Ryan Seacrest survived his first mistake as host of “Wheel of Fortune” with a little help co-host Vanna White — and eagle-eyed fans took notice.
The multi-hyphenate host of the long-running show kept a contestant in suspense by pausing for too long after she correctly solved a puzzle.
Contestant Cody Hunger was playing a bonus round October 4 episode of “Wheel of Fortune,” who recently won the week-long BetMGM Big Winners Tournament.
He chose a puzzle from the “Phrase” category for his final challenge.
After spinning the wheel, Hunter chooses four additional letters to help solve the puzzle: “C, D, Y, O” – letters that also spell his name when rearranged.
Hunger had only 10 seconds to secure the $94,900 jackpot, and despite the pressure, solved the puzzle correctly, guessing “out of the way”. But, instead of immediately declaring Hunger the winner, Seacrest left it hanging for a few mysterious seconds.
His co-host, White, felt the tension when she smiled and gave a small clap, indicating to Hunger that he had guessed correctly while they waited for Seacrest to confirm the win.
Finally, Seacrest spoke. “Cody? That’s it!”
Hunger apparently satiated, leaning back she said, “Oh my God.”
“You got this! Congratulations,” Seacrest said, smiling from ear to ear. Hunger was joined by his friends as the stage was showered with confetti and streamers.
It didn’t take long for “Wheel of Fortune” fans to understand Seacrest’s delayed reaction, because TV Insider noted.
In a Reddit thread titled, “How about that break,” The original poster read, “What a nightmare it was for that guy as he had to wait for Ryan to wake up and tell him he found the puzzle.”
One fan said, “I love Ryan but this is his first blooper hahaha.”
Another defended the host, writing, “Ryan clearly did this for dramatic effect.”
“The pause was robotic. Didn’t even mention what he won from Solve,” grumbled another “Wheel” watcher.
Someone else commented, “I love Ryan but this is his first blooper hahaha.”
One person suggested that this pause was intentional. He wrote, “I believe this pause is due to the producers’ desire to produce drama.” “This has happened to Ryan several times now.”
“Not a fan of the way the show is being produced since he took over the lead role, Juice says… it was quite strange.”
Still others discussed White’s response.
“Vanna was clapping as soon as I said this! I’m just here to see the reactions,” one fan commented.
Another viewer suggested, “I think because Vanna reacted so quickly it caught my attention, so it took a while to hear that it was right. I don’t think it was meant to be a reaction.”
He added: “I think he’s been stupid!”
Seacrest began hosting “Wheel of Fortune” on September 9. taking over Work Previously hosted by Pat Sajak.
“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” creator Sajak not mentioned In your initial comments.
“Welcome to Wheel of Fortune. I’m your host, Ryan Seacrest,” he said in his “Wheels” debut. “I still can’t believe my luck to be here tonight with all of you to continue the legacy of this incredible show And of course, with my good friend Vanna White.”
The former “Live with Kelly & Ryan” host thanked the audience for the “very warm welcome” and shared that “hosting Wheel of Fortune is a dream job.”
“I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid, watching it with my family in Atlanta, and I know how special it is that the Wheel has been in your living room for the last 40 years, and I’m just so I’m grateful to have been invited,” he told the audience. “I also know I have some big things to do, so let’s play Wheel of Fortune!”
Seacrest is performing well for “Wheels”. according to TV InsiderThe first week of TV Personality brought the show’s strongest week of ratings in five years.
