Wheel of Fortune Fans were left confused after Friday’s (January 10) episode when a contestant was awarded a correct solution to the puzzle despite adding extra words to their answer.

The candidate in question was Kiana Moreland, a college graduate from Grand Terrace, California. During the Express Round, Moreland attempted to solve a puzzle in the “Critters” category that read: “AARDVARKS / AND / AN _ E _ _ _ E S.”

As she gave the answer, she said, “Is it aardvarks and antelope?” Host Ryan Seacrest paused for a moment before declaring that Moreland’s answer was correct, although she added the “Is it?” to the beginning of your answer.

After the episode, a user of the Wheel of Fortune The Reddit forum brought up the controversial ruling, writing: “On Friday, January 10, 2025, a participant won a puzzle, but she said, ‘Is it ‘aardvarks and antelopes’?” I was absolutely certain that the “The jury would think her answer was wrong, but after Ryan’s longer-than-usual pause, he announced she got it right!”

“What?! “I thought the whole ‘adding extra words’ thing was universal to all puzzles,” the user continued, before sarcastically adding, “That was an injustice the likes of which the world has never seen before!!”

Other commenters debated the ruling, with one person replying: “I think it’s because they hadn’t started saying the actual puzzle yet.” For example, adding “and” to a crossword puzzle is invalid because it is in in the middle of the answer. It’s probably permissible to say “It is” before solving, since you’re not “contributing to the puzzle,” you’re just prefixing your guess.”

However, another recalled that a previous participant was called out for adding “How I’m feeling right now” before replying: “I’m so excited.”

Others brought up an infamous moment in which a participant said, “I declare victory,” before answering “I declare victory,” which was declared false, completely baffling him.

Another explained: “If the contestant said on his turn, ‘Are they aardvarks and antelopes?’ WITHOUT SAYING ‘I’d like to solve the puzzle’ then I can understand why it’s valid, but if he said ‘ I would like to solve.” “. Then they can’t say “it is” and wouldn’t have done it anyway.”

“One contestant was denied a puzzle win because the judges said he put “A” before “Frozen Concoction” and then repeated himself and just said “Frozen Concoction.” He was rejected,” the commenter continued. “I think he said, ‘I’d like to solve it.’ Sad fact is that the lady after him just said ‘frozen concoction’ and won the puzzle.”

“This doesn’t happen often, but there is a provision in the rules that allows it,” another added.

Another pointed to the official rules of Wheel of Fortune LiveIt says: “In all cases, the judges will attempt to give the benefit of the doubt to the contestant solving the puzzle, taking into account language impairments, regional dialects, nervous contestants and studio conditions.” Each case will be evaluated individually and the judges’ decision is final.”

“I had the feeling that the wheel And Danger “Since the new hosts took over, both judges have been a little more lenient,” said another. “Just coincidental timing, I imagine. People like to see other people win money, so maybe give people the benefit of the doubt.”

“I was waiting for Ryan to say ‘sorry, that’s not right’ and especially because he hesitated for a few seconds before replying that it was a correct solution,” another added. “I think there’s more banter between host and contestant and they feel more comfortable, but it’s still a risky solution!”

Moreland won the episode despite failing to solve the bonus round puzzle and becoming the sixth contestant this season to miss out on the huge $100,000 prize.

What did you think of the verdict? Should Seacrest have accepted the answer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.