Unexpected Guess
On May 23, “Wheel of Fortune” delivered a memorable moment as the show nears Pat Sajak’s final episode. Contestant Tavaris Williams stunned everyone with his bold guess during a “Phrase” puzzle. As letters revealed on the board, Williams boldly guessed, “Right in the b*tt!” The studio erupted in laughter, with one contestant shouting, “Whaaat?!”
Viral Reaction
This amusing guess quickly went viral, catching Jimmy Kimmel’s attention. On his May 29 “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show, Kimmel praised Williams, saying, “I don’t care what Pat Sajak says, that was a great answer.”
Support from Sajak
Williams revealed that Sajak was very supportive during the commercial break. “Pat was the best! He made me feel so great about that at the break,” Williams said. Sajak had promised to handle the situation “tactfully.”
Sharing the Laughs
After filming in April, Williams immediately shared the funny moment with his wife. “I told my wife instantly after, ‘I will keep everything a secret except this — this you have to know about,’” he explained. He mostly forgot about it until the episode aired, and social media responses flooded in.
Kimmel’s Jokes
Kimmel humorously asked if “right in the b*tt” was a common phrase for Williams. With a straight face, Williams replied, “I have never used those words in sequential order a day in my life, Jimmy.” Despite the unexpected guess, Williams, who won $9,500, remained upbeat. “I am spreading a lot of smiles around the world,” he said.
Show Reaction
During the show, Sajak simply said “no” to Williams’ guess and moved on to contestant Blake, who exclaimed, “This is the best!” Sajak laughed and added, “Yeah, that’s, that’s it. I think.” Williams humorously acknowledged Blake’s correct answer. As the game continued, Sajak noted, “Well, Tavaris, you’ve already made an impression on us.” Williams apologized, and Sajak reassured him, “We’ll figure out a way to handle that tastefully,” amid continued laughter.
Social Media Buzz
Social media users celebrated the clip, calling it “Wheel of Fortune Hall of Fame”-worthy. One user, an 83-year-old fan, commented, “Moments like this are rare and make it all worth it.” Others deemed it the “greatest moment in Wheel of Fortune history,” with Merriam-Webster’s official X account joining in, tweeting, “Yes, we saw the Wheel of Fortune clip you can stop giving it to us.”
End of an Era
This season marks the end of Pat Sajak’s tenure, as he retires after hosting since 1981. The 77-year-old Emmy winner announced his retirement in June 2023, stating, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which starts in September, will be my last.”
Ryan Seacrest will take over, while Vanna White will extend her contract. Sajak’s final episode airs on June 7, concluding an extraordinary 41-year career.
Watch the video below:
Sources: Today / Opposing Views
