Monday night viewers of Wheel of Fortune were left scratching their heads when the prize puzzle was revealed.
Contestant Tom Stadnicki, a married father of two from Watkins Glen, New York, won himself a trip when he successfully completed a puzzle in the "Living Things" category. Stadnicki—and viewers at home—were shocked to learn that his trip would be to South Dakota.
"You know, this is a really great trip you haven't been on; we're taking you on a tour of South Dakota!" host Pat Sajak, who has helmed the show since 1981, said.
People weren't satisfied with the prize and took to X, formerly Twitter, to support Stadnicki, who wasn't quite getting a dream vacation. Others pointed out the fact that contestants are usually gifted luxurious overseas holidays.
"You always see these people winning vacations to tropical destinations on Wheel of Fortune... and then tonight it's South Dakota. Oh boy," one person wrote.
"Dude just won a trip to South Dakota on Wheel of Fortune. He couldn't look more excited," someone else joked alongside three laugh-crying emojis.
"Wow. Guy on wheel of fortune won a trip!!! To South Dakota. He and the rest of America couldn't be more disappointed," another person wrote.
A fourth person added: "Dude on Wheel of Fortune just won a vacation to South Dakota. LMAOOOO, I'd be heated."
After introducing a video showcasing the prize, announcer Jim Thorton went on to promote "iconic sights" such as Mount Rushmore. It is during this segment that viewers noticed a glaring mistake, pointing out how one of the "iconic sights" it showed was Devils Tower. This is a national monument in Crook County, Wyoming, not South Dakota.
You always see these people winning vacations to tropical destinations on Wheel of Fortune… and then tonight it’s South Dakota. Oh boy.
— Jake (@TwinsJake) March 25, 2024
Newsweek emailed Sony Pictures Television, which owns the game show, to comment on this story on Thursday.
"Did they really just show Devil's tower when describing the tour of South Dakota? Time to break out a map, and apologize to the people of Wyoming," a different X user wrote.
"Wheel of Fortune needs to work on their geography! The trip giveaway for the prize puzzle was a trip to Western South Dakota, and the first image they showed was of Devil's Tower in Wyoming! Lol," said another.
"Tom wins a trip to South Dakota and the first image @WheelofFortune shows for the trip is Devil's Tower, which is in Wyoming," a third person wrote.
Someone else added: "#wheeloffortune just gave away a trip to South Dakota and showed a picture of Devil's Tower, which is in Wyoming!"
It was a memorable night for Stadnicki, as he shocked Sajak and viewers by solving another puzzle on the night with only a single letter revealed on the board—a feat that is truly remarkable within the context of the show.
With just one "S" on the board and the category being "On the Map," contestant Stadnicki was able to solve the puzzle, which was: Glacier Bay Alaska.
"How'd you do that?" Sajak asked in astonishment.
"I looked a lot at maps before this game," Stadnicki responded.
Still surprised, Pat replied:
"Oh, did you? That's exactly what I would have said. I would have said it like eight letters down the road."
With a total of $33,048, Stadnicki advanced to the Bonus Round but could not solve the final puzzle.
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