Wheel Of Fortune Fans Are Fuming At Contestant’s Loss, Saying Pat Sajak Owes Her
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak is being accused of not acknowledging a contestant's correct answer.
Wheel of Fortune has been hosted by Pat Sajak for 40 years, beginning his career three years before the late Jeopardy host Alex Trebek began his long-running career. Alongside hostess Vanna White, Sajak has been prompting contestants to solve word puzzles for thousands of episodes. Now, Decider reports that fans believe the veteran host screwed up big-time, denying a contestant their $100,000 prize despite her (allegedly) solving the bonus round puzzle correctly.
In the April 6, 2023, episode of Wheel of Fortune, contestant Alexa had to solve a three-word puzzle under the category “What are you doing?” After guessing the letters D, P, C, and I on top of the automatic RSTLNE letters, she was left with the clue __ST _IN_IN_ IT, and had 10 to guess the solution. The controversy surrounds whether Pat Sajak heard Alexa’s first guess correctly.
The solution to the puzzle was “Just winging it,” and vocal Wheel of Fortune viewers argue that her first guess was correct. However, Pat Sajak allowed her to make two more incorrect guesses before the time ran out. Pat Sajak tells Alexa, “You were right there,” as the solution was revealed.
Pat Sajak most likely heard Alexa say, “Just winning it,” which tracks with the other two incorrect guesses she made: “Must winning it” and “Best winning it.” While some fans agree with Sajak’s interpretation, others say the Wheel of Fortune host unfairly let a winning contestant lose.
Those who believe Alexa should have brought home the $100,000 prize point out that Pat Sajak was apparently about to ask Alexa to repeat her first answer before staying silent as she made more incorrect guesses. They also state that guessing “Just winning it” wouldn’t make sense because all of the Ns would already be revealed since it’s completely impossible for someone to make horrible guesses when under pressure. The fact that she very clearly said “winning” in her next two guesses apparently didn’t factor into their judgment.
Those who heard Alexa say “Just winning it” point out that Alexa made no attempt to claim that she made the correct guess after Pat Sajak revealed the answer — because, as we all know, it’s not at all nerve-wracking to argue with a famous TV star in front of a live studio audience.
Pat Sajak has been no stranger to controversy in recent months. The 76-year-old host put a winning contestant in a headlock at the end of a March episode of Wheel of Fortune. The contestant had previously told Pat Sajak that he did pro wrestling as a side gig, which probably prompted the joking reaction, but the action still took audiences aback.
Pat Sajak also mocked a contestant for having a fish phobia by having another contestant hold a fake fish — something that some fans believe was in poor taste.
Regardless of what Alexa actually said, she walked away from her appearance on Wheel of Fortune $19,950 richer (minus taxes, of course). While that’s not nearly as much as the $100,000 she was set to go home with, it’s definitely enough to make an appearance on the gameshow worthwhile.
