Last week, we reported that Wheel of Fortune fans were livid with the new host Ryan Seacrest after he failed to mention Pat Sajak during his first episode. Now, things have gotten even worse for Seacrest, as he’s found himself in hot water with fans of the game show once again.
Seacrest’s Potential $1 Million Error
Seacrest is being blamed for one contestant missing a shot at winning a $1 million prize. This reportedly happened during Seacrest’s second episode hosting the beloved game show beside Vanna White.
It all started when a contestant named Airica spun a $1 million dollar wedge during her turn. This wedge could have been swapped out for the $100,000 wedge in the bonus round. This means that if Airica won the game, she could have walked away a millionaire.
After solving the first puzzle, Airica landed on a $1,000 mystery wedge. She was then given the choice to unveil it or leave it. Once she chose the letter “T,” Seacrest kept explaining the rules.
“So Airica, those two T’s are worth $2,000,” he said. “You could keep those, or you could risk them by what’s seeing on the other side. It could be a bankrupt or it could be $10,000.”
Airica chose to “risk it,” only to reveal the bankrupt wedge.
“Got to take the mystery and the million-dollar wedge,” Seacrest told her afterwards.
“Sorry about that!” he added, with a visibly dejected Airica replying, “It’s OK.”
Fans Slam Seacrest
Afterwards, fans were left fuming that Seacrest didn’t properly explain to Airica that she would have to give up the chance at the million-dollar prize ahead of time.
They pointed out that Sajak, who hosted Wheel of Fortune for 43 years before retiring at the end of last season, always made a point of explaining these rules thoroughly so that there would be no confusion among contestants.
“Pat would’ve explained that if she took the risk, she would’ve lost the million-dollar wedge,” one fan commented on social media. Another added, “Seacrest is doing okay but he’s yelling a lot. He didn’t help the poor woman reminding her she had a million on a mystery wedge.”
“Pat would always remind the contestants if they look under the $10,000 they could lose their $1 million wedge. Ryan needs to do this too…” a third fan wrote.
Seacrest Gets Defended
This comes after a source close to Seacrest spoke out to defend him for not mentioning Sajak by name during his first episode hosting Wheel of Fortune.
“Ryan is not used to taking over as a host for anything,” the insider told Daily Mail. “He is used to starting ventures so for him to do this is new.”
“He has spent months and months honoring Pat,” the source continued. “But Pat is gone, and Ryan is taking the show and the audience in a new direction. Pat didn’t wish him luck publicly.”
The insider went on to say that Seacrest wants to take Wheel of Fortune in a “new direction” now that Sajak is gone.
‘”Ryan was contemplating jokingly saying ‘Sajak out’ on the episode, but he decided against it. This is now his show with his viewers,” the source explained. “Pat knows he is grateful for this opportunity. But even so, Pat was not the one who hired Ryan.”
“Wheel of Fortune is spinning in a new direction and there was simply no need,” the insider concluded.
Sajak is widely considered to be one of the most talented and beloved game show hosts of all time. This means that filling his shoes is undoubtedly no easy task. Only time will tell if Seacrest is able to overcome his rough start and win over the Wheel of Fortune fans who appear to be quickly turning on him in a big way.
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