For more than forty years, Wheel of Fortune has followed a predictable formula: three strangers spin the wheel, solve puzzles, and hope to make it to the Bonus Round. This week, however, the iconic game show broke from tradition—and fans immediately took notice.
Monday night’s episode replaced the usual lineup of unrelated contestants with something far more personal. Instead of strangers, the stage belonged to three longtime friends and colleagues from a Rhode Island fire department. What unfolded wasn’t just a game for cash, but a spirited showdown shaped by decades of shared shifts, inside jokes, and friendly rivalry.
Melissa “Missy” Porter, Darrin “Poppa” Gallagher, and Tim Stebenne have worked side by side for more than 20 years, and their comfort with one another was evident from the start. Under the bright studio lights, their easy banter set the tone for an episode that felt refreshingly different.
Porter joked that she only makes meatballs when Wheel of Fortune is on TV. Gallagher leaned into his veteran status at the firehouse, while Stebenne playfully cast himself as a “David” facing two departmental “Goliaths,” suggesting that merely competing against them was a win.
More than money was at stake—bragging rights were on the line. Judging by the laughter on set, the trio was just as eager to prove who could truly conquer the puzzles they’d spent years solving together from their living rooms.
Viewers Welcome the Change
Fans quickly picked up on the shift in energy. As the episode aired, social media lit up with reactions.
“This is so much better than playing in teams,” one Instagram user wrote.
Another added, “I’m confused but obsessed with this dynamic.”
Reddit threads echoed similar praise, with viewers applauding the natural chemistry and humor the firefighters brought to the game. Many felt the friendships added a warmth and spontaneity that refreshed the show’s familiar format.
It was a clear experiment—and by most accounts, a successful one.
Familiar Twists Make a Comeback
While the contestant format was new, the episode also revived several classic elements longtime fans love.
The Jackpot round returned, starting at zero and increasing by $500 with every spin. Solve the puzzle, and the full amount was yours—assuming you avoided the dreaded “Bankrupt.”
The $1 Million wedge also made an appearance. Host Ryan Seacrest reminded viewers that if no one hit Bankrupt during the round, the prize would stay in play for the Bonus Round, adding a noticeable layer of tension throughout the game.
A Tight Race From Start to Finish
The competition was intense from the opening toss-ups. Gallagher and Porter dominated early, solving quick puzzles with confidence. Stebenne soon found his rhythm, correctly solving “Love-Hate Relationship” and earning a trip to Iceland, then following it up with another solve.
Not to be outdone, Gallagher cracked “Lush Rainforest of Panama,” securing a second vacation and drawing cheers from both the audience and his fellow firefighters.
By the Triple Toss-Up, Gallagher surged ahead, sweeping all three puzzles and pocketing $10,000 in one decisive moment.
Porter closed the main game on a high note, solving “Running Neck and Neck” for $6,000 and finishing with $7,000 overall. Stebenne walked away with $12,700 and his Iceland getaway. Gallagher claimed the top spot with $20,150 in cash plus his Panama trip—earning national bragging rights after years of friendly firehouse competition.
The Bonus Round That Left Fans Groaning
Gallagher advanced to the Bonus Round with a chance to add even more to his winnings.
The category was What Are You Doing?
After choosing his letters, the final puzzle appeared:
TAK_NG A _ _ _ _ _
He quickly landed on “Taking a…” but couldn’t solve the final word in time.
The correct answer: “Taking a whiff.”
Seacrest revealed the missed $40,000 prize, and Gallagher took it in stride. Viewers, however, were far less forgiving.
“At this point, just let someone win already,” one fan commented online.
Another added, “Who even says ‘whiff’ anymore?”
The miss marked the show’s eleventh consecutive Bonus Round loss, fueling growing frustration among fans who feel the puzzles have become unnecessarily difficult.
A Promising Direction for the Show
Even with the disappointing Bonus Round outcome, viewers largely praised the episode. The mix of longtime friends as contestants, the return of classic game elements, and the lingering possibility of a million-dollar win made the night feel fresh and engaging.
The firefighters’ chemistry—paired with Vanna White’s enduring charm and Ryan Seacrest’s energetic hosting—proved that Wheel of Fortune can still evolve while honoring its roots.
After decades on the air, the show reminded audiences that it still knows how to surprise—and judging by the online buzz, fans are more than ready to see where this new chapter leads.
