Everybody experiences tough days and unfortunate situations. Many of us look back on these incidents in our heads and sometimes let them keep us awake some nights. Luckily, we are not famous and everyone else around us forgets and moves on. Nevertheless, celebrities face a different issue. Their worst behavior frequently happens in front of people. And the proof of that conduct will probably be recorded on video for later review.
Such is the case for Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak. Aside from the recent scandals, in his years on the show, Pat, the contestants, and the show itself have had some major blunders that they most likely wish everyone would forget about. The problem with that is, we can’t.
Updated September 2024: This article has been updated to reflect the most recent information regarding the downright controversial “Wheel of Fortune” episodes that still made it to air.
8 Did Someone Guess The Wrong Answer And Still Win On Wheel Of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune contestant, Steven Page guessed “quality craftmanship” versus “quality craftsmanship”
A few seasons back on this classic game show, a Wheel of Fortune contestant did indeed respond with the incorrect answer to a puzzle yet still won the prize. Wheel Watchers were not happy about it, and they took to social media in protest. Contestant Steven Page guessed quality craftmanship, to a puzzle that’s answer was actually, quality craftsmanship.
Steven’s answer was wrong because it very clearly lacked the s. Wheel of Fortune judges left Page as the winner, though. Wheel of Fortune fans don’t play nice when it comes to the rules being broken and felt this was incredibly unfair to the contestant who would have presumably won.
7 Did Wheel Of Fortune Make An Ethnic Blunder In A Puzzle On Wheel Of Fortune?
The phrase, “EENIE MEENIE MINY MOE” was rooted in slave trade, yet made it as a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune
Well, this was a very unfortunate episode. During Rhyme Time the puzzle read, “EENIE MEENIE MINY MOE,” etc. The entire rhyme was there for everyone to see. It goes without saying that this was completely inappropriate for the game show to have had this for an answer. Fans obviously took to social media shaming them for the use of this phrase, calling it Wheel of Fortune’s most epic fail to date.
6 Did Pat Sajak Make Fun Of A Contestant’s Lisp On Wheel Of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune contestant, Chris Brimble had a lisp and Pat Sajak called him out for it on the air
As horrific as it sounds, yes, Pat Sajak did make fun of someone with a lisp. During Par’s introduction of the contestants at the beginning of the show, Pat talked to Chris Brimble, a tech salesman from West Hollywood. They briefly discussed Chris’ work while talking about the notion that older people are resistant to modern technology.
You’d be surprised at how open they are, stated Chris. By that point, it was evident the contestant had a slight lisp. Pat continued talking, then abruptly brought it up.
“So that’s a myth?” asked Pat. Chris nodded, “It is, it is.” That was when Pat made the blunder.
Terrible, terrible choice for a joke.
Wheel of Fortune contestant, Ashley Fabian spoke about liking opera, to which Pat Sajak parlayed an inappropriate question to Vanna White about listening to opera in the buff
The one with the Opera Buff. Yes, there was a professional opera singer on the show and things really took an awkward turn. Pat asked contestant Ashley Fabian if being an opera singer made her an opera buff. She replied that while she is not a buff she does know a few operas. To which Pat obviously asked Vanna one of the most inappropriate questions in the history of the show.
“How about you? Have you watched Opera in the buff?”
Sound the alarms! Of course Vanna kept it professional and answered no with a chuckle. The episode concluded with the customary minute of Sajak-White banter after Ashley solved the bonus puzzle. Pat did apologize later for his choice of wording.
4 Did The Audience Yell At A Contestant On Wheel Of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune teen contestant, Kushi was oblivious to a puzzle with one letter left, leading to an audience member to scream “What?” at the young girl
On an episode of Wheel of Fortune, yes, an audience member shouted aggressively at a contestant after they guessed the final letter in a puzzle incorrectly. In the opening show starting off ‘Teen Week’ contestant, Khushi, a tenth grader was trying to solve a puzzle in the Food & Drink category. She was seemingly moving through the board fine, until the end.
Khushi had one letter left on the puzzle, which at that time read, “fre_h tropical fruit”, after successful guesses. Khushi stood there just staring at the puzzle. Pat let her know she needed to make a move as the clock was ticking. Khushi made her move, saying, “I’ll go with a G?”
The audience all groaned and gasped, but it was the one who screamed out, “What?” so loudly that Khushi heard it on stage that really got everyone’s attention.
3 Did Pat Sajak Have An On-Air Argument With A Contestant On Wheel Of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune contestant, Darin McBain and Pak Sajak got into a discussion over a puzzle phrase, with Pat getting the last word
Leave it to Pat Sajak to stand up for his show. Darin McBain challenged the acclaimed host on one of the puzzle answers, “kitchen oven”.
“Kitchen oven?” Darin asked Pat. “What is that? Who calls it a ‘kitchen oven?'” Pat snapped back at the question posed to him.
“Don’t! You won! Don’t argue, Darin! You got the puzzle. Ungrateful players! I’ve had it!”
2 Did Pat Sajak Tell A Contestant Their Backstory Was Pointless On Wheel Of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune contestant, Scott Ingwersen told a story about his childhood that Pat Sajak thought was pointless
Unfortunately, yes, Pat made a very rude remark to a contestant on Wheel of Fortune after hearing their personal story.
Contestant, Scott Ingwersen opens with a story that happened in his childhood.
“It’s important to know that when I was 12 years old, I was riding a 10-speed bike with flip-flops, and I fell and completely cut off the top of my toe.”
Scott continued, saying, “The next car that came by were two paramedics that were on their way to a job, and they said, ‘It’s just a laceration.’ But I didn’t know what that was, so it freaked me out even more. And my toe is reattached, and I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to them 30 years later.”
Crickets. Pat then chimes in with a comment many Wheel of Fortune viewers remember today.
“That may have been the most pointless story ever told. And you told it, Scott. Congratulations to you.”
1 Did Pat Sajak Tease A Contestant On Wheel Of Fortune?
Wheel of Fortune contestant, Ben, could not come up with the final puzzle answer and Pat Sajak teased him for it
An awkward on-camera situation ensued when Pat Sajak mocked a Wheel of Fortune contestant who was unable to answer a puzzle. The Californian contestant was attempting to solve a puzzle in the Fun & Games category during the bonus round. Ben gave it his best go despite the limited number of letters that were filled in on the board.
“Taunt a chuck guy? Wacky guy? Taunt a wacky guy.”
The buzzer sounded. Sajak weighed in on the attempt, completely teasing Ben.
“Wow, that was so unclose. You just didn’t have the letters.”
When the correct response, “Taking a quick jog,” was revealed, Ben had the ideal reaction to his difficult defeat. He smiled and gave the camera a thumbs up, adding, “I just don’t consider jogging fun and games.”
Pat responded with a sarcastic comment and an irritated look on his face before walking off.