Not all ‘Wheel of Fortune’ fans are laughing at Pat Sajak’s jokes: ‘He's straight up hateful’

Yahoo Entertainment

December 4, 2020 at 2:24 AM

“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak got off to a rocky start Thursday, and things only got worse after a contestant interrupted him a couple of times. It started with the contestant spinning the wheel before Sajak had a chance to announce the category. Then that same contestant interrupted him while he was doing a sponsor plug.

“Never, never interrupt,” he scolded. “Never interrupt a plug!”

While Pat was seemingly only teasing, fans thought there may be more to his humorous loathing than meets the eye, with one person tweeting, “Did Pat stop drinking caffeine this week or something? He’s had ZERO patience and I’m pretty sure he genuinely hates Sheryl.”

While the host has a long history of joking with contestants, lately his teasing has had a little more edge to it than normal. In the host’s defense, he films six episodes in a day. So perhaps his comedy was just off one day? Or perhaps he was grumpy that day? Or maybe he’s just trying to get through the rest of 2020? He is human after all.

Video Transcript

- Anyway, Sheryl got the money there. And hang on, before you go-- oh. You know what, I--

SHERYL: Sorry.

- I stopped you in mid-spin because I hadn't given the category yet, but that's all right.

SHERYL: I apologize.

- Let me do it now. No, it's my fault. My fault. It's all my fault. I'm the captain of the ship, and it's going down.

KYLIE MAR: "Wheel of Fortune" captain Pat Sajak got off to a rocky start Thursday, and things only got worse after a contestant interrupted him a couple of times.

PAT SAJAK: Pick up that gift bag, would you please? That's a $1,000 gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods for online catalog or in-store--

SHERYL: Could I buy--

- --shopping.

SHERYL: --a vowel, please?

- Never, never interrupt--

SHERYL: Sorry.

- Never, never interrupt a plug.

SHERYL: I apologize.

KYLIE MAR: While Pat was seemingly only teasing, fans thought there may be more to his humorous loathing than meets the eye, with one person tweeting, "Did Pat stop drinking caffeine this week or something? He's had zero patience, and I'm pretty sure he genuinely hates Sheryl." While the host has a long history of joking with contestants, lately his teasing has had a little more edge to it than normal. Like last Thursday when a player questioned a puzzle answer.

- Who calls it a kitchen oven?

PAT SAJAK: Don't-- you won.

DARREN: I won, I apologize.

- Don't argue, Darren. Well, you got the puzzle. Ungrateful players! I've had it!

KYLIE MAR: And if looks could kill, this contestant from Wednesday's show would probably be dead for stepping on Pat's joke.

PAT SAJAK: All right, well just stay en guard. [FAKE LAUGHING] Fencing humor there.

- I got the point.

PAT SAJAK: Yeah.

KYLIE MAR: The testy teasing has left some fans confused, with one person tweeting, "Does anyone else feel like with each passing episode of Wheel of Fortune Pat Sajak hates his job a bit more and more? Just me?" Well, another fan went as far as to say, "Can we please replace Pat on Wheel of Fortune already? With every episode, he gets less and less tolerable. He's straight up hateful to the contestants."

In the multiple Emmy winner's defense, he does film six episodes in a day, so what seems like a week could just be one off day. And despite the occasional chastising, he always supports the players, especially when they lose.

- Well, let's look in here. And that was the $38,000. I wish we could have done that. But you really had a terrific night. Don't let that detract from it. $32,300--

- Thank you. Thank you.

PAT SAJAK: --good night for any gambler.

- Had an amazing time.

- Thank you all very much.

- Thank you.

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