Tavaris Williams, a contestant on 'Wheel of Fortune,' shocked viewers with his explicit answer, leaving audiences and the show's host, Pat Sajak, in disbelief. Now, Williams has opened up about the improbable chain of events that led to his infamous guess.
Tavaris Williams, the 'Wheel of Fortune' contestant who caused a stir with his not-safe-for-work answer, has shed light on the thought process behind his surprising guess. Appearing on the iconic game show on May 23, Williams confidently declared "Right in the butt" while solving the phrase puzzle "_ _ _ _ I _ T _ E B _ _ T!"
Williams' response was met with a mix of laughter and disbelief from the audience and host Pat Sajak. Amidst the unexpected silence, fellow contestant Tyra exclaimed "What?" as Sajak firmly denied the answer, leaving Williams visibly stunned.
The correct answer to the puzzle was "THIS IS THE BEST!" a far cry from Williams' risqué guess. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Williams explained the whirlwind of thoughts that consumed him during that fateful moment.
"There wasn't enough time for common sense to kick in," Williams said. "You have 50 monitors above you. The lights are extra bright. There are 100 stagehands, producers, and sound guys. Rational thinking kind of goes out the window."
Following his controversial answer, Williams revealed that Sajak was supportive and understanding during the break in filming. "He tried to make me feel better and move on. He said, ‘Oh, you made a name for yourself. We're going to see how we can edit that tastefully. I don't know how, but we'll figure it out.’ He was very accommodating."
Williams' racy answer isn't the only memorable moment from Pat Sajak's final six months at the helm of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Other highlights include a cue card fumble, an awkward encounter with an excited contestant, and a controversial puzzle that prompted fan outrage.
In January, Sajak accidentally read the wrong information from his cue cards while interviewing a contestant, leading to an apology and a humorous attempt to salvage the situation.
Another incident involved a contestant named Angela, whose enthusiastic reaction to her winnings prompted Sajak to jokingly order her to "shut up." While some viewers found Sajak's response disrespectful, others understood his attempt at humor in the midst of the contestant's overwhelming excitement.
Fans also took issue with a "Rhyme Time" puzzle earlier this year, claiming that the answer, "Absolutely Positively," did not rhyme. The debate sparked heated discussions on social media, showcasing the passionate responses that 'Wheel of Fortune' puzzles often evoke.
In a stroke of misfortune, one contestant managed to land on the coveted $1 million wedge twice, only to lose the grand prize both times. Tara Brown's costly mistakes became a source of fan sympathy and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the game.
Another contestant's decision to guess the letter "F" in the puzzle "DU__ - __LLED PLATYPUS" met with audible groans from the studio audience and angry reactions online. The correct answer, "duck-billed platypus," left the contestant short of $7,250, highlighting the importance of careful letter selection.
In a surprising twist, Oscar winner Jared Leto temporarily replaced Sajak as host on an April Fool's Day episode, bringing a unique energy to the show's familiar format.
Audience reactions also made headlines, as evidenced by a May episode where contestant Paul failed to solve the final puzzle. As the letters were revealed, the audience booed in disapproval, prompting Sajak to playfully address their discontent.
Pat Sajak's final season as host of 'Wheel of Fortune' has been filled with unexpected moments, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the game show and the lasting legacy of its beloved host.
