A surprising mistake on Wheel of Fortune left both viewers and host Ryan Seacrest momentarily speechless during the November 18 episode. Contestant Joey Sweet, a program director from Oceanside, California, came heartbreakingly close to winning the $40,000 bonus prize but missed it with a last-second slip-up that quickly went viral.

A Tricky Puzzle and a Costly Guess

In the bonus round, Sweet faced a “phrase” puzzle that read: “CA_ED’ _ _’ _AND.” After choosing strong letters and using his Wild Card, he confidently guessed, “Cleared in hand.” While it sounded logical, it wasn’t correct. The actual answer—“Carved by hand”—proved far trickier than expected. Even Vanna White reacted with visible frustration as the solution was revealed.

Ryan Seacrest Reacts as Fans Weigh In

Seacrest reassured Sweet, calling it a “tough one,” before revealing the missed $40,000 prize. Still smiling, Sweet walked away with over $16,000 in winnings and a trip to Mexico. Fans quickly flooded social media, with many agreeing the puzzle was unfairly difficult. One viewer wrote, “That ‘By’ would’ve gotten me too.” Once again, Wheel of Fortune delivered an unforgettable TV moment.