If you’ve ever watched Wheel of Fortune, you know how high the stakes can feel for contestants on that spinning stage. For many, it’s a dream come true—standing under the bright lights, spinning that iconic wheel, and hoping to walk away with a life-changing sum of money. Some contestants walk off as champions, others have near-misses, but every once in a while, one contestant makes a moment so unforgettable that it becomes part of Wheel history—for better or worse.
That’s exactly what happened with Matt, a contestant whose otherwise solid performance was forever eclipsed by one single, baffling guess. Though he left the show with an impressive $23,350 in winnings, his now-infamous answer has lived on as perhaps the most hilariously incorrect guess the show has ever seen.
The Setup: A Chance to Shine
During one of the show’s regular puzzles, Matt had already shown he was a strong contender. He’d racked up a good amount of prize money and played with confidence. But then came the round that would truly test him—and ultimately make him a viral sensation.
The puzzle for that round fell under the category of “People”—a common and usually manageable category. The board showed a three-word phrase. Matt had the option to either guess a letter to reveal more of the puzzle or take a chance and solve the whole thing outright. With a dramatic flair, he decided to guess a letter, choosing “N”.
As the letter “N” popped up on the board, the puzzle now read:
N_ T – _ N _ R _ T _ _ N TH_
The audience held their breath. It seemed like there were enough clues on the board for a reasonably good guess.
Matt took a second. He narrowed his eyes. Then, with all the confidence in the world and what can only be described as theatrical delivery, he blurted out:
“The Greatest Buttercut.”
The Reaction: Silence, Laughter, and Pure Confusion
For a moment, there was total silence.
Even host Pat Sajak, who’s heard just about every kind of creative guess in the show’s long history, appeared momentarily stunned. A few awkward chuckles rippled through the audience. And viewers at home? Many did a double-take, wondering if they had misheard.
After all, the answer didn’t even include the letter “N”—the very letter Matt had just asked for. The guess not only didn’t make sense grammatically, it didn’t fit phonetically or thematically either. “Buttercut”? Was that even a word?
The correct answer, of course, was “The Next Generation.” A common enough phrase, especially for fans of Star Trek, who were likely shouting at their TVs in disbelief.
Going Viral: A Wheel of Fortune Moment That Lives On
It wasn’t long before Matt’s guess made the rounds online. Clips from the show were uploaded to social media platforms and shared widely, with many calling it one of the worst guesses in game show history. The internet, never one to let a meme-worthy moment slip by, did its thing—spawning reaction videos, memes, and even merchandise poking fun at the phrase “The Greatest Buttercut.”
Some fans joked that “Buttercut” sounded like the name of a niche superhero or an indie band. Others wondered how someone could go from winning over $20,000 to becoming an accidental comedy legend within seconds.
And yet, that’s what makes moments like these so beloved on Wheel of Fortune. It’s a live pressure-cooker. It’s easy to make fun from the couch, but when you’re on stage with lights in your face, the clock ticking, and a national audience watching—your brain can go in any direction. Including, apparently, to Buttercut.
What Happened After: Fame, Fortune, and a Lesson in Grace
To Matt’s credit, he handled the situation with grace. He laughed along with the rest of the world and seemed to take the ribbing in stride. Though his misstep may have overshadowed the rest of his performance that night, he still walked away with over $23,000 in winnings—and, perhaps more importantly, a place in game show history.
He may not have solved the puzzle correctly, but he won something even more memorable: a legacy. Decades from now, Wheel of Fortune fans will still be talking about “The Greatest Buttercut.”
Final Thoughts: A Reminder of the Joy in Mistakes
In a world full of high-stakes game shows and ultra-competitive players, Matt’s guess reminds us that humor, humility, and human error are often what make for the most unforgettable television moments.
So what would you do in Matt’s shoes? Would you cringe? Hide? Or laugh right along and own it?
Whatever your answer, one thing is for sure: the next time you find yourself watching Wheel of Fortune, and someone fumbles a guess, you’ll probably think back to Buttercut—and smile.
Would you like more game show blunders like this one? Let me know, and I’ll round up the funniest!