“Wheel of Fortune” threw the rulebook out the window this week — and fans are loving it. In a first for the iconic game show, Monday night’s episode didn’t pit strangers against each other. Instead, three longtime friends and colleagues from a Rhode Island fire department took the stage to battle it out for cash, bragging rights, and the ultimate title of “Best Wheel of Fortune Contestant.”
Melissa “Missy” Porter, Darrin “Poppa” Gallagher, and Tim Stebenne—who have worked side-by-side for over 20 years—weren’t just playing for money. They were playing for pride. And the friendly competition between them was front and center. Porter joked about only making meatballs when the show’s on, Gallagher brought years of station seniority, and Stebenne compared himself to “David” taking on Goliaths.
Viewers took to social media to praise the new format. One Instagram user raved, “This is so much better than playing in teams.” Another added, “I’m confused but obsessed with this dynamic.” The twist sparked conversations across Reddit and Twitter, with many saying the camaraderie added a refreshing, human element to the high-stakes game.
It wasn’t just the players who made the episode unique—some fan-favorite twists returned as well. The Jackpot round made a comeback, starting at zero and climbing $500 with each spin. Whoever solved the puzzle would take the full amount, provided they avoided the dreaded “Bankrupt.” The coveted $1 Million wedge also made an appearance, with host Ryan Seacrest keeping it in play for the Bonus Round if no one hit Bankrupt during the round.
As for gameplay, it was a close competition. Gallagher and Porter nailed the early toss-ups. Stebenne took home a trip to Iceland after solving “Love-Hate Relationship,” and followed it up with another win. Gallagher later solved “Lush Rainforest of Panama,” scoring a second vacation prize. By the Triple Toss-Ups, Gallagher pulled ahead, claiming all three for $10,000.
In the end, Porter closed strong with “Running Neck and Neck” for $6,000, ending her night with $7,000. Stebenne left with $12,700. But it was Gallagher who took the crown—and $20,150 plus a trip to Panama.
The Bonus Round, however, proved a heartbreaker. With the category “What Are You Doing?” Gallagher selected his letters and was left staring at “TAK_NG A _ _ _ _ _.” He guessed “Taking a…” but couldn’t land on the final word: “whiff.”
Seacrest announced he’d missed out on a $40,000 prize. Viewers were quick to react, noting that this marked the 11th consecutive Bonus Round loss.
One YouTube viewer summed it up: “At this point, just let someone win already.” Another quipped, “Who even uses the word ‘whiff’ anymore?”
Still, despite the Bonus Round stumble, fans seem thrilled with the show’s willingness to innovate. With fresh formats, familiar faces, and twists that keep even longtime viewers on their toes, “Wheel of Fortune” looks to be entering a bold new era.
Sources: TV Insider