February 21, 1997 recap

Airdate: February 21, 1997

From the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, it's America's Game! We bring Family Week to an end...

...although the trip is not the only thing that's coming to an end.

Today's finalist teams:
Jerry & Debby: (returning with a total of $51,273)
Shanna & Thomas: (returning with a total of $20,290)
Wendy & Joe: (returning with a total of $24,350)

Here's our first puzzle. The top-dollar value on the Wheel is $1,000, in reverse order as somebody is more than ready to spin already!


Wendy & Joe solve IRISH & JET SETTER.


You might be on fire if you win this prize: a Scottsdale wooden TV entertainment center (labeled CEDAR) worth $6,844.

The $2,500 and one-third $10,000 spaces will burn red if you leave them alone.


Jerry & Debby solve MYTHOLOGICAL BIRD RISING FROM ASHES. This $2,000 should be a piece of burnt cake.

It was obvious to them too. The answer is phoenix.


Someone else could rise from nowhere with the help of the $3,500 and Jackpot spaces, with a $10,000 minimum.


Wendy & Joe solve SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW TROUT.


We're burning up the last of our time pretty quickly, so Pat must give the Wheel a Final Spin. Consonants are worth...$600 a piece. Red will start this round:

Jerry & Debby: R (x2) ($1,200)
Shanna & Thomas: D (DUD!)
Wendy & Joe: L ($600)
Jerry & Debby: C (DUD!)
Shanna & Thomas: Y ($600)
Wendy & Joe: C (Repeat)
Jerry & Debby: H ($1,800)
Shanna & Thomas: N (DUD!)
Wendy & Joe: S (x3) ($2,400)
Jerry & Debby: T (x3) ($3,600)

Jerry & Debby solve HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.


Shanna & Thomas leave with $20,290, while Wendy & Joe leave with $27,900.





BONUS ROUND:

Still a number of prizes available for the pair in Bonus Land:
Winnebago motorhome (over $46,000)
Chevrolet Venture minivan (over $22,000)
Chevrolet Camaro Z28 convertible (over $32,000)
"The cash" ($25,000)

They'll finish off the trip with Debby picking the H. We finish off with this puzzle:

RSTLNE gives them...

The pair decides on CHGI:

They do not solve POUND SIGN...

...so they can't claim the $25,000. They still have plenty already, and leave with $59,023!





So this is it.

During the post-game, Pat and Vanna mention that this is the last episode with the trilon-based board. It will be a heartfelt goodbye...

...but Vanna gives it an opportunity:

Any offers? Please? ...anybody?

Can you make room?