For years, Pat Sajak has had to play referee and good friend at different times to contestants on Wheel of Fortune. These good-natured contestants want to come on and have a good time. When they do, though, some of them go over the edge a little bit. Recently, one went right up to the edge, so to speak. It sent Sajak on a little rant at times.

So, this contestant received a “stern” warning from Sajak. Michael Colen, who was the winner of the Nov. 3 episode, really did delight the audience with his comedic antics and over-the-top reactions during his appearance on the ABC series. But Colen said to Fox News Digital that Sajak, 77, had a word with him during a commercial break. 

“He came up to me and just told me, ‘Hey, Michael, you know, this is my show, right?’” Colen recalled. “And I politely said, ‘Yes, sir, it is your show for 41 years,’” he added. “So, it was funny, of course. But it was stern,” Colen added. “There was a stern drop of sternness to it.”

When the episode started, Colen introduced himself as a middle school math teacher from Sacramento, California, and a “secret rap star.” From the start, Colen was all in on his showmanship. This includes dabbing after a puzzle was solved. 

Then, while giving the spin, Colen declared, “All right wheel, let’s have a relationship!” As the wheel began coming close to the bankrupt wedge, Colen cried out, “Slow down. Slow down!” “Are you yelling at our wheel?” Sajak asked.

Colen’s Fancy Use Of Language Wins On ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Colen solved a puzzle by saying “Let’s not dilly-dally.” Sajak walked over and stood by his side. “He may rap by night, but he can still say dilly-dally,” Sajak said. “I like that.”

But Colen failed to solve the bonus round puzzle. Sajak told him, “I’ll give you a hint. It’s something you didn’t do.” Colen threw his head back and groaned when the puzzle was revealed as “Pick wisely.”

“Sorry I had to go for it,” Sajak said. “You did, you did,” Colen agreed. “And I could do it because you got so much money,” Sajak added.

Colen emerged triumphant in the end, taking home $38,304. So, the episode concluded with Sajak congratulating Colen before the two shook hands and hugged.

Colen, in his interview with Fox News Digital, described his off-screen encounter with Sajak as a “battle of wills.”

“It was two alphas going at it,” he added. “I’m an acquired taste. And … I’ve been putting out music for 30 years, so I have to say I’m an acquired taste.

“So, at first it just took him a quick minute to get used to me. I had to find out where the line was. This is like a lifetime dream. I was screaming, ‘Get me on this show, man,’ for like 30 years.

“So, I had to find out where the line was compared, and Pat just drew it for me.” After watching the episode, Colen told Fox News Digital it appeared Sajak was having fun during the taping.

“I could tell by watching Wheel of Fortune every day — I’m a ‘Wheel’ watcher — that he was authentically enjoying himself,” Colen said. “When I watched the episode, his laughs were hearty. And his body language was good. So, I think everyone had a good time, including him.”