
Pat Sajak RHTY/starmaxinc.com/Shutterstock
A little bit unfriendly competitors? Pat Sajak teased a Wheel of Fortune contestant for being unable to resolve a puzzle — and it led to an uncomfortable on-camera second.
The 76-year-old host made a considerably snarky remark to a participant named Ben throughout the Thursday, January 26, episode of the sport present. The California resident was competing within the bonus spherical and making an attempt to determine a puzzle within the Enjoyable & Video games class. There weren’t many letters crammed in on the board, however Ben nonetheless gave it his greatest effort.
“Taunt a chuck man? … Wacky man. Taunt a wacky man,” he guessed earlier than the buzzer sounded.
Sajak weighed in on the try, teasing: “Wow, that was so unclose. You simply didn’t have the letters.”

The reply was revealed to be “Taking a fast jog” — and Ben had the proper response to his powerful loss. “I simply don’t think about jogging enjoyable and video games,” he quipped as he gave the digicam a thumbs up.
The awkward second was uploaded by way of the ABC present’s official Instagram web page after the episode with a caption that learn, “He has a degree 🤔😂.”
It wouldn’t be the primary time Sajak has discovered himself elevating eyebrows amongst viewers. Throughout a March 2022 episode, the Chicago native was left unimpressed by a participant’s introduction story — however Wheel of Fortune followers got here to the contestant’s protection.
“That will have been probably the most pointless story ever instructed. And also you instructed it, Scott. Congratulations to you,” Sajak stated, shaking his head after the participant instructed a story about practically dropping his massive toe and despatched a shout-out to the primary responders who helped him.
Viewers have been fast to share their takes on the section. “When did #Patsajak get so cold-blooded?” one Twitter person puzzled, whereas one other referred to as Sajak “a grumpy previous dude.”
A 3rd social media person wrote: “I felt so dangerous for the contestant. Pat Sajak needs to be properly conscious of how imply it’s to belittle somebody on nationwide tv.”
The Daytime Emmy winner started internet hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981 and was joined by longtime costar Vanna White one yr later. The twosome shaped a robust bond all through their time on the hangman-inspired recreation present, however Sajak lately hinted that his tenure as host may be coming to an in depth.
“We’re getting close to the tip,” he instructed Leisure Tonight in September 2022. “We’re not gonna do that for an additional 40 years. The top is close to.”
He teased on the time that “this present is not going to die,” including that he felt grateful to have such a strong streak on the air. “It’s an honor to have been in individuals’s residing rooms for that lengthy,” he stated. “Individuals have been on the market welcoming us. We’re pleased and proud.”