A recent episode of “Wheel of Fortune” featured a memorable mishap that has caught the attention of viewers online. During a holiday-themed game aired on December 17, contestant Phil McManus from Palmer, Massachusetts, made a notably humorous error while trying to solve a puzzle.
The category was “Same Letter,” and the puzzle read: “Chocolate, Chestnuts & Chi_ne_s.” When host Ryan Seacrest asked McManus if he would like to solve it, he confidently suggested “Chocolate, Chestnuts and Chickens.” Unfortunately for him, fellow contestant Matt Komma from Riverton, Utah, quickly answered with the correct solution: “Chocolate, Chestnuts and Chimneys.” As a result, McManus lost out on $9,550, while Komma earned $4,200.
Social media exploded with reactions to McManus’s blunder. Viewers took to platforms like X, previously known as Twitter, to share their laughter. One user humorously commented, “That was my shopping list last weekend,” while another expressed their frustration with, “I was screaming at the TV.”
Despite the slip-up, McManus’s appearance on the show was significant for him. He shared that two years ago, he faced a cancer diagnosis that felt like a “death sentence.” He described how, facing that reality, he created a bucket list which included attending a Blink-182 concert, going to WrestleMania, and visiting Disneyland. McManus joyfully announced that he is now in remission and had recently fulfilled the Disneyland part of his list.
This isn’t the first time a contestant has had a viral moment on the game show. Earlier in November, a contestant named Will mistakenly attempted to solve another puzzle with “Treat yourself a round of sausage,” prompting laughs from Host Seacrest and other contestants.
Though these missteps provide a good chuckle, they also highlight the personal stories and resilience of individuals like McManus who face challenges head-on.
