A recent “Wheel of Fortune” episode ignited controversy when host Ryan Seacrest ruled against contestant Arzice Salonga, a law student and single mother from Medina, Ohio, during the show’s first toss-up round worth $1,000. The dispute centered around Salonga’s pronunciation of the word “safari” in the puzzle solution “African Safari.”
Salonga, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader, buzzed in with the correct letters but pronounced the word as “sa-FAIR-ee.” Seacrest consulted with the judges and announced that her pronunciation was incorrect, explaining that “safari” had to be pronounced in the standard way.
The puzzle was subsequently solved by Brian Nelson from Longview, Texas, who provided what the judges considered the correct pronunciation. While Salonga appeared visibly shocked by the ruling, she persevered through the game and later won a trip to Scotland despite another pronunciation challenge with the word “bagpipes.”
The ruling sparked immediate reaction across social media platforms. Viewers expressed their disappointment with the judges’ decision, with many arguing that Salonga’s intended answer was clear despite the slight pronunciation difference. Several fans pointed out that the show had previously been more lenient with pronunciation variations, suggesting that cultural and regional differences in speech patterns should be taken into consideration.
However, some viewers supported the show’s strict adherence to pronunciation rules. Multiple commenters noted that they had never encountered Salonga’s particular pronunciation of “safari,” while others emphasized that as a word-based game show, correct pronunciation should be a fundamental requirement.
The pronunciation controversy has added to ongoing discussions about Seacrest’s hosting style since taking over from longtime host Pat Sajak. Some viewers have expressed concerns about his handling of game mechanics, including inconsistent reminders about wild card rules and his approach to building suspense during bonus round prize reveals. Others have defended his enthusiasm and fresh approach to the role.
These debates follow another memorable moment from last month involving Seacrest and contestant Daniel Thomas from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During an intense bonus round with the category “Living Things,” Thomas faced a challenging puzzle with limited letters revealed. In the final seconds, he successfully solved the puzzle “Guppies,” leading to a celebration that would be talked about for weeks.
Thomas’s excitement over winning $40,000 led to an unexpected physical interaction with Seacrest. During his celebration, Thomas embraced the host with such enthusiasm that Seacrest was knocked to the ground. The moment, while startling, was taken in good humor by all involved. Thomas repeatedly expressed concern for Seacrest’s well-being, while the host assured him multiple times that he was unharmed.
The show’s announcer acknowledged the situation with a lighthearted warning to be gentle with their host while congratulating Thomas on his substantial win. The contestant’s total earnings for the episode reached an impressive $71,950, making it a memorable show despite the physical mishap.
The recent pronunciation ruling has reignited discussions about game show judging standards and how they intersect with linguistic diversity. While some viewers advocate for stricter adherence to traditional pronunciation rules, others argue for greater flexibility in accepting regional and cultural speech variations.