March 31, 1997 recap | Buy a Vowel Boards

March 31, 1997 recap May 16, 2021 23:48:04 GMT -5

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Post by mechamind on May 16, 2021 23:48:04 GMT -5

Airdate: March 31, 1997

From Sony Pictures Studio, it's America's game! Time for a European Vacation!

Today's contestants:
John Gress: Manages a restaurant in Santa Monica, from Newbury Park, CA
Carol Rogers: Mother of three, from Macon, GA
Kendalyn Kyse: Senior at University of Utah double majoring in political science and communications, from Salt Lake City

The top-dollar value on the Wheel is $1,000. Note that we are still playing for dollars. Here's our first puzzle:

Round 1

LANDMARK

JOHN	Carol	Kendalyn
$1,000: T (x2) -$250: E (x2) $250: H -$250: O $600: P Solve: Correct!
$2,350

LANDMARK

Perfection! John solves THE PENTAGON.

John	Carol	Kendalyn
$2,350

That didn't take long. Is John in a hurry to win a prize? Maybe a 6-day holiday at Dutch St. Maarten's Belair Beach Hotel (labeled ST. MAARTEN) worth $4,080?

Maybe he's in a hurry to win some cash! The $2,500 and one-third $10,000 spaces could boost his score. No matter what, he'll have to wait his turn...

Round 2

HEADLINE

John	CAROL	Kendalyn
	$350: T $250: N (x4) -$250: E (x5) $800: R (x3) $300: S (x4) -$250: I (x3) SURPRISE: P $2,500: D (x2) -$250: O (x3) $250: F Solve: Correct!
	$9,450+

HEADLINE

Double perfection! Carol solves NIXON RESIGNS FORD BECOMES PRESIDENT.

But there's more than one surprise for Carol! She has a chance at $2,000 more if she can answer a bonus question...

What year did this occur? Was it 1972, 1973, or 1974?

She guesses 1972, which is not the year. That was his re-election year, but he resigned in 1974.

Now for the bigger Surprise...Carol has won a vacation at Merv's Wickenburg Inn Dude Ranch and Tennis Club in Arizona worth $6,592!

"Stop singing! I'm trying to eat my beans out here!" - Pat

John	Carol	Kendalyn
$2,350	$16,042

After "observing", Kendalyn finally has a chance, and we finally put the $3,500 and Jackpot spaces on the Wheel.

Round 3

THINGS

John	Carol	KENDALYN
		$250: S $600: N (x3) -$250: E (x2) St. Maarten: L (x2) $600: T (x2) -$250: I (x2) $250: M (DUD!)
		$2,750+
$250: P $900: C Solve: Correct!
$1,150

THINGS

John solves SPAGHETTI & CANNELLONI. "Your order will be up shortly."

John	Carol	Kendalyn
$3,500	$16,042

John wants some Big Money, and he wants it now! Let's bring in the $5,000 space!

Round 4

BEFORE & AFTER

JOHN	Carol	Kendalyn
$250: P (DUD!)	$600: N (DUD!)	$900: S $250: R (DUD!)
		$900
Lose A Turn!	$550: F -$250: O (x2) Lose A Turn!	$550: G $350: D (DUD!)
	$300	$1,450
$400: V (DUD!)	BANKRUPT! ($300)	$250: T -$250: E -$250: A (DUD!)
		$1,200
$250: Y $900: L (DUD!)	$300: C (x2) $900: K (x2) Solve: Correct!
$250	$2,400

BEFORE & AFTER

Carol solves HOCKEY STICK OF GUM.

John	Carol	Kendalyn
$3,500	$18,442

We're past that brick wall, and we still have time for another round.

Round 5

PHRASE

The camera isn't properly zoomed out on the puzzle reveal, but it is quickly corrected.

John	CAROL	Kendalyn
	$450: S (x3) $550: T (x2) -$250: I (x2) $800: N
	$3,000

PHRASE

The "only vowels remain" beeps sound by accident! Pat knows it's the wrong sound, and they meant to...well...

DING DING! DING DING!

...yeah. What happens now? Pat gives the Wheel a Final Spin! Consonants are worth... $700 a piece. No more spinning! Remember that.

Carol: L ($3,700)
Kendalyn: F (DUD!)
John: B (DUD!)
Carol: R ($4,400)
Kendalyn: O
John: P ($700)
Carol: C ($5,100)
Kendalyn: E (x3)

PHRASE

Kendalyn solves IT'S SHEER SPECULATION for the house minimum. Better than just a consolation prize.

John	Carol	Kendalyn
$3,500	$18,442	$500

BONUS ROUND:

This probably wasn't too surprising for Carol. She's in Bonus Land to play for trips to Holland, Austria or Italy...maybe even a Volvo or the $25,000!

All the envelopes are ready, and Carol picks the W for "win". We have one last puzzle:

Bonus Puzzle

THING

RSTLNE gives her:

THING

She will trust CHPO...

...but they don't answer.

She tries to talk it out, but she does not solve DISGUISE...

...and the Volvo goes back into hiding. Carol has still won $18,442 and may be back on Friday.

In the post-game, Vanna reminds Pat that tomorrow is April 1. Pat says he doesn't do pranks, though he does remember when kids would call someone to ask if their refrigerator is running. The show might have some April Fools' tricks to play tomorrow. We'll have to see...