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Memphis Today
By the People, for the People
'Wheel of Fortune' Contestants Stumped by 'Chummy Buddies' Bonus Round Puzzle
Fans slam the game show for an 'obscure' and 'bogus' final round clue that left contestants and viewers confused.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:25pm
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The dazzling lights and high-stakes drama of 'Wheel of Fortune' can sometimes obscure puzzles that feel more contrived than clever to viewers at home.Memphis TodayOn a recent episode of 'Wheel of Fortune,' contestant Ally Metcalf was unable to solve the Bonus Round puzzle 'Chummy Buddies' in the allotted time, despite revealing several letters. Fans online criticized the puzzle as being too obscure and unnatural, with many arguing the show's producers were unfairly stumping contestants.
Why it matters
As one of the longest-running and most popular game shows on television, 'Wheel of Fortune' has built a loyal following over the decades. When the show presents puzzles that seem overly difficult or contrived, it can frustrate viewers and raise questions about the fairness of the game.
The details
During the April 9th episode, returning champion Jim Spallina won $21,500 over two days, but it was fellow contestant Ally Metcalf from Memphis, Texas who made it to the Bonus Round. With the letters M, D, P, and A revealed, the board showed the puzzle as '_ _ MM _ _DD_ES.' Metcalf guessed 'Paddles' for the last word but couldn't solve the full phrase in time. The correct answer was 'Chummy Buddies,' which many viewers found to be an obscure and unnatural phrase.
- The episode aired on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
- Metcalf was playing for a Ford vehicle in the Bonus Round.
The players
Ally Metcalf
A contestant from Memphis, Texas who made it to the Bonus Round but was unable to solve the 'Chummy Buddies' puzzle.
Jim Spallina
The returning champion who won $21,500 over two days on the show.
Ryan Seacrest
The host of 'Wheel of Fortune' who acknowledged the difficulty of the puzzle.
Vanna White
The long-time letter turner on 'Wheel of Fortune' who was spotted at the Coachella music festival that weekend.
What they’re saying
“Seriously!! Chummy buddies?! Who would ever think of that?”
— Reddit user
“I did get buddies. Couldn't figure out the first word.”
— Reddit user
“Another one of those puzzles where they put some words together, but nobody ever actually says those words together. That puzzle was pretty bogus.”
— Reddit user
What’s next
Metcalf will have a chance to redeem herself and try for the Bonus Round prize again on the next episode of 'Wheel of Fortune'.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing debate around the difficulty and fairness of 'Wheel of Fortune' puzzles, with some viewers feeling the show's producers are intentionally creating obscure and unnatural phrases to stump contestants. It raises questions about maintaining the right balance between challenging gameplay and viewer enjoyment.
