Why ‘Right In The Butt’ And Other Viral Wheel Of Fortune Moments Work So Well, According To The Producer

Why 'Right In The Butt' And Other Viral Wheel Of Fortune Moments Work So Well, According To The Producer

As a long-time fan who’s witnessed countless game shows come and go, I can confidently say that Wheel of Fortune remains one of the timeless classics. The show has this uncanny ability to keep us entertained with its simple yet engaging format, and the occasional hilarious moments that make us laugh out loud.


As a devoted fan, I can’t help but get excited about the return of “Wheel of Fortune” to our screens in 2024! This timeless game show never fails to captivate audiences, and its enduring popularity is evident with each new viral moment that emerges. Even though Ryan Seacrest has stepped into Pat Sajak’s shoes for Season 42, the show’s executive producer still reminisces about a side-splitting incident that took place during the final season of our beloved host.

During a May 2024 episode of Wheel of Fortune, contestant Tavaris Williams made an unforgettable impact on the show by guessing the phrase he was trying to solve as “Right In The Butt!”. This unexpected comment left the audience in shock and one of his fellow players exclaimed audibly, “WHAT?”. You can watch it here:

The correct answer was “This is the best!”

Later on, Tavaris Williams stated that those particular words were never spoken by him throughout his life. He’s puzzled as to why they came out during a live TV broadcast. A 42-year-old professional in child welfare also speculated that the comment might be censored, but he maintains an optimistic view, expressing “at least I managed to bring a smile to everyone’s face.” When executive producer Bellamie Blackstone recently chatted with Deadline about the explicit TV blunder, he remarked:

In today’s cultural context, watching a clip like that feels familiar and amusing because viewers don’t need an explanation – it’s Wheel of Fortune. Simply showing someone discussing the puzzle, then returning to it, sets up the humor effortlessly.

Bellamie Blackstone, currently in her third season as showrunner on “Wheel of Fortune”, expressed sympathy towards Tavaris Williams, describing him as a “kind-hearted individual”. Yet, she also saw the situation as an exciting moment that reinforces the longevity of the series.

Absolutely, it’s entertaining to watch contestants complete blank spaces under stress, and it’s not surprising that Williams stumbled on an awkward response; after all, such moments are bound to happen again in the future.

Instead of Vanna White’s classic costumes remaining a constant element, Wheel Of Fortune is embarking on a fresh phase with Ryan Seacrest taking over as host from Pat Sajak. Sajak held the position (on and off) since 1981 until his recent retirement. Seacrest’s debut has garnered impressive ratings, with the first episode of the new season in September drawing more than 9 million viewers. Interestingly, it’s the revamped set that fans seem to be discussing the most during this new phase of the show.

Yet, though some modifications are on the horizon for the program, we can expect to continue enjoying infectiously funny instances similar to this one by Williams, which the showrunner continues to reminisce over.

Feel free to tune in and enjoy “Wheel of Fortune” featuring Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White, simply look up your local TV guide for the schedule and don’t miss it every weeknight!

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2024-10-24 03:37