From the outset, the competition between the three was far from close. The spectators could foresee Nura easily taking out her competitors, as she was able to glide along consistently while they were struggling. In the game’s penultimate round, she had taken a commanding lead, sweeping the board with $13,970 securely stowed in the bank.
Steve and Troy could only fight on, their chances dim. Troy had $4,300, while Steve had won nothing at all, perhaps already resigned to the fact that he would be leaving with fond memories of the event and nothing more.
A Long-Running Show
The Wheel of Fortune producers wanted to do something unique to honor American veterans. While it’s had a phenomenal run, starting way back in 1975 as a daytime series on NBC, not everybody gets the chance to join the popular TV quiz show. So the producers wanted to extend the coveted opportunity to returned servicemen and women as part of Veterans Week, 2015.
The stage was set, and the show would have a military theme. The week’s episodes would be comprised of active and former combatants, as guests competing against each other for fun.
Nothing Fishy Here
Monday’s episode went well. Everything flowed smoothly and the results were in line with what the producers expected. Nothing occurred that would suggest something strange might happen next, and people came down to watch the next show, expecting much of the same.
The November 10, 2015 episode unraveled like many of its predecessors. Famous TV show host, Pat Sajak, introduced the veterans—Steve, Troy, and Nura—who were warmly welcomed by the audience. The game proceeded normally, with no untoward events or interruptions.
Nura, You're On
By the time the last round spun into action, all eyes had turned to Nura. Time was on her side right from the beginning, and all she had to do was to stay consistent and ward off distractions. Steve and Troy could only watch in admiration, and yet a part of them still wanted to compete. After Troy correctly called a “T” in the two-letter clue word, Nura was up next.
What Nura did at this stage of the competition left the audience puzzled. It wasn’t what they had anticipated at all. When the camera panned across them, you could see them looking around, puzzled and apparently seeking answers from those seated close by. All they got were the same confused looks.
Odd Choices
Nura looked as assured as she had been all night when the time came for her to give an answer. She knew she was ahead of the competition by a mile, and so did everybody else in the venue.
She then picked the least likely letter in not just the word on the board, but any word in Wheel of Fortune history. The audience furrowed their brows in disbelief as Nura confidently uttered “Z.” Steve could not believe what he’d just heard. His friendly countenance abruptly turned contemplative.