Pat Sajak.Photo: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images
Pat Sajakis coming to the defense of Tuesday night’sWheel of Fortunecontestants.
During the episode of the game show, three contestantswent viral after struggling to solve the common phrase, “Another Feather In Your Cap” in a nearly complete puzzle.
In total, it took the three competitors eight turns and 10 attempts to solve the five-word puzzle — something viewers were quick to criticize on social media.
“It always pains me when nice people come on our show to play a game and win some money and maybe fulfill a lifelong dream, and are then subject to online ridicule when they make a mistake or something goes awry,” the longtimeWheel of Fortunehostbegan.
“Last night’s ‘Feather in your cap’ puzzle was a case in point. Sitting at home, it seems incredible that they couldn’t solve it, but I knew in real time what was happening,” Sajakwrote.
Continuing, Sajak provided some context into the situation and explained why the contestants struggled with the puzzle.
Sajak said he’s “been praised online for ‘keeping it together’and not making fun of the players” but the host noted that he didn’t understand why any viewer would feel compelled to taunt the contestants.
“Truth is, all I want to do is help to get them through it and convince them that those things happen even to very bright people,” hesaid. “But mocking them online and calling them names? These are good people in a bad situation under a kind of stress that you can’t begin to appreciate from the comfort of your couch.”
The puzzle from Tuesday night’s episode.Philip Lewis/Twitter
“Good-natured laughter is one thing. Heck, they laughed at themselves. But, hey, cut them some slack. Unless you’re there, you have no idea how different it is in the studio,” hecontinued.
Finishing his thread, Sajakrevealed, “I have fun with players and I tease them occasionally, but when things go wrong, I feel for them, and I try to salve the wounds on camera and off. So, yeah, it was an oddly entertaining puzzle and it’s okay to laugh at the situation. But have a little heart.”
“After all, you may be there one day,” headded. “And no one wants to be trending on Twitter.”
In thenow-viral clip, the contestants guessed “Another feather in your hat,” “Another feather in your lap,” and “Another feather in your map,” before the correct answer was finally said.
Other fans said they were in “utter disbelief” watching the clip and have “never wanted to scream this loudly in my life.”
The moment isn’t the first time aWheel of Fortuneepisode has made headlines as of late.
At the time, fans were rooting for a fourth win and an even bigger record, but the trend wasn’t carried through the rest of the week.
Wheel of Fortuneairs at 7:30 p.m. ET weekdays on ABC.
source: people.com
