The unfortunate game show contestant was denied her Audi Q3 prize car because of a dubious technicality.
You don't expect a family game show like The Wheel of Fortune to attract controversy. Earlier this week, viewers were outraged when contestant Charlene Rubush correctly solved the puzzle in the bonus round in Tuesday night's episode of The Wheel of Fortune. She should have won a brand new Audi Q3, but her answer was rejected due to a dubious technicality.
When trying to guess the phrase “choosing the right word,” Rubush paused for several seconds after saying “choosing the right” before finishing the sentence. Technically, she solved the puzzle within the time limit, but her answer was not allowed. Why? Because she didn't say the whole phrase continuously and paused too long between the words “right” and “word.” Consequently, she didn't win the Audi Q3.
https://twitter.com/Audi/status/1473780980192325644
“You know, this one's tough because you said all the right words, including the word 'word,' but as you know, it's got to be more or less continuous,” host Pat Sajak explained. After the show aired, the clip went viral and caused a backlash on social media, with viewers including Jeopardy! champion Alex Champion appealing to the show to “give her the car.”
Thankfully, just in time for Christmas, Audi is stepping in and giving Rubush the free Q3 she deserves regardless of the technicality. “You're a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ3,” Audi wrote on its official social media channel. After calling for fans to help, Audi was able to track Rubush down by contacting her relatives online and arrange for her Q3 to be delivered. It's a great goodwill gesture on Audi's part.
“In the spirit of the holidays, we are thrilled to gift Charlene with an all-new Audi Q3,” said Tara Rush, Audi’s chief marketing officer. “It is the season of giving after all and, technicality or not, we are always eager to share a bit of Audi magic and cheer!”
In the US, the 2022 Audi Q3 starts at $35,900, but you can’t put a price on the publicity this has generated for Audi. It isn’t known which Q3 trim Rubush will receive, but the base model is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the more powerful 45 TFSI trim has an increased output of 228 hp and 258 lb-ft. The current-generation Audi A3 launched for the 2019 model year. As part of an extensive 2022 model update, the Q3 features new standard safety features and is upgraded with Audi's latest MIB 3 infotainment system.
Keyword: Audi Gives Wheel Of Fortune Contestant Free Q3 After People Got Mad