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Memphis Today
By the People, for the People
Wheel of Fortune Fans Criticize 'Old-Timey' Bonus Round Puzzle
Contestant Ally Metcalf loses out on a car after failing to solve the confusing 'Chummy Buddies' puzzle.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:26pm
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The dazzling, high-stakes world of Wheel of Fortune is not without its controversies, as fans blast the show over a perplexing bonus puzzle that cost a contestant a car.Memphis TodayOn a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune, contestant Ally Metcalf was unable to solve the Bonus Round puzzle 'Chummy Buddies,' losing out on a chance to win a Ford car. Many viewers criticized the puzzle as being too obscure and 'old-timey,' with some saying they had never heard the phrase 'chummy buddies' used together before.
Why it matters
Wheel of Fortune is one of the longest-running and most popular game shows on television, with a loyal fanbase that closely follows each episode. When the show presents a puzzle that is seen as too difficult or out-of-touch, it can frustrate viewers and lead to backlash against the program.
The details
During the April 9th episode, contestant Ally Metcalf made it to the Bonus Round after winning the main game. She was given the standard letters (R, S, T, L, N, E) to start, and then chose M, D, P, and A to fill out the puzzle. However, even with those letters revealed, Metcalf was unable to solve the puzzle in the time limit, which turned out to be 'Chummy Buddies.' Many fans took to social media to criticize the puzzle, calling it 'old-timey' and saying they had never heard that phrase used together before.
- The episode aired on April 9, 2026.
- Ally Metcalf was the contestant who failed to solve the Bonus Round puzzle.
The players
Ally Metcalf
A contestant on Wheel of Fortune who was unable to solve the 'Chummy Buddies' Bonus Round puzzle, costing her a chance to win a car.
Ryan Seacrest
The host of Wheel of Fortune, who acknowledged that the puzzle was a 'tricky one' that 'no one was getting.'
What they’re saying
“That bonus puzzle, wtf man?”
— Reddit user
“Seriously!! Chummy buddies?! Who would ever think of that?”
— Wheel of Fortune fan
“It's kind of old-timey.”
— Wheel of Fortune fan
“Even Ryan was like yeah I mean no one was getting that one lol.”
— Wheel of Fortune fan
“Another one of those puzzles where they put some words together, but nobody ever actually says those words together. That puzzle was pretty bogus.”
— Wheel of Fortune fan
What’s next
Ally Metcalf will have another chance to compete in the Bonus Round on the following episode of Wheel of Fortune, which airs on April 10, 2026.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the delicate balance game shows like Wheel of Fortune must strike between presenting challenging puzzles and maintaining engagement with their loyal fanbase. Overly obscure or 'old-timey' puzzles can alienate viewers and lead to backlash, underscoring the importance of crafting puzzles that feel fresh and accessible to modern audiences.
