‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Blame Ryan Seacrest for Contestant’s ‘Party’ Foul
A Wheel of Fortune contestant lost the game because he said the wrong thing on a crossword puzzle. Fans of the game show blamed host Ryan Seacrest because he didn’t remind the contestants of the rules beforehand.
Todd Meyer, from Las Vegas, Nevada, played against Sheree Corder, from Tampa, Florida, and Latricia Randolph, from Franklin, Tennessee, on Monday, March 31.
Corder, who loves traveling and adventure, solved the first tossup — “Expect the unexpected” — and the second — “Model airplane kit” — adding $3,000 to her bank in the beginning. She also went on to solve the next puzzle, gaining a Wild Card, earning a total of $6,600.
But the next puzzle was what made fans angry. It was a rare crossword, where all of the words in the puzzle related to the category and crossed over with one letter, like a crossword would. The category was “Party.” The contestants had to guess four words in the puzzle. Randolph started off the puzzle guessing numerous letters until “G” wasn’t in the puzzle. The turn then moved to Meyer. He guessed all of the letters and even solved the puzzle, saying “Party Time,” Party Animal,” “Party Decorations,” and “Party Bus.” Seacrest told him that it was incorrect.
Meyer put his head down and rested his arms on his podiums, looking disappointed. Corder then solved “Time, Animal, Decorations, and Bus,” and won the round. Seacrest explained after the fact that for the crossword, the contestants need to say exactly what is on the board. “It’s a shame she stole it from you,” Seacrest told Meyer.

Wheel of Fortune
Reddit users were angry at Seacrest for not explaining the rules beforehand because it cost Meyer the game. “Ryan Not Reminding the Contestants About Crossword Solves. Makes me mad every time! Sometimes, he reminds contestants how to solve these puzzles properly, and sometimes, he doesn’t. Doesn’t seem fair. Oh, and this contestant today looked PISSED!” the original poster said.
“Felt bad for the guy. Like…come on. He knew this. He was filling in the blank,” said another.
“That guy got screwed,” wrote one fan.
“Was infuriating. I hate these puzzles. They should allow the answer either way; it sounds so stupid the way they make them do it,” commented a Reddit user.
“Pat ALWAYS made sure to list the rules for these more meta puzzles!” a fan said, referring to retired host Pat Sajak.
However, some fans pointed out that Meyer didn’t get the puzzle because he added “and” before “party bus,” not because he said “party” before each one.
Meyer shook it off and went on to solve most of the next puzzle. However, he called an “I,” which wasn’t in the puzzle. Randolph went on to solve the puzzle — “A Tremendous Escape” — and won a trip to Ireland. She took the lead with $12,190.
Meyer redeemed himself in the end when he won $10,000 by solving all three Triple Toss-Ups. However, Corder solved the final puzzle — “Dancing in the Dark” earning her a spot in the Bonus Round, giving her a total of $16,600. Randolph left with $12,190. Meyer came in last with $10,000.
During the Bonus Round, Corder picked “Phrase” for the category. After Wheel gave her “R, S,T, L, N, and E,” she chose “C, D, M, I, and P,” due to the Wild Card.
Corder’s puzzle then looked like, “_ _ _ _ P IT _P.” The contestants guessed many words for the first one, knowing the last two were “(blank) it up.” The puzzle was “Whoop It Up.” She lost out on an additional $40,000.
Fans said it was a hard solve, with many wondering who uses that phrase.
Conversation45 Comments
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C
Each episode is edited. We can't be sure if Ryan did or did not issue the exact instructions. But the contestants are given the rules ahead of time. And if this guy had watched the show even a few times, he would have known. He screwed up, not Ryan.
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C
I do not blame Ryan he has done a great job as a new host the players are given the rules before hand plus the player was a long time viewer of the show I think some fans just can not accept a new Host , it's time for people to move on nothing last for ever, I think Rayn has done a great job.
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B
Surely contestants go through rehearsal and have the rules explained to them ahead of time. RS shouldn't really have to explain anything during the show
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D
Ryan forgot to tell the contestant to not add anything and just say what is on the board
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C
Should he hold their hand as well while they're figuring out the puzzle is?? Do you not know how to play the game?? You got to be kidding me.. how long is the game been on the God damn TV?? Over 40 years?? If you don't know by then then you're retarded..!
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O
Ryan doing better job than Pat. Contestants should already know the rules.
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O
That’s rich. This guy can’t stop admiring himself long enough to even be nice to contestants.
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O
I definitely blame Ryan. He should always remind them of the rule on that game.
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O
They should know before they go on! Change the channel if you don't like it!
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O
The show's been on for over 50 years if you don't get it thats on you
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R
I was mad at Ryan for that...why warn some contestants and not others? So unfair to that contestant, Ryan gets on my nerves.
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O
Then change the damn channel!! Gees, let the man be!
2 1
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O
Then don't watch no one cares and the shows been on for over 50 years if you don't get it thats on you
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C
Some people will complain about ANTHING! It's like they took Pat Sajak's retirement personally. Bet they're loads of fun at parties-- if they're even invited.
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O
I think that the contestant was in the wrong for saying "Party" with the words describing the crossword puzzle.
Ryan Seacrest should have explained that NOT to say anything else just what words are in that puzzle.
The word "AND" was not part of the puzzle which the other female contestant said.
And Ryan Seacrest said she was correct on solving the puzzle.
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R
Ryan, you are doing a fantastic job. Don’t listen to these negative people. We love you in Alabama.
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B
I saw it coming, another stupid mistake, don't blame Ryan it's not his job to stop all mistakes, just to enforce the rules. The guests are told all the rules before they get on stage.
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C
I don't blame Ryan at all. If you've made it to the point where you've actually made it onto the show, you shouldn't need to be reminded of a rule that EVERY viewer knows.
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O
I think people need to leave the man alone! He is NOT Pat... let the man carve his own way or change the channel! There are way more important things to complain about!!
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R
Interesting
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B
Boy oh boy I am very sure all the contestants are told the rules of the game and done prior to their playing and they really need to give Ryan Seacrest a break and I am sure that this situation has happened many times when !Pat Sajak was the host and I really and truly enjoy Ryan Seacrest as the host and thanks 😊
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P
Chill, all you critics. I liked Pat for a long time and I’ve grown to like Ryan. They’re both personable, intelligent, empathetic and interact much better with contestants than most of us ever could. I’m glad they have their own personalities. Wasn’t expecting perfection or that one should be a cookie-cutter of the other.
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R
How is he still host? All I see are people complaining about him.
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B
Ok come on and give this guy a break and they are trying to pass on the blame to Ryan Seacrest and most and all the contestants know how the game is played and just hang it up and give Ryan Seacrest a break
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G
Come on, the contestants are drilled with the rules the second they get there. Anyone who has watched the show knows not to add any extra words when stating the crossword answers. It’s not Ryan’s fault. Get over it
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O
Ryan is awesome! So tired of hearing everyone complaining. Isn't there something better for you people to do? Maybe look in the mirror first? Do you not know how it is when your busy? Hell he's a busy man and does a very good job of it. I for one enjoy every show he's on. Thank you Ryan for being you.
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P
I quit watching the show months ago. Ryan is annoying.
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O
Yet here you are commenting about him
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O
I felt Ryan should have reminded this contestant to "say only what's up there"! People need to remember contestants get very nervous, I'm sure, once the show is filming, NOT like rehearsal or playing at home! Ryan usually does a good job, but this time, was a big let down! SORRY!
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C
Would you like Ryan to hold their hand when they're trying to figure out the puzzle is?? They've seen the show before if they don't know the rules and I'm sure they're told it before they go on, with whether Ryan says it or not they know the rules they're not stupid.. you're another reason I'm going to call you an idiot.. he's much better than Pat I'm glad Pat's off of it and I wish they'd get the daughter off of it too.. I'm sure she spread her legs to get there
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O
The shows been on for over 50 years if you don't get it thats on you
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A
I am SO sick and tired of people blaming Seacrest for contestants ignorance of the game rules. They're all briefed on the game beforehand and also I'm quite sure most are fans of the show and have seen the game and know how it works. If anyone need they're hands held to play the game they shouldn't have applied to be a contestant. I don't think they should EVER be reminded. Grow up.
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G
I DO blame Ryan but it is also an example of players not knowing how to play the game.
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B
Whoop it up is a catch phrase from The Real Housewives of Orange County. If you know, you know.
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G
I wanted to stop watching the show forever. We need a new host.
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C
You need to take your dress off Mary!!!! It's TV show they know the rules and if they weren't listening then they went on that's their problem.. Seacrest is doing a good job and it's better than Pat would ever do in the 40 years that he was on it
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G
I liked Pat, but I like how Ryan is more engaged with the contestants.
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G
Don’t watch it then, I’m sure they’ll get over it. I already did.
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O
Then don't watch no one cares
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P
I think Ryan should send him 10k….that’s what I think
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O
Then you send him 10k The show's been on for over 50 years if you don't get it thats on you
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R
Ryan screwed up again! I feel bad for the contestant!
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O
The show's been on for over 50 years if you don't get it thats on you
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B
I think he should be invited back.
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O
And everyone gets an A+ and a trophy, shut up
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