A “Wheel of Fortune” puzzle from May 2017 has resurfaced online, reigniting confusion, laughter, and a wave of creative guesses. The puzzle caught the nation’s attention when a podcast host shared a screenshot of it on Twitter. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 40,000 likes and 13,000 retweets, and sparked widespread amusement and debate across social media.
The puzzle, which initially appeared straightforward, proved to be surprisingly challenging for viewers. Hundreds of Twitter users jumped in with their guesses, ranging from plausible to utterly nonsensical. Suggestions like “Suck it dork,” “Duck at work,” “Lick it fork,” “Pick at pork,” and the bizarre “Return to Zork” filled the comment threads. A few users even took the liberty of offering less-than-family-friendly answers, adding another layer of humor to the viral moment.
The Internet Has a Field Day
As guesses poured in, the post drew attention not only from “Wheel of Fortune” fans but also from those who typically don’t watch the show. The sheer creativity—and absurdity—of the responses kept people entertained, and the podcast host who shared the puzzle reveled in the attention.
“I really appreciate all the replies and quote tweets of this with alternate jokes,” the host wrote on Twitter. “Can’t get enough of it!”
Other users shared their excitement. One commented, “[H]ahahahahaha why can’t I be watching when this sh** happens!?” Another admitted, “[I] hate that show but this is funny.”
For those curious about the actual answer, the contestant on the original show guessed it correctly within a minute: “Back at work.” Despite the simplicity of the solution, the flurry of guesses online proved that sometimes, the entertainment value lies not in the puzzle itself but in the reactions it generates.
A Year of Viral Moments for “Wheel of Fortune”
This wasn’t the only time in 2017 that “Wheel of Fortune” captured national attention. Just a couple of months earlier, in March, a contestant named Kevin became a viral sensation after a hilarious mix-up involving a famous play. The puzzle, “A STREETCAR NA_ED DESIRE,” led Kevin to guess “A Streetcar Naked Desire” instead of the correct answer, “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
The slip-up delighted viewers and even the show’s long-time host, Pat Sajak, who couldn’t resist making a joke about it. “And although you got the right answer,” Sajak quipped to the winning contestant, “I’d rather see Kevin’s play.”
Social media users wasted no time sharing their thoughts. One person tweeted, “Dude on Wheel of Fortune had to solve this: A STREETCAR NA_ED DESIRE. He asked for a K. I’m gonna go lie down.” Another added, “Nothing’s funnier to me than Wheel of Fortune fails. Unlike Jeopardy, it’s literally spelled out for you.” A third joked, “Hey, Wheel of Fortune contestant who just tried to fill in A STREETCAR NA_ED DESIRE with a K, DM me—I’ll buy you a beer or 20.”
Another Hilarious Guess Steals the Spotlight
Just weeks after Kevin’s viral moment, another contestant became the talk of the internet with a similarly amusing blunder. The puzzle, “O_EYS_CK_E B_S,” fell under the category “Living Things.” While the correct answer was “Honeysuckle bush,” one contestant guessed “Popsicle bike,” leaving viewers in stitches.
Reflecting on her guess, the contestant later admitted, “I don’t know what I was saying. Maybe it’s because I saw a ‘K’ at the bottom, but I’m like OK, let’s move on. So I didn’t think about it, but my daughter’s like, ‘That’s gonna go all over.’”
Why “Wheel of Fortune” Stays Relevant
These viral moments highlight why “Wheel of Fortune” remains a beloved cornerstone of American television. Its format, which combines word puzzles with lighthearted entertainment, creates opportunities for hilarity that resonate far beyond its regular audience. Unlike trivia-based shows such as “Jeopardy,” “Wheel of Fortune” invites contestants to solve puzzles that appear simple but often leave room for humorous missteps.
Social media amplifies these moments, turning on-air blunders and clever guesses into internet sensations. They remind us of the unpredictability of live television and the shared joy of laughing at the unexpected.
A Game Show That Keeps on Giving
Over the years, “Wheel of Fortune” has delivered countless memorable moments, from clever solves to laugh-out-loud mistakes. These instances aren’t just entertaining—they bring people together through humor and nostalgia. Whether it’s a contestant confidently guessing “Popsicle bike” or the internet turning “Back at work” into a viral guessing game, the show proves that its appeal goes far beyond spinning the wheel.
As you watch the next episode, keep an eye out for those unexpected moments that might just become the next big internet sensation. After all, it’s not just about solving the puzzle—it’s about enjoying the journey, one hilarious guess at a time.
