Mind-Blowing Wheel of Fortune Fails: Unbelievable Mispronunciations, Polarizing Puzzle Rules, and Epic Wild Moments

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Mistakes are a part of life, and even a long-running show like Wheel of Fortune is not exempt from them. Since its debut in 1975, this popular game show has captivated audiences with its word puzzles and the chance to win cash and prizes. Pat Sajak has been the show's host since 1981, boasting an impressive 19 Daytime Emmy nominations and three wins. Additionally, Vanna White has become an iconic figure on the show since she joined as a hostess in 1982.

While the majority of the series' mishaps involved contestants, Sajak surprised viewers when he unintentionally solved a puzzle on live television. In an April 2021 episode, the host made a comment about the board, which displayed the letters "_ _ _ T E _ R A N _ L _."

The television personality mentioned "quite frankly," which was actually a clue to the correct answer. However, the contestant did not catch the hint and went on to solve the puzzle without realizing it. Following the episode, Sajak admitted to White that he recognized his error "immediately after uttering those words."

He continued, "I'm curious to know how many people at home noticed it. There were only a few letters displayed, and I jokingly remarked, 'I'd prefer to be present here rather than there.' That was actually the puzzle. It just proves that people are focused and not really paying any attention to me."

The duo didn't believe that the clue was too obvious for the contestant, yet Sajak light-heartedly commented, "It's amusing how your mouth can say things that your brain advises against."

In the same year, Sajak made a blunder by opening a grand prize envelope prematurely, before the participant had even spun the wheel. He admitted, "Oh, I already saw it. I'm not sure why I did that. I know what she's competing for and you don't!"

White acknowledged that this was the first time Sajak had ever made such a mistake during his tenure on the show. Sajak humbly replied, "Everyone makes mistakes at some point. Even I'm not flawless. I know it's surprising to hear."

The game show garnered attention once more in December 2021 when a contestant missed out on winning an Audi car due to what viewers deemed a technicality.

Charlene Rubush had already accumulated $16,500 prior to advancing to the bonus round. While solving the "What Are You Doing?" puzzle, Rubush initially provided the response "Choosing the right card," but hastily adjusted her answer to "Choosing the right... word" just before the buzzer sounded.

Sajak revealed that she missed out on the grand prize because she hesitated before finishing her statement, even though she correctly guessed the phrase.

"This one is challenging because you said all the correct words, including 'word,' but, as you know, it needs to be more or less continuous," he explained at the moment. "A slight pause is acceptable, but not four or five seconds. I apologize. You did well in getting it right, but we cannot award you the prize, which was the Audi."

Following the significant online backlash generated by the incident, Audi took to their official social media account to express their willingness to rectify the mistake. They tweeted, "Charlene, we recognize you as a winner. It's time to make things right and reward you. #GiveHerTheQ3."

Scroll down to view some of the most notable blunders on Wheel of Fortune throughout the years:

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

‘Wheel of Fortune’ Snafus and Wild Moments Over the Years: Mispronunciations, Controversial Puzzle Rules and More

Everybody makes mistakes. Wheel of Fortune has entertained countless viewers since it originally premiered in 1975 — but with time also comes error.

The game show, since its beginning, has featured participants who solve word puzzles to win cash and other prizes. Pat Sajak has been the show's host since 1981, earning 19 Daytime Emmy nominations and three wins. Vanna White also became an iconic presence on the show when she joined as a hostess in 1982.

Although most of the series' mishaps have been caused by contestants throughout the years, Sajak surprised viewers once when he accidentally solved a puzzle on live television. During an episode in April 2021, the host made a comment about the board, which displayed the letters "_ _ _ T E _ R A N _ L _ ."

The TV personality uttered the phrase "quite frankly" as a subtle clue, although the contestant failed to notice it and independently solved the puzzle. Following the episode, the host admitted his error to White, acknowledging it immediately after making the statement. He further pondered how many viewers at home had actually caught the hint, considering the limited number of letters displayed. Reflecting on the incident, he concluded that people were engrossed in the task at hand and not heeding his words.

The dynamic duo didn't believe the clue was overly apparent for the contestant, but Sajak humorously commented, "It's fascinating how your mouth can blurt out things that your brain would advise against."

In the same year, Sajak made a blunder when he opened a grand prize envelope prematurely, before the participant had a chance to spin the wheel. He admitted, "Oops, I accidentally saw it beforehand. I'm not sure why I did that. I already know the prize while you all are left in suspense!"

At that moment, White highlighted that this was a mistake Sajak had never made before during his tenure on the show. Sajak humorously replied, "Well, everyone makes mistakes eventually. Even I, to everyone's surprise, am not flawless. Shocking news, I know."

The game show garnered attention once more in December 2021, as a contestant missed out on winning an Audi car due to what fans perceived as a technicality. Charlene Rubush had already accumulated $16,500 before progressing to the bonus round. While attempting to solve the puzzle, titled "What Are You Doing?", Rubush initially conjectured "Choosing the right card," only to modify her response to "Choosing the right … word" moments before the buzzer sounded.

Sajak revealed that she missed out on the ultimate prize as she hesitated before finishing her statement, despite correctly guessing the phrase.

"The situation is quite challenging," he mentioned during that time. "You used all the correct words, even including the word 'word'. However, as you are aware, the response needs to be more or less uninterrupted. We can permit a short pause, but not for four or five seconds. I apologize. You performed well in figuring it out, but unfortunately, we cannot award you the prize, which was the Audi."

Following the widespread backlash, Audi took to their official social media platform to address the issue, assuring their followers that they were ready to rectify the situation. They tweeted, "Charlene, you're a true champion in our book. It's time to make things right and reward your efforts. Let's #GiveHerTheQ3."

Continue scrolling to discover some of the most noteworthy blunders on Wheel of Fortune throughout its history.

Credit: YouTube

New Baby Buggy Answer

In an astonishing display on a 2014 episode, Emil de Leon astounded viewers by correctly deducing the answer "New Baby Buggy" with only two letters revealed. Pat Sajak, the show's host, later took to Twitter to express his awe, proclaiming it as the "most incredible solve in my 30+ years on the show."

Credit: YouTube

The Achilles Mispronunciation

Indiana University freshman Julian Batt suffered a loss of $1 million when he correctly guessed all the letters to uncover the answer, "The Mythological Hero Achilles," but unfortunately mispronounced the final word.

Batt told the Indiana Star in 2014 that he "didn't have a lot of time to really process" what was going on, which was why he didn't say the word correctly.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Pronounced Pristinely Wrong

In 1994, a contestant incorrectly solved the Megaword puzzle by misstating the word "pristinely."

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Pat Sajak Snaps on Contestant

In December 2020, fans flocked to social media following a series of heated exchanges between Sajak and several participants. One month earlier, the host raised his voice when a player disputed the legitimacy of the winning phrase "kitchen oven." Sajak exclaimed, "Don't! You've won! There's no need to argue, Darin!... You've solved the puzzle. Unappreciative players! I've reached my limit!" At the time, he apologized for losing his temper on the show.

In a subsequent segment, Sajak reprimanded a contestant named Sheryl for speaking over him as he was promoting Dick's Sporting Goods. He emphasized the importance of not interrupting during a promotional segment and said, "Please refrain from interrupting me when I'm doing a product plug. You can engage in any other activity, but interrupting is unacceptable. My apologies, what were you going to say?"

Credit: ABC

Getting a Second Chance

After appearing on Wheel of Fortune in 2017, Tony Harrison made headlines after being given an unexpected second try at a prize three years later.

Sajak clarified why he decided to return, stating, "If Tony looks familiar — this is Tony Harrison, who has previously appeared here. Due to a minor production issue, we made the fair decision to bring Tony back." Nevertheless, a few fans expressed their discontent regarding the perceived rule violation.

Credit: YouTube

The 'And' Crossword Puzzle Rule

Since its introduction in 2016, the crossword puzzle format has sparked dissatisfaction among passionate Wheel of Fortune viewers and participants due to a specific rule. Contestants are prohibited from using the word "and" before the final word on the categorical list, a rule that often slips their mind.

In April 2021, David Pederson's statement, "Sole, Flounder, Cod and Catfish," resulted in him losing the answer, prompting fans to express their opposition to this rule on various online platforms.

Credit: YouTube

Contestant Mispronounces ‘Flamenco’ as ‘Flamingo’

Johnny Knowles missed out on $7,000 and a vacation to Spain after mispronouncing “flamenco” as “flamingo" during a 2018 appearance on Wheel of Fortune.

Credit: YouTube

Contestant Gives NSFW Response

Melanie Sinany surprised many with a NSFW answer when she guessed a wrong letter in what was supposed to be "bridal & cold shower" for a “G.”

“Bridal and gold shower,” Sinany guessed in 2018, much to the shock of the audience and White.

Credit: ABC

Winning on a Wrong Answer

Fans were furious in November 2021 when contestant Steven Page solved the puzzle “Quality Craftsmanship" but left letters out of the second word.

Credit: ABC

Pat Sajak Accidentally Solves​​ a Puzzle

During an April 2021 bonus round puzzle, the host unintentionally revealed the answer while joking about its level of difficulty.

"Yikes! Honestly, I'd prefer being in my position right now," he chuckled, unaware that some of his words were part of the brain teaser.

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Spelling Rapper Yung Joc's Name Wrong

Wheel of Fortune faced backlash in December 2021 when they misspelled rapper Yung Joc's name during a segment. Numerous individuals expressed dissatisfaction with the show's decision not to grant another opportunity to contestant Kennise Miller, as the incorrect spelling of "Young Jock" hindered her from making the correct guess initially.

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The Audi Incident

Rubush departed Wheel of Fortune in December 2021, securing a sum of $16,500 and a vacation. Nonetheless, viewers raised doubts regarding her eligibility to receive an Audi due to a technicality. Just a day later, the official Twitter account representing the Audi company responded by stating, "There's no community quite like the Audi community. We have successfully located Charlene with your invaluable assistance. Stay tuned for further updates as we strive to #GiveHerTheQ3."

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Pat Sajak’s Anniversary Miscue

The absence of any recognition from the network regarding the game show's enduring host's four-decade tenure incited a wave of dismay among fans in December 2021. Viewers swiftly voiced their discontent, notably on social media platforms, where one Twitter user exclaimed, "Surprising! No reference to Pat's remarkable 40 years on #WheelofFortune during tonight's episode?"

Another fan expressed their disappointment on social media, stating that last night's episode of Wheel of Fortune did not acknowledge Pat Sajak's 40-year anniversary as the host. A third user criticized the show for not having a celebratory atmosphere with balloons, cake, and a tribute.

In response, Sajak took to Twitter and marked his milestone achievement by sharing some interesting facts. He mentioned that 40 years ago, when he began hosting the show with Susan Stafford, popular TV shows included Dallas, Three's Company, The Jeffersons, and The Dukes of Hazzard. He also noted that Ronald Reagan was serving his first year as president and the number one song was Olivia Newton-John's "Physical."

Credit: YouTube

‘Land,’ Not ‘Band’

During a January 2022 episode, a contestant came close to solving the puzzle inspired by Woody Guthrie's song title "This Land Was Made for You and Me." However, instead of the correct word "land," they mistakenly guessed "band." This error sparked humorous reactions from social media fans. One viewer even humorously commented, "Let's all sing together... 'This band was made for you and me.'"

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The 'Pointless' Story

In March 2022, Sajak faced backlash from Wheel of Fortune viewers for ridiculing contestant Scott Ingwersen's introductory story on the show. Ingwersen shared his childhood experience, stating, "When I was 12 years old, I had a biking accident where I lost the top of my toe. Fortunately, two paramedics happened to pass by and assured me it was just a laceration. I was terrified at the time and now, 30 years later, I want to express my gratitude to them."

In response, the host expressed his opinion that the story shared by Scott was pointless, and congratulated him on sharing it. This led to criticism from fans, who felt that Sajak was mocking Ingwersen's intention of expressing gratitude towards those who had helped him in the past. Prior to this incident, Sajak had made headlines for urging viewers to have empathy for contestants who make mistakes on the show. He expressed his concern for their well-being and highlighted the difference between the studio experience and the online criticism they face.

Credit: YouTube

Sticking to the Rules

In March 2022, fans were left outraged when contestant Chris Davidson narrowly missed out on winning a $8,400 trip to Puerto Rico due to a technicality. While attempting to solve the puzzle "frozen concoction," Chris made the mistake of including the indefinite article "a" before "frozen concoction." This seemingly insignificant error technically rendered his answer incorrect. Speaking to the audience, Sajak explained, "Chris is well aware of his mistake, which is why he took another shot at solving the puzzle." Sajak further elaborated, "He added that article. He included the 'a' at the beginning, and unfortunately, we cannot accept it. This is just how the rules work. As a result, Carol ended up becoming the fortunate recipient of the Puerto Rico trip."

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Pat Sajak Clashes With Contestant

In a January 2023 episode, Ben, a player, faced difficulties in solving the bonus round puzzle, which belonged to the Fun & Games category. Sajak playfully taunted, "That was close, but not quite there. You were just missing the right letters," as Ben made a series of incorrect guesses.

The response given was "Going for a short run," to which Ben responded with a dry remark, stating: "I simply don't view jogging as a source of amusement." After his sarcastic remark, he flashed a thumbs-up to the camera.

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The Tackle

During a March 2023 episode, a contestant named Fred, who happened to be a professional wrestler, won an impressive $75,800 in prize money. Sajak, the host, playfully turned to the other contestants and inquired if they'd like him to body-slam Fred on their behalf. As part of the jest, Sajak facetiously seized the winner's arm, pinning it behind his back and playfully tried to place him in a headlock.

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Pat Sajak Snaps at a Player

One day after the tackling moment went viral, Sajak yelled at a contestant named Nicole to "please, solve the darn puzzle!"

After Nicole successfully deduced the solution, Sajak acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating, "It's quite disheartening when you realize that everyone across America is aware of this, yet it eludes you. However, you managed to figure it out."

Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube

An Uncommon Phrase

Fans erupted in anger in September 2023 when contestant Mark Henderson lost a staggering $50,000 on a final puzzle that some onlookers labeled as "impossible" to solve. The elusive correct answer turned out to be "whirling around," but numerous spectators contended that this particular phrase is not commonly used in everyday language. "No one actually utters 'Whirling Around!?'", vented an exasperated fan on Twitter. "Yet another dreadful final puzzle falling under the category of phrase."

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'Puentin Tarantino'

During an episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in October 2023, Rashad Jennings, a former NFL running back, made an incorrect guess in the "Rhyme Time" category. Instead of guessing the letter Q, Jennings mistakenly guessed the letter P, referring to the renowned director Quentin Tarantino as “Puentin." The correct answer for the puzzle should have been "Driving to Reno With Quentin Tarantino."