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Controversial Finale on Wheel of Fortune Leaves Fans Divided
A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune sparked a lively debate among fans regarding the judges’ decision on a pivotal moment during the game. Contestant Sarah LaPilusa, a psychologist and mental health clinic owner from Poway, California, achieved a remarkable win in the Bonus Round on February 27, leading to varying opinions on whether her answer came in time.
Competing against LaPilusa was Jimmy Holgerson, a seasoned Air Force member from Goldsboro, North Carolina, who shared that participating in the show had greatly helped him improve his speech despite facing challenges in his youth. The other contestant, Yolanda Tillett, a travel enthusiast known for her vibrant personality and a fondness for music, showcased her beatboxing skills during the episode, even reminiscing about partying with Snoop Dogg.
This beatboxing on Wheel of Fortune is pure gold #WheelOfFortune #beatboxing pic.twitter.com/Cy9lmu04Gs
— JackBurton (@JackBurtonmee) February 27, 2025
As the game progressed, Holgerson concluded with $2,000, while Tillett earned $13,500. LaPilusa triumphed with a total of $15,050, which included a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She was accompanied by her husband, Justin, and her two children, Samantha and Ally, who cheered her on during the show.
For her final puzzle, LaPilusa selected the category “People.” After receiving the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E, she guessed the letters M, B, H, and O, leading to an incomplete puzzle displayed as “_ _ SS_ B_B_ES.” In a critical moment, she initially shouted “Jazzy babies,” which was incorrect, but just as time expired, she correctly yelled “Fussy babies!”
Host Ryan Seacrest expressed disbelief, exclaiming, “Oh my God! It is ‘Fussy Babies.’ Did she make it in time, judges?” After a brief pause, he confirmed her win, prompting LaPilusa to celebrate wildly on stage, embracing Seacrest in joy. She walked away with an impressive additional $40,000, totaling $55,050.
Seacrest remarked, “That was incredible! I’ve never seen anything so close,” but the moment left fans in a split over whether LaPilusa’s answer was valid before the buzzer. Some viewers supported her win, noting the nail-biting nature of the moment. Comments included expressions of astonishment with phrases like “THE LAST MICRO-SECOND!!!” and “Now THAT was definitely a buzzer beater!”
However, others were critical, suggesting that her answer came after the buzzer had sounded. Comments ranged from “Fussy Babies – the most barely solve I’ve seen” to accusations of the moment being visibly unfair, with one user suggesting the win was “100% after the buzzer.”
This controversy raises questions about the timing and precision of answers on game shows like Wheel of Fortune, and fans are left pondering the fairness of the judging decisions made in high-pressure situations.
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