‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Slam Pat Sajak For Rewarding Contestant Despite Mispronunciation
Wheel of Fortune is again under attack for its inconsistent rules, with some viewers accusing Pat Sajak of giving one contestant way too much leeway on Thursday’s (March 28) episode.
Marissa Rogers, a keen baker from Loveland, Colorado, was the contestant under the spotlight. During the episode’s opening $1,000 Toss-Up puzzle, the three players faced a three-word puzzle under the “On The Map” category.
Rogers buzzed in first and answered what many fans heard as “Everglade National Park,” missing the “S” off the end of Everglades.
Despite this slight mispronunciation, Sajak quickly replied, “That is correct.” The long-time host even told Rogers, “Lovely enunciation and everything.”
However, viewers at home weren’t so quick to let Rogers off the hook, taking to social media to share their reactions.
“This lady on #wheeloffortune just said “Everglade National Park” and got credit for the puzzle. I’m pissed, it’s “Everglades”!” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“No way that woman said “everglades” and not just singular “everglade.” I even rewound and watched again. The injustice of pat ruling that correct and even complimenting her annunciation!!!!!” said another.
“I record so I just watched. I ran here to see if anyone heard what I heard. She did not pronounce the “s” smh. Talmbout love the annunciation,” added one commenter.
Another shared a clip of the moment, adding, “Sounds like she said Everglade National Park, not Everglades.”
Sounds like she said Everglade National Park, not Everglades. ♂️ #WheelofFortune pic.twitter.com/9ZBdnvE8rR
— AC (@ACinPhilly) March 29, 2024
The ruling caused extra frustration after Wednesday’s (March 27) episode, which saw contestant Emma Wan deemed incorrect for taking a brief pause before giving the correct answer.
Wheel of Fortune/YouTube
Wheel of Fortune has a history of controversial mispronunciation rulings, and it always annoys viewers. Earlier this month, fans called out the show for accepting a contestant’s answer of “Frankfort, Germany,” instead of “Frankfurt, Germany.”
However, back in January, a contestant was denied the bonus prize despite many viewers thinking she said the correct answer. There was debate over whether she said “Pink Orchid” (the correct response) or “Something Orchid.”
Rogers isn’t likely to get hung up about her missing “S,” though, as she went on to dominate Thursday’s episode. By the end of regular play, Rogers had won $30,8999 cash and an Amtrak rail tour of the Great Northwest (Chicago, Seattle, and Glacier National Park).
Unfortunately for the Colorado native, she wasn’t able to solve the Bonus Round puzzle and missed out on an extra $40,000.
What do you think? Should she have been ruled correct or not? Let us know in the comments below.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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C
Too much free time on people's hands. Get a hobby or something. It's just a game show. With Pat retiring I'm surprised people won't let him do his job. Besides the judges have the final say in the end.
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O
Well game shows are expected to follow the rules. There was a famous scandal about that years ago. However, you're right, that it's the judges (and lawyers and compliance officers) who make final rulings, not hosts.
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G
If he hadn't given her the puzzle they would have complained about that.. She smoked them anyway
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O
You realize it isn't Pat's call right? he has an earpiece and the producers would tell him it's wrong. They do it all the time. If you watch the you will notice him pause if he isn't sure to wait for their input.
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G
It was definitely a wrong call, I’ve watched other episodes where they didn’t get the right answer because they left off the “S”
Just stick to the rules for EVERYONE.
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O
Agreed. They used to say on the air back in the 70s and 80s that when you solve a puzzle, it must be EXACTLY as revealed on the board.
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O
Why complain about it, just enunciate thi.....
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C
I was on the show and won the entire thing. During one round the person said, "Lick-Rice" for licorice. I thought they would deem it incorrect, but ended up giving it to them. Things happen.
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O
Folks, get a life...there's so many other serious matters in the world and people have to worry about a tv show. How ridiculous!!!
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O
Worry? No, but this is a website about TV, so that's what's discussed here.
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G
Didn't pronounce correctly.
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O
Not a big deal if they were consistent. I've seen during showes where someone missed the s and he says No and moves to next person. And FrankFort instead of FrankFurt? No big deal unless costs other contestants money
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C
ENUNCIATE!
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B
Typos and misprints in bools, sloppy rulings on game shows, rubber in your kielbasa' were strolling off a cliff. Lazy work ethics are a portent of approaching disaster.
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G
The show has been going downhill for a while. Pat is too old and should have retired already . His attitude is terrible and his co workers including Vanna are ready for him to go. Hopefully things will get better. Ryan is not a favorite of mine but maybe at least will be fair and consistent.
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G
She clearly mispronounced Everglades. No doubt about it.
Pat wasn't listening. Had I been competing I would have raised a stink.
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G
Pat is becoming Biden-esque.
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G
They do their best, just as sports refs do. There will always be such errors—unless some kind of computer program is eventually employed to make the decisions. What I find a good deal more annoying is waiting for a human to walk back and forth to touch lit boxes so that letters appear. Entirely boring, time-consuming, and unnecessary.
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O
They did the right thing ruling the "Frankfort" pronounciation for "Frankfurt" correct. Most people of foreign extraction, including me, can't discern the difference. I mean, we have same problems with Don and Dawn, and Beach and the other famous "B" word.
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G
The new host will do the same thing
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P
I listened and I thought she said it right!! But really why make such a big stink about it?
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G
Because letting sloppy mistake go unchecked begins an avalanche of slipshod output such as Boeing is now experiencing. Standards should be in place.
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P
Get a life about this show!!! Does it really matter?
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G
Yes, it matters, because lowering standards starts with something as innocuous as a game show. Then suddenly there's a massive recall of food that contains lead and progresses to someone pushing a wrong button or sloughing off an inspection and destroying a bridge. Due diligence.
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O
If it's unimportant, why are you on this site reading game show articles?
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