Pat Sajak forced to quiet down booing audience after sweet Wheel of Fortune couple misses out on $40,000
WHEEL of Fortune host Pat Sajak has snapped at the audience after a sweet couple came away from a tough bonus puzzle empty handed.
Tom and Greg stole the show on February 12's episode but did not nab the $40,000 bonus prize in a downer ending.
Wheel of Fortune's Sweethearts Special week (in celebration of Valentine's Day) sees various couples competing as teams.
Tom and Greg, together almost 20 years, won out with $15,350
The clearly in-sync couple confidently and sternly chose “Event” as their bonus puzzle category.
On they went with Pat, 77, while clutching a wildcard wedge and accompanied by their respective sisters.
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The two word puzzle was displayed and they picked a “CMPO” and had one more consonant available, given the special wedge.
The couple whispered to each other, deliberating for quite a while before choosing a final “Y.”
The “Y” paid off as the puzzle read: “Y_ _ R_Y’ ‘_ _ N _ _ ET’"
But they guessed “Yearly Bonnet, Yearly Benefit” which seemed like it was on the money, to no avail.
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'HEY!'
The timer ran out and the puzzle revealed itself as “Yearly Banquet.”
The couple look less than thrilled as Pat revealed they lost out on an extra $40,000 and the audience booed.
"I'm sorry, you were right there," the host said.
Pat turned to the audience noticing the booing and yelled, “Hey! They’re going to France and they got fifteen thousand dollars.”
Despite not acing the extra innings puzzle fans were won over by Tom and Greg on social media.
“I love this gay couple on Wheel of Fortune," one person posted.
“They need their own gameshow," wrote another.
RYAN'S READY
Pat is retiring at the end of Season 41 in June 2024, marking the end of an era as Ryan Seacrest will begin hosting late this summer.
Ryan - recently spotted filming a commercial spot with Vanna White in Hawaii - spoke on the big gig on Good Morning America.
"I'm so excited," Seacrest said about his new gig on Monday.
"I've been watching it for so many years, like so many people here in this country."
“Pat Sajak is such a legend," he said. "He makes it look so easy and smooth and seamless. He's remarkable."
He called Vanna: “the most amazing person,” and said he's studied the rule book, attended tapings, and he "just can't wait to start."
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"I talked to them both about, what's the best part of 'Wheel of Fortune,'" he said.
"And [they say] it's the contestants every night winning cash and prizes. I mean, that's what it's all about."
