spin.

Jeff: S (DUD)
Heidi: N (DUD)
Katrell: 2 P’s
Jeff: C
Heidi: F
Katrell: M
Jeff: 4 E’s

A / P E R F E C T
E _ A M P _ E

This may not be A PERFECT EXAMPLE of how you play the game, but Jeff’s won another $2,550.

DUDS (both after FS): S (Jeff), N (Heidi)
SOLE LaT: Katrell
SOLE BANKRUPT: Heidi

FINAL SCORES
Katrell: $1K GOOSEEGG/Jeff: $16,830 cash and prizes/Heidi: $5,100

GT: $22,930
BANKRUPT TRASH: $10,650

---

$100K Bonus Round

Friend Allie is in attendance; Jeff’s envelope will be the M of GAME.

Category: PHRASE

This is a big puzzle…

_ / _ _ _ S E / _ N
T _ E / _ _ T _ _ N

MCGO doesn’t add a whole lot more…

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

…but he doesn’t need A PAUSE IN THE ACTION, because he nails it pretty quickly…

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…AND WE HAVE OUR FIRST $100,000 WINNER OF THIS YEAR (also the fourth overall this season)!!! His final total is $116,830 cash and prizes! If you’re reading this, sir, congratulations!

$5K SPIN ID: PG6298004

NOTES:
-The confetti/streamers came down very late during Jeff’s big win. Did the person or people in charge of the cannons use this bonus puzzle solution as a late April Fool’s joke?
-Jim reverted back to the old $100K win line of “(player’s name), here’s thousands of reasons to celebrate…”.
-The promo video spoiled an outright grand prize win for the second time this season. Whoever’s in charge of that, shame on you! 😡

VIDEO BONUS (courtesy of Wayoshi): $100K WIN #4 (but w/ a blooper)

MY EP. RATING: PERFECT 10!

WoF Recap: April Fool’s Day 2013

No prank for you, readers — we’re kicking off the month w/ “Spring Break” week (though I was hoping for college students competing; it appears that there’s no College Week at all according to this season’s airing schedule).

EPISODE #5796: KAERB GNIRPS

Taping Date: Nov. 29, 2012

Repeat Clip (1991): pie fight between the hosts (this is the first one to air three times this season; are the video people getting lazy or something?!)

$1K Toss-Up: ESARHP

T H I _ / M U _ T / _ E
T _ _ / _ L A _ E

Sue says “THIS MUST BE THE PLACE”. The first players this month…

Sue Pledger: Alpha Phi chapter adviser at the Univ. of Dayton married to David for 26 yrs. w/ two 20+ yr.-old girls who’s done the Relay for Life for a long time because she’s a 21-year cancer survivor and is Swedish from Springboro, OH

Cliff Balcom, Jr.: railroad conductor and 10-yr. Army vet “attached” to Erin with two stepsons from Ft. Collins, CO

Laura Stephan: speech language pathologist at a school for the blind married to Kevin w/ a new baby boy and expecting another from Springfield, PA

$2K Toss-Up: ZIB WOHS

F O R _ _ R
_ H I _ D / _ _ A R

Macaulay Culkin is one such example, and Sue has tripled her money w/ FORMER CHILD STAR.

SB VACATION: Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island worth $6,200
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: Vegas.com

Jackpot Round: ESARHP (station wagon w/ surfboard on top)

Category Wipe of the Week: station wagon w/ surfboard on top
This Week’s 1/2 CAR: smart car

Sue gets things started w/ four $600 T’s, five E’s, two A’s, and three H’s for the Texas trip. But after her next purchase of four O’s is the BANKRUPT next to MDW’s left side to cost her $9,350 cash and TX. Second, Cliff picks up the vegas.com gift tag w/ an N, picks off a $500 R, but then buys the sole dud vowel of U. Third, Laura selects twin S’s for $1,300, the last vowel of I, but then M for mistake. Back to Sue who FPs twin D’s, picks up the WC w/ four G’s…

T H E / G O O S E
T H A T / _ A I D / T H E
G O _ D E N / E G G
R O _ _ S

…and solves “THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG” ROLLS to double her $3K.

DUDS: U (Cliff), M (Laura)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Sue
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,650

Mystery Round: ELOR & RATS

Cliff takes triple N’s for a $2,100 start, buys three I’s and six A’s, and says twin S’s while on the MW next to the MDW. He risks his $1,600 remainder…wrong one. Second, Laura uncovers a $350 R and two E’s, but then gives back the $100 remainder to the BANKRUPT near top dollar. Third, Sue picks up the 1/2 CAR near $900 w/ two D’s, lights up four $300 L’s to go to $2,200…

D A N I E L
D A _ – L E _ I S / A S
A _ R A _ A _
L I N _ _ L N

…and identifies DANIEL DAY-LEWIS AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (Sue’s opponents)

Sue: $8,200 WC 1/2 CAR/Others: $0 each

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Oct. 17, 1988): GNIHT

HDWA didn’t do much for this woman named Shirley…

S H _ R T
_ _ R _ _ _ T

Since she didn’t call the C’s, her puzzle-solving skills suffered a SHORT CIRCUIT.

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Prize Puzzle Round: SGNIHT

First from Laura are two S’s for $1,200 and the sole dud vowel of E. Second, Sue does most of the work here — a $300 N, two A’s, a $600 T, two I’s and four O’s, a $500 R, and the last vowel of three U’s before she gets the MDW’s other BANKRUPT to forfeit $400 and both her cardboard pieces. Afterwards…

_ U _ U R I O U S
A _ _ O _ _ O _ A T I O N S

Cliff will have LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS during his stay at the Anacaona Boutique Hotel on the Caribbean Island of ANGUILLA worth $6,025.

SOLE DUD: E (Laura)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Sue

Laura: BUPKIS/Sue: $8,200/Cliff: $6,025 trip

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$3K Toss-Up: ESUOH EHT DNUORA

D E S I _ N E R
_ E _ N _

Laura finally breaks through w/ DESIGNER JEANS.

Speed-Up: ?GNIOD UOY ERA TAHW

Consonants are worth $1,550 each.

Laura: 2 G’s
Sue: 3 N’s
Cliff: 2 T’s
Laura: 2 H’s
Sue: S
Cliff: L (DUD)
Laura: 2 R’s
Sue: D

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

Who’s FINDING THE RIGHT ANSWER to win the game? It’s Sue w/ another $7,750 (Laura left behind $9,300 in her bank).

SOLE DUD: L (Cliff)

FINAL SCORES
Laura: $3K/Sue: $15,950/Cliff: $6,025 trip

GT: $24,975
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding cardboard): $11,450

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$100K Bonus Round

The in-studio vehicle this week is perfect for hitting the road on a Spring Break vacation — it’s a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport. With David watching, Sue lands on hopefully a big amount from the ’.

Category: GNIHT

Getting her started…

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

CHPI gives her a couple letters in the bottom word…

_ _ _ R T / _ _
P _ I N T

She avoids being drenched by a QUART OF PAINT for the $30K and leaves w/ an all-cash total of $45,950.

$5K SPIN ID: JS5121166

At the end, they replayed the April Fool’s 2008 prank (Pat’s bald head incident).

MY RATING: 7

Week 28 Stats

Total this Week: $221,533
Total for the Season: $7,089,623
BR Win Record: 57-83 (.407)  
Total Car Wins: 30
-1/2 Car: 13
-BR Car: 17
$100,000 Wins-Losses: 3-3
$1M Bonus Rounds: 6     
Perfect BR Weeks: 0     
BR SHUTOUTS: 3      
Prize Wedge Wins: 30 
Gift Tag Wins: 40    
Jackpot Wins: 9     
Mystery Wedge Wins: 10
Found Mystery $10K-Bankrupt: 26-22
Mystery $10K was on $700: 33
Mystery $10K was on $300: 29
Mystery was Flipped-Declined: 48-13
Wild Card Usages
Maingame: 7 (1 on $900, 2 on $2500, 4 on $3500)
BR: 15
FP Vowels/Consonants/Solves: 83/38/0 
5-Round Games: 31
6-Round Games: 3 
$6,000 FINAL SPINS: 12
Gooseegg Victims: 28
Red Winners: 51
Yellow Winners: 48
Blue Winners: 41
This Week’s Bankrupt Trash: $14,900 
Total Bankrupt Trash for the Season: $679,097*
Biggest Bankrupts: $27,100 (Sept. 24); $16,420 (Feb. 11); $15,960* (Dec. 3)
Season-Worst Bankrupt Trashes for One Night: $40,100* (Sept. 24); $28,200* (Nov. 16); $22,750* (Jan. 21)
Highest-Winning Totals: $147,000 (Dec. 28), $137,250 (Nov. 21), $129,600 (Oct. 17)     
Lowest-Winning Totals: $9,100 (Mar. 20), $9,550 (Jan. 22), $10,100 (Dec. 10)
Highest Maingame Winnings: $74,772 (Dec. 28); $72,300 (Dec. 21); $58,580 (Dec. 13)
Lowest Maingame Winnings: $15,350 (Oct. 4); $17,450 (Mar. 14), $17,964 (Nov. 6)
Season-High Week: $377,702 (Week #15: Happy Holidays)
Season-Low Week: $151,104 (Week #6: Teachers Week)

WoF Recap: March 29, 2013

EPISODE #5795: PURE PARADISE

Opening Clip (Feb. 2001 in HI): Pat laughs w/ his wife Leslie.

$1K Toss-Up: TITLE

A L _ _ _ / _ N
_ _ N _ _ R L _ _ D

Torrie (female) solves “ALICE IN WONDERLAND”. We end the month w/ these players…

Torrie Sheard: 2nd grade teacher at Cole Manor ES and karaoke singer from Norristown, PA

Michael Archambo: real estate worker who plays piano and woodwinds and likes to fly airplanes from Huntington Beach

Anne Perez: homemaker and church volunteer who’s a former daily newspaper reporter, has five teenage boys and a husband, plays tennis and spends time with her horse from Dallas, TX

$2K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

L _ _ _ / _ _ U _ I O
A _ D I _ _ _ _

Anne’s incorrect w/ LOUD STUDIO AUDIENCE.

L _ V E / _ _ U _ I O
A U D I _ _ _ _

Michael solves LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE.

FEATURED TRIP: Omni Hotels & Resorts Amelia Island Plantation in FL worth $5,264

Jackpot Round: PHRASE

He begins w/ two N’s for the WC and an E before calling four T’s via Jackpot. After buying four I’s, he picks up the SpaFinder.com gift tag w/ four H’s and fills in the $500 R before he faces…

R I _ H T / I N
T H E / T H I _ _
_ _ / T H I N _ _

He’s RIGHT IN THE THICK OF THINGS w/ $6K cash and gift tag — PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7K

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Anne takes four N’s for a $2K start, buys two I’s and three E’s, and lights up three $800 T’s, but next is sole dud vowel of this puzzle (A). Second, Torrie calls an L while on the MW next to the MDW and takes the obvious gamble…$10K! Next up are a $350 D, four O’s, and a C while on the other MW…

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

…and she’s ON CLOUND NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN for $11,100!

SOLE DUD: A (Anne)

Michael: $8K cash and gift tag WC/Anne: ZERO/Torrie: $12,100

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Sept. 25, 1992): PHRASE

CHPO gave Gordon Schnaper…

R _ _ S E / _
R _ C _ _ S

He’s able to RAISE A RUCKUS by solving this puzzle for the spa/gazebo package.

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Prize Puzzle Round: THINGS

Torrie uses her initial $500 from an S to buy two E’s and I’s. She next FPs the R and buys the remaining vowels (A and O singles). After that, she picks up the 1/2 CAR next to $450 w/ two T’s, two $700 D’s, and the other half of the Chevy Spark w/ three N’s. But she then says a MAJOR DUD in M to leave $3,900 and the Spark on the table. Michael then inserts two G’s for $1,400…

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

…and he’ll feel the GENTLY BLOWING TRADE WINDS during his stay at Nick Troubetzkoy’s Anse Chastanet in ST. LUCIA worth $9,500.

SOLE DUD: M (Torrie)

Michael: $18,900 cash and prizes WC/Anne: GOOSEEGG ALERT/Torrie: $12,100

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$3K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK

_ _ N _ / _ _ D
C _ E _ S _

Anne’s finally off the schneid w/ WINE AND CHEESE.

Round 4: PLACES

First from Anne are a $350 N, two A’s and the LaT. Second for Torrie are a $900 D, E and I singles, and two $350 S’s, but we hear the bell for Speed-Up Mode…

_ I _ _ S / A N D
_ A _ _ E _ S

The remaining consonants are worth $1,350 apiece.

Torrie: R (DUD)
Michael: G (DUD)
Anne: T (DUD)
Torrie: 4 L’s

_ I L L S / A N D
_ A L L E _ S

Torrie gets HILLS AND VALLEYS for $6,500, but she still loses by $300.

DUDS (during Speed-Up only): R (Torrie), G (Mike), T (Anne)
SOLE LaT OF THE NIGHT: Anne

FINAL SCORES
Michael: $18,900 cash and prizes WC/Anne: $3K/Torrie: $18,600

CUMULATIVE TOTAL: $40,500
NO BANKRUPT TRASH THIS EPISODE!

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$100K Bonus Round

Mike’s parents (John & Carol) and his sister Patty are here; he has claimed the G envelope.

Category: PEOPLE

Here’s how we begin…

_ _ L _
_ _ _ R S _ _ E

The first four letters of the alphabet (BCDA) and H…are all DUDS and he’s wrong thinking the first word is POLO. The answer was GOLF FOURSOME, and he’s not the other Jetta owner of the week.

$5K SPIN ID: SP4670437

MY EP. RATING: 6