Change isn’t easy, especially when it comes to long-time game show hosts retiring and being replaced. That’s what Wheel of Fortune viewers experienced when Pat Sajak left the longtime series after more than four decades. Fans braced for the shift, but with seasoned host Ryan Seacrest stepping in, the transition seemed like a safe bet. Seacrest brought charisma, polish, and a résumé full of live TV experience.
But lately, his hosting style has started raising eyebrows and not always for the right reasons. From overly chatty contestant banter to a string of bizarre on-stage tumbles, Seacrest is giving Wheel a whole new vibe. And while a little clumsiness can be charming, the frequency of these flubs has some wondering: is this all part of the show, or is Seacrest trying just a little too hard?
Ryan Seacrest Keeps Falling While Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Since taking over as host of Wheel of Fortune, Ryan Seacrest has brought a fresh—and surprisingly physical—energy to the long-running game show. But while his charisma and enthusiasm are undeniable, fans have started to notice a recurring theme: Seacrest keeps falling. Literally. The show’s social media accounts have leaned into the mishaps, posting skit-style videos featuring Seacrest and longtime co-host Vanna White. Meant to be lighthearted and engaging, these clips often veer into cheesy territory, particularly when they highlight Seacrest’s repeated tumbles. Seacrest isn’t just tripping or stumbling, he’s wiping out so badly that it looks more painful than playful.
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Seacrest went down hard in April when discussing the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival, a British tradition where participants chase wheels of cheese down a hill. After confidently declaring, “I was born for this,” he sprinted after a fake cheese wheel — and promptly fell, landing hard on his hands and knees. The moment was so over-the-top that Wheel’s own Instagram joked, “If we had a nickel for every time Ryan ended up on the floor this season…”
Then, in a May segment promoting Paradise Week, Seacrest attempted to lounge on a pool floatie beside White—only to fall backward and somersault across the stage. The tumble was so dramatic that fans commented on how close he came to ripping his pants. Once again, the show laughed it off, making it part of the bit. So is this all just part of Seacrest’s new hosting schtick? Intentional or not, his pratfalls are becoming a signature element of this Wheel era—one that’s as entertaining as it is unpredictable.
Ryan Seacrest is Making the Most of His ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Hosting Gig
Considering Seacrest falls nearly every episode at this point, it’s likely not an accident and is more of a running joke. But fans find it funny nonetheless and are enjoying the extra personality Seacrest has brought to the show. If you read the comments, you’ll find fans talking about how Seacrest seems to be having the time of his life, or how he’s making them double over with laughter, so clearly these tumbles are making an impression, scripted or not.
Seacrest also took a couple of tumbles while he and White were in Hawaii. The first was when he was attempting to surf and ended up falling off and into the water. The second was when he attempted to do a cartwheel but face-planted into the water instead. The fan reaction to these slips seemed to be encouraging, with one user saying, “I love that Ryan is good with playing the goof,” and another commenting how Ryan is cracking them up. Not everyone loves these skits, of course, but the ones who do make sure the crew at Wheel of Fortune knows it.
Whether these falls are scripted or not, they are a great way to promote the show because they get fans talking. And since Seacrest is a longtime TV host, fans are naturally drawn to his charm, making these goofy bits all the more well-received. And it’s nice to see he and White together, as she and Sajak’s chemistry really helped boost the show, and Seacrest is trying to capture a bit of that magic in his own unique way. It’s working, it’s getting audiences talking, so as long as he doesn’t actually injure himself, there’s likely to be many more Seacrest falls in the future.
Wheel of Fortune is on weeknights on CBS.
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