In addition to the love of the game, "Wheel of Fortune" fans love to get to know the contestants at the start of each episode.
This week, the beloved game show welcomed Ashely Fabian, a professional opera singer. If that wasn’t unique enough, Fabian went on to dominate the evening with $67,410 in winnings.
But the moment ended up as a side note after a strange exchange between host Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
While wrapping up the show with their typical banter, Sajak asked White, “Are you an opera buff at all?”
“Yes,” White replied. “I'm not a buff, but I like opera.”
To which Sajak followed, “Have you ever watched opera in the buff? I'm just curious.”
“No!” said White, with a confused expression.
An audible gasp-laugh rose from the audience.
Related
Rather than bask in Fabian’s strong game or maybe think about listening to some opera after the show, internet fans mostly posted about Sajak’s awkward question.
“I feel like I just witnessed a #metoo moment on @WheelofFortune?” offered one viewer.
Another stunned fan asked, “Did Pat Sajak just ask Vanna White if she watches the opera naked? #WhatInTheWhatNow?”
And some were more than just mildly confused. "....These are filmed three months in advance. They could edit this crap. Please Pat. Retire. You have lost your filter.”
Related
While that viewer suggested Sajak’s been at it too long – nearly 40 years as host, actually – it’s his and White’s experience dealing with awkward moments that showed again when they quickly quelled the embarrassed vibe.
“I’m just asking questions here,” said Sajak.
“About opera,” White agreed.
Sajak then successfully exited the previous bad dad pun with a different kind of dad joke reference.
“I’ve seen the Marx Brothers in ‘Night of the Opera’ many times. That concludes this in-depth operatic interview.”
The audience chuckled, clapped, and all was right again in the WOF universe.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign up and follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram