Current:Home > MarketsWheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck "Curse" Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest -MoneyMatrix
Wheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck "Curse" Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest
View
Date:2025-04-14 17:00:38
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! (6)
Related
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Fantasy football values for 2023: Lean on Aaron Rodgers, Michael Robinson Jr.
- Is olive oil healthy? Everything you need to know about the benefits.
- World Wrestling Entertainment star Bray Wyatt dies at 36
- Trump's 'stop
- The 6 most shocking moments and revelations from HBO's new Bishop Sycamore documentary
- Iowa man dies while swimming with son in Alaska's Lake Clark National Park
- 'Bachelorette' Gabby Windey says this Netflix reality show inspired her to explore her bisexuality
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Reneé Rapp says she was body-shamed as the star of Broadway's 'Mean Girls'
Ranking
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- CIA stairwell attack among flood of sexual misconduct complaints at spy agency
- Lego releasing Braille versions of its toy bricks, available to public for first time ever
- Publix-style dog bans make it safer for service dogs and people who need them, advocates say
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Ukraine marks Independence Day and vows to keep fighting Russia as it remembers the fallen
- Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20: The famous fall beverage that almost wasn't
- Indiana State Fair attendance increases slightly for 2nd consecutive year
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Camila Alves sets record straight on husband Matthew McConaughey: 'The guy doesn't even smoke'
Man accused of beating goose to death with golf club at New York golf course, officials say
Maui County sues utility, alleging negligence over fires that ravaged Lahaina
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
ACC college football preview: Can Florida State knock off Clemson?
Why a weak Ruble is good for Russia's budget but not Putin's image
The viral song 'Rich Men North of Richmond' made its way to the RNC debate stage