‘Wheel of Fortune’: Ryan Seacrest Mistake Almost Costs Player $50,000 – Fans React
Ryan Seacrest is generally winning over Wheel of Fortune viewers with his energetic take on the game show. However, the relatively new host spun into huge backlash on Wednesday, December 18 after he seemingly failed to acknowledge a player’s correct bonus puzzle solve. Fans claimed she would have lost out on the $50,000 prize if she hadn’t repeated herself.
The messy moment involved Noel Ballacco, a Disney rollercoaster lover from Eastchester, New York. She proceeded to the coveted bonus round with $13,100 and the selection of “People” as her category. Faced with the two-word puzzle, she selected a “G” as her first additional letter and then an “L.” Despite this letter being part of “RSTLNE,” Seacrest said, “Okay.” This in itself a mistake, Ballancon corrected it herself, backtracking to choose an “M,” I,” and “C.” The puzzle read as, “GRE_T’ ‘_I_S.'”
The 10-second timer began, and Ballanco’s first guess was what sounded to many fans, and to Vanna White, like it was the correct answer “Great Kids.” The iconic letter turner burst into a grin and nodded. But the timer continued, Seacrest didn’t say anything and she wasn’t rewarded the puzzle.
In her second try, Ballanco more clearly said, “Great Kids?” White shrugged and seemingly looked at the host in confusion (below). The host finally ruled she was correct, “Yes! That’s it!”
The broadcast cut to show that Ballanco had won $50,000 from the golden envelope, and what made the round even more puzzling was Seacrest was never shown opening it, instead yelling “Yes, yes yes,” putting his hands over his mouth imitating the player.
On Reddit, a fan titled a post in the WoF forum, “12/18 bonus round.” They wrote, “Did anyone else catch she said the correct answer, but Ryan didn’t call it out as being correct at first. She had to say it a second time before it was acknowledged. I even back tracked my TV to make sure I heard it right the first time around.”
Other fans spun to the comments section, saying Seacrest “bleeped up” and were shocked by what they perceived as him not hearing the initial correct solve.
“Yes! Even Vanna nodded her head and said yes after the first time she said it,” one fan wrote.
“Yep! I was wondering what was going on,” wrote another.
“Ryan has to pick up his game. I heard it too. Almost had a controversy,” wrote a third.
“It’s the guys 1st season…how about giving him a little break?” argued a fourth.
To which a fifth wrote, “Agreed, he’s had some rough patches on some things I can understand that he might not get right, however this is fundamental day 1 basic stuff.
A sixth wrote, “Ryan bleeped up and they left it in for the world to see.”
And a seventh, “Good thing she repeated herself! Otherwise it would have been a mess.”
Over on X, fans also reacted to the bungled bonus round, one writinng, “She said, “Great kids” first thing? Come on Ryan, pay attention!”
“I know! The poor girl. She nailed it and he left her hanging,” wrote another.
“Glad she won but she said it the first time idk why it took the producers 2-3 times to confirm that was the answer glad she won but just saying,” wrote a third.
“First of all, Ryan didn’t tell her to pick another consonant because L was in the original lineup,” wrote a fourth. Then, he took forever to tell her that she got the puzzle right. Also why was Ryan so awkward after this win? What’s wrong with this guy???”
Meanwhile, Seacrest, of course, had big shoes to fill in the legendary Pat Sajak. His debut month was the strongest ratings month for WoF in the past three years, and he’s endeared fans with his contestant interviews, which he does without cue cards. That said, there have been some other questionable hosting moments.
In September, Seacrest had a similar “blooper” with a delayed bonus round reaction. Fans also blamed a lack of experience on Seacrest’s mishandling of a contestant’s $1million wedge, which she instantly forfeited. Last month, fans called out the host for not reminding a player to pick a letter, leading to him losing the game in a misunderstanding and by a mere $147. More recently, the host denied a player’s correct puzzle solve because she didn’t ring in first, despite being the only player left allowed to answer it. Earlier this week, fans blamed Seacrest for a player’s express round fail. No transition is letter-perfect!
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
I get tired of people always finding fault with him. He's a new guy on the block & he has a great sense of humor. Same with Jeopardy. Criticizing Ken. Do u people like anybody? I think they do a great job.
29 5
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B
I think he was right in waiting she said greet kids not great kids....listen to it she is saying greet not great
21
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G
That is exactly what I heard. GREET KIDS.
Also heard Greek the second time
1
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B
I think he was just being cautious because it really wasn’t clear what she first said exactly. People need to back off and cut him some slack! Overall, I think he’s doing a great job, and I’m enjoying the show.
22 7
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R
She definitely said GREET KIDS twice, I still don't think she even said GREAT KIDS (Ryan buckled). Oh well, WoF has lots of money 🤣
14 1
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G
She said Greet kids twice.
4 1
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P
Everybody is human stop nik picking Ryan he is doing an excellent job I didn't understand her answer either people just look for something to gripe about I love Ryan he is great hope he stays until the show ends
13 1
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R
It's "nit picking"
2
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O
Thank you Jess! These people love negativity! It did not cost the lady a dime! People, get over it and stop your drama! That is why they have people listening in and are able to speak to Ryan through the ear piece. Many times I do not understand what they say or a word they use. It was fixed and she lives happily ever after!
4
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O
He's doing great, it would be wise not to compare him to Pat, give him a little credit, he's still getting the hang of the game show. Back off people!!
13 3
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B
I am very happy with Ryan. I actually don't miss Pat. He was actually getting bored with the show. Vert obvious. Good thing he retired.
14 5
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B
Just glad she repeated the answer because I think Maggie taking Ryans place will lose fans most younger people don't watch wheel anyway or jeopardy.
10 1
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G
I hope Maggie doesn't take anybody's place
12 3
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G
Well Maggie would be a lot cheaper than Ryan's ridiculous contract.
2 1
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O
I love Ryan, and he and Vanna are fun and make WofF worth viewing.
The show has a lot of money due to way too too many commercials!
8 3
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O
The other night was particularly awkward though. He asked if she needed help with her tree. She immediately replied NO. He's like oh ok. YIKES not as organic, hardly any natural chemistry between them. And I don't mean "attraction" chemistry obviously, he is a bit awkward with almost everyone.
1
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R
Ryan was correct to wait because she said "greet kids" she never said "great kids" once. She got away with one.
3
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G
People need to stop writing negative things online about Ryan. Everyone deserves a grace period when starting something new.
If you don't like it, don't watch!
2
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C
I really like Ryan. He’s very personable. He doesn’t mind giving hugs or getting them. What show do you know hadn’t had a “blooper” or 10. He’s doing a great job.
3 1
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R
Ryan has made a few mistakes but its his first season. I think he is a breath of fresh air after enduring Pat Sajaks for so long. To me he came off rude. Just saying
1
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G
She had plenty of time. Glad she won.
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R
Crtics have so much to say & I wonder how well they would perform on & off camera or stage.
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O
I am the contestant, Noel D’Allacco! I definitely said, GREAT KIDS! I also have a NY accent lol but, Ryan knew what I said. All love for Ryan! It was a great experience!
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O
To make it easier, they should switch the format to the sound of the buzzer to signal if a contestant is right or wrong. A fun, ding-ding for the correct response and a sour song for incorrect responses. No guesswork for the host, who simply reacts based on the sound, controlled by the judges.
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O
Great what now?? That was a little tricky! He was probably waiting for her to say what we all thought. hahaha
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R
Why do you ppl constantly harass the "Hosts" of wheel of fortune? You guys did the same thing to pat sajak Everytime he made an error the whole world had to here about it. They are human, they make mistakes! If she hadn't repeated herself pretty sure it would have gotten figured out in the end. It was recorded after all!
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O
Put yourself in his shoes and try to be perfect.. I think the ratings have gone up by these faux pas
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R
Ryan was probably checking his phone.
1
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B
Probably smoked a blunt before the show
1
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B
He was to busy playing pocket pool
1
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C
Don't watch it anymore. I don't like him.
1 2
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C
Can't stand Ryan! I honestly tried to but now I don't care if I miss it or not.
2
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G
Seacrest needs to be replaced. This is getting insane.
2
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R
I would rather watch Maggie than Ryan.
2
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G
Ryan may need a hearing test 🤔 and hearing aids. He's past 50 and that's when things start going down hill.
2
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B
I stopped watching soon after giving him a fair chance. I Just come here to read about is screw ups. He never disappoints. Don't even tell me "it's his first year give him a break." Blah Blah Blah
The money he is making he needs to nail this no matter what it takes! Hire someone to practice with. Anything, good grief!! This is not rocket science. Can you imagine him trying to remember different lines in a movie role? The movie would never get finished. The guy is brain dead. He probably wants to be fired so he can get paid to leave. I don't think he likes the job.
5 7
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P
Don't complain look in the mirror are you perfect? YOU come & don't watch ? Nobody cares about your opinion
2
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G
Let Ryan flip the letters and bright Vanna up front!!
3
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R
Dudes been coached to save the show money, because of his massive contract.
1 4
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P
i cant stand the little weasel ....... he is always leaning on things or has his hands in his pockets... always in peoples personal bubble ...... he trys way to hard
3 6
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G
He gets the big bucks...he should not have the big blunders
2 5
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B
I think he's a idiot. The job should've went to Pat Sajaks daughter.
1 6
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