American television game show Wheel of Fortune sparked controversy on 21st December when Charlene Rubush, a contestant lost the bonus round because of a technical issue.
Charlene lost the award of brand new Audi in the process. The majority of the viewers were visibly upset by the decision while some others were seen supporting it.
Reacting to the social media outrage, the USA division of German auto manufacturing major Audi AG decided to step in and also announced to give her brand new Audi Q3.
Audi Intervenes in Wheel of Fortune controversy and rewards Charlene Rubush with Audi Q3
Audi responded on Twitter today morning at 9:43 AM local time saying, “There’s no community like the Audi community. With your help, we tracked down Charlene! More to come as we help #GiveHerTheQ3.”
There's no community like the Audi community. With your help, we tracked down Charlene!
More to come as we help #GiveHerTheQ3. https://t.co/WrX5xOVgIE
— Audi USA (@Audi) December 23, 2021
During the show, the contestant opted for What are you doing? category in the bonus round. The contestant selected G,D,H,I letters along with the R,S,T,L.N.E letters provided by the Wheel of Fortune. Initially, the contestant said the phrase ‘choosing the right card’ however it was wrong.
Immediately after some time as time expired the contestant answered with ‘choosing the right………… word’, which was the right answer to the puzzle. However, as per the rulebook of Wheel of Fortune, she could not provide the right answer to the puzzle in a continuous fashion.
Following this fans took to social media platforms and expressed their anguish about the technicality and dictated that she gets her bonus reward of Audi for answering it correctly in the allotted time.
Tournament of Champions winner and Jeopardy! All-star Alex Jacob also tweeted to the official handle of Wheel of Fortune asking them to give her the Audi car.
He wrote, “Come on @WheelofFortune, the woman literally chose the right word. Give her the car.”
Come on @WheelofFortune, the woman literally chose the right word. Give her the car. pic.twitter.com/aAaMyFeEZl
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) December 22, 2021
He continued by writing, “Now I’m wondering if she had just stretched out the word “riiiiiiiiiight,” would that have counted as a continuous answer? I understand rules are rules but this seems like a particularly dumb rule. C’mon Wheel, it’s Christmas.”
Now I'm wondering if she had just stretched out the word "riiiiiiiiiight," would that have counted as a continuous answer? I understand rules are rules but this seems like a particularly dumb rule. C'mon Wheel, it's Christmas.
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) December 22, 2021
Jacob has shared snapshots of DM to official Twitter accounts of Wheel of Fortune and Audi USA about the situation.
Audi has acknowledged his message and said that the matter is under review by its team.
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) December 22, 2021
Audi USA has responded on Wednesday on Twitter saying, “You’re a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let’s get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ3.”
You're a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ3. https://t.co/x0e3j1CqY9
— Audi USA (@Audi) December 22, 2021
And below is the response of Jacob on Audi USA announcing to reward Charlene Rubush with the brand new Q3.
WE DID IT https://t.co/eJUWr6s5Jf
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) December 23, 2021
Wheel of Fortune game show was the brainchild of Merv Griffin that started more than 4 decades ago in the year 1975. The game show features a competition wherein the participants should solve word puzzles in assigned time duration to win cash and other prizes that are determined by spinning a giant wheel.
