ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

'Wheel of Fortune' player who later became a news anchor shares what happens behind-the-scenes

The anchor also got his colleagues to solve a puzzle that he remembered among others from the episode.
PUBLISHED JUL 21, 2025
Screenshots from Blackwell's stint on the show and as an anchor (Cover image source: Twitter | Victor Blackwell CNN)
Screenshots from Blackwell's stint on the show and as an anchor (Cover image source: Twitter | Victor Blackwell CNN)

Getting on "Wheel of Fortune" is a big deal for generations who grew up watching the show, and is also a ticket to 15 minutes of fame for many. But some who appeared on the show in their younger days went on to become famous for different reasons. CNN's anchor Victor Blackwell is one such personality who got a chance to compete on the show as a college sophomore when Pat Sajak was the host.

Blackwell reminisced about the episode in a segment marking Sajak's retirement, and mentioned how he was interviewed by producers of "Wheel of Fortune" during college week. The anchor then waited for two weeks before getting a call, and was excited to be on the game show. He appeared wearing a Howard University sweatshirt back then, and remembers the puzzles to this day. Blackwell mentioned how the wheel was hand-painted and that five episodes were being shot in a single day back then.



 

He also got his colleagues to solve a puzzle that he remembered, but also admitted that he could figure out only one on the show. That day, the future TV personality won a decent $2,350 on the show. 

Another "Wheel of Fortune" winner to share his experience on the show was sportscaster Drew Goldfarb. Taking to Instagram, Goldfarb, who had won $86,000 on the show shortly after his wedding, opened up about what was going on behind the scenes.

The contestant revealed that six episodes were filmed on that day, and he was a part of the third. The contestant also spoke kindly about Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest.

“Meeting @officialvannawhite and my new buddy @ryanseacrest was incredible, and I ended up being the big winner! Not only did I go to the #BonusRound, but I brought the #WildCard AND a big @lindbladexp trip wedge with me… and WON!” he wrote. Cash was not the only thing he had won. Goldfarb had also won a cruise in Greece and Turkey, which would have served exceedingly well as a honeymoon for the newlyweds.

Screenshot showing the couple celebrating. (Image credit: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Screenshot showing the couple celebrating. (Image credit: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

“After winning the #PrizePuzzle round during the game (earning me and Angela a trip to the Pacific Northwest), my Bonus Round solve came with a $40,000 envelope AND a cruise in Greece and Turkey!” he added, according to a TV Insider report. “Oh, and in Round 1, I learned that a group of jellyfish is called a smack. Never going to forget that one after leaving $17,000+ in the bank (I thought it was swarm). Growing up in South Florida, I always hated jellyfish, anyway. Lol,” Goldfarb continued.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Drew Goldfarb (@drewgoldfarb)


 

By the time Goldfarb reached the Bonus Round, he had already won $46,912 in cash and prizes. He got the usual letters and picked his own very smartly.

The His answer 'Take my advice' turned out to be correct. Seacrest then opened up the envelope to reveal that he had won an additional $40,000, which made his grand total go up to a whopping $86,912. His wife came up on stage to celebrate, and the couple stood there in disbelief at the amount of money they had won. “We’re going to have so many honeymoons,” Goldfarb said after winning.

More on Market Realist:

'Wheel of Fortune' player wins a massive $100,000 — and the first thing she asks for is a broom

'Wheel of Fortune' player wins almost $120,000 after stunning letter picks in wild TV moment

'Wheel of Fortune' player solves a really difficult puzzle and then says 'I don't know how I did it'

RELATED TOPICS WHEEL OF FORTUNE
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
Cuban had seen enough of Mr. Wonderful's greedy tactics, and he decided to take a stand.
10 hours ago
Fans were also left as confused as the contestant after seeing the puzzle.
11 hours ago
The iconic "Jeopardy!" champion has been hosting the show for many years now.
1 day ago
The host remembered the times he was bullied as a young kid after hearing the chant.
1 day ago
The greeting caught Steve Harvey by surprise, and he took several seconds to regain his composure.
1 day ago
The nascent nature of the company prevented the sharks from investing in it.
3 days ago
Harvey seemed quite annoyed after the guest revealed her surprise and rightfully so.
4 days ago
Both Rick and his son Corey had a lot of luaghs while talking about this item for obvious reasons.
4 days ago
She was just happe to be with Drew Carey on stage, and perhaps did not expect such a big win.
4 days ago
The segment started with a couple of people entering the stage wearing cakes over their heads.
4 days ago
The valuation he asked for was as crazy as the outfit he wore, and the sharks said no.
4 days ago
The contestant's answer had no lewd intention but Steve Harvey made sure it did.
5 days ago
Fans of the gameshow are known to be vocal about their needs and this was just an example of that.
5 days ago
The guest stood firm at what he wanted and Harrison was forced to raise his low-ball offer.
5 days ago
The contestant was confident in his abilities and he steered his team to an impressive win.
5 days ago
The sharks could not believe what they had just witnessed but it sure was entertaining.
6 days ago
The guest said that she wanted $15,000 but had to settle for just a couple grand.
6 days ago
Fans of the show were shocked she was not able to get it right after coming so close.
6 days ago
Corcoran was confident that the entrepreneur would take her deal but that was not the case.
7 days ago
The host's expressions upon seeing the answers on the board were absolutely priceless.
7 days ago