The recent Wheel of Fortune episode on Monday night showcased a glaring problem in America’s public education system, leaving many conservatives scratching their heads in disbelief.
During the episode, a female contestant named Khushi was struggling to solve the puzzle, but she managed to narrow it down to the final two letters. The puzzle, which read FRE TROPICAL FRUIT, was missing an “S” and “H”. Despite this, Khushi failed to solve the puzzle and instead spun the wheel and asked for an “H,” earning a small amount of money in the process.
The puzzle then read FRE H TROPICAL FRUIT, but Khushi still couldn’t figure out the answer and spun the wheel again. Disaster struck when Khushi misspoke, uttering “Fregh Tropical Fruit” instead of the correct answer.
According to a Newsweek report, another contestant called Julianna stepped in and correctly solved the puzzle as “FRESH TROPICAL FRUIT”, earning herself $650 and a luxury trip to the Caribbean island of Antigua worth $10,000. Host Pat Sajak attempted to explain how contestants can sometimes struggle with answers that appear obvious to viewers, saying, “sometimes it’s a word that just doesn’t want to come into focus for you.”
This debacle has reignited debates about the failing public education system in America, which some conservatives believe is failing to prepare students for success in the real world. Many are calling for a return to traditional teaching methods, such as rote memorization and drilling, which they argue will help students better remember important facts and figures.
Conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly took to his podcast to express his frustration with the education system, saying,
“This is what happens when you have teachers who care more about social justice than teaching basic skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic. Our children are being left behind because of leftist indoctrination in our schools.”
Others are pointing out that the problem may not lie solely with the education system but also with societal attitudes towards education. Many Americans, they argue, simply don’t value education enough and view it as a burden rather than an opportunity.
In an interview with Fox News, conservative pundit Tucker Carlson lamented the state of education in America, saying,
“We need to start valuing education again. It’s not just about getting a good job; it’s about being a well-rounded, informed citizen who can make informed decisions and contribute to society in a meaningful way.”
Despite the criticism, there are some who argue that the education system is not entirely to blame. They point out that the Wheel of Fortune incident was simply an isolated incident and that the vast majority of students are able to solve basic puzzles and perform other academic tasks with ease.
In an op-ed for the National Review, conservative writer David French argued that blaming the education system for Khushi’s failure to solve the puzzle was “overblown and ridiculous.” He went on to say, “It’s not fair to judge an entire system based on one person’s mistake. We need to focus on the positive things that our schools are doing and work to improve the areas where we’re falling short.”
Despite the differing opinions, one thing is clear: the Wheel of Fortune incident has reignited debates about the state of education in America and the need for reform. Whether it leads to any meaningful change, however, remains to be seen.
WATCH the video below:
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a single audience member audibly have such a violent reaction on Wheel of Fortune, as this lady did when a poor contestant called a G in “Fresh”. pic.twitter.com/FiFWTNlphM
— Chad Mosher (@ChadMosher) February 21, 2023
Sources: TheGatewayPundit, Newsweek
