Current:Home > ContactWheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck "Curse" Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest -Elite Financial Minds
Wheel of Fortune Contestants' Bad Luck "Curse" Shocked Even Ryan Seacrest
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:01:47
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! (544)
Related
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Kansas Constitution does not include a right to vote, state Supreme Court majority says
- Teen Mom's Maci Bookout Reveals How She and Ryan Edwards Finally Learned to Co-Parent
- Florida deputy who fatally shot U.S. airman is fired following internal investigation
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Drew Brees said he could have played another three years in NFL if not for arm trouble
- Louisiana law that could limit filming of police hampers key tool for racial justice, attorneys say
- Marco Troper, son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, died from an accidental overdose
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Former tech exec admits to fraud involving a scheme to boost Getty Images shares, authorities say
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86
- World War II veterans take off for France for 80th anniversary of D-Day
- Trump campaign says it raised $52.8 million after guilty verdict in fundraising blitz
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide in death of New York anti-gang activist
- Therapy dogs real stars of Women's College World Series, aiding mental health and performance
- Jersey Shore police say ‘aggressive’ crowds, not lack of police, caused Memorial weekend problems
Recommendation
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Champions League final: Real Madrid’s European kings are so good, Ancelotti wants them to be studied
Biden addresses Trump verdict for first time
The Top 12 Must-Have Lululemon Gifts for Father's Day 2024
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Women's College World Series 2024 live: Updates, score for UCLA vs. Oklahoma softball game
Charlotte the stingray has 'rare reproductive disease,' aquarium says after months of speculation
Boy Meets World's William Daniels Has a Mini Cast Reunion With His Favorite Students