The famed game show “Wheel of Fortune,” known for its longevity and wide audience reach, experienced a wave of discussions stemming from its October 17 episode. At the center of this discussion was a decision made by the host, Pat Sajak, concerning a contestant’s crossword puzzle response.
On this episode, Nadine, a contestant hailing from New Jersey, was attempting to solve a crossword puzzle with the clue “butter.” After Sajak reiterated the rules, she confidently listed her answers as “Fly, Fingers, Bean, Nuts.” Astute fans caught a detail: the correct answer should have been “nut” in its singular form, not the plural “nuts” as given by Nadine. Sajak, however, approved her answer, igniting conversations among the viewers.
Social media platforms, especially X, which was formerly Twitter, buzzed with comments on this oversight. One particular user underscored the error, remarking, “She said ‘nuts,’ not ‘nut.’ Even closed captioning picked up the ’s,’” providing a screenshot of the episode’s closed captioning as evidence.
This isn’t the only time Sajak found himself at the center of such discussions. Earlier in the same year, a memorable exchange occurred with contestant Ben Tucker. Attempting to solve a Fun & Games category puzzle, Tucker’s guesses ranged from “Taunt a chuck guy? Chance guy … no, there’s no C. Wacky guy. Taunt a wacky guy” to the eventual correct answer, “Taking a quick jog.” Sajak’s playful remark, “Wow, that was so unclose,” led to Tucker’s witty comeback about jogging not fitting the fun and games theme. The exchange gained traction when the game show’s official Instagram featured it with the caption “He has a point,” leading fans to resonate with Tucker’s point of view.
In the midst of these episodes, news broke out about Sajak’s retirement after an impressive 42 years of hosting “Wheel of Fortune.” Sajak began his iconic tenure in 1981 and was later joined by Vanna White in 1982. While fans process this significant change, they can find solace in the announcement that Ryan Seacrest will step in as the new co-host. Furthermore, Vanna White has renewed her contract, ensuring her presence on the show until the 2025-26 season.
As “Wheel of Fortune” evolves, the show blends new changes with cherished moments. With Sajak’s departure and Seacrest’s arrival, the “nuts vs. nut” debate is a testament to the show’s ingrained place in its viewers’ hearts.
