May 3, 1999 recap

Airdate: May 3, 1999

From Philadelphia's Apollo of Temple, it's America's game!

Today's contestants:
Andrew Kosczecha (?): Married, currently doing graduate work in music in Rutgers University, from Swarthmore
Johnna Goodwin: Fundraiser for non-profit agency for low-income, from Trevose
Donna Handel: Writes inspirational books for children and their self-esteem, appropriately likes "being alive", from Elkins Park
(Pat remarked about Andrew's last name saying that Smith was the unusual name around Chicago.)

The top-dollar value on the Wheel is $1,000. You'd love to hit it in this round:


Donna blows our eardrums out by solving LET FREEDOM RING. But she's not done yet, as there's an extra puzzle she can solve for a $3,000 bonus.

She's just as loud, easily solving LIBERTY BELL.


Philadelphia, here's our first prize on the Wheel: Genuardi's groceries for a year (labeled GOURMET) worth $5,200.

Tempted to take our hearing to its limit, we also add the $2,500 and one-third $10,000 spaces.


A rather embarrassing time for Johnna to look at the blue arrow by accident...on her first spin.

It's Donna again! She solves SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT HAIR.


Johnna might get another shot. We add a trip to Jamaica and stay at Elegant Resorts International (labeled JAMAICA) worth $5,844.

Not only that, but she could also hit the $3,500 and Jackpot spaces!


Johnna solves A VIVACIOUS PERSONALITY.


Not a lot of freedom to play thanks to time constraints, so Pat gives the Wheel a Final Spin. Consonants get you...$300 a piece. Andrew commences.

Andrew: T (DUD!)
Johnna: R (DUD!)
Donna: N (x3) ($900)
Andrew: S (DUD!)
Johnna: D (x2) ($600)
Donna: W ($1,200)

Andrew solves WINE AND DINE.


The puzzles failed to show any love to Andrew. He's stuck with some nice parting gifts.





BONUS ROUND:

Donna, look at the prizes we have in Bonus Land:
5-door Lexus RX 300 (over $39,000)
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 (over $36,000)
Ultimate sports fantasy package (over $31,000)
Porsche Boxster (over $54,000)
"The cash" ($25,000)

Which prize will push Donna to her limit? She picks the L. The final puzzle is right there...

RSTLNE gives her...

Donna wants PDGA:

She quietly guesses HARBOR ...which is correct!

That wild guess got her the sports package worth $31,700! She leaves with a grand total of $42,300!