An Exceptional Moment on “Wheel of Fortune”

By: Lisa Lee | Published: Nov 12, 2023

The ABC studio was abuzz with excitement. The audience fell into a hushed silence as Bree Yokouchi stepped into the bonus round on Wheel of Fortune

Host Pat Sajak posed the final puzzle, and then something remarkable happened—the audience erupted into wild cheers. It was an exceptional moment that no one in the studio would ever forget!

A Game Show Host Walks Off Stage in Shock 

Sajak was astonished; the long-time game show host had never seen anything like this. He dropped the card in his hand and hurriedly left the stage, leaving the audience in complete shock. 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

It was a remarkable moment that no one in the show’s history had ever witnessed. The crowd was astounded, unable to believe this incredible twist of fate.

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Pat Sajak: From DJ in Vietnam to Beloved TV Host

For over four decades, Pat Sajak has been the beloved host of Wheel of Fortune, and it’s easy to see why. His skillful hosting has earned him three Daytime Emmy Awards and 19 nominations, solidifying his place in the hearts of viewers. 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

But what not many people know is that before his hosting days, Sajak was a DJ in Vietnam, entertaining U.S. forces. From the war-torn country to the big stage, Pat Sajak has come a long way.

Spin the Wheel and Win Fabulous Prizes!

Wheel of Fortune is a hugely popular game similar to Hangman, where players guess puzzles with missing letters to win prizes. Once you get the correct answer, a giant wheel is spun, and the prizes are decided.

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

This game show has been around forever and is still as much fun as ever. It’s also a great game show to play along with at home to test your puzzle-solving skills!

Win Big in this Amazing 24-Segment Wheel Game

Are you looking for a thrilling game to play? Check out that amazing 24-segment wheel! Unlike the roulette wheel, this one is sliced into 24 segments, each with a different dollar amount. With each round, the top amount will rise, giving you a chance to win even bigger prizes! 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

You can also win luxurious vacations by playing this game. But the best part is the bonus round, where the leading player can win a huge cash prize determined by the spin of a smaller wheel.

Pat Sajak Breaks Record as Longest Serving Game Show Host

Pat Sajak has recently broken Bob Barker’s record as the longest-serving game show host of all time. Wheel of Fortune is currently in its 40th season.

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

Sajak has hosted the show since 1983, while Barker hosted The Price Is Right for 35 years. In the 39th season, Bree Yokouchi was featured as a contestant on the show.

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Yokouchi's Show Brings Another $100,000 Winner! 

The week was already off to a fantastic start when Lisa Kramer won the $100,000 bonus round on Wheel. It was an incredible feat, as only one other person had achieved the same throughout the entire season. But the excitement didn’t stop there! 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

When Yokouchi’s show rolled around, Wheel was ready to prove that it could dish out more big wins. Sure enough, another contestant named Mark Baer won the $100,000 bonus round, and the audience couldn’t contain their joy.

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Mark Baer Shocks Pat Sajak with an Unprecedented Win 

Pat Sajak was shocked when Mark Baer repeated his win the next day. “Huh, that’s never happened,” said the veteran host, shaking his head in disbelief. He had seen all sorts of things on the show, but this was unprecedented. 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

What made the situation even more remarkable was that the prize was hidden inside an envelope, so neither Baer nor Sajak had any idea he was playing for such an immense amount of money. It was a moment that will go down in the show’s history!

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A Night Full of Surprises

Pat Sajak was stunned when he revealed the prize on Wheel of Fortune. Jim Thornton, the announcer on the show, commented in amazement, “Pat, it’s like déjà vu; it’s all starting again.” Pat responded with a laugh, “Wouldn’t you know; I just sold out my entire stock of confetti.” 

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After almost four decades on the show, there were still new and exciting experiences. Pat observed, “Even after almost 40 years, new things are happening here.” Tune in to Wheel of Fortune to see what new surprises await!

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Sajak Sets the Record Straight on Quiz Show Fixing 

Pat Sajak recently took to Twitter to put an end to the speculation that any skullduggery had been involved in the show’s recent events. He reminded everyone that due to the quiz show scandals of the 1950s, fixing a TV game show is now a federal crime and that he had no intention of serving prison time. 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

He further noted his admiration for the show’s players and his enthusiasm for everyone to win.

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Don't Waste Time on Conspiracy Theories

The host had a sharp response to those who believed in conspiracy theories. “Anyone silly enough to believe in things like that can’t be convinced of anything,” he said. With a hint of sarcasm, he added, “I love how one day we’re ‘robbing’ players of their winnings, and then we’re ‘allowing’ them to win.” 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

He made it clear that he thought such theories were baseless, stating it’s “best to ignore them.” So don’t waste time on conspiracy theories—they likely won’t get you anywhere!

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A Trip to Remember: Yokouchi's Unforgettable Journey

Bree Yokouchi is an incredible educator living in Portland, Oregon, but is originally from the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. She travels back to her beloved home every chance she gets, but this time was extra special. She had just seen the remarkable Mark Baer show, hoping to win some bucks to help pay for her upcoming wedding. 

Source: Bree Yokouchi/Facebook

Yokouchi’s journey was an unforgettable one that she’ll cherish forever. With a mixture of excitement, fear, and anticipation, she experienced something unique. Something that she’ll never forget.

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Dining Room Chats Changed Her Life 

When Yokouchi heard about the Wheelmobile event in Lincoln City, she knew it was her chance. She had often discussed the show with her family in her dining room, and when the tour bus called for people to take part, she didn’t hesitate. 

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Source: Bree Yokouchi/Facebook

In a statement, she said, “All this started in my dining room, with my family every night. When I heard about the Wheelmobile event, I thought, “This was my chance.’” Who knew that family chats in the dining room would change her life?

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Yokouchi's Amazing Winning Streak 

From complimentary upgrades to exotic holidays, Bree Yokouchi was on a winning spree on the show. She got on the board with a “complimentary upgrade” and won $1,000. She also scored a vacation in St. Lucia with her guess of “schools of colorful fish.” 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

With determination and wit, she made it to the show’s bonus round and won over $20,000 in cash and prizes. All in all, Bree Yokouchi’s amazing winning streak was definitely worthy of a standing ovation.

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Hushed Silence in the $100,000 Bonus Round 

The studio crowd was electric as the bonus round commenced. Host Pat Sajak joked, “After the last two nights, we had to send out for an emergency shipment from Confetti R Us in order to film. So we’re back; we’re reloaded; that $100,000 is back out there.”

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

Contestant Bree Yokouchi was shaking in the spotlight, her nerves on edge at the potential of winning a substantial sum of money. Could she guess the final puzzle? All eyes were on her.

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A 4% Chance for the $100,000 Prize 

The teacher eagerly prepared to take on the puzzle, but first, she had to spin for the bonus. Just the night before, Pat Sajak had explained that the 24 spaces meant a four percent chance of winning the $100,000 prize. 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

But the odds were even greater, considering she had to solve a puzzle to secure the jackpot. Without wasting any more time, the teacher spun the wheel and Sajak held the closed envelope, waiting to see if she had won the grand prize.

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Uncover the Mystery to Win the Bonus Round 

Are you ready to unlock the mystery of the bonus round and win big? In this exciting game, contestants select a category from three choices. From there, all the letters E, L, N, R, S, and T are shown, and the contestant picks another vowel and three other consonants. 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

For example, Yokouchi had the choice of selecting from a phrase, a thing, or “What are you doing?”

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Solving the Mysterious Puzzle

The audience was excited as the Oregonian was presented with an intriguing puzzle. With “a phrase” and four mysterious blank spaces, everyone wondered if the free letters would help or not. All eyes were on Yokouchi as she chose D, H, M, and A. Then, the answer was revealed – ST — —T. 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

As the A turned up in the last word, the room was filled with a tense silence. Not a single person uttered a sound, but the anticipation was palpable. Would she be able to solve the difficult puzzle?

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Ready to Take On the Challenge

Yokouchi was ready to take on any challenge that came her way, and this was no different. A huge smile crept over her face as she glanced at Sajak. His response to the situation? “This looks troublesome. But I don’t know. With her, who knows? It’s a phrase. You have ten seconds.” 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

She was practically jumping out of her skin with excitement. “Just you wait,” she declared confidently. Her unstoppable determination was sure to lead her to success.

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A Moment of Triumph: What Did She Win?

As Yokouchi was overcome with emotion and began leaping with joy, the audience was equally ecstatic and bursting with curiosity. “How are you doing it?” Sajak asked as he revealed that the educator had reached the pinnacle of success. 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, wanting to know what prize Yokouchi had won. All eyes were on Sajak, eager to hear his next words. The suspense was palpable. What had she achieved?

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Yokouchi Wins Big in Third Consecutive Bonus Round 

Sajak was visibly excited as he opened the envelope to reveal what Yokouchi had won. She was barely able to contain her joy at having won at all. The teacher jumped up and down like a popcorn kernel in a hot pan, her energy radiating through the room. 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

The host then asked, “Who’s going to book my trip to Vegas?” before revealing that it was the third $100,000 bonus round in three consecutive days! Yokouchi was left speechless by the news, her smile stretching from ear to ear as she made history.

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An Unbelievable Moment—Yokouchi's Joyful Surprise! 

Yokouchi couldn’t contain her excitement as she let out a loud shriek of joy. Confetti rained from the sky, and it was clear that the joke about the delivery had actually come true!

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

Sajak was in disbelief and exclaimed, “I’m outta here. That’s it; I’m through,” before he quickly exited the stage. What a surprise! Yokouchi was awestruck by the incredible scene that had just unfolded.

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Sajak's Return and a Tough Puzzle Solved

After a brief absence, Pat Sajak returned to the show and was in awe of the contestant’s ability to solve an incredibly difficult puzzle. He exclaimed, “It’s not just landing on that. That’s amazing enough… But that was a heck of a solve.”

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

“Because I looked at you like, you know, this is daunting, and you’re looking at me like, ‘I got this pal, don’t worry.'” With Sajak’s return and the puzzle triumphantly solved, this episode was one to remember.

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Pat Sajak Stunned by Three-in-a-Row Wins

Pat Sajak was left speechless when three successive contestants made a miraculous guess on Wheel of Fortune. After the show, Sajak discussed the incredible moment with his daughter Maggie, who works as a social correspondent for the show. 

Source: Maggie Sajak/Instagram

When she asked him to describe his reaction, Sajak admitted he “was running out of words.” He gave it a try, saying, “Stunned, surprised, I don’t know. It’s all inadequate.” It was a thrilling moment that left Sajak truly wowed.

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Is it Possible to Win Four in a Row? 

Maggie asked her father a thought-provoking question: “Could it happen again tomorrow?” She was referring to the possibility of winning four in a row, something that seemed virtually impossible. Sajak had no doubt. 

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Source: ET Canada/YouTube

He confidently replied, “That would be ridiculous, virtually impossible.” It would have been a supremely difficult challenge to win four in a row—but not beyond the realms of possibility.

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Impossible Odds? Not for these Lucky Few! 

Sajak was incredulous when Maggie suggested that landing on the same wheel slice three times in a row was possible. After all, the odds of doing so were an astronomical 12,167 to 1. 

Source: Maggie Sajak/Instagram

But, as the show has been running for over 40 years, it’s no surprise that a select few lucky players have achieved the impossible. This goes to show that while the odds may look daunting, nothing is impossible.

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The Million Dollar Puzzle: How Three Contestants Won Big 

They say money can’t buy happiness, but three lucky contestants on the hit game show, Wheel of Fortune, found out that a million dollars can! Michelle Loewenstein was the first to do it in 2008, after solving the mystery phrase “Leaky Faucet.” Sarah Manchester also won a million dollars in the same year with the phrase “Loud Laughter.” 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

A third lucky contestant followed suit, raking in a whopping $1 million. Who knows, you could be the next winner on Wheel of Fortune and join the exclusive million-dollar club!

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Unbelievable: Woman Wins Record $1.03 Million on "Wheel of Fortune"

In 2013, Autumn Erhard made headlines when she won an unbelievable $1.03 million on the iconic Wheel of Fortune. How did she do it? Erhard revealed to NPR that she practiced for her big moment by solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles from her couch in the evenings. 

Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

Her preparation paid off in a big way, and no one has beaten her record since! It’s an amazing story of dedication and luck that will surely be remembered for years to come.

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Third Time's a Charm: Woman Wins $100,000! 

Yokouchi was ecstatic to win $100,000 on the show, as it was a dream come true to just be a part of it. She joyfully said, “I was so thrilled to be here this morning. But to win the third $100,000 in a row is simply amazing!” 

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Source: Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

After her thrilling win, Yokouchi was all smiles, happy to have her dreams come true and to have won such a large sum of money. It’s truly an inspirational story of a woman achieving her goals and being rewarded for it!

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Donna Maine's Incredible Victory

Donna Maine, a retired nurse, was another star of the show. She battled through to the bonus round of the popular game show and managed to win a whopping $28,000 worth of prizes. Donna was given a vacation in Texas and Curaçao, as well as other amazing prizes.

Source: Pineapple Studio/Getty Images

Although Donna wasn’t able to solve the bonus round puzzle, she still walked away with an incredible win and is sure to have an unforgettable vacation!

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Building Poise and Confidence Over the Years

Wheel of Fortune has been screening since 1975, although it didn’t have that name at inception. Likewise, Pat Sajak and Vanna White have been hosting the show for quite a number of years. 

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Source: US Marine

If you ask the average fan of Wheel of Fortune, they will probably say no one could host the show better than the duo. Interestingly, it was not always so. In an interview, Pat Sajak revealed that when they just got the job Vanna would down multiple shots of drink before going onstage. 

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The Longest Running Show Host

We are all used to Pat Sajak’s face on the Wheel of Fortune show, but it has not always been him. When the show started in 1975, it was hosted by Chuck Coolery until 1981.

Source: Flickr

Sajak received the baton that same year and hosted the show up until 1989 when he stepped away from that role. However, it wasn’t for long, as he returned in 1991 and has been firing all cylinders since then. 

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A Very Consistent Wheel

It would be a disappointing sight if the wheel, which is the show’s center of attraction, falls off during filming. In another scenario, it would be bad mojo if the wheel does not spin properly.

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

So, since the present wheel has served the show quite well, the producers have not bothered to change it over the years. However, it has to be dismantled and moved in units when filming location changes. The complete wheel setup weighs over a ton. 

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Quiz Contributors

Anyone who has judiciously followed the seasons of Wheel of Fortune may assume that the producers source their quizzes from some experts. However, that is far from the reality.

Source: Imgur

The producers allow members of the production team, who are interested and have a knack for crosswords, to contribute. Interestingly, many of White’s quiz contributions have been used on the show. 

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Golden Facts

Don’t take our word for it, do due diligence by flipping through some old seasons of Wheel of Fortune to confirm these facts. 

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

First, Sajak always dorns ties that complement White’s dress. Also, contestants on the show always seem to have the height, making it look like producers screen people of a certain height. Interestingly, the key is in a pad on which contestants stand which adjusts according to their height. 

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