Wheel of Fortune Turns Hilarious Slip-Up into $80,000 Victory for Contestant

A seemingly ordinary episode of Wheel of Fortune turned into a whirlwind of laughter, shock, and celebration when a contestant’s hilarious mistake quickly flipped into an unexpected jackpot. Host Ryan Seacrest could barely contain himself as the studio erupted in laughter, only for the moment to transform into a life-changing win worth over $80,000.

The unforgettable moment occurred during the Halloween Week episode airing on October 29, 2025, featuring contestant Abi McLaughlin from North Hollywood, California. Known for her striking dark hair and fair skin, McLaughlin shared with Seacrest that she’s frequently compared to Snow White. Her affection for the Disney princess is evident, as she has accumulated enough Snow White collectibles over the years to decorate an entire Christmas tree.

McLaughlin was competing against Rahima Schwenkbeck, a travel enthusiast from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Evan Thiam, a LEGO aficionado from Alexandria, Virginia. She quickly established herself as a strong contender, correctly solving both the $1,000 and $2,000 Toss-Up puzzles to take an early lead.

However, the episode truly became unforgettable during the Round 1 “Song Lyrics” category. When McLaughlin attempted to buy a vowel, she accidentally said, “I’d like to buy an owl” instead of “vowel.” The slip left Seacrest doubled over in laughter, covering his face with his hands and stepping aside as he struggled to regain composure. The audience was in stitches, and the host playfully referenced her misstatement repeatedly throughout the round, confirming with each contestant that they wanted a vowel—not an owl.

Fans immediately took to social media to revel in the hilarious moment. One Reddit user joked, “I forget what the vowel was that she called. If it was ‘O,’ I can see why she said owl!” Another simply added, “HOOT HOOT.” Some pointed out that this type of blunder has occurred before, referencing a previous contestant who made a similar mistake. “Pat Sajak even joked that they no longer sell birds on the show,” one fan recalled.

While the “owl” moment had the audience in hysterics, the competition was far from over. Schwenkbeck managed to solve the “Song Lyrics” puzzle, temporarily taking the lead. McLaughlin, however, quickly regained momentum in the Express Round, cracking the “Places” puzzle to claim $4,950 in cash and a vacation to Southern Italy valued at $12,110.

The excitement continued through the Triple Toss-Up round, where both McLaughlin and Schwenkbeck successfully solved puzzles, while Thiam added a sum of cash during the final Speed-Up puzzle. Ultimately, McLaughlin emerged victorious with $25,660 in cash from the main game, securing her spot in the Bonus Round.

For the Bonus Round, McLaughlin chose the “Phrase” category and selected the letters “B, C, M, and A.” The resulting four-word puzzle read: “_ _ _ / M A _ E / M E / B L _ S _.” Confidently, she correctly solved it as “You Made Me Blush,” impressing Seacrest and the audience alike.

The cherry on top came when Seacrest opened the prize envelope, revealing that McLaughlin had won an additional $55,000—marking the first $55K Bonus Round victory of the season. Combined with her previous winnings and the trip to Southern Italy, her grand total for the episode soared to $80,660, turning what initially seemed like a comedic misstep into an extraordinary triumph.

Social media quickly exploded with reactions. Viewers were both entertained and astonished, noting how a lighthearted, seemingly minor slip of the tongue could result in such a massive reward. Many praised McLaughlin’s composure and skill, while others couldn’t stop reliving the host’s hilarious reaction to her “owl” gaffe. Clips of the moment circulated widely online, with thousands of fans replaying Seacrest’s laughter and the contestant’s winning solution.

Abi McLaughlin’s performance reminded audiences that sometimes, the most memorable television moments come from unexpected errors that become moments of joy. Her combination of skill, luck, and a sense of humor turned a potential embarrassment into one of the season’s most remarkable and feel-good victories.

As Wheel of Fortune continues its Halloween Week celebrations, this episode stands out as a perfect example of the show’s unique blend of competition, entertainment, and unpredictability. For McLaughlin, the day began as just another round of puzzles but ended with a life-changing jackpot and an unforgettable story that fans will talk about for years to come.