Ryan Seacrest, the presenter of “Wheel of Fortune,” fell unexpectedly during the episode aired on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The incident occurred when an overly enthusiastic contestant caused both men to fall to the studio floor during a celebration.
The contestant, Daniel Thomas from San Marcos, California, who loves coastal road trips with his father, competed against contestants Amaryllis and Dina. The episode was particularly memorable due to Thomas’s intense gameplay. He gathered $31,950 in cash prizes and won a luxury trip to Alaska for viewing the Northern Lights, a trip valued at more than $11,000.
In the bonus round, Thomas faced a seven-letter puzzle in the “Living Things” category. He was initially given only two letters – an ‘E’ and ‘S’ in the final positions. He made a series of strategic letter guesses and correctly identified the word as “Guppies” when two ‘P’s appeared on the board, all within the final seconds.
With the correct answer, Thomas added $40,000 to his winnings, bringing his total to $71,950. In his excitement, Thomas tried to hug Seacrest, 50, inadvertently knocking him off balance. As a result, Seacrest fell backward onto the studio floor, his feet visible in the air as he landed.
Upon realizing what had occurred, Thomas quickly helped Seacrest to his feet and repeatedly asked if he was okay. Seacrest assured him, “I’m fine, no you’re good. I’m okay,” despite later appearing uncomfortable and grabbing his back. At one point, he jokingly told co-host Vanna White, “Vanna, you’ll have to take over now!” and hid playfully behind the podium when one of Thomas’s family members came for a hug.
“I don’t know. I was just looking at the letter board, and I saw ‘P.’ It just popped into my head. But again, I’m so sorry,” Thomas said, patting Seacrest’s arm after the incident.
Seacrest, true to his jovial nature, took the incident lightly. “Pick me up, throw me over, tackle me, I’m totally fine with it,” he later remarked, encouraging future contestants.
Jim Thornton, the show’s announcer, humorously acknowledged the incident while confirming Thomas’ $40,000 bonus round win. Seacrest took care to maintain his balance when he gave Thomas another congratulatory hug after the initial fall.
The episode was eventful even before the fall, with an unusually high number of contestants landing on the Bankrupt wedge. This led Seacrest to remark to viewers, “If you’re just joining us to Wheel of Bankrupt, welcome!” Thomas’s win was particularly impressive as he solved the bonus round puzzle with only three letters showing.
The show shared the incident on Instagram and YouTube, where it quickly gained attention online, sparking reactions from viewers ranging from amusement to concern. Many fans reacted to the incident with humor, expressing admiration for Seacrest and the impressive puzzle solve. Some even teased about bookmarking the video for future reference, while others shared lighthearted comments about Seacrest’s condition.
One fan humorously struggled to decide whether to be more impressed by the puzzle solution or the celebratory fall. Another emphasized the need to “protect Ryan Seacrest at all costs.” Some even offered advice to future contestants, urging them to avoid knocking Seacrest to the floor during the bonus round. The incident resonated across social media, blending humor with heartfelt concern for the host.
The episode also showcased recent changes to the long-running game show since Seacrest took over as host from former host Pat Sajak. The new set features a blue-toned stage, green screen, and an art-deco-wheel design. Seacrest and White now enter through new sliding, brightly lit doors. The traditional puzzle board has been replaced with a modern digital version controlled by lasers. The show has also enhanced its prize offerings to include NFL games and A-list concert tickets.