WoF Recap: March 28, 2013

Let’s hope for a nice recovery after Jason Dingess totally bombed his $100K bid from last night.

EPISODE #5794: PURE PARADISE

Opening Clip (1999 in Hawaii): Pat builds the round logo in the sand

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

F _ L L _ _ / Y O _ R
_ _ _ _ _

Robyn’s incorrect w/ FOLLOW YOUR DREAM.

F _ L L _ _ / Y O _ R
_ L I S S

Cheryl doesn’t know the last word.

F O L L _ W / Y O U R
B L I S S

Ryan gets FOLLOW YOUR BLISS. And for the fourth night in a row, a man in the middle is introduced first by Pat…

Ryan Shaughnessy: Chicago sports fan except for the Cubs from L.A. (originally from Pontiac, IL; moved two years ago)

Cheryl Hackinon: 5th grade teacher at Skyline ES married 37 yrs. with two grown sons and likes to play poker and bunco from Tacoma, WA

Robyn O’Brien: worker for The Actors Fund married to Jerry (he would later appear on Jan. 28, 2019) from Pleasantville, NY

$2K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK

_ E _ T U _ C I N E
A L _ _ _ _ _

Cheryl eats up some FETTUCCINE ALFREDO for control.

FEATURED TRIP: Cuan Law boat ride to the British Virgin Islands worth $8,750

Jackpot Round: SAME LETTER

She FPs two A’s to start (it’s NOT the Free Spin, Pat!). Following a null cycle are $300 T and E singles, but then the LaT.  Second, Robyn gets DQed for repeating the S. From here, it’s all Ryan — $300 R, three I’s, two $400 L’s, two $350 M’s, the SL of three $900 F’s.

F A _ _ R I T E
F A M I L _
F I L M

He solves FAVORITE FAMILY FILM for $4,250.

SOLE KNOWN DUD: S (N/A)
SOLE AIRED LaT: Cheryl
SOLE AIRED DQ: Robyn’s S repeat
AIRED UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,050

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

First, Robyn wastes a spin w/ the MDW’s left side. Second, Ryan rattles off two R’s and T at $550 a piece, four E’s and two A’s, two $350 L’s, and the last vowel of two I’s, followed by a $350 D, a $600 B, a Y for the 1/2 CAR next to the pink $900, but the the BANKRUPT next to $650 to clean him out of $3,050 and his plate. Cheryl then inserts two $900 S’s and a $650 P. She goes on one more time…and she barely hangs onto top dollar to call twin C’s. We have…

E A R L Y / B I R D
S P E C I A L
E _ _ E C T S

…she makes the $9,450 solve of EARLY BIRD SPECIAL EFFECTS. And Pat shows her before the next break of how close she was to missing top dollar by simply moving her pointer to the BANKRUPT nearby.

BANKRUPTS: 2 (both of Cheryl’s opponents)

Robyn: $0/Ryan: $5,250/Cheryl: $11,450

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Jan. 13, 1997): PLACE

HCMA was chosen by this man…

A L _ A N _

…surprisingly, he doesn’t know the capital of New York — ALBANY.

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Prize Puzzle Round: FUN & GAMES

Ryan instantly BANKRUPTs next to top dollar. Cheryl secondly does some work ($900 D, two $300 T’s, $600 H, four E’s, A) but then says S for sorry. Third, Robyn calls out a $3,500 N and buys the last vowel of two I’s, after which she puts up two $350 R’s and a G for the other 1/2 CAR. She then turns down her Chevy Spark opportunity for a look at…

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

She’s won her first $4,450 and will be RIDING THE PERFECT WAVE during her stay at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa in HAWAII from hotwire.com worth $6,030.

SOLE DUD: S (Cheryl)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Ryan

Robyn: $10,480 cash and HI/Ryan: $5,250/Cheryl: $11,450

---

$3K Toss-Up: THING

_ / F _ _ S H
_ E _ _ _ _ C _ _ V E

This is A FRESH PERSPECTIVE for Robyn — she’s now in the lead w/ $13,480.

Speed-Up: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Consonants are worth $1,500 apiece.

Robyn: 3 N’s
Ryan: G
Cheryl: 2 T’s
Robyn: 2 R’s
Ryan: 2 S’s
Cheryl: 3 I’s

S T R I _ I N G / _ _ / _
_ _ N _ _ R S _ T I _ N

Cheryl whiffs w/ STRIDING ON & STRIDING IN A. The K gets called next by Robyn…

S T R I K I N G / _ _ / _
_ _ N _ _ R S _ T I _ N

…she forgets to add the A at the end of the first line after saying STRIKING UP _ CONVERSATION and STRIKING ON _ CONVERSATION; she may have thrown away $9K and the victory. Afterwards, Ryan puts up the C…

S T R I K I N G / _ _ / _
C _ N _ _ R S _ T I _ N

While you guys will be STRIKING UP A CONVERSATION about that weird game, Ryan’s won another $6K.

DQs: 4 (two wrong answers by each lady)

FINAL SCORES
Robyn: $13,480 cash and HI/Ryan: $11,250/Cheryl: $11,450

GT: $36,180
BANKRUPT TRASH (disregarding plate): $3,050

---

$100K Bonus Round

Jerry the hubby is here and so is a friend of Robyn’s named Rachael; she also lands on the W, so we know the $100K is out of the picture.

Category: THING

This looks like a compound word to me…

_ _ _ L _ _ _ _ R _

She picks a good time to call the dreaded CDMA combo, because we now have…

C _ A L _ _ _ A R D

Well…she scares me w/ her awful guesses of  CHAMELEON and CHALBGUARD, but she gets CHALKBOARD w/ two seconds left for the $35K, so she departs w/ $48,480 cash and trip.

$5K SPIN ID: WZ0651241

At the end, Pat lists all the errors Robyn made (including verbally stumbling during her interview).

MY RATING: 6

WoF Recap: March 27, 2013

EPISODE #5793: PURE PARADISE

Opening Flashback Clip (2010): While taping what is likely a Sandals Resort promo, Pat falls over after Vanna tells him to relax.

$1K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ _ _ / G _ _ _ E N
O _ / _ _ E _

Jason solves THE GARDEN OF EDEN. For the third time in a row, we’re starting the interviews w/ a man in the middle…

Jason Dingess: restaurant worker whose late grandma’s last words were that “this is mine and Jason’s favorite show” from Charleston, WV

Wendi Pallozzi: clinical scientist who works in the pharmaceutical industry and a Catechism teacher married to Joe w/ three kids from Quakertown, PA

Audrey Tillemans: downtown hotel overnight supervisor and mom of one daughter from Dallas, TX

$2K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK

_ / _ _ P / O F
_ _ _ _ _ / T E A

Wendi sips A CUP OF GREEN TEA to start the first round.

FEATURED PARADISE: Maruba Resort Jungle Spa in Belize worth $8,220

Jackpot Round: FUN & GAMES

Wendi wastes a turn w/ the BANKRUPT next to $650. Second, Audrey says a $700 T and gets the other normal BANKRUPT. Third, Jason picks up the spafinder.com gift tag w/ three N’s, lights up R and D singles (former for $700, the latter was on $2,500), and goes vowel buying for two A’s, but the E isn’t there. Wendi tries again w/ five $350 S’s and two I’s, but next is a dud in C. Audrey then picks a $300 G, two $550 H’s, the last vowel of three O’s, and two FP P’s before we see…

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

She solves the chess pieces ROOKS, BISHOPS, KNIGHTS, AND PAWNS for $2,150.

DUDS: E (Jason), C (Wendi)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $11,550

Mystery Round: THE 80’s

At the start, Audrey doesn’t quite hang on to the good part of the MDW and loses her turn instead. From here, it’s all Jason — two $650 T’s, two $450 R’s, E, two $700 S’s, three A’s, five $350 N’s, four I’s, and three $800 M’s.

T _ M / _ R _ I S E / &
_ _ S T I N
_ _ _ _ M A N / I N
R A I N / M A N

He IDs TOM CRUISE & DUSTIN HOFFMAN IN “RAIN MAN” for $7K.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Audrey (her second of the night)

Audrey: $2,150/Jason: $8K/Wendi: $2K

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (early 1993): THING

HCDA was chosen by this lady…

S _ _
_ A S _

…and she got SKI MASK.

---

Prize Puzzle Round: SONG LYRICS

This round is all Jason — two $400 N’s, four $650 T’s, three E’s and two O’s, two $450 H’s, two I’s, and a $300 L.

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

He solves “PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT” (from Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut”) for $3,850 plus a trip to the Ka’anapali Beach Club Resort in MAUI from Diamond Resorts worth $6,578 — PR.

Audrey: $2,150/Jason: $18,428 cash & Maui/Wendi: $2K

---

$3K Toss-Up: THING

_ O L T / O F
_ I G _ T _ _ N G

The answer came to Wendi like a BOLT OF LIGHTNING, so she’s up to $5K.

Round 4: PHRASE

Wendi starts w/ S for sorry. Second, Audrey FPs two E’s, says three T’s while on $5K, but then repeats the S. Third, Jason does some work ($800 N, O, three $500 D’s, A), but then says L for loss of turn. Wendi then fills in the rest of the consonants — $800 R, $700 V, $350 X, respectively.

D O N ‘ T / T E X T
A N D / D R _ V E

Hope you know this lesson by heart; she solves “DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE” for another $1,850.

DUDS: S (Wendi), L (Jason)
SOLE DQ: Audrey’s S repeat

Audrey: $2,150/Jason: $18,428 cash and Maui/Wendi: $2K

Round 5: AROUND THE HOUSE

Audrey instantly BANKRUPTs next to $650; that’s probably her final one of the game. Jason doesn’t do any better w/ a dud of N. Third, Wendi spots two $500 T’s, and we’re going into Speed-Up Mode…

_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ T T _ _

…w/ a $1,900 Final Spin.

Wendi: R
Audrey: S (DUD)
Jason: L
Wendi: M

_ _ R _ _ M _
_ _ T T L _

Wendi goofs w/ CERAMIC BOTTLE.

Audrey: C (DUD)
Jason: B
Wendi: D
Audrey: 3 E’s

_ E R _ _ M E
B _ T T L E

Audrey gets PERFUME BOTTLE for the house minimum.

SOLE DUD BEFORE FINAL SPIN: N (Jason)
DUDS AFTER THE BELL: S (Audrey), C (Audrey), D (Wendi)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Audrey
SOLE DQ: Wendi’s blown solve

FINAL SCORES
Audrey: $3,150/Jason: $18,428 cash and Maui/Wendi: $2K

GT: $28,428
BANKRUPT TRASH: $700

---

$100K Bonus Round

This Jason brought along his mom Nancy and lands on the ol’ W.

Category: PLACE

Here’s a column of something to start…

_ _ _ T _
_ _ _ T _

YDCA are nowhere to be found, so game over for him. It was PHOTO BOOTH…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…AND THIS PLAYING IS A TOTAL TRAINWRECK (first time in a little over two years) — HE’S THE FIRST $100,000 LOSER THIS YEAR (and third overall this season). Should’ve went BGHO, sir.

$5K SPIN ID: KD1783510

MY RATING: 4

WoF Recap: March 26, 2013

EPISODE #5792: PURE PARADISE

Opening Flashback Clip (Feb. 13, 1996): Pat brings out her daughter Maggie at the end of a Hawaii episode.

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

H _ A V E _ / O N
_ _ _ T _

Jason solves HEAVEN ON EARTH. Once again, the interviews start w/ the man in the middle…

Jason Fanelli: medical metro appeals coordinator and aspiring video game journalist recently married to Stephanie who played a “Wheel” video game when he was three and claims they taught him how to read from Norwood, PA

Kim Mangerchine: dance instructor married to Larry w/ a son, daughter, and two granddaughters from Bay St. Louis, MS

Lindsay Kleinhenz: nutrition manager at a local hospital who likes to bake cakes w/ her mom (sometimes wedding cakes) because she went to culinary school (also, her sister’s a flight attendant) from Dayton, OH

$2K Toss-Up: THE 70’s

L _ _ E _ _ _ _
& / _ _ _ _ _ _ Y

Jason’s two for two w/ “LAVERNE & SHIRLEY”.

FEATURED HOTWIRE.COM TRIP: Costa Mediterranean Cruise worth $6,500 (MEDITERRANEAN)
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Shari’s Berries

Jackpot Round: LIVING THING

He gets things started w/ a $300 T, three E’s, and four $350 R’s, but after his next purchase of A is L for loss of turn. Second, Kim says N for nothing while on Jackpot. Third, Lindsay calls out a $400 S, three O’s, and the sole dud vowel of I while on FP, but she then BANKRUPTs near top dollar to lose the $150 remainder (a shot of the BANKRUPT next to $650 w/ the Greece wedge from last night was dubbed in). Back to Jason who calls a $400 C and three $900 H’s, and we now have…

T H O R O _ _ H _ R E _
R A C E H O R S E

He solves THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE for $4,300.

DUDS: L (Jason), N (Kim)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Lindsay
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,050

Mystery Round: SHOW BIZ

It’s all Kim — two $900 T’s, a $300 R, two E’s, four A’s, the Shari’s Berries gift tag w/ S, two $800 H’s, the last vowel of five O’s, and three $700 L’s.

A / S T A R / O _
T H E / H O L L _ _ O O _
_ A L _ / O _ / _ A _ E

She might not get A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME. but she does win $6,550 cash and food — PR.

Lindsay: ZIP/Jason: $7,300/Kim: $6,550 cash and gift tag

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (1993): THING

BGKO was chosen by this man…

_ _ B R E L L _

…but he still can’t get UMBRELLA.

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Prize Puzzle Round: THINGS

Lindsay instantly BANKRUPTs on the MDW’s right side. Second, Jason takes three $900 T’s, four A’s and an E but then LaTs out. Third, Kim gets the same BANKRUPT as Lindsay, who then says a $600 S and also gets the LaT. Jason then picks up the WC w/ two N’s, after which he says two I’s, a $350 G, the last vowel of two O’s, and an $800 C. Board…

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

He’ll probably see some BOATS DOCKING AT THE MARINA, because he wins $3,850 plus a $5,200 trip to the Renaissance ARUBA Resort & Casino.

LaTs: 2 (Jason, Lindsay)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)

Lindsay: ZILCH/Jason: $16,350 cash and trip WC/Kim: $6,550 cash and gift tag

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$3K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK

_ E N N Y
C A _ _ Y

Lindsay chomps up on some PENNY CANDY to finally get off the gooseegg.

Round 4: AROUND THE HOUSE

Lindsay does most of the work (three $800 T’s, four E’s, a $650 N, two A’s, $300 P, $500 R, final vowel of O) before getting her second LaT of the night. Jason then calls two H’s for $600…

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

…and we give him another $400 from this pair of PATENT LEATHER SHOES.

SOLE LaT: Lindsay

Lindsay: $3K/Jason: $17,350 cash and trip WC/Kim: $6,550 cash and gift tag

Speed-Up: PEOPLE

$1,500’s the FS value.

Jason: T
Kim: S
Lindsay: R
Jason: 3 E’s
Kim: 2 C’s

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

Kim’s CHEERING SECTION likes the fact that she’s won another $4,500.

FINAL SCORES
Lindsay: $3K/Jason: $17,350 cash and trip WC/Kim: $11,050 cash and gift tag

GT: $31,400
BANKRUPT TRASH: $150

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$100K Bonus Round

In addition to Stephanie the wife, Jason brought along his mother Karen and mother-in-law Jamie; here comes the *** for this guy.

Category: PHRASE

This one’s even bigger than last night’s puzzle…

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

HCPO and M give him…

_ T / _ _ S / _ O _ N _
T O / H _ P P E N

IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN that he would win…actually, he misses the third word w/ GOING, so he loses the $30K.

$5K SPIN ID: MK4820265

MY RATING: 6

WoF Recap: March 25, 2013

EPISODE #5791: PURE PARADISE

Opening Flashback Clip (Feb. 1999): Pat introduces a show from Waikiki while paddling in a canoe.

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

_ O T _ L L Y
A _ E _ O _ _

Matt thinks he’s TOTALLY AWESOME. The first panel this week…

Matt Fiedler: corporate TV studio worker of a major telecom company who does some cartoon voiceover work and hockey fan from Branchburg, NJ

Vishta Granados: criminal defense attorney expecting her first child and recently received an award for being one of the top attorneys married to George in Southern CA from Encino, CA (born in Iran)

Melanie Cobb: SAHM to four kids who just finished writing her first children’s book titled “Jada’s Flowers”, likes to play softball from Coppell, TX

$2K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

C H A R _ C _ _ R
_ C _ _ _

Matt fittingly solves CHARACTER ACTOR to triple up.

FEATURED TRIP: Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, Greece worth $9,370 (GREECE)
Mon./Wed./Fri. Gift Tag: SpaFinder

Jackpot Round: FOOD & DRINK (tropical fish wipe)

This Week’s 1/2 CAR: Chevrolet Spark

He starts w/ an S while on Jackpot, but there aren’t any. Second, Vishta picks up the 1/2 CAR next to $900 w/ a T and exchanges her $500 for three E’s and A’s, but she then BANKRUPTs next to $650. Third, Melanie FPs twin O’s and cashes in $7,500 w/ three C’s. But after her next pick of a $400 H is that same BANKRUPT, costing her $7,900. Returning to Matt, he inserts two $450 L’s and a K for the WC and buys the last vowel of I. The board at this point…

_ E L _ I A _
C H O C O L A T E
C A K E

He eats a piece of BELGIAN CHOCOLATE CAKE for $1,150.

SOLE DUD: S (Matt)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both ladies)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,350

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Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Vishta’s up first w/ an $800 T, a single E, but then R for roadblock. Secondly, Melanie takes three pairs of N’s, A’s and Y’s ($900 for first, $450 for the third) before she says an S while on the MW next to the MDW and risks $2,450…nothing there. Third, Matt picks off two $900 F’s, the leftover three O’s, and two C’s while on the other MW. We now have…

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

He solves FANNY PACK OF COYOTES for $3,550.

SOLE DUD: R (Vishta)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Melanie

Both ladies: $0 each/Matt: $7,700 WC

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (NFL Players Week in Jan. 21, 1998 and Dec. 3, 2008): PHRASE

This lady and her partner faced this after calling CDMA…

_ _ L D / T _ E
M A _ _

They didn’t solve HOLD THE MAYO. On the other hand, Dan O’Riordan from 2008 won a Volkswagen Tiguan SE.

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Prize Puzzle Round: THING

The scoreless Melanie begins w/ a $550 T and three E’s, but she then gets nailed by that same BANKRUPT; that’s her third one of the night. From here, it’s all Matt — two $450 H’s, two $700 B’s, one A and two O’s, a C for the SpaFinder gift tag, and two FP N’s.

B O N _ _ _ E / O N
T H E / B E A C H

He’s won $4,300 cash and gift tag and he might set up a BONFIRE ON THE BEACH during his stay at the Si Como No Resort in COSTA RICA worth $6,050; that was a $10,350 round for him.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Melanie

Both ladies: ZIPPO/Matt: $18,050 cash and prizes WC

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$3K Toss-Up: SONG TITLE

_ A _ _ _ N G
Q _ E _ _

Melanie finally gets on the board w/ ABBA’s “DANCING QUEEN”.

Round 4: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

A $600 pair of N’s get her started, followed by three A’s but then that same BANKRUPT (that’s her fourth and likely final one tonight). Second, Matt fills in a $500 G, a single I, two $300 T’s, three E’s, and two $500 S’s, but next is LaT and we’re going into Speed-Up Mode…

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

…and the four remaining consonants are each worth $1,500. The D gets called next…

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

…and Vishta was STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD of being gooseegged.

SOLE LaT: Matt
SOLE BANKRUPT: Melanie

FINAL SCORES
Melanie: $3K/Matt: $18,050 cash and prizes WC/Vishta: $1,500

GT: $22,550
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding tag): $11K

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$100K Bonus Round

A VW Jetta awaits lucky winners this week. Matt, who brought along his parents (David and Nancy) and sister Kimberly, lands on the C.

Category: PHRASE

This is a fairly big puzzle…

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

CDMO should do it for him, but P also makes the cut…

_ O _ C E / _ O _ R
O P _ N _ O N

VOICE YOUR OPINION on the gameplay of this episode after I tell you that he’s won the Jetta SE worth $22,475 and leaves w/ $45,525 cash and prizes.

$5K SPIN ID: GM8575533

MY RATING: 6 (orig. a 7; way too cheap for a BR car like that)

Week 27 Stats

Total this Week: $261,684
Total for the Season: $6,868,090
BR Win Record: 55-80 (.407)  
Total Car Wins: 29
-1/2 Car: 13
-BR Car: 16
$100,000 Wins-Losses: 3-2    
$1M Bonus Rounds: 6     
Perfect BR Weeks: 0     
BR SHUTOUTS: 3      
Prize Wedge Wins: 30 
Gift Tag Wins: 37    
Jackpot Wins: 9     
Mystery Wedge Wins: 9 
Found Mystery $10K-Bankrupt: 25-21
Mystery $10K was on $700: 32
Mystery $10K was on $300: 28
Mystery was Flipped-Declined: 46-13
Wild Card Usages
Maingame: 7 (1 on $900, 2 on $2500, 4 on $3500)
BR: 12 
FP Vowels/Consonants/Solves: 79/35/0 
5-Round Games: 29
6-Round Games: 3 
$6,000 FINAL SPINS: 12
Gooseegg Victims: 28
Red Winners: 49
Yellow Winners: 45
Blue Winners: 41
This Week’s Bankrupt Trash: $14,250
Total Bankrupt Trash for the Season: $664,197*
Biggest Bankrupts: $27,100 (Sept. 24); $16,420 (Feb. 11); $15,960* (Dec. 3)
Season-Worst Bankrupt Trashes for One Night: $40,100*+ � Car (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 22, 2013

EPISODE #5790: AMERICA’S GAME (WK. 3)

Opening Flashback Clip (2004): At a ranch, Vanna’s sitting on a haystack without Pat by her side.

The last set of the week is the one from Pet Lovers.

$1K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

L _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ K
_ _ K A N _ _ S

Natasha locates LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. But she’s not from there; here’s where everybody’s really from…

Natasha Madriz: financial analyst for an IT company w/ a 3-yr. old cat (Cooper) from Austin, TX

Jim Pigsley: self-employed graphic designer married to Holly w/ a 12-yr. old “dancing queen” border collie aptly named Abba from Englewood, CO

Phyllis Robinson: title agent married 30 years to Michael w/ two boys and four grandchildren who’s the owner of two Great Danes (Rocky and Adrian) and a cat from Ocean View, NJ

$2K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

N _ C O L E
_ I _ M _ N

She’s married to “American Idol” judge Keith Urban, and Natasha’s two for two w/ NICOLE KIDMAN.

FEATURED TRIP: Bally’s Resort from vegas.com worth $5K

Jackpot Round: SAME LETTER

Natasha’s list of letters begins w/ two $600 R’s, an S for the 1/2 CAR next to $300, one A, and five E’s, but next is C for crud. Second, Jim inserts the SL of three F’s for a $1,950 start and two N’s for another grand…

F _ N E –
F E A _ _ E R E _
F R _ E N _ S

…before solving FINE-FEATHERED FRIENDS for $2,950.

SOLE DUD: C (Natasha)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $7,600

Mystery Round: QUOTATION

At the start, Jim takes $4K worth of S’s from the MW next to the MDW (the big money was back there, however). He follows w/ four $900 N’s, three A’s, a D for the Vegas trip, a single O, two $700 T’s, three $600 H’s…four E’s…and the sole dud vowel of U to likely squander $15,300 cash and trip. Moving on to Phyllis — she says a $3,500 M and $900 R singles, the last vowel of two I’s, and four L’s for another $14K. Vanna’s big board now shows us…

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

She correctly recites “ALL THE KINGS HORSES AND ALL THE KING’S MEN” (from “Humpty Dumpty”) for $18,150!

SOLE DUD: U (Jim)

Natasha: $3K/Jim: $2,950/Phyllis: $18,150

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Oct. 15, 2007 during College Road Trip Week): THING

Price Troche was looking good after calling BCMA…

_ R E A M
_ _ B

…he solved DREAM JOB to end a 10-episode losing streak back then and claim the $35K for a final total of $64,800 cash and prizes!

---

Prize Puzzle Round: THINGS

The current leader starts w/ T for trouble. Second, Natasha does some work (three $450 R’s, two $400 L’s, two E’s, an $800 N, two A’s) but she and Jim go BANKRUPT back-to-back (she lose $2,450 to the MDW’s right side, whereas he got the one next to $650). Phyllis tries again w/ two $700 B’s, three FP S’s, and a $900 D. But after cleaning out the vowel shop (U and three O’s), she gets the same BANKRUPT as Jim to forfeit the $3,300 remainder. Afterwards, Natasha takes $1K worth of two W’s…

R O W S / A N D
R O W S / O _ / B E A _ _
U _ R E L L A S

…and solves ROWS AND ROWS OF BEACH UMBRELLAS to add a hotwire.com trip to the Turtle Bay Resort in OAHU worth $5,750.

SOLE DUD: T (Phyllis)
BANKRUPTS: 3 (entire panel)

Natasha: $9,750 cash & Oahu/Jim: $2,950/Phyllis: $18,150

---

$3K Toss-Up: IN THE KITCHEN

S P _ _ E
R A C _

Phyllis is up over $21K after solving SPICE RACK.

Round 4: PHRASE (w/ a ? at the end)

Phyllis does some work (three $650 T’s, E, $900 N, three FP O’s, $300 R), but the sole dud vowel of I lets her down. Natasha next picks off a $600 C and two $800 G’s before we show her…

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

CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE? It certainly didn’t get that of Natasha as she’s won another $2,200.

SOLE DUD: I (Phyllis)

Natasha: $11,950 cash and Oahu/Jim: $2,950/Phyllis: $21,150

Speed-Up: PLACE

It’s a $6K FS to end the week!

Natasha: R
Jim: T
Phyllis: L
Natasha: S
Jim: Y
Phyllis: 2 N’s

Phyllis could win this game right now w/ $18K…

_ N _ _ _ L
S _ N _ T _ _ R Y

…but she BLOWS THE SOLVE BIG TIME w/ ANIMAL SANITARY — there is NO such place called that, lady! UGH. -__- Natasha next fills in four A’s…

A N _ _ A L
S A N _ T _ A R Y

…and solves ANIMAL SANCTUARY for $12K and the upset win!

SOLE DQ TONIGHT: Phyllis’ blown solve

FINAL SCORES
Natasha: $23,950 cash & Oahu/Jim: $2,950/Phyllis: $21,150

GT: $48,050
BANKRUPT TRASH: $5,750

---

$100K Bonus Round

With her aunt and uncle and cousin rooting her on, the Bonus Wheel stops Natasha on the first A of AMERICA’S.

Category: PHRASE

The opening board…

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

CPHI will give her pretty much the first line…

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

Harry and his cohorts will have to PAY IT FORWARD, because Natasha’s solved this puzzle no sweat for $5K and the Toyota Venza LE worth $28,835! She drives away w/ $57,785 cash and prizes.

$5K SPIN ID: RL9481414

MY RATING: 7

(Much thanks to GSK’s Bobby McBride for providing the info on this and Thursday’s episodes after I got pre-empted by CBS’ March Madness in my area.)

WoF Recap: March 21, 2013

EPISODE #5789: AMERICA’S GAME (WK. 3)

Encore Clip of the Night (Oct. 8, 1998): Land Rover winner on the British Isles set

Thursday’s Setting: Weekend Getaways

$1K Toss-Up: FUN & GAMES

S _ U A R _
D A _ C _ N G

Andrew solves SQUARE DANCING. Thursday’s interviews begin w/ the man in the middle…

Andrew Portnoy: oil/gas company finance manager married to Paige from Pflugerville, TX; in addition, he took his grandma to SPS as a 95th birthday surprise

Jen Kolbash: administrative assistant for a national service co. married for 5 years to Jeffrey from San Diego

Susanna Stevenson: online MS art teacher engaged to Jed from Wilmington, DE

$2K Toss-Up: PROPER NAME

_ H _ I _ _ _ _ A
A G _ _ _ _ _ A

She’s replaced by Shakira on this coming season of “The Voice”, and Andrew’s two for two w/ CHRISTINA AGUILERA.

hotwire.com TRIP OF THE NIGHT: Beacon Hotel in Miami worth $5K

Jackpot Round: PEOPLE

Andrew gets the MDW right away w/ three S’s; he follows up w/ two $700 T’s, a single A, and three E’s before BANKRUPTing next to top dollar to give up $900 and that MDW. Second, Jen gets the other available BANKRUPT. Third, Susanna LaTs out. Afterwards, Andrew cashes in $10K w/ four H’s…

H _ _ H / S _ H _ _ _
S _ E E T H E A _ T S

…and remembers his HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS to keep that amount! Nice rebound after that MDW loss.

SOLE LaT: Susanna
BANKRUPTS: 2 (Andrew, Jen)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,200

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Jen’s first w/ a $650 T but then N for nothing while on the WC. Second, Susanna strikes out w/ the S while on what would’ve been the good part of the now vacated MDW ($800). Third, Andrew locates two $800 L’s, but no E (that’s the only bad vowel of this puzzle). Returning to Jen, she says two $800 R’s and three A’s before calling a G while on the MW next to LaT. She risks her $2K remainder…and it’s a good call! After that, she calls for three C’s while on top dollar, and we now have…

C A L _ C _
C A T
_ _ R G L A R

She may not be a CALICO CAT BURGLAR, but she just won $22,500!

DUDS: N (Jen), S (Susanna), E (Andrew)

Susanna: NOTHING/Andrew: $13K/Jen: $22,500

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Dec. 17, 1999): EVENT

This Andrew back then chose CDGA…

_ _ C _ E _
G A _ E

…and he solved HOCKEY GAME.

---

Prize Puzzle Round: EVENTS

The scoreless Susanna takes two $550 T’s to start this answer, buys five E’s and three A’s (the latter via FP) but she then BANKRUPTs next to the big one to give back $850. Secondly, Andrew calls for two $600 H’s and buys the rest of the available vowels (two O’s and two I’s) before hitting LaT. Third, Jen adds on three pairs of L’s, N’s and F’s ($550, $700, $900, respectively) plus a single $650 D and two $3,500 M’s but she then squanders her turn w/ the W to say goodbye to $11,950. That mistake allows Susanna…

T H E / _ I _ E / A N D
F A L L / O F / T H E
_ O M A N / E M _ I _ E

…to see THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE on a $7,500 PerilloTour of ITALY.

SOLE DUD: W (Jen — why she thought the second-to-last word was WOMAN is beyond me)
SOLE LaT: Andrew
SOLE BANKRUPT: Susanna

Susanna: $7,500 tour/Andrew: $13K/Jen: $22,500

---

$3K Toss-Up: IN THE KITCHEN

_ _ _ _ _ N G
P _ N

Susanna’s guess of FRYING PAN is one letter short.

R _ _ _ _ N G
P _ N

Jen’s guess of ROASTING PAN isn’t any better.

R O _ _ _ N G
P I N

Andrew solves ROLLING PIN for the Toss-Up sweep and a sweet $16K.

Round 4: OCCUPATION

First from him are a $700 T, three E’s and A, but then the BANKRUPT next to $650. Second, Jen inserts a $900 N, but we hear the dinging…

_ _ _ _ E _ _ _ _ N A _
_ _ E _ T _ E _

…and the remaining consonants each yield $1,300.

Jen: 3 R’s
Susanna: 3 S’s
Andrew: 2 L’s

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

Andrew pins down this PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER for $2,600.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Andrew

FINAL SCORES
Susanna: $7,500 tour/Andrew: $18,600/Jen: $22,500

GT: $48,600
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding MDW): $1,950

---

$100K Bonus Round

The available car for tonight (and likely the California Coast one) is a Ford Mustang. Jeffrey the hubby is here as well as her mom (Jerilyn), sister (Julie), and best friend Stacy; Jen lands on the M of GAME.

Category: PLACE

Think baseball for this one (and I don’t think the first line is necessary)…

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

MCPO adds just one letter in the bottom word…

_ N / T _ E
_ _ _ O _ T

…but she’s IN THE DUGOUT at a good time to win the $30K! Her final all-cash total is $52,500.

$5K SPIN ID: RC4313547 

MY RATING: 7

WoF Recap: March 20, 2013

EPISODE #5788: AMERICA’S GAME (WK. 3)

Repeat Clip (Feb. 23, 2001 in HI): After solving “THE DREW CAREY SHOW” for $4,500, Lourdes (female) hugs Pat very tight and the host thought he found the true meaning of aloha.

Wednesday’s Setting: American Heritage

$1K Toss-Up: PHRASE

O N / _ H I _ / _ _ Y
_ _ / _ I S _ O R _

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, Jessi just won her first bit of money. Here’s another panel with two men for your pleasure…

Jessi Kizer: Kansas State Univ. graduate and technical account manager at a search engine marketing firm from Los Angeles (originally from Overland Park, KS)

Daryl Day: roofer at Union Local 42 married to Amanda who has son named Tyler and likes to go outdoors from Florence, KY

Brent Williams: Marine Staff Sgt. for 15 years and local logistics chief who has a pet bird and sings in a local church from San Diego Way

$2K Toss-Up: SHOW BIZ

S I _ U A T I O N
C O _ E D _

Jessi’s tripled up w/ SITUATION COMEDY.

FEATURED HOTWIRE.COM TRIP: Corinthia Hotel Budapest worth $7K

Jackpot Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

All Jessi here — the usual -ING (two $350 N’s, two $800 G’s, three I’s), three A’s, a Jackpot T, four $900 R’s, a $450 D, and four O’s.

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

She’s GOING FOR A RIDE ON A RIVERBOAT to claim another $6,100 — PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8K

Mystery Round: SONG LYRICS

To start, Daryl can’t find any R’s while on $3,500. Second, Brent collects the 1/2 CAR next to $450 w/ an M, two $450 N’s, one I and three A’s, but then T for trouble. Third, Jessi calls for a $550 L and three FP E’s, but next is the BANKRUPT near top dollar. After Daryl fails again on that big money space w/ S, Brent inserts four D’s for $3,200…

I ‘ M / A / _ A N _ E E
D _ _ D L E / D A N D _

…and solves “I’M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY” for his first $4,100.

DUDS: R (Daryl), T (Brent), S (Daryl)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jessi

Brent: $4,100 1/2 CAR/Jessi: $9,100/Daryl: SCORELESS

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Dec. 6, 1999): THINGS

PDMA was chosen by a lady named Jill…

_ A _ _ L E S

…but she couldn’t eat up these WAFFLES.

---

Prize Puzzle Round: SAME LETTER

Brent begins w/ a $450 R, three $800 T’s, four E’s and two I’s before hitting LaT. Second, Jessi captures N and G singles (former for $900, the latter giving her the other 1/2 CAR), buys four A’s, but then repeats the G. Third, Daryl gets the same fate as Brent, after which the man on the left takes a $350 S and another dud of P. Jessi next calls for a $500 C, but then gets KOed by the sole dud vowel of O. Daryl doesn’t want to take any chances…

_ E A _ T I _ _ _
_ R E A T _ T A _ I N G
_ E A C _ E S 

He’ll be off to the BEAUTIFUL BREATHTAKING BEACHES of BARBADOS w/ a stay at the Divi Southwinds Beach Resort worth $5,649.

DUDS: P (Brent), O (Jessi)
LaTs: 2 (both men)
SOLE DQ: Jessi’s G repeat

Brent: $4,100/Jessi: $9,100/Daryl: $5,649 trip

---

$3K Toss-Up: FOOD & DRINK 

_ _ A H _ M
_ R _ C _ E R S

Brent munches on some GRAHAM CRACKERS to be $2K off the lead.

Round 4: THE 80’s

The Marine man’s first pick of T is a dud. Second, Jessi finds four $300 N’s but no more from the R, and here’s the board for Speed-Up Mode…

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

The leftover consonants each pay off at $1,500.

Daryl: S
Brent: 2 M’s
Jessi: H
Daryl: J

_ _ N / J _ H N S _ N / _ N
M _ _ M _ / _ _ _ _

Daryl identifies DON JOHNSON IN “MIAMI VICE” for $3K, but that’s not enough for the victory.

DUDS (both before the bell): T (Brent), R (Jessi)

FINAL SCORES
Brent: $7,100/Jessi: $9,100/Daryl: $8,649 cash and trip

GT: $24,849
BANKRUPT TRASH: $550

---

$100K Bonus Round

Jessi has a boyfriend named Devon watching and her envelope will come from the second A of AMERICA’S.

Category: THING

This pair of letters get her started…

_ _ _ _ L _
S _ _ _

CHMO only adds…

_ _ M _ L _
S _ _ _

…and she’s way off the mark w/ nonsensical guesses such as CAMEL SODA. Because she doesn’t recall her FAMILY SAGA, she loses the $50K and is now the lowest-winning champ at $9,100.

$5K SPIN ID: KS0006842 

MY EP. RATING: 3 (originally a 4; started out fine but then fell apart beginning w/ R2)

WoF Recap: March 19, 2013

EPISODE #5787: AMERICA’S GAME (WK. 3)

Opening Flashback Clip (2002): A blooper reel of Vanna failing to catch a fish tossed to her in Seattle

Tuesday’s Setting: Great Adventures

$1K Toss-Up: MOVIE QUOTE

_ O / _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ E / _ _ / _ _ Y

Mark quickly solves the Clint Eastwood line “GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY”. From left to right, here are the players…

Mark Medendorp: applications developer for an insurance company married to Rebecca, swimmer and basketball fan from Greensboro, NC

Amanda Reed: insurance saleswoman married to Jason with one son from New Braunfels, TX (orig. from Sweeny, TX)

Wennie Savacool: nursing home worker who speaks four languages (Chinese, English, Taiwanese, & French) married to Mark from Palmerton, PA; she occasionally makes “Wheel” games using cardboard boxes at the nursing home and became a U.S. citizen about seven yrs. ago

$2K Toss-Up: RHYME TIME

_ _ A R / _ _ _ _ _
S T _ R / _ _ I _ H T

Amanda says “STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT” from Madonna’s “Lucky Star”.

FEATURED TRIP: Fairmont Royal York Toronto worth $5,909
Gift Tag: Omaha Steaks

Jackpot Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Her first letters are a $700 R pair, two E’s, a $900 T pair, a single A, but then D for dud. Second, Wennie says C for crud. Third, Mark inserts three $900 L’s, the leftover vowels (O and I singles), and a single $900 N, but he then BANKRUPTs next to $650 to lose $3,100. Following that are two S’s to give Amanda the WC…

L I N T
R O L L E R
S _ A T E S

…and a $2,100 solve of LINT ROLLER SKATES.

DUDS: D (Amanda), C (Wennie)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Mark
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $9,450

Mystery Round: SONG/ARTIST

Wennie wastes another turn w/ that same BANKRUPT. Second, Mark takes three N’s for $1,650 and a B for that MDW. From here, it’s all him — two A’s and E’s, an $800 T, a $400 Y, and four $550 L’s.

_ _ A L L / T _ _ N
B Y / _ _ _ N
_ E L L E N _ A _ _

He solves “SMALL TOWN” BY JOHN MELLENCAMP for $4,550.

SOLE BANKRUPT: Wennie

Mark: $5,550 MDW/Amanda: $4,100 WC/Wennie: $0

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (Jan. 31, 1997): THING

DCPA gave Karen…

_ R A _
_ A _

…and she nailed GRAB BAG.

---

Prize Puzzle Round: PHRASE

Mark gets off to a TERRIBLE start w/ the other normal BANKRUPT, so there goes his MDW. Second, Amanda picks up the 1/2 CAR next to $900 w/ a T, buys four E’s and three A’s, lights up a $450 N, and gets the Omaha Steaks gift tag w/ three C’s. But her next purchase of I is the sole dud vowel of this board. Third, Wennie finds a Y while on the other 1/2 CAR to take the Chevy Sonic out of play and buys the remaining vowels of two O’s and U. She spins again for $500 R and L singles (pink and purple, respectively), and two W’s for another $1,100. We have…

Y O U / C A N
E _ _ E C T / A
W A R _ / W E L C O _ E

Not only did you win your first $2,100, YOU CAN EXPECT A WARM WELCOME on your $6,700 hotwire.com vacation to The Springs Resort & Spa in COSTA RICA.

SOLE DUD: I (Amanda)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Mark

Mark: $5,550/Amanda: $4,100 WC/Wennie: $8,800 cash & C.R.

---

$3K Toss-Up: PLACE

_ E _ _ H B O _ H O O D
_ _ _ K _ T

Wennie gets NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET to move to $11,800.

Round 4: ON THE MAP

First from Wennie are a $900 T and two E’s, but it’s time for the Final Spin…

T _ E / _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E

…and the leftover consonants are worth $1,900 apiece.

Wennie: 2 H’s
Mark: 2 N’s

T H E / _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ N H _ N _ _ E

Mark’s $3,800 guess of THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE doesn’t fit the category. Amanda calls the P next (and Mark knew he blew it)…

T H E / _ _ _ _ _ _ _
P _ N H _ N _ _ E

…she solves THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE for said Final Spin amount.

SOLE DQ: Mark’s blown solve

FINAL SCORES
Mark: $5,550/Amanda: $6K WC/Wennie: $11,800 cash and C.R.

GT: $23,350
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding MDW): $3,100

---

$100K Bonus Round

The non-playing Mark is in the crowd; Wennie’s stopping point is that C envelope.

Category: PLACE

Some people live in this type of home…

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

CHPI will give her the first word…

P R I _ _ T E
_ _ N _ _ L _ _

…but that’s it, so Harry will be keeping the $30K in the vault of his PRIVATE BUNGALOW (if he does live in one).

$5K SPIN ID: BL4227823

MY RATING: 5

WoF Recap: March 18, 2013

EPISODE #5786: AMERICA’S GAME (WK. 3)

Opening Flashback Clip (2008): Pat kissing a dolphin during their Hawaii road trip

Unfortunately, we’re kicking things off on the set of NBA Week (notice the red and blue lights on the generic set) and the car available is the Toyota Venza.

$1K Toss-Up: ON THE MAP

_ _ _ _ _ U _ E E
W _ S _ O _ S I _

Our sole female player of the night, Adriana, located MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. It’s bio time…

Dr. Adriana Nguyen: USC radiology resident married to Brian for 2 years who likes to scuba-dive, zipline, and skydive from Los Angeles (obviously NOT related to yours truly)

Nate Evans: attorney & occasional basketball player married w/ four sons from Knoxville, TN

Jason Barth: telecommunications firm self-consultant married to Melinda w/ two boys and collects autographs from New Braunfels, TX

$2K Toss-Up: SONG LYRICS

_ _ _ _ _ / G _ _ _ G _ A
_ _ _ _ N

No guess from Nate.

_ _ E _ _ / G _ _ _ G _ A
_ _ _ _ N

Jason solves “SWEET GEORGIA BROWN”.

FEATURED TRIP: NYC’s Roosevelt Hotel w/ Broadway tickets to a show of your choice and an up close and personal workshop worth $6,410
Gift Tag: Gas cards

Jackpot Round: PERSON

Getting him started are a $900 N, five E’s, and two $2,500 T’s, followed by two A’s, two $300 R’s, but then the sole dud vowel of I. Second, Adriana says S for sorry. Third, Nate picks up the Conoco/76/Phillips 66 gas card w/ two C’s, lights up two $650 L’s…

R E C E N T
C _ L L E _ E
_ R A _ _ A T E

…and solves RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE for $3,300 cash and gas card.

DUDS: I (Jason), S (Adriana)
UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $10,750

Mystery Round: PHRASE

Adriana’s first w/ the letters spelling TEA in that order (two $400 T’s, two E’s, and two A’s via FP), a $3,500 N, three $350 H’s, and the last vowels of O and four I’s. But after picking up the NYC trip w/ four S’s, she says M for mistake to likely cost her $13,010 cash and trip. Over to Nate who inserts two R’s and goes for what’s behind the MW next to LaT…$10K! But he then craps out w/ C while on top dollar. Jason then inserts two B’s for $1,800…

H I S / B A R _ / I S
_ O R S E / T H A N
H I S / B I T E

…and says “HIS BARK IS WORSE THAN HIS BITE” to keep that amount.

DUDS: M (Adriana), C (Nate)

Adriana: $1K/Nate: $3,300 cash and gasoline/Jason: $3,800

Bonus Puzzle Flashback (1992 road show): THING

BDMI was chosen by this man…

L _ M B
_ _ _ _

He solved LAMB CHOP (it’s also the famous puppet created by the late Shari Lewis).

---

Prize Puzzle Round: THING

First from Nate are two $500 S’s and E for error. Second, Jason takes two $600 N’s, three A’s and four I’s, twin L’s for $700 and a D for the 1/2 CAR next to $900 w/ a D. But after spinning up $500 R and G singles, he BANKRUPTs next to $650 and loses $2,900 as well as his plate. Third, Adriana LaTs out, after which Nate fills in a $900 C and two $350 H’s before getting the LaT as well. Jason doesn’t want to take another spin…

C H A R _ I N G
I S L A N D
H _ S _ I _ A L I _ _

He and his wife will love the CHARMING ISLAND HOSPITALITY of the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in ST. THOMAS courtesy of hotwire.com ($5,700).

SOLE DUD: E (Nate)
LaTs: 2 (Adriana, Nate)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Jason

Adriana: $1K/Nate: $3,300 cash & gasoline/Jason: $9,500 cash & trip

---

$3K Toss-Up: LANDMARK

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

Home of the Lakers and Clippers, Jason solves the STAPLES CENTER.

Speed-Up: FOOD & DRINK

Consonants are worth $1,550 apiece.

Jason: N (DUD)
Adriana: T (DUD)
Nate: S
Jason: 2 R’s
Adriana: C
Nate: 2 H’s
Jason: 2 D’s

D _ _ _ – D _ S H
C H _ R R _ / _ _ _

Jason solves DEEP-DISH CHERRY PIE for $6,200. 

DUDS: N (Jason), T (Adriana) 

FINAL SCORES
Adriana: $1K/Nate: $3,300 cash & gasoline/Jason: $18,700 cash & trip

GT: $23K
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding plate): $2,900

---

$100K Bonus Round

With Melinda watching, Jason somehow makes it to that *.

Category: PHRASE

RSTLNE gives us…

_ _ / N _ T
_ _ _ _ E

MFPO only gives him the vowel…

_ O / N O T
_ _ _ _ E

…but he still nails this puzzle! And Pat, DO NOT BUDGE, because he just won the $30K and picks you up in his victory celebration! His final total is $48,700 cash and trip.

$5K SPIN ID: MW3263253

MY RATING: 6