“Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest almost took a hit to the ground on “Wheel of Fortune” after an excited contestant had a big win. Watch the moment play out and find out what the “American Idol” host thinks about these kinds of interactions.
Contestant Almost Knocks Ryan Seacrest Over on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
On September 15, after correctly guessing the Bonus Round puzzle on “Wheel of Fortune” and winning $73,473, Ryan Richmond, from Alhambra, California, responded enthusiastically.
The Bonus Round puzzle he solved was for the category, “What Are You Doing?” and he chose letters D, F, C, and A to add to the “Wheel of Fortune” roundup of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
Just a few seconds before the clock ran out, he guessed correctly, “Flexing My Biceps.”
“Yes! You got it. You did it!” Seacrest said. Richmond hugged the host, who then told him, “Congratulations!” and opened the envelope to reveal his winnings: $45,000.
When Richmond put his arm around Seacrest, the contestant almost knocked him over, as the “Wheel” host was seen taking a couple of steps back.
Seacrest recovered quickly to say, “That’s how you play the Bonus Round! You talk it out until you get it — and you did. Congratulations.”
Ryan Seacrest Says ‘Wheel’ Gets Physical
In a June 2025 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Seacrest shared the aspect of the show he enjoys the most. The host said that he loves the interaction with contestants — but noted there’s also a potential risk factor, given his smaller stature.
“I love interviewing the contestants,” he said.
Seacrest shared, “It can get physical, too! Maybe it’s my size, but the men throw me around. I think, ‘Oh my God, it’s coming.’ (Laughs.).”
He added, “I bruise easily, you should know.”
In January, a contestant knocked Seacrest to the ground after winning almost $72,000.
Following host Pat Sajak’s departure from “Wheel of Fortune,” Seacrest has won over longtime fans of the game show.
He explained that he takes his hosting gig seriously because it’s such a beloved show. “I have a lot fun with the job, but I take the responsibility very seriously,” he said.
“We all have memories of watching ‘Wheel’ with our families,” Seacrest noted. “I mowed lawns growing up in Atlanta just to save money to buy a Zenith TV for the kitchen so we could watch ‘Wheel’ during dinner!”
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