Wheel Of Fortune bends the rules to invite a contestant back for a second time after ‘production issue’
Wheel Of Fortune’s own rules state that appearing on the show is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.
But gameshow producers broke with tradition to allow one former contestant a second shot at winning big, after his first appearance was marred by what they termed ‘a production issue’.
Introducing the returning contestant, host Pat Sajak, told viewers at home: ‘If Tony looks familiar – this is Tony Harrison, who’s been here before. We had a little production issue, and in the interests of fairness, we brought Tony back.’
Winner: Wheel Of Fortune bends the rules to invite a contestant back for a second time after ‘production issue’; Tony Harrison took home $93,831
Tony, from Valencia California, first appeared on the show in 2017. Back then, he went through to the bonus round, where he chose the category Phrase.
He explained to a follower on Twitter: ‘I was brought back due a mis-categorized bonus round puzzle. My puzzle on my first show was ‘on the highway’, which was categorized as a Phrase.
‘The show determined that Place may have been more appropriate, and in the interest of fairness, invited me back.’
The return proved a welcome one for Tony, who took home prizes totaling $93,831, including a trip to Barbados.
Fairness: Introducing the returning contestant, host Pat Sajak, told viewers at home: ‘We had a little production issue, and in the interests of fairness, we brought Tony back’
Filmed in advance: Tony said his episode was filmed in January
On Twitter, he wrote: ‘From a #Wheelmobile contestant search in 2017 to an encore taping at Sony Studios in 2020, it’s been quite a ride. Watch me on Wheel of Fortune, Monday, April 6th!’
Asked by a follower if there was any audience, he explained he filmed his show prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I taped in late January well before the virus was prevalent in the US, so the audience is there.’