SAJACKED UP
Pat Sajak gets in screaming match with Wheel of Fortune contestant and yells ‘shut up’ in celebration gone wrong
"Highly disrespectful and inappropriate"
WHEEL of Fortune host Pat Sajak has caused a major stir on Tuesday's episode, unleashing a shocking scream at jubilant contestant Angela.
Angela was overly excited to win the game, causing Pat, 77, to outmatch her energy and get up in her grill.
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The mom-of-two faced recently proposed James and grandmother of six Jane.
With the highest score, narrowly beating James by just $211, Pat invited her to the bonus round.
That's when the Wheel of Fortune episode spun out of control.
Wearing a vibrant yellow top and lively glasses matching her temperament, Angela was ecstatic as Pat stood beside her, holding her hand.
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"According to my math, by $200-" Pat began, explaining she was the winner.
However, Angela interrupted with a bold "Shut up!"
Pat, taken aback, shadily turned to look off-screen for a moment.
"You didn't mean that personally?" he asked, to which Angela assured him she did not.
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Pat told her that "according to my math, by $211, you are the winner" with $11,900.
But as Pat went to dismiss the other two players, he turned back to Angela.
He screamed, quite a few decibels louder than she did: "Shut up!"
Angela looked completely stunned, and Pat amended: "That's been a big phrase lately."
'TERRIBLY RUDE'
One fan reacted on X (formerly Twitter): "@WheelofFortune @patsajak was highly disrespectful and inappropriate on the show that aired today (1/16/24).
"The contestant Angela yelled in excitement after winning and was told 'Will you shut up!' Angela did not deserve to be spoken to in that manner. Joke or not. Do better."
Another fan replied: "We heard that too and were horrified."
A third wrote: "Maybe winning $11k isn’t big to him but she was obviously excited and deserved to have her moment!"
A fourth wrote: "I thought it was terribly rude for Pat to tell her to 'shut up!' They choose lively, exuberant contestants for a reason. Pat has a bad case of senioritis!"
Thankfully, the drama simmered after that, and Angela seemed content to go forth to the extra-innings round.
Angela chose "Phrase" as her bonus puzzle, but her additional letters weren't help at all, and she couldn't figure out "Out of Focus," losing out on $40,000, but still seemed happy to be there.
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WHEEL STRANGE
Wheel of Fortune's host since 1981, Pat, has gotten fast and loose before retiring this June, and Ryan Seacrest takes over come fall.
Just last month, the host fumbled his cue cards, getting a contestant's info wrong: "I just messed up!"
A winner exclusively told The U.S. Sun earlier this fall that Pat pulled him aside as he was getting carried away with showmanship and snapped off-camera: "This is my show."
Last year, the host got into a hairy situation when he pulled on a contestant's large beard.
He also attempted to wrestle another unsuspecting contestant to the ground.
However, the contestant - a semi-pro wrestler - later said he "loved" the moment.
Pat also pulled out a fake fish for a contestant with a genuine fish phobia, a mockery she didn't seem to take well.
There are also plenty of odd moments where Pat endears fans, of course.
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Earlier this season, a contestant missed the bonus round and gave Pat a genuine jump scare.
Once Pat opened the prize card, she loudly screamed and frightened the host with her candid reaction.
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