The current season of Wheel of Fortune just started airing on September 9, 2024, but some fans are already critiquing Ryan Seacrest and comparing him to Pat Sajak. Replacing Pat, who hosted the show for more than 40 years, is obviously no easy feat — and despite the critics, some people are impressed by Ryan.
But one episode in particular drew a decent amount of criticism from fans who said Ryan could've done a bit more to help the contestant out. On the Tuesday, September 10 episode of the show, Airica Boyle from Taylor, Michigan, picked up the $1 million wedge during the first round.
In the next round, Airica landed on a $10,000 mystery wedge. After picking the letter "T," which ended up being on the puzzle twice, Ryan explained Airica's options — and some fans think he didn't explain them well enough.
"So Airica, those two Ts are worth $2,000. You could keep those or you could risk them by seeing what's on the other side. It could be a bankrupt or it could be $10,000," Ryan told Airica, failing to mention that getting a "bankrupt" would mean losing her $1 million wedge as well.
Airica chose to risk it and ended up losing her $1 million wedge. “Gotta take the mystery and the million-dollar wedge,” Ryan said after the Bankrupt wedge was revealed.
On X, some fans pointed out how Pat would've reminded contestants that their $1 million wedges were also at risk in this type of situation.
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"Pat would always remind the contestants if they look under the $10,000 they could lose their $1 million wedge. Ryan needs to do this too…" one person wrote on X.
Another person wrote, "Pat would've explained that if she took the risk she would've lost the million dollar wedge. ."
While other social media users praised Ryan for "doing a really great job" and "doing pretty good, for a new guy."
Others were much more critical and took to X to point out some of the things Ryan needs to work on. Some commented on how Ryan communicates with contestants, and pointed out that reminding them of the rules is important because contestants might be nervous while on the show.
"Anyone else feel that Ryan is not engaging with the wheel contestants- Pat was a better conversationalist," one person wrote on X.
Another X user weighed in with: "I hope Seacrest gets comfortable coaching contestants real soon. Pat would have coached the contestant to call a letter to get money in the speed up round before solving. Nerves make you forget the rules, that's why theres a host."
"Ryan still has some things to work out," another person wrote on X. "On last night's show, he shld have told the eventual winner to call out a letter to get some money before solving the final puzzle. Cost her 2 grand by not doing that."
Of course, fans are still getting used to the new host and the other changes made to the show this season. Ryan has only been hosting the show for about a week at this point and fans were used to seeing Pat on the show for more than 40 years — so it might be a bit of an adjustment period for both Ryan and Wheel of Fortune viewers alike.
