Wheel of Fortune Contestant Loses Car in Bonus Round

Audience groans as contestant fails to solve one-word puzzle

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:26pm

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A bold, graphic silhouette of a Wheel of Fortune game board, with a single letter 'V' cut out of the center in a stark, jagged shape, representing the missing letter that cost the contestant the grand prize. Muted, high-contrast colors of black, white, and deep red convey the emotional weight of the moment.The dramatic tension of a Wheel of Fortune contestant's near-miss on the grand prize sparks a collective groan from the studio audience.Los Angeles Today

On a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune, contestant Joey Nicotera made it to the Bonus Round after a close game against two other players. However, despite having the standard letters revealed, Nicotera was unable to solve the one-word puzzle and missed out on winning a Toyota car.

Why it matters

Wheel of Fortune is one of the most popular game shows on television, with millions of viewers tuning in each week. Moments like this, where a contestant is tantalizingly close to winning a major prize only to fall short, are always dramatic and generate strong reactions from the audience.

The details

Nicotera, who works for an organization that breeds and trains guide dogs, had a strong performance throughout the game, solving several puzzles and amassing over $30,000 in winnings. In the Bonus Round, he was given the standard letters R, S, T, L, N, and E, as well as the ability to select four additional letters. However, even with those advantages, he was unable to solve the one-word puzzle, which was revealed to be 'Vocalist'.

  • The episode aired on March 27, 2026.

The players

Joey Nicotera

A contestant from Sarasota, Florida who works for an organization that breeds, raises, and trains guide dog and seeing eye dog puppies.

Emi Horst

A contestant from Los Angeles, California who is a fan of the 'Before and After' puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.

Debbie Mickles

A contestant from Middletown, Delaware who played in honor of her late husband.

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The takeaway

This episode of Wheel of Fortune highlights the dramatic tension and excitement that can come from a contestant being so close to winning a major prize, only to fall short at the last moment. The audience's collective groan underscores how invested viewers can become in the outcomes of these game shows.