Folks if you missed Monday's episode of Wheel of Fortune you missed something truly special . We're talking about P.J. Wilder a contestant who brought a level of energy and excitement to the show that we haven't seen in a while. This guy wasn't just playing Wheel of Fortune he was putting on a whole performance and the internet is loving it.
'Sand in my Swimsuit' and Hulk Moves: Wilder's Wild Ride to the Bonus Round
P.J. Wilder came onto the Wheel of Fortune stage with a look all his own sporting a fantastic mustache and mullet combo that even host Ryan Seacrest had to ask about. Wilder joked that his look was inspired by Hercule Poirot and even had some funny lines about eating with his mustache. But it wasn't just his style it was his gameplay that really grabbed attention.
Throughout the game Wilder was super enthusiastic. But things really took off during the penultimate puzzle. With $18000 on the line he solved "SAND IN MY SWIMSUIT" in the "Pet Peeve" category and his reaction was priceless. He yelled "Count it! Count it! Sand in my swimsuit!" and then things got even wilder. Wilder screamed something that sounded a lot like "Let's f-ing go!" and even mimed ripping his shirt off like the Hulk! He went for a hug with Ryan Seacrest but ended up getting his mustache playfully grabbed instead.
This win boosted Wilder to over $33000 in cash and prizes heading into the Bonus Round. Seacrest even joked before the commercial break that viewers needed to stay tuned because "I don’t know what’s going to happen with him in the Bonus Round but it’s going to be interesting." Understatement of the year.
'Pinch Me! Pinch Me!': The Bonus Round and a Car Win for the Ages
The Bonus Round puzzle category was "What Are You Wearing?" and the puzzle looked like "_ _ _ – _ _ _ _ _ _ _E". Wilder was chatting away with Ryan and Vanna White trying to figure out the letters. He even thought he saw Vanna react positively to one of his letter choices. The tension was building.
Then it happened Wilder guessed it: "ZIP-UP HOODIE!" His reaction? Pure disbelief and more over-the-top excitement . He turned to Ryan Seacrest and said "How is this happening? Please pinch me! Pinch me!" And Seacrest actually pinched him! Wilder yelled "Hey!" like he couldn't believe it was real.
Seacrest then revealed the big news: Wilder had won a yellow Mini Cooper convertible valued at over $41000. Wilder's total winnings for the night? A whopping $74860! He was ecstatic hopping into his new car honking the horn high-fiving Vanna and introducing her to his wife Katie who was on stage. He even called Vanna a "legend."
Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White React to Wilder's Hilarious Energy
Ryan Seacrest who took over hosting duties from Pat Sajak in September seemed to be thoroughly entertained by Wilder's antics. He played along with the "pinch me" request and even joked with Wilder's wife Katie about his personality. When Seacrest asked Katie "What's he really like off-camera?" she laughed and said "Just like this!" Seacrest replied "I'm not surprised." It's clear Wilder is just genuinely enthusiastic all the time.
Vanna White who has been on Wheel of Fortune for decades also seemed to enjoy Wilder's energy. Wilder called her a "legend" and introduced his wife to her showing how much he appreciated both hosts. Even though Vanna admitted to being "very scared" about Seacrest taking over from Pat Sajak she and Ryan seem to be a great team and handled Wilder's wildness like pros.
Listing of P.J. Wilder's Wheel of Fortune Winnings:
- Cash Prize (from puzzles before Bonus Round): $33660
- Yellow Mini Cooper Convertible: Valued at $41200
- Total Winnings: $74860
Fan Reactions: "Annoying" or "Entertaining"? Viewers Sound Off on Wilder's Viral Episode
Of course with such an over-the-top personality viewers online had some strong reactions to P.J. Wilder. While many found his enthusiasm hilarious and entertaining others... not so much. Some viewers on social media even dubbed him "the most annoying contestant ever." One Reddit user commented "Anyone else think this guy PJ is the most annoying contestant ever?" and many agreed.
Some viewers felt he was too dramatic cut Ryan Seacrest off and was generally over the top. One commenter said "I don’t remember the last time I felt uncomfortable watching a contestant." Another added "I literally came here to express the same sentiment. I don't think I've ever seen a contestant that irritated me so much." Some even noticed his wife seemed a bit awkward during his celebrations. It seems Wilder's personality was a bit polarizing.
But hey whether you loved him or found him a bit much you can't deny P.J. Wilder made for a memorable Wheel of Fortune episode. He certainly brought the energy and excitement and his "pinch me" moment is definitely going to be a Wheel of Fortune highlight reel clip for years to come. Love him or hate him P.J. Wilder made Wheel of Fortune history.