Pat Sajak, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ presenter, upset a number of viewers on Monday when he apparently mocked a contestant with a speech impediment.
The longtime host for the contest program tried to keep things light during Monday’s performance when he introduced contestants. While doing so, Sajak chatted with contestant Chris Brimble. After explaining to the host what he was doing to make money, it became clear to the viewers and the host that Brimble was speaking with a slight lisp.
Sajak heard him and even commented on the importance of his work, which brings technology to older adults. The host ended the short interview by saying “I see you” instead of “I see.”
While Brimble simply laughed at the moment, viewers who were upset about the contestant’s apparent mockery of the contestant’s speech impediment, addressed her on Twitter to express their outrage.
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“Did @patsajak just joke with one of the contestants ??” wrote one user.
“@patsajak Hey d —- sack, says a cheap shot mocking a contestant with a lisp. I’m learning speech therapy. You’ve been on the air too long. It’s time you retire. Your sarcasm is offensive and just funny for idiots like yourself, ” added a particularly angry viewer.
“Hopefully you accidentally learned and stopped mocking those with a lisp. As a woman who lived her whole life with one (and my parents put me in speech classes when I went to school as a teenager), I found it’s horrible that you do that kind of shit, ” wrote a third user.
“As someone your age, who grew up with hearing-impaired cousins, I was taught that we NEVER mocked their speech pattern. To this day, I would not even think of doing what you did. ‘High horse about it. You were 100% wrong. Own it and DO BETTER! ” added another user.
Pat Sajak, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ host, suffered a setback for mocking a contestant with a speech impediment.
(Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
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“@patsajak There’s a clear reason why Trebek has always been a better host than you were,” wrote another angry viewer.
“@patsajak you have to be a Trumpster supporter who makes fun of people with speech impediments. I think you’re a little bit nothing! Producers have time to get rid of this overpaid idiot and present someone decent who does the show present! You stink sajak !! ” wrote another.
Representatives of Sajak did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
According to Yahoo Entertainment, Brimble’s game does not appear to be being pushed back by the host’s push. He then earns $ 12,250 in prize money, but shoots his shortfall on the bonus puzzle and wins it.
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At the end of the show, Sajak touches on one moment of his interview with the contestant who had nothing to do with the offended joke. Brimble asked how long should one marry before they are no longer considered ‘newlyweds’?
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“You know I’m been married for 31 years and I still feel like a newlywed,” Sajak said at the end of the program, co-presenter Vana White. “It’s going to be a big night at the Sajak House.”