Pat Sajak Faces Backlash for Telling Contestant to 'Shut Up'

The 'Wheel of Fortune' host's comment sparked controversy among viewers, with some calling it disrespectful and others defending it as a joke.

Pat Sajak, the longtime host of 'Wheel of Fortune', told a contestant to 'shut up' during Tuesday's episode, sparking a backlash on social media.
The incident occurred when contestant Angela Omezie, who had just won a round, expressed her excitement, to which Sajak responded with the comment.
Many viewers took to social media to criticize Sajak's comment, calling it 'disrespectful' and 'inappropriate', while others defended him, saying it was a joke.
This is not the first time Sajak has faced criticism from viewers; earlier this month, he denied a contestant victory after she failed to pronounce 'congenial' correctly.
Sajak announced in June 2023 that he will be retiring from 'Wheel of Fortune' after the show's 41st season, with Ryan Seacrest set to replace him.