One recent episode of Wheel of Fortune left fans holding their breath — and then gasping — after contestant Eric Handzel, a devoted Yankees fan from Chadwicks, New York, came up just one word short of a massive $61,000 payday.

Handzel had a strong performance throughout the show, easily outpacing his competitors and racking up an impressive total of $21,350 in cash and prizes. Among his winnings was a luxurious cruise to South America — a dream vacation by anyone’s standards. Along the way, he solved clever puzzles like “Shameless Shoe Shopaholic” and “Don’t Forget Your Phone Charger,” earning cheers from the audience and praise from host Pat Sajak.

He went into the final Bonus Round with confidence, having clearly outplayed his fellow contestants: Camila Santos from California and Joanie White from North Carolina. With his father, Joe, watching and cheering from the audience (his loud, unmistakable laugh even becoming a fan-favorite moment), it looked like everything was lining up perfectly for Eric.

Then came the Bonus Round — and with it, a twist of fate that would change the night entirely.

The Bonus Round Heartbreaker

Handzel selected the “Around the House” category for the Bonus Round. As the letters filled in, the puzzle looked like this:
_ _ _ _ P _ L L _ _

Handzel had 10 seconds to figure it out. He threw out guesses like “Pulley” and “Throw Pillow,” circling around the right idea. But unfortunately, the correct answer — “Body Pillow” — never came to him.

The miss cost him an additional $40,000 in bonus winnings. Instead of leaving the stage with $61,350, he walked away with his earlier winnings: $21,350 in cash and prizes.

It was a tough break, and fans immediately took to social media to talk about the moment.

Viewers Weigh In Online

As expected with any high-stakes game show moment, Wheel of Fortune fans flooded social platforms with their reactions. Many sympathized with Eric’s near-miss, while others proudly claimed they got the answer right from their living rooms.

“I actually guessed ‘Body Pillow’ correctly,” one viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I was shouting it at the screen!”

Another user commented: “So close! Pulley was a smart guess, though. That’s a tough one under pressure.”

Even fans who had never heard of a “body pillow” admitted the clue wasn’t as obvious as it may have seemed at home. “The lights, the clock ticking, cameras in your face… it’s easy to miss something that seems simple after the fact,” one longtime viewer noted.

Eric Still Walked Away a Winner

Despite the tough loss in the Bonus Round, Eric Handzel didn’t leave empty-handed. In addition to the $21,350 and the South American cruise, he left with a national audience cheering him on — and a viral TV moment that viewers won’t forget anytime soon.

Plus, he made the most of his time on screen. Between his puzzle-solving prowess and his dad Joe’s infectious laugh, Eric became a fan favorite. Clips from the episode were widely shared online, and some even called for the father-son duo to return in a future special episode.

Handzel has yet to comment publicly on his Wheel of Fortune run, but based on his demeanor during the episode, it’s clear he was grateful for the experience — even if it didn’t end with that big Bonus Round win.

A Classic Game Show Moment

Part of what makes Wheel of Fortune so beloved after decades on air is its ability to deliver moments exactly like this — ones filled with drama, humor, heartbreak, and excitement. Whether it’s a contestant winning big or just missing the final word, the stakes feel real, and the reactions are always authentic.

Eric’s Bonus Round miss may not have added to his wallet, but it added to the show’s long history of unforgettable moments. And for fans watching from home, it was yet another reason to tune in and shout at the TV, puzzle after puzzle.