A Wheel of Fortune contestant is speaking out after mistakenly trying to solve one of the game's puzzles, which viewers are calling the “worst guess ever.”
Gishma Tabari from New York was on the show when she was asked to solve a puzzle in the 'showbiz' category, with most of the letters already appearing on the board.
Faced with: 'TH- -RITI-S_-GR-E' – Tabari guessed the answer was: 'THE BRITISH OGRE'.
It left both fans and longtime host Pat Sajak stunned.
Sajak gave her a lifeline and asked her to give her answer a second time, only for Tabari to repeat her blunder.
The British Ogre? Wheel of Fortune contestant Gishma Tabari gave a special reaction to a three-way toss-up puzzle, earning the title of 'worst guess ever' on social media
Host Pat Sajak, 77, gave her a lifeline and asked her to give her answer a second time – only for Tabari to repeat her blub
Gishma Tabari and her husband Saman posed with cardboard cutouts of Pat Sajak and Vanna White at the shoot for Wheel of Fortune
The correct response, of course, was “THE CRITICS AGREE” – but the deed was done and social media was abuzz with speculation about what she had really wanted to say.
“Why did I say it again?” Tabari thought to herself.
Before joining the show, Tabari was afraid of giving a “stupid” answer to one of the game's puzzles.
“The funny thing was, right before I went on, I went to my husband, Saman, and I thought…” My fear is that I'm going to go on the show and say or do something stupid that everyone will like. I'm going to laugh.' That's exactly what happened.' she said Fox news.
Tabari explained that she believes her gamble was simply a product of her creativity.
“I think it just came from my imagination. From the moment I got up there and saw the sign, that's what I saw. Now that I look at it, I think… it doesn't make any sense.”
Her response seemed to gain traction on social media, with some users mocking her.
The ultimate answer was 'The Critics Agree' – but Tabari's answer showed a touch of creativity
Despite the online commotion and her terrible response, Tabari achieved her goal of actually being on the show she had been watching since she was five.
Her answer seemed to gain traction on social media, with some users mocking her while others praised her creativity
'What? You've never heard of the British Ogre,” one user joked.
“This woman just guessed this puzzle as The British Ogre,” another user added. 'So many British Ogres in showbiz.'
“This girl guessed 'The British Ogre' on the wheel of fortune and the shame was overwhelming,” another commented. 'She wouldn't look at the camera for even a second. I feel bad, but man, that shit was funny.”
“British Ogre sounds like a cool band name,” said one person.
“Honestly, I prefer THE BRITISH OGRE as the puzzles could use a little more crazy originality at times,” said another.
“There were some hurtful comments… but honestly I wasn't upset by it…” People generally don't know who I am. I have a degree, I'm working… I feel like I just had a rough moment on national television,” she explained.
Tabari dismissed all criticism and took comfort in the fact that people don't know her, except for one memorable moment of confusion.
However, she did admit that she would love to get another chance on the show.
“If I could do it again, I would just have more fun and be less anxious,” Tabari said.
Despite the online commotion and her terrible response, Tabari achieved her goal of actually being on the show she had been watching since she was five.
She still managed to walk away with a cash prize and a cruise to the Bahamas.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White pictured on Wheel of Fortune
In June, Sajak, 77, announced he would be leaving Wheel of Fortune after the show's 41st season wrapped.
“Well, the time has come. “I have decided that our 41st season, which starts in September, will be my last,” he said.
“It's been a wonderful ride and I'll have more to say in the coming months. Thank you to all of you,” he added.
Suzanne Prete, Sony Pictures Television's executive vice president of game shows, revealed that Sajak will serve as a consultant on the show for three years.
Sajak became the host of Wheel of Fortune on December 28, 1981, after Chuck Woolery hosted from the show's premiere in 1975 until he left over a salary dispute.
Vanna White joined the show in 1982 after original host Susan Stafford left to become a humanitarian aid worker.
Created by Merv Griffin, Wheel of Fortune is the longest-running syndicated game show in the US.