Yahoo Finance Audi steps in to give Wheel of Fortune contestant a car after she lost on a technicality
Wheel of Fortune giveth, and Wheel of Fortune taketh away... and Audi giveth instead.
After a contestant on the long-running game show lost out on a prize due to a technicality (yet again), the luxury car company is stepping in to provide that contestant with (read the following in your best TV announcer voice) a BRAND NEW CAR!!!
Wheel of Fortune 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant Charlene Rubush, who lost a car in a technicality, is getting it anyway — thanks to Audi.
On Tuesday's episode of Wheel, player Charlene Rubush made it to the show's final challenge, the bonus round, to go for the grand prize of a new Audi Q3. Despite giving the correct answer to the puzzle (which, ironically enough, was "Choosing the right word"), a long pause in her response caused host Pat Sajak to rule it incorrect.
"This one's tough, because you said all the right words, including the word 'word,' but, as you know, it's gotta be more or less continuous," he said. "We'll allow for a little pause, but not four or five seconds."
The ruling drew ire from Wheel fans on social media, with former Jeopardy champion Alex Jacob tweeting, "Come on @WheelofFortune, the woman literally chose the right word. Give her the car."
On Wednesday, Audi's official Twitter account responded to the controversy, writing, "You're a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize."
You're a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ3. https://t.co/x0e3j1CqY9
— Audi USA (@Audi) December 22, 2021
Of course, it's easy enough to tweet that, but Audi followed up the next day, confirming that the company had been able to reach Rubush.
"There's no community like the Audi community. With your help, we tracked down Charlene!" the account tweeted on Thursday. "More to come as we help #GiveHerTheQ3."
There's no community like the Audi community. With your help, we tracked down Charlene!
More to come as we help #GiveHerTheQ3. https://t.co/WrX5xOVgIE— Audi USA (@Audi) December 23, 2021
As noted, this is hardly the first time a Wheel contestant has lost due to an arcane rule. Mere months ago, fans were up in arms over a player's loss due to a rule that contestants are not allowed to say "and" when listing the words in a crossword puzzle on the show.
Representatives for Wheel of Fortune production company, Sony, didn't immediately respond to EW's request for comment and clarification of the pausing rule.
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