Wheel of Fortune’s Ryan Seacrest slammed for ‘mistake’ Pat Sajak ‘would never make’ in contestant’s devastating $1m loss

WHEEL of Fortune’s Ryan Seacrest has again come under fire for a hosting mishap, as he’s being accused of a mistake former host Pat Sajak ‘would never make.’

Ryan, 49, is hosting his debut season of Wheel of Fortune with Vanna White after replacing longtime star Pat Sajak.

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Ryan Seacrest was slammed by viewers for a mistake he made during Monday night’s episodeCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

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Contestant Vivian was unable to solve the puzzle, as she lost out on a $1 million prizeCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune
The American Idol host’s premiere season with the game show got off to a rocky start with a series of mishaps, as his blunders continued during week two.

On the September 16 episode, contestant Vivian made it to the bonus round to solve the “What Are You Doing?” puzzle.

Vivan picked “C, H, M and P” for consonants, while she picked the letter “I” for her vowel.

When Ryan asked how she was doing, she responded “nervous” as she watched the letters light up.

In an attempt to solve the puzzle, Vivian screamed out, “Wondering some help, answering some help, finding some help, looking around for some help, boundary for help.”

The buzzer then went off, as Vivian couldn’t solve the puzzle.

The correct answer was “offering some help.”

Ryan opened the envelope to see what she would’ve won had she answered correctly, as he then showed her the prize.

Ryan then showed the audience, as they gasped loudly when they saw the $1 million prize.

Wheel of Fortune fans threaten to boycott show over ‘disappointing’ change after Ryan Seacrest’s rocky start as host
Vivan’s jaw dropped and she put her head in her hands in shock.

Ryan smiled and laughed as he said, “You were so close to that million dollars. You almost had it.”

Vivan had trouble speaking as Ryan said, “Are you alright? Breathe! You’re still walking away with $27,300 and that trip to Europe.”

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Ryan Seacrest laughed while telling Vivan she lost $1 millionCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

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Contestants compared Ryan Seacrest to longtime host Pat SajakCredit: Getty

‘NO EMPATHY!’

But fans weren’t happy with how Ryan handled the loss.

One viewer complained, “Ryan doesn’t show the envelope correctly. He keeps showing to the contestant when he should be showing it to the audience and viewers at home.

“Also, he didn’t handle the distraught contestant too well.”

A second agreed, “I hear ya. It’s more devastating maybe than he realizes.”

A third said, “He’s gotta work on his empathy skills. Lol yikes!! Can he even remember what it’s like to not be rich?!  lol oh Ryan.”

“Ryan laughed at her, I felt – Pat was way more demure about it,” another said.

A fifth wrote, “Didn’t Ryan say something like ‘You’re going to kick yourself’ or something like that? While Pat acted like somebody died. I’m not here to pile on Ryan but I preferred Pat’s approach better.”

But others came to the new host’s defense, as one said, “Ryan is doing great, and getting better each day,” while another wrote, “I love Ryan on this show. I’m a big Seacrest fan.”

MORE MISTAKES

Ryan has had a difficult start as host for Season 42, as his also made a mistake on the premiere episode.

During the show, a contestant who mispronounced the word “ripened” while solving a puzzle.

Ryan ignored the mishap and granted the player the win.

“I thought he said the wrong word but when Ryan said he was correct, I assumed I misheard,” one fan wrote on Instagram.

“Why would the producers allow him to win the puzzle when he was wrong? Not a good way to start the new season especially with a new host,” the viewer added.

“I don’t like the fact that Terry mispronounced the winning trip puzzle and he won it!!!! Pat would have said, ‘I’m sorry, Terry that’s not the answer,'” another said.

“Really surprised that the mistake wasn’t caught. He definitely said ‘ripeing’ instead of ‘ripened,'” a third pointed out.

“I agree – I agree, Ryan is fired after the first episode,” a viewer demanded.

RULE BREAKER?

For his second night as host, Andrew faced Airica and Promise.

During a “Showbiz” puzzle, Airica got a $1 million dollar wedge, which could be swapped out for the $100,000 wedge in the bonus round.

“It could be very interesting later in the show,” Ryan said as Airica showed the audience the wedge.

She had an early lead of $15,600 when she correctly solved the puzzle.

Airica landed on a $1,000 mystery wedge and had the choice to unveil it or leave it after correctly selecting a “T” for the next puzzle.

As she neared picking up the wedge Ryan said, “So Airica, those two T’s are worth $2,000. You could keep those or you could risk them by whats seeing on the other side.”

“It could be a bankrupt or it could be $10,000,” he added.

“I’m gonna risk it,” she said as the audience was left shocked over her decision.

It turned out to be a bankrupt.

“Gotta take the mystery and the million-dollar wedge,” Ryan specified, motioning with his hand as it became clear Airica didn’t understand the rules.

“Sorry about that!” Ryan added as she uttered, “It’s okay.”

Airica forfeited her $1 million wedge.

Fans blamed Ryan for failing to tell her that she also had to give up the $1 million wedge ahead of time.

Fans took to social media to express that Ryan didn’t properly explain the rules like his predecessor Pat, 77, would have.

“Pat would’ve explained that if she took the risk, she would’ve lost the million-dollar wedge,” one X user wrote.

“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…” wrote a third.

Wheel of Fortune Host Timeline

Although Pat and Vanna have been a staple on the game show for decades, there have been other hosts

Chuck Woolery was the host from 1975 to 1981

He co-hosted alongside Susan Stafford (1975 to 1982)

Vanna White then stepped in as hostess in 1982 and has been ever since

After a contract and salary dispute, the show got rid of Chuck and brought in Pat in 1982

Pat hosted with Susan for one season

He then left the game show in 1989 to host a late-night talk show for CBS

For five months, NFL player Rolf Benirschke took his place

In July 1989, Bob Goen hosted the show on CBS

He hosted for a year and a half until the show was canceled in 1991

The show was then moved to ABC with Pat and Vanna hosting for the foreseeable future

In 2023, Pat announced his retirement and Ryan Seacrest as quickly named as his replacement

SET BACKLASH

Fans have also complained about the brand new set, as some even threatened to boycott the show.

“Ryan is doing very well. However, the set is horribly distracting. It’s too hard to focus on the puzzle. I believe I’ve just watched my last WOF,” one Instagram user said.

“Way too bright!” said another.

“I really dislike the new set,” added a third.

“Still love the show…but the set is absolutely horrible!!! It makes me not want to watch the show!” a social media user wrote.

“I can NOT with the set!!! Such a disappointment. I changed it to Game Show Network to watch reruns,” complained another.

Wheel of Fortune airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ABC.

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Ryan Seacrest has had a bumpy start as host in his first two weeksCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

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Ryan Seacrest is hosting alongside Vanna WhiteCredit: Getty