Ryan Seacrest is receiving criticism after a contestant on Wheel of Fortune lost all their earnings during the February 12 episode.
Fans of the popular game show are accusing the host of not properly guiding the contestant, Stephen Bailey, through a crucial decision that led to his loss.
A Contestant’s Costly Mistake
Stephen Bailey, a nonprofit worker and lead singer of a cover band from North Richland Hills, Texas, was leading the game with $2,800 and a wild card at the end of the first round.
However, his victory slipped away after a risky decision involving the mystery wedge.
As he spun the wheel and landed on the $1,000 wedge, Seacrest encouraged him to flip it over, but when Bailey did, it revealed the dreaded “bankrupt” panel, causing him to lose all of his winnings.
Fans Blame Seacrest for Lack of Warning
The situation quickly escalated into a heated discussion on social media, with many viewers blaming Seacrest for not properly warning Bailey about the risks.
Some fans felt that Seacrest, unlike the previous host Pat Sajak, should have reminded the contestant about the possibility of landing on a bankruptcy panel.
One user on Reddit shared their disbelief, writing, “I was watching it with family, and there were several gasps when the decision to flip the mystery wedge was made.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, criticizing Bailey for taking the gamble and blaming Seacrest for not guiding him more carefully.
The Pat Sajak Comparison
Longtime fans of the game show quickly compared Seacrest’s hosting style to that of Pat Sajak, who retired in 2024 after decades of hosting.
Many argued that Sajak would have warned Bailey about the risks involved in flipping the mystery wedge.
One fan on social media even mentioned that Sajak would have “immediately reminded him of what he would lose.”
This contrast in hosting styles has sparked debates online, with some fans accusing Seacrest of being “lazy” and “annoying” in his approach.
Seacrest Defended by Some Fans
While many were upset with Seacrest’s handling of the situation, there were also fans who came to his defense.
They pointed out that Seacrest is still relatively new to hosting the show, having taken over after Sajak’s retirement.
These viewers suggested that Seacrest may not have the same instinctive understanding of the game’s nuances as Sajak did.
Mixed Reactions Over the Incident
As the controversy unfolded, fans took to Twitter to express their opinions.
One user tweeted, “Ryan didn’t remind him of what he could lose.
Contestants are nervous and don’t recall everything in the moment.”
Another fan added, “Why didn’t Ryan advise Steven about the cruise, wild card, and over $4,000 before he took a chance?”
Despite the divided opinions, one thing is clear: this episode sparked significant conversation about the role of a game show host and how much guidance they should offer to contestants during critical moments.
Fans are hopeful that Seacrest will learn from the backlash and provide more clarity in future episodes.
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