A Wheel of Fortune Contestant Mispronounced ‘Flamenco’ and It Cost Him the Entire Prize

In the history of game shows, there have been a lot of memorable moments. None though seem quite as educational as a recent Wheel of Fortune contestant who will now never, ever forget how to pronounce “flamenco dance lessons.”

On the show, a contestant named Jonny had completed an answer on the board reading: “Flamenco Dance Lessons.” All he had to do was read the phrase and he would take home $7,100. Easier done than said, apparently. Instead of saying “flamenco,” the man said “flamingo,” as in the pink bird whose plastic copies are common sites in yards. Host Pat Sajak had no choice but to buzz him for delivering an incorrect answer, leaving Jonny in a sad state of shock over losing out on his cash prize and trip to Spain.

Jonny’s botched pronunciation of “flamenco” gave his opponent, Ashley, the chance to swoop in, pronounce the “flamenco dance lessons” correctly, and take home the money. Jonny was still confused over his error, so Sajak explained: “What we all heard was — and I know you didn’t mean to say it — but you gave us a G instead of a C.”

This isn’t the first time a game show has crushed a man’s dreams over a mispronunciation. Earlier this year, a contestant on Jeopardy! lost $3,200 after calling Coolio’s song “Gangster’s Paradise” instead of the correct answer, which is “Gangsta’s Paradise.”