'Wheel of Fortune' Posts Cheeky Comment After March Madness Interrupts Show

March Madness brought the end of viewing for Wheel of Fortune fans across the nation, with some local stations switching away from the game show to cover the NCAA basketball tournament.

The game show is usually a favorite for many, but there was consternation among some who were tuning in only to find the the annual college basketball tournament had crashed the schedules.

There was a crumb of comfort from the show's producers on social media for fans of the big money program, as a message posted on Twitter and Instagram revealed that they would still accept puzzle solutions and words of the viewers' choice despite the show not being on TV.

March Madness
Kebba Njie #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions goes up for a layup against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 16, 2023. March Madness has crashed the TV schedules. Getty Images

On the Wheel of Fortune Twitter and its Instagram Story, it was revealed: "Preemption Notice!

"If you are unable to see tonight's episode of Wheel due to NCAA March Madness or other special programming on your local station, we will accept any puzzle solution or word of your choice (please keep it clean) submitted by 2.59 p.m. PT tomorrow (Friday, March 17) as valid for the Fun & Games $10K Giveaway."

The announcement came after host Pat Sajak criticized a contestant whose puzzle guess left him feeling a bit blue in a previous episode.

Sajak, 76, stood beside England-born, but now Texas resident, Jennifer as she tried to guess the puzzle in the final bonus round on Wednesday's show.

"You have 10 seconds to try to talk it out, good luck," Sajak advised her for the puzzle that was in the 'phrase' category and spelled out "NOTH_N_ _ _ _ E S _O_" after she had chosen her letters.

Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak speaks as he is inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame during the NAB Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner at Encore Las Vegas on April 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. March Madness has interfered with the scheduling. Getty Images

Jennifer's first attempt drew laughter from the audience: "Nothing loves you," before she said: "Nothing... else... you... nothing."

The long-time host was disheartened by her choices, telling Jennifer: "That was a depressing solve."

The solution was actually "nothing fazes you," which is ironic seeing that the contestant failed to guess the correct phrase.

At least there was some love for her on social media with many reacting to the moment on Wheel of Fortune's official Twitter account.

One commented: "Jennifer was phenomenal contestant even through that bonus round puzzle. Great show."

While another added: "I did like Jennifer's guess though."

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