Game shows There were some big changes this year, most notably with the departure of Pat Sajak as host of Wheel of Fortune after 40 years.
Ryan Seacrest took over permanently, joining Ken Jennings as the new leader of some of television’s longest-running shows, where contestants have given viewers some wild moments this year, from the risqué to the confusing.
Check out the wildest game show moments of 2024 below, including a viral “Wheel of Fortune” player’s explanation for his unexpected answer.
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Daring answer
Tavaris Williams gave an instantly viral response to “Wheel of Fortune,” saying, “Right in the butt.” (ABC)
“Wheel of Fortune” Candidate Tavaris Williams became an instant viral sensation thanks to his May 23 appearance and his NSFW response.
During a throwing puzzle, the puzzle board had the letters for the phrase “_ _ _ _ /I _ /T _ E /B _ _ T!”
Williams quickly jumped in, confidently saying, “Right in the ass.”
His answer was followed by a brief silence, then laughter from the audience, followed by a “What?” from fellow contestant Tyra and a resounding “No” from Sajak as a look of utter surprise crossed Williams’ face.
The correct answer was “THAT / IS / THE / BEST!”
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“I just tried to beat my competitors by coming in first and letting my brain catch up,” Williams told Fox News Digital of his now infamous TV moment.
“And when my brain was ready to speak, I saw the R, I saw the B, I saw the T. I chose ‘Right in the ass’… And one time (host Pat Sajak) said ‘No,’ oh, that.” “It was the worst feeling,” he continued, laughing.
After the recording, Williams had to keep the moment a secret from his family, who had gathered to watch it live.
“My wife was like, ‘I’m married to a meme now,'” he said with a laugh, noting that his family was very supportive overall.
Williams did walk away with $9,500, but as soon as the moment aired, fans took to social media to laugh at the bold answer.
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Historically low score
“Danger!” Contestant Erin Buker received the second lowest score in the show’s history. (ABC/Danger)
A “Danger!” The contestant took an unfortunate place in the show’s history when she received the show’s awards second lowest score ever recorded.
Erin Buker, who came away with a final score of -$7,200, told Fox News Digital that while she had a “pretty cool” experience taping the episode, she would describe it as an “out-of-body experience.”
“You search, you see the clues, but you don’t remember what category it is,” she explained. “You remind yourself not to make weird faces because you’re on live TV. …The way they record it, it’s like it’s the live show. They really try to keep it very tight.”
And although she didn’t do as well as she had hoped, Buker said she would “love to do it again.”
WATCH: ‘JEOPARDY!’ CONTESTANT ERIN BUKER describes what it was like to achieve a historically low score
Famous faces
“Danger!” There was not one, but two contestants that caused viewers to do a double take this year.
The first was David Erb, who bore a striking resemblance to him Actor Clint Eastwood.
“David looks like several different people. Clint Eastwood is one of them,” a “Jeopardy!” fan wrote on Reddit.
Another shared on X, formerly Twitter: “Is it just me or does David on #Jeopardy remind anyone of young Clint Eastwood??”
“Danger!” According to fans, contestant David Erb resembled Clint Eastwood. (Danger/ABC)
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The other contestant who caught the attention of viewers was Father Steve Jakubowski, a Catholic priest from Michigan who quickly gained many fans online.
“There’s a hot priest on Jeopardy rn send help,” one person wrote on X.
Father Steve Jakubowski told Fox News Digital that Ken Jennings and the rest of the “Jeopardy!” crew were “very nice” to him. (ABC/Danger!)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Jakubowski said he was on “Jeopardy!” was “a great experience”.
“Ken and all the producers and crew have been very gracious to me with the novelty of having a Catholic priest on the show,” he explained. “I hope it left a positive impression on my community and the church. The show airs at 3:30 p.m. where I live in Austin, so we had a watch party at our parish school with our students and their parents – a lot of fun.” Share this with our community.
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Second day on the job
Ryan Seacrest replaced longtime host Pat Sajak after his resignation last year. (Ryan Seacrest Instagram)
Seacrest took over for Sajak As host of “Wheel of Fortune” this year, he was quickly blamed for a contestant’s big loss.
On his second night as host, contestant Airica spun a $1 million wedge during her turn. The wedge could have been swapped for the $100,000 wedge in the bonus round, meaning that if she had won the game, she could have potentially won the big prize.
Airica solved the first puzzle, landing on a $1,000 mystery wedge and given the choice of revealing it or leaving it standing.
“It could be bankruptcy or it could be $10,000,” Seacrest explained, and after deciding to take the risk, Airica revealed the bankruptcy wedge and Seacrest had to take back the million-dollar wedge.
Wheel of Fortune fans were upset with Seacrest because a player missed out on a chance to win a million-dollar prize. (Getty Images/Wheel of Fortune/ABC)
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Online fans felt Seacrest didn’t explain the rules properly. compares him negatively with Sajak.
“Pat would have stated that if she had taken the risk she would have lost the million dollar wedge,” one fan wrote on X.
Others defended Seacrest, pointing out that participants were given an overview of the rules and gameplay beforehand or were likely told about the rules in an abbreviated portion due to time constraints.
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Sexist hint
During an episode of “Jeopardy!”, the “Complete the Rhyming Phrase” category quickly put the game in an awkward situation. (Getty Images/Jeopardy!/ABC)
Jennings bore the brunt of criticism for this a “sexist” reference during an October episode of the show.
During the episode, the “Complete the Rhyming Phrase” category contained a clue that read, “Men rarely make passes at…”
Returning champion Will Wallace correctly answered, “Girls who wear glasses.”
Jennings recognized that the request may have made contestant Heather Ryan uncomfortable since she wore glasses on the show.
The questionable “Jeopardy!” The phrase comes from the famous poet Dorothy Parker. (Jeopardy!/ABC/YouTube)
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“A little problematic, sorry, Heather,” Jennings remarked, and Wallace added “very” in defense of his competitor.
The questionable phrase came from the celebrated poet Dorothy Parker.
Game show fans quickly reacted to the tense situation on social media.
A viewer wrote down
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Celebrity Confusion
Some “Danger!” clues leave participants completely stumped, as was the case with some pop culture clues this year.
In February, during the final round of Jeopardy!’s Champions Wildcard, contestants were sent off by letter a song title by Johnny Cash.
The key to the question was: “‘It was kind of an incentive for me to play it straight,’ said Johnny Cash of this 1956 hit, with the correct answer being ‘I Walk the Line.’
Unfortunately for all participants, one letter cost them all points and time on the Champions Wildcard. All three participants responded “Walk the Line” and omitted the letter “I.”
Contestants were rejected with the letter “I” in the answer to their final “Jeopardy!” Ask. (Getty Images)
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A month later, contestants Ben Chan, Yogesh Raut and Troy Meyer missed a $400 clue on an episode of “Jeopardy: Tournament of Champions.” a song by Taylor Swift in the “Songs of the Youth” category.
Jennings’ prompt read: “Inspired by her best friend, Tay Tay sang in this titular age when ‘someone tells you they love you’ ‘you’ll believe them’.”
The correct answer was “Fifteen,” the title of Swift’s country-pop song from her 2008 second studio album “Fearless.” The musician previously said “Fifteen” was inspired by her high school best friend Abigail Anderson, who experienced a painful breakup with her boyfriend when she and Swift were both 15 years old.
“We’ll get killed for this,” Meyer said with a laugh.
A reference to a Taylor Swift song brought “Jeopardy!” to a halt. Participant. (Getty Images)
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“Painful” mistake
A Wheel of Fortune contestant lost a big prize because of an incorrect letter. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures/Sony Pictures Television)
“Wheel of Fortune” fans were frustrated by a player’s costly mistake during an episode in May.
Contestant Kimberly Wright landed on the express wedge as the board read: “YOU _ _ – _ _ LLED PLATYPUS.”
“I’m going to call it an F,” Wright said to groans from the studio audience.
Wright apparently believed that the correct answer was “duck-billed platypus,” when in reality it was “duck-billed platypus.”
Contestant Marie Kioski of Owosso, Michigan, solved the puzzle and won a trip to Margaritaville Vacation Club Rio Mar in Puerto Rico worth $7,250.
“Oh my God, that was painful. F?? She thought the platypus was stuffed? With what exactly?” wrote a viewer on X, formerly Twitter.
