‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Blast Show Over Big Change
Wheel of Fortune fans think that the contestants on the show have changed since Ryan Seacrest became the host of the game show. Seacrest took over for Pat Sajak in October 2024 when the longtime host retired after 42 seasons. Some Reddit users believe that the people appearing on Wheel are personality hires and don’t actually know how to play the game.
“Don’t know how to play?” a Reddit user posted. “I’m noticing an increase in the number of contestants who seemingly don’t know how to solve, especially after the Final Spin.” For the final spin, each contestant has to guess one letter, whether it is a vowel or consonant. If they can’t guess the puzzle after the letters are on the board, the turn moves to the next player. However, recently, contestants have been continuing to guess a letter after they already called one for the final puzzle.
“I really and truly need to understand why this is happening so much this season. Production needs to step in. It’s ridiculous,” a fan commented.
One fan believes the change happened when Jackie Lamatis left the show as a producer. “She was the one who really ran a tight ship and made sure contestants knew what they were doing,” they said. “I also feel like the contestant recruiters are focused more on personality than puzzle-solving skills; I’ve been hearing that they’re not even doing the traditional five-minute written test with 16 partially-complete puzzles anymore.”
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“I said this on another post, but I have noticed an increase in contestants I’d call characters. It seems like being a fan of the show and wanting to play is not enough to get on the show anymore. You have to be quirky, or over the top, or unique in some way. It seems that production is putting having characters on the show over people who know how to play, and it’s frustrating for people who watch every night. I think it’s an attempt to get a younger crowd interested in a show that’s been on for 40 years,” commented another fan.
“They are picking contestants that will make for quick and viral-worthy videos for social media,” another said.
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I personally like Ryan Seacrest and really and truly think that he is doing a terrific job of being the host of wheel of fortune and I just think that he handles himself very good and he is also very great with the contestants and why in the world are they picking him apart and it sure is not his fault if the contestants make any mistakes as they are just only people who are not perfect and doing their very best to try and get letters and try to solve the puzzle 😉 and give him a break and God bless you all and thanks 😊
40 7
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P
Ryan is absolutely the best replacement for Pat. In fact I’d say I enjoy him more, he does a great job!
Yes I have also noticed a change in the contestants, they are not as good as previous but the game is the same and I still enjoy the show
29 8
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O
They need to get rid of old lady Vanna & put a hot host like Pats daughter on wheel with Ryan. Come on. I know I m not the only one that sees it.
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C
No! He is great at working with the contestants.Pat was ready to retire and enjoy his millions.
Ryan brings new life to the show.
31 10
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O
The show is horrible now. It’s obvious most don’t know how to play the game.
21 5
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B
The people who are playing are real people and are not experts and are more than likely doing the best that they can do and hang it up and give these people a break and if you don't like the show and then you do have a choice and you can turn it off and watch something else and thanks
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P
They don't know how the game is played. It's not some new mystery show. It's been on for decades and they don't know the basic rules to it. They'd rather act like clowns
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P
It's like they never watched a game before. It's gotten so bad
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B
Get rid of seacrest. I do not watch it anymore with him on it. I am sure I there are plenty of people who could host. He is so overused
22 9
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He is a great host and they really need to keep him and I really do enjoy the program with him and thanks
12 3
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I notice this year all contestants wanna do is buy vowels.
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Pat Sajak thought contestants should buy vowels right away. I disagreed - you may lose your turn on the next spin. Why help your opponents? Make THEM buy the vowels.
6 1
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P
I don't mind the buying of vowels but they are calling vowels in the final round. The one Friday night, it was $6k a letter and one of them called a vowel. Most of them now have zero clue how the game is played.
14 2
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I think the show has changed a lot , it’s kind of cringy to watch. Ryan is okay but he is not Pat. Pat was more professional, and not contestant would have slammed him on the floorfor sure. No I’m sorry but I mis Pat
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G
No one is making you watch it, so stop.
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No one made you reply, so stop.
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C
Black contestants are noe a third of every show. Goodbye.
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C
I think everything changed when pat left. Not for the better. Even Vanna's personality has changed. She and pat were a dynamic duo. Quirky and corny together. And that worked out perfectly. And with Ryan it's like they are trying too hard to make it believable but to me it comes off as fake. I like Ryan...for American idol but not WOF. I love WOF!! But the ppl they have had on the show this season not only seem like they haven't ever played the game or watched the show, they are really weird or what I would call 'odd ducks'. Some are plum ridiculous and idk where they finding these ppl. I have applied for several years in a row and if I do say so myself I'm dang good at it. I just don't act like those ppl to get on there.
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Good contestants are just hard to find anymore. You can make more money on letsmake a deal and the price is right, with less pressure.
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Is that your final offer
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P
Sure if you can come up with cash to pay the taxes especially on Price. I watch someone win basically all trips in the showcase and they add up to 30,000+ and I go and how are you paying the taxes on those? And do you really want to? Sure it has some games where you can win cash but most don't or even win a car which can easily be sold to pay taxes. I love to travel but I'd rather just pay for it myself. The trips are way overvalued too which make paying the taxes even more ridiculous.
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G
I have said this before...GET RID OF RYAN. He is self-absorbed where Pat was self-deprecating...it's all about RyRy. I totally agree about the contestants but I think they did that to fit in with Ryan. Ryan tries to come across as genuine but it is phony.
Another thing, Vanna's dresses have not been up to par.
10 5
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We love Ryan Seacrest he's doing a great joɓ!!!
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re: the comment about quirky characters - that was among the reasons I couldn't take Jeopardy anymore. Everyone had to be "eccentric" in some way (mohawks, green hair, facial piercings...) Enough is enough.
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These contestants seem to be picked by DEI specialists.
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I think Ryan is doing a great job, has a good sense of humor! He had big shoes to fill and is handling the job just fine!!
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C
Seacrest seems to try to hard to be a 'buddy' to contestants, probably should have given Maggie Sajak a first chance as host.
2 1
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G
Agreed.
There are times where it's blatantly obvious what the puzzle is, yet the contestants are clueless.
Also, if they really wanted to draw a young crowd they would have let Vanna White quit and brought Maggie in as the letter toucher.
2 1
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R
Looking forward to the day, when Vanna officially steps down.
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B
I really enjoy watching The wheel of Fortune since Ryan seacrest took over thank you Ryan You're the Best Host ever.
2 1
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G
I agree about the quirky contestants. I like Ryan, but for some of the guests I’m hoping they lose due to their annoying personality! That is prob what it takes now to get on the show. That’s not the only game show that’s changed in that way.
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At first, I thought, although, not Pat Ryan was personable and trying. Now, I think he is too personable and dressing like he is hosting American Idol and not Wheel. I used to enjoy Pat and Vanna's talk at the end of show and they included the contestant. This year on some episodes, the contestant is not even featured or rushed to to get in shot because Ryan goes on too long.
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C
Get rid of seacrest, it is all about him. The contestants are the stars. Aren’t there any other people who can get a chance instead of the same old people. That is why I like Ken Jennings, he is pleasant and sincere. Alex Terbek would not have been successful as a new emcee if social media was around.
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No they don't need to get rid of Ryan Seacrest as he is a good host and he has his own personality and give the man a break
34 9
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Maggie Sajack I felt was the perfect person. She’s young, personable, intrinsically tied to the game her whole life. If you have qualms about nepotism then Colin Jost was a fantastic host on Pop Culture Jeopardy I think he would been 100,000x better than Ryan.
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O
The totally different show than Jeopardy. It should be lighthearted in casual I think Ryan Seacrest is an asset to the show. The true liabilities are the lame people they pick to play the game. It shouldn't be a prerequisite to be half stupid and half ignorant to play the game! Come on Wheel be a little bit more choosy when you pick your contestants. There's
plenty of witty, fun loving smart people out there.
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J
I think that I will not watch Wheel any more, it's just gotten stupid
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G
They have turned Wheel of Fortune into a reality show. The contestants are absolutely ridiculous.
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P
I think Ryan had big shoes to fill He is doing a wonderful job I think he is perfect and made a great transition
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P
A wanted to give him a chance being Pat certainly was a class act, however, time is up! At first his clothes were too tight, then he stands there with his hands in his pockets. His banter with the players seems forced to me and phony. Him calling Vanna VW is disrespectful and the clothes they have her wearing for the classy lady she is..trying to make her look younger I suppose. . Glad to see this week she’s back to her normal clothing. He just isn’t the right fit for the show and the players seem to have changed as well. I’m sure there are many more good choices out there for a replacement. Jeff Foxworthy for instance.
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G
I think Ryan is doing an excellent job. He is very personable and makes the contestants feel like he is glad they are part of the show. Great job Ryan
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O
Thanks for reminding me again why I stopped watching. It makes me sad because I loved to watch J and Wheel with my mom in her last years in a nursing home. I still love J, I don't think she'd like this new iteration of Wheel either.
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New sho sucks..We want PAT back
1 1
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Like a lot of the new show but am very sick of constant happy drinking verbiage ready to quit
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Ryan needs to put on a tie!
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I think people are just plain stupid! No excuses.
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