
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube
A Costly Mistake
The turning point came during a puzzle under the category “What Are You Doing?” With almost every letter revealed — “_ LLO_ING _ _ BL _ _” — Arbuckle guessed “B,” a letter already on the board.
“Just kidding. We already have a ‘B’,” she admitted sheepishly.
Seacrest, smiling, responded, “Uh huh.”
Trying to fix the slip, Arbuckle quickly offered another letter: “Y.” But the rules only allow one guess.
“Sorry, we have to take what you called first,” Seacrest reminded her.
“It’s fine. I messed up,” she said.
Barbee Seizes Her Chance
That mistake gave Barbee the opening she needed. She solved the puzzle: “Following My Bliss” — winning a luxury cruise aboard the Disney Wish to the Bahamas.
Arbuckle recovered somewhat, winning two Triple Toss-Ups and finishing with $9,800. Babler ended with $2,000. But Barbee dominated the night, collecting $32,392 in cash and prizes.
Bonus Round Brilliance
Barbee’s night wasn’t over. In the Bonus Round, she again chose “What Are You Doing?” After receiving the standard R, S, T, L, N, and E, she used her Wild Card to call P, G, F, O, and C.
The board revealed: “P_C_ _ NG PRO_ _CE.”
Without hesitation, she solved it: “Picking Produce.”
That correct guess earned her an extra $40,000.
A Night to Remember
Beaming, Barbee hugged host Ryan Seacrest and her husband as confetti fell. Her total winnings? A stunning $72,392.