‘Wheel of Fortune’: Ryan Seacrest Under Fire for Harsher Ruling Than Pat Sajak
Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest spun into controversy last week over a hotly contested ruling against a player who many viewers felt was unfairly denied a $2,000 puzzle. Longtime fans now claim Pat Sajak would have handled the exact same situation differently and been kinder to the contestant, having found at least one instance of the former host doing so.
On the December 5 episode, things hit a snag during the final “Food and Drink” triple toss-up puzzle. A contestant named Clint incorrectly guessed “Well-Seasoned Meal.” Next, Adrianne buzzed in but faltered, leaving Jenn Walker as the last player who could answer. Host Seacrest told her, “Take your time, and don’t let it fill out.” Jenn correctly solved it as “Well-Balanced Meal,” but the trouble was she didn’t ring in first. Seacrest yelled, “Buzzer!” and the $2,000 puzzle was thrown out as the studio audience audibly gasped.
This led to an awkward deliberation where Seacrest turned to the producers, “Can we get the judges on that? She didn’t buzz but gave an answer?” The judges upheld the decision, with Seacrest explaining, “You gotta buzz in.” Jenn replied, “Okay.” Clint finished with $26,150, thus winning the episode, while Jenn finished in a narrow second place with $20,490.
Fans slammed the ruling at the time, arguing Jenn deserved the $2,000 since this was a rare instance where she was the only player left who could answer. “Wheel of Fortune did Jenn dirty,” one viewer wrote on X at the time. Others argued that Sajak would have done the same as rules are rules. However, that apparently isn’t so.
On Monday, a fan took to the WoF Reddit forum sharing a side-by-side video (below) of Seacrest’s ruling and a ruling from Sajak on the April 1, 2024 episode where he ruled a player’s way in the exact same situation.
In that episode, two players similarly whiffed a triple-toss-up, leaving a player named Alicia the only one who could answer it. She correctly solved it as “The Joker Is Wild” without ringing in. Sajak allowed it, telling her, “Alicia didn’t actually ring in. You were the only one left. It’s all fine, all clear. We’re not going to jail or anything.”
It seems the changed the rule on whether you have to buzz in if you’re the last remaining player on a Toss-Up
byu/RAS310 inWheelOfFortune
The user titled the post, “It seems the changed the rule on whether you have to buzz in if you’re the last remaining player on a Toss-Up.”
Other fans spun to the comments section expressing shock that Seacrest ruled more harshly than Sajak, some pushed for Jenn to be invited back on technicality.
“I’m glad someone posted about this. I had the same thought watching it,” one fan commented.
“Really????? Lame technicality ruling. Common sense would be evident if your the last person in the round there would be no need to buzz. DUH!” wrote another.
“I thought it was really wrong when Ryan said she had to buzz in, not making any new friends doing that,” wrote a third.
“Yeah, when I saw that I said she’s coming back,” wrote a fourth.
It’s unclear if the game show changed the rule for Seacrest’s Season 42 alongside the iconic Vanna White or if the judges decided to stick with his initial call as to not make him look bad. But it certainly bothered already irked fans to see that Sajak did, in fact, allow puzzle solves without ringing in for the only player left.
What do you think of the ruling against Jenn? Do you think Seacrest should ease up on rulings to reflect Sajak doing so in the past? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
Buzzer should not have been needed. She was the only person that could win.
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M
People know he’s just a face right he don’t make the rules that would be the producers
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G
Bring that final contestant back who didn't use the buzzer to correctly solve onto a future WoF programme is the only fair thing to do; Since the dawn of television, quite a few contestants have been brought back onto a subsequent episode of the same game show on a technicality. Take away this particular incident, Ryan Seacrest has done a "Wheely" good job since Pat Sajak stepped down IMO.
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C
He asked for a ruling, got it, confirmed, lost!!!! There are rules in place, just because you people don’t believe in them, doesn’t validate your opinions!!!!
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G
What’s the point of ringing in when you’re the only contestant that can answer? It was a bad call!
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O
I think they should leave it alone and keep doing it the way pat sajak has always done the show don't change his ways he was the best and always will be.
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R
Stop comparing Ryan Seacrest to Pat Sajat, because they are two different people from two different generations.
Ryan has done a great job considering that he is being compared 5 days week, from his first year as a host to Pat's 41 years as a host on Wheel of Fortune.
Pat also made mistakes on the show, for example, accidentally solving a puzzle.
Ryan will only get better, just like Ken Jennings on Jeopardy.
However, I'm concerned about on why people keeping "thing" for the bonus round.
No one gets those!!!!
What are you doing or Phrase!!!!
8 4
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R
Rules are rules. If you start bending the rules then that can lead to other rules being pushed aside.
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G
Sajak retired. Seacrest took his place. They are two different people and constantly reminding if differences makes me not want to watch any more. If the network wanted sajak they should have kept him. I say stop comparing the two.
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B
I agree I feel pat sajak has just decided he wants to come back I think ryans doing a good job people need to stop saying what pat would have done and accept ryan is there to stay
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O
If you are the only player left than you shouldn't have to buzz in. They need to tell contestants before hand about this. She should be brought back to the show.
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C
Why would you need to buzz in if you are last contestant? There’s nothing wrong with reversing the decision or making that a rule.
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P
The judges make the ruling not the host
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P
He turned to the producers, and they said she didn't buzz in also it wasn't only his decision!!
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G
Stand your ground, Ryan.
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G
Rules are rules. They are not made to be broken! Next time buzz in!
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B
Sounds ĺike some liberals here having Double Standards. Just sayìn
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G
I think, bring her back
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O
The buzz also stopped the letters. Unless the contestant can finish the speaking before all letters unveiled, the rule should hold.
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P
I ve stopped watching; he s a jerk, who thinks he s beyond reproach!!!! If Pat
Dsn t really wnt to com bck, hav Maggie tak ovr; SHE SHOULD have been th LOGICAL CHOICE ANYWAY!!’ I KNO I M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELS THIS WAY!!!!!!
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O
I'm glad I stopped watching when Seacrest was hired. I don't like him at all. Show is done for me.
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O
Get rid of him (Ryan)
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R
I wished Sajak was back are someone better than Seacrest.
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G
Ryan is a better host than Sajak could ever THINK of being! Much warmer, friendlier and inviting. Sajak should’ve retired years ago.
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