Wheel of Fortune has been a staple of American TV for decades, with millions watching contestants solve word puzzles for cash and prizes. From confused contestants to Pat Sajak‘s speechless reactions, these clips went viral, leaving viewers crying and laughing. Today, we are counting down our top 10 funniest moments on Wheel of Fortune that prove even America’s longest-running game show is still hilarious.
“Right In The Butt”

First up on our list of funniest moments on Wheel of Fortune was in May 2024, when contestant Tavaris Williams confidently blurted out “Right in the butt!” as his puzzle solution. The correct answer was “This is the best!”. This insanely unexpected guess left fellow contestants gasping for air and laughing. Even veteran host Pat Sajak struggled to keep his composure.
During a commercial break, Sajak reassured Williams they would “find a tactful way of editing it.” But, the moment still made it to air. Of course, the clip quickly went viral. It even caught the attention of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who invited Williams onto his show. When asked if this was a phrase he commonly used, Williams maintained his sense of humor, saying he had “never used those words in sequential order” before in his life.
While Williams managed to take home $9,500 from his appearance, his infamous guess surely secured his place in Wheel of Fortune history.
“Fresh Tropical Fruit”

Another one of the funniest moments on Wheel of Fortune occurred in February 2023, when a Teen Week contestant named Khushi was just one letter away from solving “FRE_H TROPICAL FRUIT.” With a trip to Antigua and $650 on the line, she hesitated before making a decision that left the audience audibly gasping. She guessed “G” instead of the obvious “S.”
This moment became an instant classic, with one audience member shouting “What!?” in disbelief. While fellow contestant Juliana swooped in with the correct answer, social media exploded with reactions. Many viewers even dubbed it “the biggest choke in Wheel of Fortune history.” The seemingly simple solution turned into one of those game show moments that had everyone watching at home facepalming.
“A Round of Sausage”

Next, in 2024, known as the “sausage incident,” contestant Will Jordan stared at the puzzle board reading “__E OURSE_F A ROUN_ OF A___AUSE.” His confident guess? “Treat yourself a round of sausage.”
The clip became an instant hit online, with Jordan, a school resource officer and retired Coast Guard veteran, embracing his viral fame. He used his newfound attention to help his local food bank.
Interestingly, sausage maker Johnsonville jumped at the chance to treat customers to “a round of sausage.” I mean, even the current host Ryan Seacrest joined in the fun, saying that he preferred Jordan’s interpretation to the actual answer of giving yourself a round of applause.
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“Flamenco Vs. Flamingo”

In another hilarious mix-up, contestant Jonny Knowles faced what should have been an easy win in 2018. With $7,000 and a Spain trip at stake, the puzzle was literally completely revealed. All he had to do was pronounce “Flamenco” correctly. Instead, in a moment of nervousness, Knowles accidentally said, “Flamingo.” Sajak had to explain he’d used a ‘G’ instead of a ‘C.’
Later, on Good Morning America, Knowles reflected on his viral moment. He admitted being “shocked and confused” when it happened, realizing he’d become another Wheel of Fortune fail. Even when you know the right answer, the pressure of the spotlight can make anyone stumble.
“Quite Frankly”

Next, another one of the funniest moments on Wheel of Fortune was a slip-up from host Pat Sajak himself. During a 2021 bonus round, Sajak accidentally gave away the answer “quite frankly” in casual conversation on screen.
While chatting with the contestant, he said, “I’d rather be standing here than there, quite frankly.” But. the contestant still didn’t solve the puzzle, proving that sometimes the answer is right in front of you or, in this case, literally spoken to you.
Although contestants didn’t notice while solving the puzzle, Vanna White couldn’t help but point out Sajak’s mistake at the end of the show, where the host laughed it off, noting that clearly, “people aren’t paying any attention to me.”
“Self Potato”

Of course, the legendary “Self-Potato” moment belongs in any Wheel of Fortune hall of fame. Teacher Lolita McAuley faced the puzzle “SLF-POT___T.” Letters flashed. She buzzed. “SELF-POTATO!” she blurted. Instant regret. The moment blew up online, too, becoming a meme for years to come.
“Can I walk off now?” she begged Pat Sajak after her mistake. No such luck. The actual answer was “SELF-PORTRAIT.” “My students will never let me live this down,” she laughed, after the show. And, true to her word, she later shared that she uses the clip in her classroom as a lesson about embracing your mistakes.
“Where Is Venice?”

Another one of the funniest moments on Wheel of Fortune was when David and Keri’s dream vacation took a nosedive. After solving “GONDOLA RIDE THROUGH VENICE,” they were thrilled about winning a European getaway. Then Pat Sajak asked the fatal question: “Where’s Venice?”
“Paris!” David announced. His wife Keri froze. Realizing his mistake, David quickly corrected himself: “France!” But, somehow, this only made it worse. Sajak, contestants, and the audience all cracked up.
Keri laughed, but looked mortified. “Do we still get the trip?” she pleaded with Sajak. They did. But, I sure hope she spent the flight to ITALY studying maps with her husband…
“I Have the Wine”

In the nextWheel of Fortune mix-up, contestant Sarah faced the “Song/Artist” puzzle “_ W_LK THE L_NE / JOHNNY CASH.” When she buzzed in, she delivered her answer with full conviction: “I HAVE THE WINE!”
The audience gasped while fellow contestants tried desperately not to laugh at her creative reinterpretation of the Johnny Cash classic. I mean, at the very least, she got Johnny Cash’s name right!
“Achilles”

As one of Wheel of Fortune’s most heartbreaking moments, college student Julian Batts faced a fully solved puzzle: “MYTHOLOGICAL HERO ACHILLES.” He had already won a London trip and held the Million Dollar Wedge. At this point, victory seemed certain.
Then it came down to the pronunciation: “A-chill-us.” The entire studio went silent. Pat Sajak had to deny him the win… show rules required perfect pronunciation. His fellow contestant Shelby Edmiston jumped in with the correct version, snatching the $12,600 prize package.
Just like that, Batts’ impressive run crumbled faster than Achilles’ heel. The Indiana University student lost his trip to London, the cash, and his shot at a million dollars.
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“The Pointed Desert“

Capping our list of the funniest moments on Wheel of Fortune is a case of stubborn repetition. When contestants faced the “Landmark” puzzle “THE P __NTED DESERT,” Lindsey confidently buzzed in with “The Pointed Desert.” It was a reasonable mistake, until James took his turn and offered the exact same answer.
Pat Sajak informed James he still had time left. Looking puzzled, James gathered himself… only to declare “The Pointed Desert” a third time, as if his determination might actually make it the correct answer.
“It’s not ‘The Pointed Desert,’ no matter how many times you say it,” Sajak joked back. Finally, the last contestant, Kelly ended the desert standoff by correctly identifying “The Painted Desert.”
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