Wheel of Fortune: Missed Opportunities

Wheel of Fortune's Memorable Mistakes

While Wheel of Fortune celebrates triumphs and big wins, the show has also produced some of the most entertaining and cringe-worthy moments in game show history. From unfortunate puzzle guesses to devastating bankrupt spins at critical moments, these memorable mistakes have entertained viewers and sometimes gone viral on social media.

The "Right in the Butt" Incident

One of the most viral Wheel of Fortune moments came when contestant Tavaris Williams made an unforgettable guess on May 23, 2024. Faced with the phrase puzzle "_ _ _ _ I _ T _ E B _ _ T!" Williams guessed "Right in the Butt" instead of the correct answer "This is the Best." Williams later explained that he tried to buzz in first and "let [his] brain catch up," and when he saw the letters R, B, and T on the board, his mind went in an unexpected direction. The moment was so entertaining that it caught the attention of Jimmy Kimmel, who featured Williams on his late-night show. Despite the mishap, Williams won $9,500 on the episode and even received a chance at redemption in an official bonus video with Pat Sajak's daughter, Maggie Sajak.

Bonus Round Heartbreaks

The bonus round has witnessed countless close calls where contestants came agonizingly close to winning large sums. In one notable case, a contestant named Eric chose the letters F, M, B, and the vowel U but received only one letter on the board. Unable to solve the puzzle "Avocado Oil," he missed what could have been a significant prize. Had he chosen O as his vowel instead, three O's would have appeared, likely helping him recognize the word "oil" and solve the complete answer. Another contestant, Steve, selected G, H, P, and O, getting an O in each word but still couldn't break through to find the solution, losing out on an extra $50,000. Kendra faced a similar fate by choosing poorly from the available letters and only retrieving one A and one B, wasting her vowel choice and losing a $40,000 bonus opportunity.

Unfortunate Pronunciation and Word Guesses

Contestants have occasionally stumbled over famous names and cultural references. In 2009, contestant Lolita confidently guessed "Self-Potato" instead of the correct answer "Self-Portrait," immediately apologizing with laughter at her mistake. In 2017, contestant Kevin's unfamiliarity with Tennessee Williams proved costly when he guessed "I Have the Wine by Johnny Cash" instead of the famous Johnny Cash song "I Walk the Line" when nearly $10,000 was on the line. During a 2023 Teen Week episode, 10th-grader Khushi had only an S missing from "Fresh Tropical Fruit" but inexplicably guessed the letter G, prompting an audible reaction from an audience member. During Armed Forces Week in 2010, multiple contestants struggled with celebrity names, including one who mispronounced Regis Philbin's name as "Philburn" and another who pronounced Kelly Ripa's name as "Reepa."

Bankrupt Spins at Critical Moments

Few things on Wheel of Fortune are more devastating than landing on the Bankrupt wedge when the stakes are high. During a memorable May 31, 1990 episode, Pat Sajak's final spin—typically a climactic moment—landed on Bankrupt three consecutive times before finally yielding $5,000 on his fourth attempt. In a College Week episode, contestant Dane Christensen experienced the cruelty of bad luck when he landed on Lose a Turn twice and then on the bankruptcy wedge during his final spin, earning gasps and laughter from the studio audience as his winnings evaporated.

The Cruel Math of Poor Letter Choices

Wheel of Fortune's bonus round emphasizes the importance of strategic letter selection. The difference between choosing wisely and making a poor decision can mean the difference between winning tens of thousands of dollars and going home empty-handed. Contestants must balance common letters with their intuition about the puzzle category, but even educated guesses sometimes backfire spectacularly. These moments remind viewers at home just how difficult the game truly is.