A Wheel of Fortune competitor watched $61,000 slip through his fingers during last week’s Bonus Round, leaving audiences completely stunned over what many considered to be one of the easiest puzzles in recent history.
Eric Handzel, a massive Yankees supporter hailing from Chadwicks, New York, successfully advanced to the final stage during Thursday’s broadcast after accumulating a remarkable $21,350 in prizes. However, when faced with the puzzle that could have increased his total to $61,000, Handzel fell short—and the response from his father, who was supporting him from the crowd with a roaring laugh, spoke volumes.
Handzel competed against two formidable rivals: Camila Santos, a mother of two from Sunnyvale, California, and Joanie White, a hairstylist based in St. Pauls, North Carolina. White had a powerful start, cracking both Toss-Ups to secure a quick $3,000. Nevertheless, Handzel swiftly commandeered the match by solving the initial main puzzle, “Shameless Shoe Shopaholic,” which elevated his bank to $3,500.
White fought her way back by guessing “Annual Chili Cook-Off,” increasing her total to $4,650, yet Handzel absolutely crushed the Prize Puzzle with “Don’t Forget Your Phone Charger.” That victory earned him a spectacular South American cruise to Argentina and Patagonia, rocketing his earnings to $17,350.
During the Triple Toss-Ups, Handzel deciphered two of the three, while White snagged the final one. White subsequently solved the concluding puzzle, “Gone on a Blind Date,” wrapping up her appearance with $8,350. Santos unfortunately failed to notch a victory, but she still departed with the program’s standard $1,000 consolation reward.
Holding the highest total at the final bell, Handzel advanced into the Bonus Round. Presenter Ryan Seacrest took a moment to point out a robust chuckle echoing from the crowd. “Is that your father laughing?” Seacrest inquired. Handzel grinned, validating that it was indeed his dad, Joe, whose contagious laughter rapidly transformed into one of the episode’s highlights.
Opting for the “Around the House” category for his Bonus Round, Handzel picked the letters C, P, H, and A to complement the standard R, S, T, L, N, and E. The puzzle board subsequently displayed: “_ _ _ _ P_LL_ _.
As the timer ticked away, Handzel faltered. Initially, he mumbled “pulley,” before pivoting to “pillow.” Chuckling with anxiety, he tossed out frantic guesses such as “Bed Pillow, Throw Pillow, Pillow.” Tragically, the accurate answer was “Body Pillow.”
The incorrect guess deprived him of $40,000 in cash, which would have escalated his potential grand total to a staggering $61,000. Nevertheless, Seacrest maintained a lighthearted atmosphere, quipping, “I use one every night too,” following Handzel’s confession that he actually utilizes a body pillow when he sleeps.
Audiences watching from home swiftly voiced their thoughts on social media. A YouTube commenter confessed, “Wow, I actually guessed ‘Body Pillow’ correctly — and it was just a lucky shot!” A second viewer contributed, “We don’t have body pillows. But the good letters are W and B. Good attempt by the player, though.”
Even though the Bonus Round outcome wasn’t what he hoped for, Handzel still exited the stage clutching more than $21,000 and a complimentary holiday. Yet, for the devoted Yankees supporter and his father, it will probably be the $40,000 body pillow that remains the toughest to shake off.
