This year's game show has seen some big changes, most notably Pat Sajak stepping down as host of “Wheel of Fortune” for the first time in 40 years.
Ryan Seacrest takes over permanently, joining Ken Jennings as the new lead on TV's longest-running show, with the cast once again bringing viewers wild moments from the risqué to the confusing. provided.
Check out the wildest game show moments of 2024 below, including a viral 'Wheel of Fortune' player's explanation for an unexpected answer.
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dangerous answer
Tavaris Williams gave an instantly viral answer when he said “That's exactly right” on “Wheel of Fortune.” (ABC)
“Wheel of Fortune” contestant Tavaris Williams quickly became a viral sensation thanks to his May 23 appearance and NSFW responses.
During the toss-up puzzle, the letters of the phrase “_ _ _ _ /I _ /T _ E /B _ _ T!” were written on the puzzle board.
Williams spoke to me right away and confidently said, “That’s it.”
His answer was met with a brief silence, followed by laughter from the audience, followed by a “What?” A look of utter surprise appeared on Williams' face as fellow contestant Tyra replied, “No,” and Sajak responded with a firm “no.”
The correct answer was “THIS / IS / THE / BEST!”
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“I just tried to beat the contestants by buzzing first and catching their brains,” Williams told FOX News Digital about the now-infamous television incident.
“And when my brain was ready to speak, I saw an R, I saw a B, I saw a T. I said, 'Ass to the right'…and once.” [host Pat Sajak] “No, it was the worst feeling,” he continued with a laugh.
After recording, Williams had to keep the moment a secret from her family, who had gathered to watch it live.
“My wife says, 'I'm already married to Meme,'” he said with a laugh, noting that his family has been very supportive overall.
Williams did take home $9,500, but as soon as the moment aired, fans laughed out loud at the racy answer on social media.
WATCH: 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant had to keep viral moment secret from family
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Low score in history
“Danger!” contestant Erin Booker received the second-lowest score in the show's history. (ABC/Jeopardy)
The “Danger!” contestant earned an unlucky place in the show's history as he received the second-lowest score in show history.
Erin Booker, who walked away with a final score of -$7,200, told Fox News Digital that she had an “absolutely amazing” time taping the episode, but would describe it as “an out-of-body experience.”
“I'm looking and I see clues, but I can't remember what category they are,” she explained. “I tell myself not to make any weird faces because it's live TV. …The way they record it, it's as if it's a live show. They try to really tighten it up. I’m here.”
Although he didn't do as well as he had hoped, Buker said, “I want to do it again.''
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famous faces
“Danger!'' This year there were not one but two contestants who made viewers do a double take.
The first was David Erb, who bears an uncanny resemblance to actor Clint Eastwood.
“David looks like a few different people, including Clint Eastwood,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “That's dangerous!”
Another shared on X (formerly Twitter): “Is it just me or does anyone else find David on #Jeopardy reminding them of a young Clint Eastwood??”
“Danger!” fans say contestant David Erb looked like Clint Eastwood. (Jeopardy/ABC)
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Another contestant who caught viewers' attention was Father Steve Jakubowski, a Catholic priest from Michigan who quickly gained a large following online.
“There is a dangerous priest, please send help,” one person wrote to X.
Father Steve Jakubowski told Fox News Digital about Ken Jennings and the rest of the “Danger!” The crew was “very kind” to him. (ABC/Danger!)
Jakubowski said in a statement to FOX News Digital about his appearance on “Jeopardy!” “It was a great experience”
“Ken and all the producers and team have been very accommodating to the novelty of having a Catholic priest on the show,” he explained. “I hope this show makes a positive impression on my community and church. This show airs in Austin, where I live, at 3:30 p.m. We had a viewing party with them. It was a lot of fun.” Please share it with our parish. ”
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2nd day of work
Ryan Seacrest served as host, replacing Pat Sajak, who retired last year. (Ryan Seacrest Instagram)
Seacrest replaced Sajak as host of “Wheel of Fortune” this year, but people were quick to lay the blame for the contestants' big losses at his feet.
Hosting the second night, contestant Airika spun a $1 million wedge during her turn. This wedge can be exchanged for a $100,000 wedge in the bonus round, meaning she could potentially win a big prize if she wins the game.
Airika solves the first puzzle, arrives at the $1,000 Mystery Wedge, and is given the choice to reveal it or leave it alone.
“It could be bankrupt, it could be $10,000,” Seacrest explained, and after deciding to take the risk, Airika revealed the bankrupt wedge, and Seacrest I had to get my $1 million wedge back.
“Wheel of Fortune” fans were angry at Seacrest after players missed out on a chance to win $1 million. (Getty Images/Wheel of Fortune/ABC)
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Fans online felt that Seacrest did not explain the rules properly and compared him negatively to Sajak.
“Pat would have explained that if he had taken the risk he would have lost the $1 million wedge,” a fan wrote to X.
Others defended Seacrest, pointing out that contestants were likely given an overview of the rules and gameplay in advance, or had some of their time cut out to be briefed on the rules.
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sexism clues
During an episode of “Jeopardy!,” the game quickly turned into an awkward situation due to the “Complete the Rhyming Phrases” category. (Getty Images/Jeopardy!/ABC)
Jennings came under fire for what she called “sexist” cues during an October episode of the show.
During the episode, the category “Completing Rhyming Phrases” included a hint: “Men rarely make passes…”
Returning champion Will Wallace answered correctly: “The girl who wears glasses.”
Jennings recognized that this prompt may have made female contestant Heather Ryan uncomfortable, as she wore glasses on the show.
Doubtful “Danger!'' These are the words of the famous female poet Dorothy Parker. (Jeopardy!/ABC/YouTube)
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“We've got a little problem, Heather, I'm sorry,” Jennings said, to which Wallace defended his rival, adding, “Very much.”
This problematic phrase is attributed to famous poet Dorothy Parker.
Fans of the game show were quick to react to the tense situation on social media.
One viewer wrote to X: “Still angry about this. She used her intelligence to get here only to be insulted with sexist and rude comments.”
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celebrity confusion
As is the case with some of this year's pop culture clues, the clue completely baffles the contestants.
In February, during the Final Jeopardy round of Jeopardy!'s Champions Wildcard, a contestant was brought down by the words written in the title of a Johnny Cash song.
The hint for the question is: “Playing it straight was like provoking myself,'' Johnny Cash said of this 1956 hit song.The correct answer is “I Walk the Line.'' It was.
Unfortunately for all the contestants, one letter cost them all their Champions wildcard points and time. All three contestants answered “Walk the Line” without the letter “I”.
Contestants were demoted for the letter “I” in their answer to the final “Jeopardy!” question. (Getty Images)
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A month later, on an episode of “Jeopardy: Tournament of Champions,” contestants Ben Chan, Yogesh Raut, and Troy Meyer won a $400 tip on a Taylor Swift song in the “Youth Songs” category. missed.
The prompt, read by Jennings, reads: “Inspired by her best friend, Tay Tay sings 'When Someone Said I Love You', 'You'll Believe Them' in this title age. “It was written.
The correct answer was “Fifteen,” the title of a country-pop song from Swift's second studio album, Fearless. The musician previously said that “Fifteen” was inspired by his high school best friend Abigail Anderson. Anderson said Swift also went through a difficult breakup with her boyfriend when she was 15 years old.
“You're going to get killed for that,” Meyer said with a laugh.
'Jeopardy!' baffled by Taylor Swift song hint. The contestants. (Getty Images)
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“Painful” mistake
A 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant lost out on a huge prize because he made a single wrong letter. (Philip Farawan/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures/Sony Pictures Television)
Fans of “Wheel of Fortune” were frustrated by mistakes that cost players during an episode in May.
Contestant Kimberly Wright landed an express wedge when the board read “DU _ _ – _ _ LLED PLATYPUS.”
“I'm going to call F,” Wright said to a roar from the studio audience.
Wright apparently believed the correct answer was “a platypus full of ducks” when in reality it was “a platypus with a duck-billed beak.”
Contestant Marie Kioski from Owosso, Michigan, solved the puzzle and won a trip to Margaritaville Vacation Club Rio Mar, Puerto Rico, worth $7,250.
“Oh, that hurt. F?? Did she think the platypus was filled? What exactly?” one viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
