Current:Home > NewsWheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck "Curse" Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest -AlphaFinance Experts
Wheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck "Curse" Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:21:02
Time to officially rename it the Wheel of Misfortune.
That's what three contestants learned the hard way on the Sept. 18 episode of Wheel of Fortune. The trio of Melissa Brickey, Brent Lau and Tanijah Johnson experienced such a string of bad luck that even new host Ryan Seacrest and the show's longtime star Vanna White were astonished.
On the episode, the three contestants were spinning during the Crossword Round, when each of them landed on "bankrupt" in three consecutive spins.
"Should we have a conversation with this wheel?" Ryan joked, before asking the wheel, "What are you doing to us?"
And it only got worse when Brent's next spin landed on "lose a turn," prompting Ryan to ask the group, "Who did something bad before they got here?"
Tanijah's next spin did allow her to guess a letter, but she was immediately hit with another "bankrupt," as was Melissa.
All of which prompted Ryan—who recently took over for former host Pat Sajak—to quip, "So, I'm new here. I've never seen anything like this before."
The 49-year-old then urged Brent to spin again and "break this curse," however Brent landed on "lose a turn" yet again.
The American Idol host couldn't hold back how stunned he was, turning his cohost and pleading, "Vanna? What is going on?"
The group then landed on "bankrupt" once again, prompting both Ryan and Tanijah to rest their heads on the wheel in exasperation.
Luckily, things finally turned around for the three with Melissa's next spin, which landed on $600 and eventually enabled them to solve the "Facial Features" puzzle: Eyelashes, pupils, cheeks, lips. Melissa ultimately went on to win the episode, taking a grand total of $60,050.
And despite having just started his Wheel of Fortune run, this is not the first time Ryan has found himself in uncharted Wheel territory.
During the Sept. 16 episode, contestant Vivian Tran landed on the "one million" wheel wedge and successfully landed on the million-dollar envelope during the bonus round.
"My heart is racing," Ryan said. "This is a first for me. You're playing for $1 million."
Unfortunately, Vivian was unable to solve the puzzle and missed out on the million—but still went home with $27,300 and a trip to Europe.
Although Ryan is still new at hosting the iconic game show, he's already left quite an impression on Vanna.
"He's doing an incredible job," she recently told E! News. "It's not easy. He makes it look easy."
She knew he would be fantastic from the get-go, adding, "He's so talented, he's so professional, he's so good at what he does. I'm so thankful."
As Ryan joked to E!, "If Wheel of Fortune is offered to you, you just don't say no. You'll have bad karma for the rest of your TV life."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (5547)
Related
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- NFL power rankings Week 10: How has trade deadline altered league's elite?
- Kamala Harris concert rallies: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Ricky Martin, more perform
- Barry Keoghan Slams Accusations He's a Deadbeat Dad to 2-Year-Old Son Brando
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Queen Camilla Withdraws From Public Engagements Due to Chest Infection
- Ariana Grande Responds to Fan Criticism Over Her Wicked Casting
- What It's Really Like Growing Up As First Kid in the White House
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Hogan and Alsobrooks face off in Maryland race that could sway US Senate control
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- A History of Presidential Pets Who Lived in the Lap of Luxury at the White House
- Democrat Matt Meyer and Republican Michael Ramone square off in Delaware’s gubernatorial contest
- Investigation into Ford engine failures ends after more than 2 years; warranties extended
- Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
- John Barrasso, Wyoming’s high-ranking Republican U.S. senator, seeks 3rd full term
- Jayden Maiava to start over Miller Moss in USC's next game against Nebraska, per reports
- John Barrasso, Wyoming’s high-ranking Republican U.S. senator, seeks 3rd full term
Recommendation
Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to win reelection after his surprising endorsement of Trump
Colorado US House race between Rep. Caraveo and Evans comes down to Latino voters
James Van Der Beek, Jenna Fischer and the rise of young people getting cancer
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Democratic mayors in San Francisco and Oakland fight to keep their jobs on Election Day
John Barrasso, Wyoming’s high-ranking Republican U.S. senator, seeks 3rd full term
Jaw-Dropping Amazon Fashion Deals: 3 Long-Sleeve Shirts for $19, Plus Up to 69% Off Fall Styles