Note: This story was originally reported in February 2020 and is being republished.
Wheel of Fortune viewers were left laughing — and slightly shocked — after a puzzle solution took on an unexpectedly risqué tone during a memorable episode of the long-running game show. Contestant Adam Goodell correctly solved the puzzle “Brushing Up On My Italian Sausage,” earning $2,450 and a spot in the bonus round.
While the phrase was technically accurate, many viewers couldn’t help but focus on how suggestive it sounded when revealed on screen. Almost immediately, social media lit up with reactions. Twitter users shared screenshots of their TVs and flooded the platform with jokes, disbelief, and laughing emojis. Some labeled the puzzle “kinky,” while others called it one of the most unintentionally hilarious moments in the show’s history.
One viewer joked about which intern might have approved the phrase, while another wrote that the jokes “basically wrote themselves.” Several fans admitted they had to do a double-take when the puzzle was fully revealed, with one simply commenting, “That doesn’t sound right.”
Even host Pat Sajak appeared amused by the moment. After laughing along with the audience, he quickly stepped in to clarify, explaining that the phrase was, in fact, a grilling expression — not what many viewers initially thought. Whether intentional or not, the puzzle became a viral moment, reminding fans why Wheel of Fortune continues to surprise and entertain audiences decades after its debut.