Pat Sajak, the beloved host of Wheel of Fortune, recently found himself utterly astonished during an unforgettable episode. It was the first time ever, as he amusingly declared, he was left with no words after three contestants won over $100,000, and one even stunned him so much he walked off the stage temporarily!
This incident unfolded over February 7, 2022, when contestant Bree Yokouchi, originally from Maui, Hawaii, achieved the astonishing feat after spinning the wheel and solving the puzzle with the phrase, "JUST YOU WAIT," with only seconds left. Sajak's reaction was palpable; after the excitement of the $100,000 win, he threw his hands up, jokingly saying, "I am out of here, I am done!" before celebrating with Yokouchi. This historical week on Wheel of Fortune featured not just Yokouchi, but also fellow contestants Mark Baer and Lisa Kramer, who each secured their own $100,000 bonuses—defying the odds and making history.
Sajak, reflecting on the event, remarked, "I’m running out of words to describe my reactions. Stunned, surprised — I don’t know. It’s all inadequate." Yokouchi, who already amassed more than $20,000 leading up to her big win, exclaimed her joy to the New York Post: "To be the third $100,000 winner in a row is just amazing!" Sajak echoed her sentiment, thrilled to have been part of such historic wins.
Social media lit up with reactions from fans who were equally astonished. A user commented, "You mean to tell me three people won $100K in three days?!? THAT’S INSANE!" It was undeniable, Wheel of Fortune had reached new heights.
Another moment from Wheel of Fortune made headlines when contestant Daniel knocked Ryan Seacrest off his feet after he secured his win on January 21, 2023. Daniel had only seconds left to solve the puzzle “GU Р PI E S” with just three revealed letters to work with. His enthusiastic celebration led to Seacrest tumbling to the floor after being bear-hugged right after he announced Daniel’s prize win of $40,000, adding to his total for the night of $71,950.
This unexpected celebration didn’t faze the seasoned host, who humorously reassured fans, "I’m good, I’m good" as he was helped up. Announcer Jim Thornton light-heartedly chimed, "Daniel, easy on our host, but celebrate with $40,000!" Internally, fans felt the thrill as they witnessed expressions of joy and excitement from contestants and hosts alike. Comments poured in, blending humor and astonishment about the embrace and tumble: "I don’t know which I’m more impressed by, the solve or the tackle!"
Wheel enthusiasts also expressed their frustrations during another episode aired on January 29, when contestant Tamika Star faced backlash for her letter choices during the final puzzle. Star, who ended her episode with winnings of $16,400, stumbled through the bonus round and faced criticism from viewers who had strong opinions about her gameplay choices.
Fans took to social media voicing their displeasure about the puzzling results, with one irate viewer stating emphatically, "Nothing makes me more angry!" amid other rants over the letter choices. It highlighted how invested fans are with every decision made by contestants during the bonus rounds.
Drawing attention to the evolution of the game show, Matt Benton’s audition process during the pandemic showcased the shift from traditional auditions to modernized online selections. Benton, who made his debut on February 5, 2023, explained his experience, saying, "It is sensory overload." He echoed the sentiments of many contestants who characterized the overwhelming atmosphere of live television.
Benton shared his anticipation leading to his own episode, recalling the overwhelming realization of how nerve-wracking it was to play live. Quoting his experience, he admitted, "I feel bad for any time I’ve internally or externally made fun of contestants before... you’re trying so hard to stay focused, it jumbles your mind up.” After receiving his notification, he was excited to join the ranks of other contestants whose stories have captivated the audience. His mother and brother were also alumni of Wheel of Fortune, winning $55,000 on the show years ago.
All these moments reflect not just the competitive spirit of Wheel of Fortune, but also its vibrant community of contestants and audiences who engage with the game show like never before. Whether it's spectacular wins, light-hearted tumbles, or classic fan grievances, Wheel of Fortune continues to keep its players and audiences collectively invested, cheering on the hopes and dreams shared during every episode.