‘Wheel of Fortune’: Wild & Wacky Contestant Gets Branded ‘Most Annoying Ever’
Wheel of Fortune has seen some colorful characters over its 50 years on air, but perhaps none more so than a man who appeared on Monday’s (March 3) episode, whom some fans have dubbed “the most annoying contestant ever.”
The player in question was P.J. Wilder, a house husband from Hanford, California. Wilder immediately stood out for his massive mustache, which he told host Ryan Seacrest is inspired by his love of Hercule Poirot, the famed fictional detective from Agatha Christie’s novels.
“Do you mind if I ask… apple sauce, how… can you?” Seacrest asked, wondering if Wilder has trouble with getting food stuck in his ‘stache.
Wilder joked that he uses “two spoons,” one to maneuver his mustache out of the way of his mouth, and the other to eat.
Things got off to a rough start for Wilder in the first couple of rounds, but he finally found his footing in the Express Round, where he bagged himself $4,200 and a trip to Antigua worth $8,460. “Whooo! Vamanos,” Wilder yelled in celebration.
He then nailed the “OMELET STATION” puzzle in the Triple Toss-Up round, revealing that he refers to them as “Bomblets.”
In the final Speed Up puzzle, Wilder caused some controversy when he answered “SAND IN MY SWIMSUIT” but paused between the last words just as the buzzer sounded. This led to Seacrest having to check with the judges to see whether it would be accepted.
“Count it! Count it!” Wilder shouted while his fellow contestant Caitlin McGowan shook her head and looked uncomfortable.
Wheel of Fortune YouTube
When the judges accepted the answer, Wilder broke into a wild celebration, and it sounded like he cursed, screaming, “Let’s f****** go!”
“You cannot change the station,” Seacrest said as he threw to commercials. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with him in the Bonus Round, but it’s going to be interesting.”
In the Bonus Round, Wilder continued his success, correctly answering the “What Are You Wearing?” puzzle and winning a Mini Cooper S Signature Convertible worth $41,200, giving him a massive final total of $74,860 cash and prizes.
While it was a fun night for Wilder, the same couldn’t be said for many viewers, who found the contestant’s antics and over-the-top reactions to be a little too much.
“Anyone else think this guy PJ is the most annoying contestant ever?” asked one fan on the Wheel of Fortune Reddit forum.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a contest look as visibly annoyed at another contestant as Caitlin did while the judges were checking PJ’s answer and he was screaming “Count it! Count it!” I can’t say I blame her one bit though,” said another.
“Felt like a comedian trying to get airtime,” another added.
Another wrote, “I literally came here to express the same sentiment. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a contestant that irritated me so much.”
“I’ve never felt so uncomfortable watching an episode of Wheel of Fortune,” said one commenter.
Wheel of Fortune YouTube
“Wow he was unbearable to watch especially when he kept cutting Ryan off. Notice how his wife just stood there on the side? So awkward,” added another.
Another said, “Why in the world did they have this guy on the show. It’s grossing me out. Wtf does he keep looking at on the side? Moreover, his over the top celebration winning the final puzzle was very disrespectful to the other contestants.”
“Is he the most obnoxious contestant ever? Total bull in the china shop actions by him throughout the episode and he was just able to do what he wanted,” commented one user.
“He must be insufferable at work and social gatherings…,” said another.
However, not everyone felt the same, as a few viewers enjoyed Wilder’s manic energy.
“This PJ guy was awesome,” said one Reddit user. “Seriously, he was entertaining to the very end. Anyone else enjoy this dude?”
“Looked like he was having fun, and that was fun to watch,” added another.
One fan, who compared Wilder’s look to Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) from Peaky Blinders, wrote, “For the record, though, thought he was a great contestant and he brought the kind of energy we needed.”
“Hands down my favorite contestant ever,” said another.
What did you think of Wilder? Was he the best or worst contestant ever? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Wheel of Fortune, Weeknights, Check Local Listings
Spin That Wheel
Get absolutely everything about Wheel of Fortune in your inbox!
Conversation42 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
C
So annoying. When he won he didn't even hug his wife he hugged Ryan.
21 1
-
B
He must be an insufferable, extremely overbearing and unloving husband.
-
-
R
PJ is one of those contestants I'll remember...for all the wrong reasons.
21 2
-
R
Awful disrespectdul
2
-
R
I didn't think he should have won at the end. His answer was half way afterthe buzzer
1 1
-
-
F
being an asshole must suck for you boy.
1
-
-
G
I could not stand him, he was very irritating.
20 2
-
O
He was a bit obnoxious! Never saw anyone like that all my years of watching the show.🤔
13
-
B
Not a bit obnoxious, insufferable!
-
-
P
I'm most upset that the judges gave him the OK for the final answer when clearly he stopped in the middle of his answer and the buzzer sounded. WOF has been such a stickler in the past about not stopping once a contestant starts to answer. He clearly stopped, the buzzer sounded and he shouldn't have won. And, yes, he was annoying!😑 🙄
11
-
B
He didn't deserve to win, he had clearly run out of time. I think he forced the judges to let him get away with it because he might become violent if they didn't. The other contestants should be invited back.
2
-
-
G
PJ was extremely obnoxious. He mumbled through out the game but was good at solving. He seemed either he was drunk or on something.
12 1
-
G
Weird is just way too flattering! He was the most obnoxious contestant ever period. Seacrest had not been able to control the show or guest. I for one have pretty much seen enough! We Miss You Pat!
10
-
B
He was insufferable and only won because he might have become violent if the judges would have made the correct decision. He had totally run out of time. The other contestants should be invited back. He is a self-possessed, super-overbearing husband who left his wife standing by herself during his victory explosion and when he ran to the car she couldn't keep up with him. She is the breadwinner and probably also his housekeeper.
5
-
O
Some people are just a bit socially awkward.you did have a choice to turn your tv off.right? Hmm couldn't could you.hater
1
-
-
O
Hated him. Didn't feel he should have won. Take everything back.
5
-
O
Ryan should be nice, but firm with contestants.
5
-
O
We turned it off before the bonus round..!,
5
-
R
I don’t know which was worse, his disgustingly unattractive mustache or his obnoxious, childish behavior!
4
-
G
Dude definitely gives undiagnosed ADHD vibes. At least some of us attempt to blend in with polite society.
4
-
O
That guy needs a psychiatric evaluation . He's was the most annoying and obnoxious contestant I've ever seen on this show.
3
-
B
Yes!!!
-
-
P
PJ was so annoying and goofy acting. He won the Cooper car,and he didn't even kiss his wife or celebrating without her. I could hardly get though this episode of Wheel of Fortune.
3
-
C
Egotistical, "fed up on himself ", basking in his 30 minutes of fame and most assuradely also a narcissist who didn't care at all about his fellow contestants who were visably disgusted with him, plus rude and disrespectful of Ryan Seacrest. His wife said "He's always like this". So sorry for her and the kids with him for a role model.
I sure hope that the network never re-airs this episode.
2
-
G
He was so annoying I left the room a few times
2
-
B
Most annoying contestant I ever saw I felt bad for the other players Obnoxious
2
-
G
With his weird antics and mannerisms, P.J. stood out like a sore thumb!
1
-
O
I'd rather watch Raymond Taylor from the 1990s than watch him.j5
1
-
P
Hated him. What an obnoxious jerk, who should not have been given a win on the Speed Up round…he was past the buzzer.
1
-
B
Could you imagine being stuck on a cruise ship full of weird annoying Wheel of Fortune contestants?
-
P
i think he was pretty f-ing ignorant
-
O
I was upset watching this as the dude clearly didn't Win... The judges were wrong on giving him the win...I expect the other player will come forward in time...They should be allowed back as that was so unjust.
-
C
I thought he was obnoxious and rude the way he acted....Ryan acted like he didn't know what to do....lol....still love the show though
-
R
Could not stand him. I thought that he lost the bonus round. He was so obnoxious!
-
O
He's had his 15+ minutes of fame, don't give him anymore. PJ who? He shouldn't have won.
-
G
First of all Ryan is awful. His skeevy behavior...everyone is his friend...please....at least on weekends we get reruns with Pat, a true professional
Second, is it just me or are the majority of the contestants asshats this season.
8 8
-
F
htf does being a judgemental asshole feel?
4 5
-
-
R
I thought he was a lot of fun. People can be so critical.
1
-
B
He was awesome! Made Wheel of Fortune entertaining... for once!
1
-
B
I was annoyed watching him (creepy guy) the entire show. So disrespectful to Ryan, Vanna and the other contestants. He even made a comment to Vanna when he got in the car that appeared to make her uncomfortable.
1
-
F
thought he was awesome.
1 5
-
G
PJ was entertaining for sure. He was exited cause he was winning. Can’t knock him for that. I honestly watch wheel with my family as much as we can and this was the best episode by far.
5
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services