'Wheel Of Fortune' Contestant In Controversy After Winning Nearly $100,000
By Dave Basner
April 7, 2020
It was an epic night for Tony Harrison on Wheel of Fortune on Monday. Not only did he show off some amazing skills at the game, he wound up winning nearly $100,000 in cash and prizes. Fans of the show were impressed, but some were also a little angry. That's because it wasn't Tony's first time on Wheel, which goes against the show's rule that only allows contestants to compete on it one time.
While introducing the software project manager from Valencia, California, host Pat Sajak said to the audience, "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."
While they never explain what the exact "production issue" was, Tony responded to a tweet from a fan asking about it, and it seems he isn't sure either. He stated, "I really don't know the answer... but the show was great about staying in touch and letting me know it was just a matter of time."
I really don't know the answer to that Tony, but the show was great about staying in touch and letting me know that it was just a matter of time.
— Tony Harrison (@TonySCV) April 7, 2020
It paid off since he destroyed his episode, solving almost every puzzle and owning the wheel by landing on many prizes and big dollar amounts. He made it to the bonus round and won that too, taking home $93,831 worth of cash and prizes, including a trip to Barbados.
Fans expressed their awe of Tony on Twitter, but a few noted how unfair it is that he was on the show again.
I’ve never been on Wheel of Fortune once but Tony gets to be on it twice...
— Whit (@whitl24) April 6, 2020
What kind of loophole did Tony find to get a second run at #WheelOfFortune ? 🤔🤔🤔
— B-dawg$$$ (@Bdawg696969) April 6, 2020
Tony just put on a clinic #WheelOfFortune
— Chowdy McBah (@jcop5) April 6, 2020
Just call him Tony the Terminator. I've seen #WheelOfFortune dominance, but wow!! Good for him taking advantage of a second chance at a once in a lifetime opportunity!
— Hulser (@_Hulser) April 6, 2020
This Tony guy on Wheel Of Fortune might be the best player I’ve ever seen
— Jason LaJoie (@LaJoie24) April 6, 2020
This guy Tony was an absolute tour de force on Wheel of Fortune tonight. Had a false start blip on the second puzzle and got locked out from solving, then absolutely dominated. A virtuoso performance.
— James Brandenburg (@j_brandenburg22) April 6, 2020
Wheel of Fortune hasn't given any more information on the "production issue," nor have they commented on Tony's return to the show.
They are currently not filming any new shows because of the coronavirus, but episodes filmed before they suspended production are currently airing.
Photo: YouTube, WheelOfFortune