Alright game show fans get ready to spin because Wheel of Fortune is bringing the drama both on and off screen! From heartbreaking bonus round losses to Pat Sajak's final celebrity season and some behind-the-scenes shakeups there's a lot happening in the world of Wheel. Let's dive into all the juicy details.
Ouch That Spin Hurts: Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Out on Car Despite "Easy" Bonus Puzzle
Picture this you're crushing it on Wheel of Fortune. You've racked up nearly $40000 plus a trip to Costa Rica. You're feeling good confident maybe even a little smug. Then comes the bonus round the category is "Phrase" and you get the letters R S T L N and E plus your choices G F H and O. The puzzle looks like this: _ _O_L_ _E _EL_GHTE_.
Seems pretty solvable right? Well for contestant Ryan Halsey from Santa Barbara California it unfortunately was not. He guessed "I am delighted" which sounds super close but no cigar. The actual answer? "I WOULD BE DELIGHTED." So close yet so far. And the prize he missed out on? A brand new Ford Bronco. Double ouch.
Fans online were feeling for Ryan big time. Many thought the puzzle was on the easier side for a bonus round and were shocked he didn't nail it. Comments like "That hurt" and expressions of sympathy flooded social media. It just goes to show you even on Wheel of Fortune sometimes the wheel of fortune just doesn't spin your way especially when a car is on the line.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season in Limbo? Blame Football (and Maybe Some Legal Battles Too)
Speaking of drama where is the new season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune? Pat Sajak is back for one last spin co-hosting with Vanna White and everyone was excited to see it right? Well originally it was supposed to air in October 2024 but plans changed big time. Turns out we can thank football for the delay. Yep Monday Night Football to be exact.
ABC which airs Celebrity Wheel of Fortune has a new two-year partnership with the NFL that includes airing Super Bowl LXI. Sports events especially football are huge for TV networks so ABC decided to prioritize Monday Night Football and push Celebrity Wheel of Fortune to 2025.
But football is not the only reason for the delay. Behind the scenes both regular Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have been caught up in a legal fight. Sony Pictures Television is suing CBS claiming breach of contract over international airing rights and CBS has counter-sued. Plus there are discrimination claims from former employees against Sony. Basically things have been a bit messy behind the scenes in game show land. Despite all this Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is still expected to air sometime in 2025. Hopefully Pat Sajak's final celebrity season will get its chance to shine without any more delays.
Pat Sajak's Farewell Tour (One Last Time on Celebrity Wheel): Fans Rejoice at Special Episode
Even though the new season is delayed fans did get a little taste of Pat Sajak back in action. ABC aired a special episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune last December and the internet basically exploded with joy. People were so happy to see Pat back doing what he does best. Social media was full of excited reactions and some fans even wished he would return to the regular Wheel of Fortune.
Pat himself even got in on the fun tweeting "Apparently I’m back on TV tonight. I guess I’d better shave and shower.” That's classic Pat humor right there. The special episode had all the elements fans love Sajak's banter with Vanna White and his jokes with celebrity contestants like Chance the Rapper Dionne Warwick and Lil Jon. It was a reminder of why Pat Sajak is a game show legend.
Pat Sajak is truly an icon. He is not just the face of Wheel of Fortune he actually holds a world record for the longest tenure as a game show host beating out even Bob Barker. Celebrity Wheel of Fortune will be his victory lap a final chance for fans to celebrate his incredible run. Whenever it finally airs it is sure to be a nostalgic and fun watch.
Ryan Seacrest Taking the Wheel: New Host Winning Over Fans "One Spin at a Time!"
Of course we can't forget about the future of Wheel of Fortune. Ryan Seacrest has officially taken over as host for the regular show after Pat Sajak's departure. Taking over from a legend is never easy and Ryan definitely had a bit of a "rocky start" as one article put it. But it seems like he is starting to win fans over.
The article mentions "After a rocky start Ryan is finally winning fans’ hearts one spin at a time!" It takes time for audiences to adjust to a new host especially after someone like Pat Sajak was there for so long. But Ryan Seacrest is a seasoned pro and it sounds like he is finding his groove and making the role his own. Wheel of Fortune is moving into a new era and Ryan is at the helm ready to spin that wheel.
Wheel of Fortune: Key Moments and Takeaways from the Recent Drama
- Contestant's Car Loss: Ryan Halsey missed winning a Ford Bronco in the bonus round on a seemingly easy puzzle sparking fan sympathy.
- "I WOULD BE DELIGHTED" Puzzle: The bonus round puzzle that cost Halsey a car and had fans debating its difficulty.
- Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Delay: The new season was pushed to 2025 due to Monday Night Football scheduling and behind-the-scenes legal issues.
- Pat Sajak's Special Episode: Aired in December 2024 to fan delight showcasing his return and iconic hosting style.
- Ryan Seacrest as New Host: Taking over the regular Wheel of Fortune hosting duties and gradually winning over viewers.
- Legal Battles: Sony and CBS are in a lawsuit impacting Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! behind the scenes.