Wheel of Fortune viewers were left puzzled by the result on a recent episode after a contestant’s answer was deemed correct despite the fact she added extra words.

The incident took place during the Express Round, under the ‘Living Things’ category, and contestant Kiana Moreland was tasked with solving the puzzle which read: ‘A A R D V A R K S / A N D / A N _ E _ _ _ E S.’

Moreland, a recent college graduate from Grand Terrace, California, made a slight error as she gave her answer.

‘Is it aardvarks and antelopes?’ she asked host Ryan Seacrest. After a slight pause, he declared that her response was correct.

However, the moment raised eyebrows for several viewers at home on January 10 as they couldn’t help but notice that Moreland adding ‘Is it’ to the start of her sentence should have voided her answer.

Taking to a Wheel of Fortune forum on Reddit, one fan stated: ‘”Is it…?” should have disqualified that contestant’s solve.’

Wheel of Fortune viewers were left puzzled by the result on a recent episode after a contestant’s puzzle answer was deemed correct despite the fact she added extra words

They wrote: ‘So on Friday Jan 10, 2025 a contestant won a puzzle, but she said, “Is it Aardvarks and Antelopes?”

‘I was absolutely positive the judges were gonna rule her answer incorrect, but after Ryan’s longer than usual pause he announced she got it right!’

They continued: ‘Wth?! I thought the whole “adding any extra words” thing was universal to all puzzles.

‘This was an injustice the likes of which the world has never seen before!! Does this sort of thing happen often?’

One fan admitted they had been expecting Seacrest to deem the answer incorrect as they replied: ‘I was waiting for Ryan to say, “Sorry that is not correct,” and especially since he hesitated a few seconds before responding that it was a correct solve.

‘I think there is more banter between host and contestant and they feel more comfortable but still a risky solve!’

One fan mused about the subtle reason why the contestant managed to get away with the extra words: ‘I think it’s because they hadn’t started saying the actual puzzle yet. Like, adding “and” to a crossword is invalid because that’s in the middle of the response.

‘Saying “Is it” before solving is probably allowed since you’re not “adding to the puzzle,” you’re just prefacing your guess. As far as I know, as long as your response itself is correct, it’s fine. That’s my train of thought anyways.’

The moment raised eyebrows for several viewers because Kiana Moreland adding ‘Is it’ to the start of her sentence should have voided her answer

Fans admitted they had been expecting host Ryan Seacrest to deem the answer incorrect, while others shared theories about why she was allowed the win

Another claimed that rules were no longer enforced the same way since Seacrest took over as host.

‘I’ve had the feeling that the Wheel and Jeopardy judges have both been a tiny bit more lenient ever since their new hosts have taken over,’ the fan claimed. ‘Just coincidental timing I imagine. People like to see other people win money, they may be giving people the benefit of the doubt.’

Elsewhere, one fan noted that former host Pat Sajak had long allowed for the term ‘Is it’ to be added to answers.

They wrote: ‘Uhh, in a 2012 episode, Pat said it was okay to add “Is It.” However, adding words such as “A” or “THE” when they aren’t on the board are not allowed.’

Back in June 2023, Sajak shocked fans with the announcement that he would be stepping down from the show after more than four decades.

Last month, it was confirmed that Sajak would return to his hosting duties for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.

The Emmy winner clued fans into his appearance on X, formerly Twitter, writing: ‘Apparently I’m back on TV tonight. I guess I’d better shave and shower.’

A holiday themed Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episode which aired in December was the only special appearance for Sajak in 2024.

Elsewhere, one fan noted that former host Pat Sajak had long allowed for the term ‘Is it’ to be added to answers

Last month, it was confirmed that Sajak would return to his hosting duties for Celebrity Wheel of FortuneThe episode was pre-recorded along with several others to be aired in 2025, but the Christmas theme would have seemed out of place.

The release date for the remaining Celebrity episodes has not been announced.

Those are set to be the veteran host’s last on the show.

Elsewhere, though some diehard fans have been slow to warm to new host Ryan Seacrest, adding him to the game show has been good for ratings.

Wheel of Fortune averaged 7.99 million viewers during Seacrest’s first month, and during that time, the show was ‘the most-watched entertainment series across broadcast, cable, and syndication,’ according to Nielsen data per Newsweek.