ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

'Wheel of Fortune' player mistakes Paris for a country in awkward TV moment: 'A new type of fail'

The contestant's wife seemed embarassed at that point of time, and worried as well.
PUBLISHED JUL 8, 2025
Screenshot showing Pat Sajak (L) and the contestants on "Wheel of Fortune" (Cover image source: YouTube | Remy G)
Screenshot showing Pat Sajak (L) and the contestants on "Wheel of Fortune" (Cover image source: YouTube | Remy G)

“Wheel of Fortune” contestants are usually sharp when it comes to solving puzzles, but sometimes they can make the most absurd blunders. But even those remembered for the most absurd blunders never mixed up a city and a country. That happened when a contestant named David appeared on an earlier episode of the show. Back then, Pat Sajak was the host and he could not help but laugh at the contestant’s answer. Thankfully, the question wasn’t a part of the game, and all that the contestant had to suffer was some embarrassment on national TV.

David was playing with his wife Keri, and the couple had just solved a puzzle correctly to guess the phrase, “Gondola Ride Through Venice.” This won them a trip to the city. Sajak then asked the contestants what country they would go to. “Let’s check your geography knowledge,” he said. “What country do you think we’re sending you to?” The answers left him and everyone else stunned.

“Paris,” David said without a second thought, and his wife seemed a little embarrassed. He quickly corrected himself and said, “France.” Unfortunately, that was not the correct answer either, since Venice is in Italy. “Do we still get it?” Keri asked, worried that they had just lost it.

Screenshot showing Pat Sajak's reaction. (Image credit: YouTube | Remy G)
Screenshot showing Pat Sajak's reaction. (Image source: YouTube | Remy G)

Sajak could not help but laugh. “Apparently, you know your husband well,” he said. “Yeah, we’re sending you to Italy!” Sajak then announced. “Italy!” said Keri, clapping her hands and dancing in joy that her husband’s mistake did not cost them a memorable vacation.

Fans of the show found the moment hilarious and made their feelings known in the comments section of the clip on YouTube. “I suck at geography myself but that was a new type of fail,” one user commented. “'Let's check your geographic knowledge.' The entire production team and everyone else behind the camera probably bit their tongue after they heard that sentence,” added another. “Venice.. Must be in Paris.. Nope, it's on France.. Phew, almost embarrassed myself there,” one more fan.

While there have been no updates from the couple about their Italy trip, it turns out that they had won a trip to Hawaii as well. An earlier video posted by the official “Wheel of Fortune” channel revealed their experience on the trip. The couple went with their two sons. They had won more than $60,000 in cash and prizes, which included a trip to Aulani, which was a Disney-themed resort and spa in Koalina, Hawaii.

The family seemed to enjoy the waterpark activities quite a bit, and the couple must have had a relaxing time at the spa as well. Even under that video, one fan of the show commented, “How about the trip to Venice, France?  I meant Italy.”

More on Market Realist:

'Wheel of Fortune' fans feel player was cheated out of winning a car but he says 'it's all good'

'Wheel of Fortune' contestant loses out on $40,000 after picking terrible choice of letters

'Wheel of Fortune' fans slam player who lost $40,000 after failing to solve one obvious letter

RELATED TOPICS WHEEL OF FORTUNE
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
Mr. Wonderful did not want to be flexible but the entrepreneur made him an irrefutable offer.
11 hours ago
Some believe the strategy to be too cruel, while others believe that it was a gamble on winning.
12 hours ago
The contestant had her hands raised in celebration, only to be left disappointed and red-faced.
13 hours ago
In a recent video on Instagram, the current host of the show harshly criticized his own clothing choices.
1 day ago
The shark believed that he was the best man for the job and got the deal he wanted.
1 day ago
Fans of the show were disappointed with the loss but it was still a good attempt.
2 days ago
Mr. Wonderful said that he wanted to make things interesting and changed his offer at the last minute.
2 days ago
The contestant had said at first that he wasn't worried about the consequences.
2 days ago
The host spoke during the time alloted to the contestant to answer, causing it to run out.
2 days ago
The contestant did not expect the game to have such a twist and was over the moon.
2 days ago
The contestant was quicker than most people who find the round challenging.
3 days ago
The guest wanted way too much money from Harrison for the car, and the latter said no.
3 days ago
Steve Harvey could not control his laughter after hearing the answer for several seconds.
3 days ago
The entrepreneurs had a good reputation as they had founded a successful ice-cream brand earlier.
3 days ago
The contestant had played well to get to the bonus round with more than $22,000 in the purse.
3 days ago
The showrunners asked the question and the contestants had fun with it.
4 days ago
The whole train set was made in the 1920s by one of the most iconic toy companies of all time.
4 days ago
Harvey had hoped for one person to answer, and not five people all at once.
4 days ago
Seven-day champion Paolo Pasco also ended up losing his crown to Steven Olsen in the episode.
4 days ago