'Have a heart': Pat Sajak slams viewers for mocking contestants who failed to solve puzzle

“Unless you’re there, you have no idea how different it is in the studio,” the 75-year-old wrote

PUBLISHED MAR 3, 2022

Game Show Host Pat Sajak arrives at the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 19, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

‘Wheel of Fortune’ host Pat Sajak has come out in support of three contestants of the game show who were trolled online for not being able to solve a puzzle easily. Apparently, the participants -- Laura Machado, Christopher Coleman, and Thomas Lipscomb -- took multiple attempts to complete the simple phrase “another feather in your cap” which was almost written over there.

Taking to Twitter, the 75-year-old television personality wrote: “It always pains me when nice people come on our show to play a game and win some money and maybe fulfill a lifelong dream, and are then subject to online ridicule when they make a mistake or something goes awry.”

What is Pat Sajak's net worth? 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' host with Guinness World Record's income will stun you

It always pains me when nice people come on our show to play a game and win some money and maybe fulfill a lifelong dream, and are then subject to online ridicule when they make a mistake or something goes awry.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

Last night’s “Feather in your cap” puzzle was a case in point. Sitting at home, it seems incredible that they couldn’t solve it, but I knew in real time what was happening.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

The first attempted solve was “Feather in your hat” which, by the way, is how a lot of people say it. So all three players thought it was a good solve, and were stunned when I said it was wrong.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

Television personality Pat Sajak introduces players prior to Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

He went on: “Last night’s ‘Feather in your cap’ puzzle was a case in point. Sitting at home, it seems incredible that they couldn’t solve it, but I knew in real time what was happening. The first attempted solve was ‘Feather in your hat’ which, by the way, is how a lot of people say it. So all three players thought it was a good solve, and were stunned when I said it was wrong.”

Explaining how the contestants were confused, he continued: “Now imagine you’re on national TV, and you’re suddenly thrown a curve and you begin getting worried about looking stupid, and if the feather isn’t in your hat, where the heck can it be? You start flailing away looking for alternatives rather than synonyms for ‘hat.’ And, of course, when it’s solved, you want to crawl in a hole. I’ve been praised online for ‘keeping it together’ and not making fun of the players. Truth is, all I want to do is help to get them through it and convince them that those things happen even to very bright people.”

Now imagine you’re on national TV, and you’re suddenly thrown a curve and you begin getting worried about looking stupid, and if the feather isn’t in your hat, where the heck can it be? You start flailing away looking for alternatives rather than synonyms for “hat.”
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

And, of course, when it’s solved, you want to crawl in a hole. I’ve been praised online for “keeping it together” and not making fun of the players. Truth is, all I want to do is help to get them through it and convince them that those things happen even to very bright people.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

But mocking them online and calling them names? These are good people in a bad situation under a kind of stress that you can’t begin to appreciate from the comfort of your couch.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

Good-natured laughter is one thing. Heck, they laughed at themselves. But, hey, cut them some slack. Unless you’re there, you have no idea how different it is in the studio.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

I have fun with players and I tease them occasionally, but when things go wrong, I feel for them, and I try to salve the wounds on camera and off. So, yeah, it was an oddly entertaining puzzle and it’s okay to laugh at the situation. But have a little heart.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

Sajak then added: “But mocking them online and calling them names? These are good people in a bad situation under a kind of stress that you can’t begin to appreciate from the comfort of your couch. Good-natured laughter is one thing. Heck, they laughed at themselves. But, hey, cut them some slack. Unless you’re there, you have no idea how different it is in the studio. I have fun with players and I tease them occasionally, but when things go wrong, I feel for them, and I try to salve the wounds on camera and off. So, yeah, it was an oddly entertaining puzzle and it’s okay to laugh at the situation. But have a little heart. After all, you may be there one day. And no one wants to be trending on Twitter.”

Pat Sajak arrives at the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium on January 25, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

After all, you may be there one day. And no one wants to be trending on Twitter.
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) March 2, 2022

Pat, YOU are such a normal decent human being. So empathetic. The show would have never lasted without your modeling of fairness & respect. Kindness matter’s.
— Rosemarie Johnston (@CareQD) March 2, 2022

Sitting at home in my stained boxers is a lot easier than being in front of a live audience of I'm guessing 100 people and millions at home. I could not guess the puzzle with that pressure
— Brandon Orange 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@CaptCajun1776) March 2, 2022

Still have my name tag Pat - and you and Vanna were so sweet to me and the other college kids that week in Philly! I missed the last puzzle (which was Scrapbook) but I did get to say “I have the Munchies” at least on National TV. The game is SO MUCH harder up behind that wheel pic.twitter.com/BfMDE03YfZ
— Wine Mascot (@winemascot) March 3, 2022

A lot of people agreed with Sajak as a supporter tweeted: “Pat, YOU are such a normal decent human being. So empathetic. The show would have never lasted without your modeling of fairness & respect. Kindness matter’s.” Another one said: “Sitting at home in my stained boxers is a lot easier than being in front of a live audience of I'm guessing 100 people and millions at home. I could not guess the puzzle with that pressure.” “Still have my name tag Pat - and you and Vanna were so sweet to me and the other college kids that week in Philly! I missed the last puzzle (which was Scrapbook) but I did get to say ‘I have the Munchies’ at least on National TV. The game is SO MUCH harder up behind that wheel,” an ex-contestant added.