Current:Home > ScamsPat Sajak celebrates 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant's mistake: 'We get to keep the money!' -Wealth Impact Academy
Pat Sajak celebrates 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant's mistake: 'We get to keep the money!'
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:57:40
You won't be able to look away from the latest "Wheel of Fortune" flub.
On Monday's episode, the first installment of the long-running syndicated game show's 2024 fan-favorites week, the contestants started prematurely celebrating what they thought was a correct answer — only to find out the guess was wrong.
After Michigan's Cynthia King solved two phrases, she was stumped by the third and final phrase presented in that round: "_ _ n'_ l_ok aw_ _." Hawaii's Rufus Cumberlander rang in and guessed "Don't look away."
"No, no, no, no no!" Sajak said as Cumberlander fist-bumped King and Luidgi Altidor of Brooklyn, New York on either side of him. Even Vanna White was applauding the answer.
As the puzzle board filled in the letters, the last one revealed "Can't look away."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"Everybody is congratulating everybody," Sajak said as the contestants reacted in dismay. "And: We get to keep the money!" Sajak added victoriously.
What to know about the last episode:Release date, how to watch Pat Sajak’s last show
The contestants' over-confidence comes on the heels of a viral moment the show experienced last week, when Tavaris Williams saw "_ _ _ _ i_ t_e b _ _ t!" on the board and guessed "Right in the butt!"
As his fellow contestants and the audience reeled from an uncharacteristically crude guess, consummate professional Sajak replied: "No." As it turns out, the phrase read "This is the best!"
After four decades at the helm with White, Sajak is down to his final episodes of "Wheel." On June 7, the show will air its Season 41 finale, which will mark the host's last. The final week, whose theme will be "Thanks for the memories," will feature tributes to Sajak.
This fall, Ryan Seacrest will take the reins as host. He'll be joined by Vanna White, who in September extended her contract with the game show through its 2025-26 season.
Pat Sajak will continue working on 'Wheel of Fortune' as a consultant
Suzanne Prete, the EVP of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, honored Sajak's legacy in a statement issued shortly after announcing his impending retirement.
"As the host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years," she said. "We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season."
Pat Sajak highlights:Look back at the best quotes from the 'Wheel of Fortune' host
Sajak "has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting," Prete revealed.
Sajak and White have hosted "Wheel of Fortune" in its current iteration since its debut in syndication in 1983, according to Sony Pictures Television Studios, which produces the show.
The concept was created in 1975 by Merv Griffin as an NBC daytime show based on the popular game “Hangman," per Sony Pictures Television.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Canada’s Tar Sands Are a Much Larger Source of Air Pollution Than Previously Thought, Study Says
- Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader quits, claiming his party was hijacked by president’s ruling party
- Dramatic video shows moment Ohio police officer saves unresponsive 3-year-old girl
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Many experts feared a recession. Instead, the economy has continued to soar
- Justin Timberlake Releases First Solo Song in 6 Years
- French President Macron arrives in India, where he’ll be chief guest at National Day celebrations
- Small twin
- Turkey's parliament approves Sweden's NATO membership, lifting key hurdle to entry into military alliance
Ranking
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- A separatist rebel leader in Ukraine who called Putin cowardly is sentenced to 4 years in prison
- When does 'Vanderpump Rules' start? Season 11 premiere date, time, cast, trailer
- Nick Dunlap turns pro after becoming first amateur to win PGA Tour event in 33 years
- Small twin
- Commission probing response to Maine mass shooting will hear from sheriff’s office
- Trump White House official convicted of defying Jan. 6 congressional subpoena to be sentenced
- Transgender veterans sue to have gender-affirming surgery covered by Department of Veteran Affairs
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Milwaukee Bucks to hire Doc Rivers as coach, replacing the fired Adrian Griffin
Twin brothers named valedictorian and salutatorian at Long Island high school
At least 50 villagers shot dead in latest violence in restive northern Nigerian state of Plateau
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Police say a man in Puerto Rico fatally shot 3 people before killing himself
Score 2 Le Creuset Baking Dishes for $99 & More Sizzlin' Cookware Deals
House investigators scrutinize Rep. Matt Gaetz's defunct federal criminal sex trafficking probe