Bailey was competing against Brianne Peterson, a deal lover and surrogate from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Cathy Adams, a cruise enthusiast from Tacoma, Washington.
At the end of the first round, Bailey was in the lead and seemed to be in a strong position.
However, everything changed when he spun the wheel and landed on a $1,000 piece that offered the chance to flip for a mystery prize.
Seacrest encouraged him, saying, “Oh. Let’s go, right?” seemingly urging Bailey to take the risk.
Unfortunately, when Bailey flipped the piece, it revealed a dreaded “bankrupt” panel, causing him to lose all of his accumulated winnings, including his wild card advantage.
Fans immediately took to social media to voice their frustration, arguing that Seacrest should have warned Bailey about the potential risk before he made his choice.
Fans Compare Seacrest to Pat Sajak
The backlash against Seacrest was swift, with longtime fans of the show comparing him unfavorably to his predecessor, Pat Sajak, who hosted Wheel of Fortune for more than four decades before retiring in 2023.
Many viewers pointed out that Sajak had a habit of reminding contestants about what they were risking before they made decisions on high-stakes game pieces.
“Pat would have immediately reminded him of what he would lose… Ryan didn’t. Never does,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Contestants are nervous and don’t recall. It wasn’t $10,000. He lost everything.”
Another user criticized Seacrest for failing to highlight Bailey’s potential losses, tweeting: “Why didn’t Ryan advise Stephen that he had the cruise, wild card, & over $4000 before he took a chance on the bankruptcy/$10,000 choice?”
Some even debated Bailey’s decision itself, with one Reddit user bluntly stating: “The guy was a total idiot to pick up the mystery wedge. He had over $4,000, a trip, and a wild card, and he risked that for a 50/50 (alleged) chance at $10,000. So stupid!!!”
Defending Seacrest: Is It Just Growing Pains?
While Seacrest faced a wave of criticism, some viewers came to his defense, pointing out that he is still relatively new to the role and may need time to adjust.
Seacrest, who took over hosting duties in 2024, has received mixed reviews from fans since stepping into Sajak’s shoes. Some appreciate his polished, enthusiastic approach, while others have labeled him “annoying” and “lazy” for not engaging with contestants the way Sajak did.
One fan on Reddit noted, “Ryan is still learning. He’s getting better, but I do wish he would remind contestants about what they’re risking.”
Another viewer acknowledged the growing pains, writing, “It’s only been a year. He’s different from Pat, but I think he’ll get there eventually.”
A Tough Night for Contestants
Bailey’s rough night didn’t end there. After losing all his money, his luck continued to spiral. When the game moved to Peterson’s turn, she also landed on a “bankrupt” panel, but fortunately for her, she had nothing to lose at that point.
When Bailey’s turn came around again, he spun the wheel and once more landed on “bankrupt,” cementing his downfall in one of the most unfortunate sequences of the night.
Many viewers sympathized with Bailey, as he had started strong but ended up losing everything due to one risky choice.
The Future of Seacrest as Host
As Seacrest continues to settle into his role, it’s clear that fans have high expectations, particularly after decades of consistency under Sajak. While it’s not uncommon for new hosts to face scrutiny, the way Seacrest handles contestant interactions and high-stakes decisions will likely continue to be a major talking point among fans.
For now, the debate rages on: Should Seacrest be more proactive in warning contestants about risky moves, or is it ultimately up to the players to make their own choices? Either way, Wheel of Fortune fans are keeping a close eye on how the new host adapts—and whether he can win over skeptics in the long run.
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