"The Solve"
An earlier post from our Denise Moss suggested I might like to comment on the recent one-letter solve of the puzzle, “I’ve Got a Good Feeling About This” on Wheel of Fortune last week. Okay, here goes. A few points in no particular order:
Obviously, I was surprised by the solve. I always am when it seems too early for anyone to be positive about the puzzle. And, of course, since it is show biz, I do all I can to appear even more surprised. Someone once solved what seemed to be an insoluble bonus puzzle, and I made him lean against a railing while I pretended to frisk him, looking for the answer.
It’s impossible to say whether it was the best solve ever, because the object of our game is not necessarily to solve the quickest, but to solve and win money. Over the years, it’s been obvious to me on several occasions that someone figured it out immediately, but kept spinning to win more money. (This particular puzzle was what we call a “Prize Puzzle” meaning there was a trip at stake, and the player didn’t want to spin and risk losing the trip.)
Over the course of more than 6,000 shows, I’ve seen a lot of strange things happen. A woman solved the nursery rhyme bonus puzzle “Wee Willie Winkie” after she called a “W”. No one had ever called a "W" before or since, but she called it because two of her kids had names that started with that letter. The point is that sometimes, stuff happens. People have often seemingly pulled answers out of thin air. The mind is an amazing creation, and occasionally it can do surprising things.
Of course, there are always those who think the fix is in. First, there is literally no way, given the protections we have in place, that a contestant could learn an answer in advance. Even if there were, however, I’d like to think someone would be smart enough to make it look a little more “real” by spinning a few times. As for me or someone else providing the answer, I remind everyone that rigging a TV game show is a federal crime. She was a very nice young woman, but I don’t think anyone wants to risk prison so that someone can win a trip worth a few thousand dollars.
Finally, a few years ago, this would have been no big deal, other than providing a fun moment on the show. In these days of YouTube and Twitter and Facebook, however, these events take on a life of their own. So congratulations to the young lady again. It was a great solve, and I hope she enjoys her trip. You realize, of course, if she had guessed, “I’ve Got a Good Feeling About That,” none of this would have happened.
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Jun '10
Re: "The Solve"
Pat Sajak: "The mind is an amazing creation, and occasionally it can do surprising things."
I see this sometimes in the classroom. I had one student who would consistently leap my attempts to analyse a question based on a methodology, and arrive at the right answer before I completed my explanation. She never could explain how she did it; she just did. I suppose some people have an intuitive sense that allows them to arrive without ever really taking the trip.
Jul '10
Re: "The Solve"
There is a good explanation in Esquire about this.
But, yeah, she should have guessed G.
Re: "The Solve"
Pat,
I'm a new Wheel viewer. I just started watching Wheel during that time in my night when I've just finished up work on Ricochet and have stuck my dinner in the oven. But these puzzles! I don't know how anyone solves any of them. The phrases seem so foreign and unnatural to me -- many I've never heard in my life. I'm not sure if this is because I'm a brand new viewer, or because growing up in a household with a parent who's a non-native English speaker, I just never heard them.
Jun '10
Re: "The Solve"
Parts of my work require creativity, and what amazes me is when the answer just won't come I always get to a point where I find myself thinking in circles. As soon as I get there, I drop everything and do something else, something typically mundane. Recently, I was at the point where I'd been working on a problem and the things I was trying I had tried before, so I dropped everything and decided to go to the library. On the walk to the library the pieces fell together, the penny dropped so to speak. The next morning I finished constructing an algorithm that had been eluding completion for days. Now, here's what amazes me: When I drop the problem I am working on and do something completely unrelated, such as go for a walk or take a shower, the answer just appears in my brain as if it were the normal course of business. Anyone who has not experienced this has no conception of the Divine.
And ~Paules, I'm with you on the jumping ahead. I used to be able to integrate calculus equations as fast as my prof could write them.
Re: "The Solve"
I thought the same as the writer in Esquire. The apostrophe and the third word being single letter were monster clues. The L sealed the deal.
I'm betting if you show that clue with the L to people not familiar with the story (if there is anyone left) many if not most will solve it.
Jul '10
Re: "The Solve"
Cas Balicki: When I drop the problem I am working on and do something completely unrelated, such as go for a walk or take a shower, the answer just appears in my brain as if it were the normal course of business. Anyone who has not experienced this has no conception of the Divine.
And ~Paules, I'm with you on the jumping ahead. I used to be able to integrate calculus equations as fast as my prof could write them. · Nov 11 at 8:46am
This happens to me all the time. So much so that I schedule "down time" in projects where I go play golf or ride my motorcycle. It looks like I'm being lazy, but I'm just waiting for the answer to come to me.
Re: "The Solve"
Diane Ellis, Ed.: Pat,
I'm a new Wheel viewer. I just started watching Wheel during that time in my night when I've just finished up work on Ricochet and have stuck my dinner in the oven. But these puzzles! I don't know how anyone solves any of them. The phrases seem so foreign and unnatural to me -- many I've never heard in my life. I'm not sure if this is because I'm a brand new viewer, or because growing up in a household with a parent who's a non-native English speaker, I just never heard them. · Nov 11 at 8:45am
Well, Diane, many are phrases in the broadest sense of the word rather than what you might call "common phrases."
May '10
Re: "The Solve"
Pat,
You'll have to take my word for this, but once the puzzle was
--- ------
--- -----
and, watching at home, I guessed "for better for worse" before any letters were called. I imagined myself on the show saying, "Pat, what kind of bonus would you give me for solving with no letters?" And if it wasn't good enough, I'd just guess R because there were a lot of R's.
Oct '10
Re: "The Solve"
You seem an honorable man and I'm going to choose to believe you, Pat. Unless, of course, you announce you're hiking the Appalachian trail and I see photos of you and the whiz girl in Cancun.
Re: "The Solve"
~Paules: Pat Sajak: "The mind is an amazing creation, and occasionally it can do surprising things."
I see this sometimes in the classroom. I had one student who would consistently leap my attempts to analyse a question based on a methodology, and arrive at the right answer before I completed my explanation. She never could explain how she did it; she just did. I suppose some people have an intuitive sense that allows them to arrive without ever really taking the trip. · Nov 11 at 8:12am
Okay, may I, very, very timidly, advance a hugely non-politically correct observation? This intuitive ability is stronger--lots stronger--among women. Exhibition A: my wife. Compared with her, repeatedly feel like a dolt. I have to take time to puzzle stuff out. She just sees it.
Okay, I've said it. Now cart me off to prison.
May '10
Re: "The Solve"
Pat, I know the industry adheres to a code that was adopted after the quiz show scandals of the late 50's, but are there any procedures in place to prevent contestants from getting electronic help? OK, grandma prove that's a hearing aid and not a bluetooth phone receiver!
May '10
Re: "The Solve"
Pat Sajak: You realize, of course, if she had guessed, “I’ve Got a Good Feeling About That,” none of this would have happened. ·
Then all of America would have denounced you as heartless and cruel!
Mundane, repetitive actions that keep the simpler brain functions busy are a great way for anyone to "get into the flow". In Chinese philosophies, there's a concept called wu-wei, which my Asian Philosophy class tried to define for months. "Effortless being" is the translation I liked best.
From a Christian perspective, I believe such experiences represent brief encounters with Heaven. Life is about becoming. But every so often we experience what it is to simply be.
May '10
Re: "The Solve"
She must ace the Jumble. I'm a dab hand at the Cryptoquote, and fair at the crossword, but the Jumble usually stumps.
Part of the fun of the show is to think we're smarter than the contestants, but in that pressure situation with everyone watching, you're gonna screw it up a lot. Nicely done.
Jun '10
Re: "The Solve"
Well Pat, now that you are writing for the loyal opposition over here on Ricochet, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Holder Justice Department drop a dime on your business ....when they finally get through the skullduggery behind Chris Christies' $2000 hotel fees.
May '10
Re: "The Solve"
Then there was the guy that nailed the showcase price on Price is Right. . . Drew did NOT look impressed or happy. Bad host.
Nov '10
Re: "The Solve"
Peter Robinson
Okay, may I, very, very timidly, advance a hugely non-politically correct observation? This intuitive ability is stronger--lots stronger--among women. Exhibition A: my wife. Compared with her, repeatedly feel like a dolt. I have to take time to puzzle stuff out. She just sees it.
Okay, I've said it. Now cart me off to prison. · Nov 11 at 10:36am
Since when is it legally/morally/philosophically dangerous to claim that women are better at something than men? I've never asked Larry Summers, but I'm pretty sure that grievance door only swings one way.
Sep '10
Re: "The Solve"
Peter Robinson
Okay, may I, very, very timidly, advance a hugely non-politically correct observation? This intuitive ability is stronger--lots stronger--among women. Exhibition A: my wife. Compared with her, repeatedly feel like a dolt. I have to take time to puzzle stuff out. She just sees it.
Okay, I've said it. Now cart me off to prison. · Nov 11 at 10:36am
We'll be cell mates.
One of the reasons I spend more time talking to women, whether on the consulting assignments or after hours at sporting events for my kids is that women, in general, say many more surprising things and make more astute observations than men do, in general. I have yet to be hit in the head with a frying pan yet, so I'm assuming I've never done it in such a way as to cross a line and be banished to Bill McGurn's man-cave, though if I do take a headshot with a cast iron object on this site, it will be Andrea or Lady Ferocica of the Americas wielding the ore.
Peter, my cell tooth brush is missing.
Jul '10
Re: "The Solve"
Pseudodionysius
We'll be cell mates.
One of the reasons I spend more time talking to women, whether on the consulting assignments or after hours at sporting events for my kids is that women, in general, say many more surprising things and make more astute observations than men do, in general. I have yet to be hit in the head with a frying pan yet, so I'm assuming I've never done it in such a way as to cross a line and be banished to Bill McGurn's man-cave, though if I do take a headshot with a cast iron object on this site, it will be Andrea or Lady Ferocica of the Americas wielding the ore.
Peter, my cell tooth brush is missing. · Nov 11 at 12:01p
One reason you talk to women is that women talk more than men.
I'm a Carthusian Monk compared to my wife, who is a Trappist Monk compared to most women.
May '10
Re: "The Solve"
You are hereby officially the subject of a massive group crush by the women of Ricochet. Ya just can't go wrong telling the ladies they're smart.
I like my new, expanded title. :-) That emoticon is just for you, Kitty.
Aug '10
Re: "The Solve"
Peter Robinson
~Paules: Pat Sajak: "The mind is an amazing creation, and occasionally it can do surprising things."
I see this sometimes in the classroom. I had one student who would consistently leap my attempts to analyse a question based on a methodology, and arrive at the right answer before I completed my explanation. She never could explain how she did it; she just did. I suppose some people have an intuitive sense that allows them to arrive without ever really taking the trip. · Nov 11 at 8:12am
Okay, may I, very, very timidly, advance a hugely non-politically correct observation? This intuitive ability is stronger--lots stronger--among women. Exhibition A: my wife. Compared with her, repeatedly feel like a dolt. I have to take time to puzzle stuff out. She just sees it.
Okay, I've said it. Now cart me off to prison. · Nov 11 at 10:36am
Peter -
Similarly, my sons and I stopped watching WOF with their mom because she solved the puzzles waaaay too quickly. So yeah - I think it's a girl thing.