After a puzzling loss due to a technicality, a “Wheel of Fortune” contestant will receive a new Audi after all.
After her hesitant answer on the long-running game show cost Charlene Rubush an Audi Q3, the automaker announced it was gifting her the vehicle, Entertainment Weekly reported.
During Tuesday’s airing of the show, Rubush reached the bonus round with $16,500 in earnings, Entertainment Weekly reported. With 10 seconds to solve the final puzzle, themed “What are you doing?” Rubush initially incorrectly guessed “Choosing the right card.”
As the clock ran out, Rubush tried again, saying the correct phrase, “Choosing the right ... word,” but delaying the last word for a few beats before answering.
“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak ruled the answer 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,” Sajak said. “We’ll allow for a little pause, but not four or five seconds.
“I’m sorry. You did a good job of getting it, but we can’t give you the prize, and it was the Audi.”
The Audi Q3 is a luxury SUV that starts at $35,900.
“Whenever there is a close thing like that, a rule, a technicality if you will, one of the rules, for example adding an ‘and’ during the crossword round, people say ‘just give it to them,’” Sajak said at the end of the show. “But there’s a reason you have rules and you can’t start bending, that gets into dangerous territory, but she did great.”
Viewers of the show were unhappy with the decision and went on Twitter to complain.
“Come on @WheelofFortune , the woman literally chose the right word,” “Jeopardy!” contestant Alex Jacobs tweeted. “Give her the car.”
A second fan tweeted, “It’s Christmas. Give her the Audi. #WheelofFortune.”
Tara Rush, Audi of America’s Chief Marketing Officer, told CNN in a statement that the company was “thrilled to gift Charlene” the vehicle.
“It is the season of giving after all and, technicality or not, we are always eager to share a bit of Audi magic and cheer!” Rush said.
“Wheel of Fortune” did not immediately respond to requests for comment, CNN and Entertainment Weekly reported.