Fans Say “Wheel of Fortune” Is Getting Too Predictable—Was This Bonus Round Just Too Easy?
“Wheel of Fortune” fans are known for speaking their minds, and this time, they’re calling out the show for being a little too predictable.
While previous complaints have centered on puzzles being too hard, the January 30 episode sparked the opposite reaction—viewers are now asking: was the Bonus Round too easy?
That night’s episode featured three contestants: Marilyn Harrod of Louisville, Kentucky; Shaun Terbeest of Waupun, Wisconsin; and Denise Robinson of Lihue, Hawaii. All three had a solid start, but Robinson quickly pulled ahead. After dominating the Mystery and Express rounds, she built up $31,898 in winnings and snagged an Alaskan tour package.
By the final round, Robinson had widened the gap even further, bringing her total to $47,898—well ahead of Terbeest’s $10,250 and Harrod’s $3,000. She advanced to the Bonus Round with a strong lead.
Robinson selected the “Place” category and chose the letters H, D, V, and A. The puzzle appeared as:
_ A N _ / V A _ L T
She solved it almost immediately: “Bank Vault.”
That quick solve earned her an additional $40,000, bringing her final total to an impressive $87,898.
While Robinson celebrated, many fans at home were less enthusiastic. Several took to social media to complain that the puzzle was far too simple.
“That was literally the easiest final #WheelOfFortune I’ve ever seen,” one X user wrote.
“Is it just me, or are these puzzles getting way easier after RSTLNE?” another asked.
One commenter added, “I solved it before her extra letters were even revealed.”
Some even suspected the puzzle had been reused from decades ago, with one viewer claiming, “Pretty sure they did ‘Bank Vault’ back in the 1980s.”
The Bonus Round puzzle wasn’t the only thing raising eyebrows. Several longtime fans also questioned the frequency of the $40,000 prize.
“What’s the point of spinning the bonus wheel if it keeps landing on $40K?” one YouTube commenter asked.
“When was the last time we saw a top prize higher than that?” another wrote.
One dedicated fan even did the math, noting, “104 episodes into the season, and still no million-dollar winner.”
With growing calls for more variety in both puzzle difficulty and prize values, some are wondering whether “Wheel of Fortune” will make adjustments in the future. But for now, fans remain divided.
What do you think? Was the Bonus Round too easy—or just Robinson’s night to shine?
