Tavaris Williams, a contestant on the iconic game show “Wheel of Fortune,” left both the audience and host Pat Sajak speechless with his unexpected “Not Safe for Work” response during a recent episode. On May 23, 2024, during a segment where contestants must solve a phrase puzzle, Williams buzzed in with a bold guess: “Right in the butt!” The answer drew a loud gasp from the crowd and a gentle “No” from Sajak.
The phrase Williams attempted to solve had the letters _ _ _ _ I _ T _ E B _ _ T! displayed. The actual answer was, “This is the best!” Williams’ guess immediately went viral, captivating the internet and drawing a mix of amusement and disbelief. Fellow contestant Tyra exclaimed, “What?!” capturing the shock many in the studio felt.
Williams, a native of Florida, later explained that he was caught up in the excitement and that “common sense went out the window.” He said, “I was just trying to beat my competitors by buzzing in first, and my brain couldn’t catch up to what I was saying.”
Despite the blunder, Williams maintained a positive attitude. During an interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” he shared that Pat Sajak reassured him, saying they would find a way to handle the situation appropriately, though he wasn’t sure how they would do it.
The incident quickly became a sensation online. One fan on X joked, “His family will never let him forget this moment. Given the available letters, another user questioned how he came up with that answer.
Williams’ family laughed about the incident during a watch party for the episode. He had kept the moment a secret from them until it aired. “My older son said it might be a tough day at school the next day,” Williams shared.
In a lighthearted follow-up, Jimmy Kimmel challenged Williams with another puzzle, “ALL HANDS ON D_CK,” which Williams correctly solved as “All hands on deck.” Despite the viral moment, Williams revealed to Kimmel that he walked away with $9,500 from the show, a fact that most people didn’t know since they only saw the viral clip.
Williams’ response is just one of many memorable moments Pat Sajak has witnessed in his 40 years as the host of “Wheel of Fortune.” As Sajak enjoys his last season on the show, moments like these highlight the spontaneous and unpredictable nature of live television. During Williams’ interview, Sajak commented that he had left a memorable impression on them.
Looking ahead, Ryan Seacrest is set to take over as the host of “Wheel of Fortune.” Seacrest spoke highly of his new role and his admiration for Vanna White, who has been a co-host on the show for decades. “Standing beside Vanna, she’s truly a legend and an icon,” Seacrest told E! News. “We spent a little time shooting some promos for next season, and she’s just so down to earth. She’s exactly what you would expect.”
Fans of the show are excited to see how Seacrest will bring his style to the beloved game show while honoring the legacy left by Sajak and White. With plenty of laughs and unexpected moments to come, “Wheel of Fortune” continues to be a staple of American television.
Williams has embraced the experience and is happy to share it with others to bring a smile to their faces. He believes that his positivity and willingness to laugh at himself earned him a spot on the show in the first place.
The viral clip has been widely shared and discussed on social media, with many declaring it one of the greatest wrong answers in “Wheel of Fortune” history.
