A Wheel of Fortune contestant is speaking out after mistakenly attempting to solve one of the game's puzzles, which was dubbed “the worst guess ever” by viewers.
Gishma Tabari from New York was on the show when she was asked to solve a puzzle in the Showbiz category with most of the letters already appearing on the board.
Faced with: “TH- -RITI-S_-GR-E” – Tabari guessed the answer was “THE BRITISH OGRE.”
Both fans and longtime host Pat Sajak were amused.
Sajak threw her a lifeline and told her to say her answer a second time – only for Tabari to repeat her mistake.
The British Ogre? Wheel of Fortune contestant Gishma Tabari had an unusual reaction to a triple throw puzzle, earning herself the title of “worst guess ever” on social media.
Host Pat Sajak, 77, gave her a lifeline and asked her to give her answer a second time – only for Tabari to repeat her blunder
Gishma Tabari and her husband Saman posed with cardboard cutouts of Pat Sajak and Vanna White while filming “Wheel of Fortune.”
The correct answer was, of course, “THE CRITICS AGREE,” but social media quickly became abuzz.
“Why did I say it again?” Tabari thought to himself.
Before going on the show, Tabari feared he would give a “stupid” answer to one of the game's puzzles.
“The funny thing about it was that right before I went on, I went to my husband Saman and thought… 'I'm scared that I'm going to go on the show and say or do something stupid that's going to be everyone's thing.' I'm going to laugh”. Exactly that happened.' she told Fox News.
Tabari explained that she believes her guess was simply a product of her creativity.
“I think it was just my imagination.” From the moment I was up there and saw the board, I saw that. Now I look at it and think it doesn't make any sense.'
Her response seemed to gain traction on social media, with some users mocking her.
The final answer was “The critics agree” – but Tabari’s answer showed a spark of creativity
Despite the online furor and her terrible response, Tabari achieved her goal of actually appearing on the show, which she had watched since she was five years old
Her response seemed to resonate on social media, with some users mocking her and others praising her creativity
'What? “You've never heard of the British Ogre,” one user joked.
“This woman just guessed this riddle as The British Ogre,” another user added. “So many British ogres in show business.”
“This girl guessed 'The British Ogre' on the Wheel of Fortune and the second-hand embarrassment was overwhelming,” another commented. “She didn't even look at the camera for a second. 'I feel bad, but man, that was funny.'
“The British Ogre sounds like a cool band name,” said one.
“To be honest I prefer THE BRITISH OGRE because the puzzles could use a bit more crazy originality at times,” said another.
“There were some hurtful comments… but honestly I wasn't upset about them…” People generally don't know who I am. “I have a degree, I'm working… I feel like I just had a difficult moment on national television,” she explained.
Tabari brushed off any criticism, taking solace in the fact that people don't know her, aside from one memorable moment of confusion.
However, she admitted that she would like to get another chance on the show.
“If I could do it again, the one thing I would do is just have more fun and be less anxious,” Tabari said.
Despite the online furor and her terrible response, Tabari achieved her goal of actually appearing on the show, which she had watched since she was five years old.
She still managed to win a cash prize and a cruise to the Bahamas.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White pictured in Wheel of Fortune
In June, Sajak, 77, announced that he would be leaving “Wheel of Fortune” after the show's 41st season concluded.
“Well, the time has come. “I have decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he said.
“It's been a wonderful ride and I'll have more to say in the coming months. “Thank you all,” he added.
Suzanne Prete, Executive Vice President of Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, announced that Sajak will serve as a consultant on the show for three years.
Sajak became host of Wheel of Fortune on December 28, 1981, after Chuck Woolery served as host from the show's premiere in 1975 until his departure in a salary dispute.
Vanna White joined the show in 1982 after original host Susan Stafford left the show to become a humanitarian.
Created by Merv Griffin, Wheel of Fortune is the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States.