Ryan Seacrest, the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” fell unexpectedly during the Tuesday, January 21, 2025 episode after an excited contestant accidentally knocked him over in the midst of a jubilant celebration.
The contestant was Daniel Thomas from San Marcos, California. Thomas, who often enjoys coastal road trips with his father, was pitted against contestants Amaryllis and Dina in what turned out to be a remarkable episode. He played an intense game, amassing $31,950 in cash prizes and earning a premier trip to Alaska to witness the Northern Lights, a reward valued at over $11,000.
In the bonus round, Thomas tackled a demanding seven-letter puzzle in the “Living Things” category. Only two initial letters – an ‘E’ and ‘S’ in the final squares – were revealed. However, Thomas made a series of tactful letter guesses. When two ‘P’s showed up on the board, he accurately identified the answer as “Guppies” in the last moments.
Thomas’ correct answer added $40,000 to his winnings, taking his total to $71,950. Caught up in his excitement, Thomas jumped and tried to hug Seacrest, 50, unintentionally causing the host to lose his balance. Seacrest fell backwards onto the studio floor, with his feet seen in the air as he landed.
Upon realizing what had transpired, Thomas promptly helped Seacrest up, repeatedly inquiring about his well-being. While Seacrest quickly reassured him, “I’m fine, no you’re good. I’m okay,” he was later observed clutching his back and seeming uneasy. He even made a light-hearted comment to co-host Vanna White, “Vanna, you’ll have to take over now!” When a family member of Thomas’ came to hug him afterward, Seacrest humorously hid behind the podium.
“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 following the incident.
Despite the fall, Seacrest kept his composure and sense of humor. “Pick me up, throw me over, tackle me, I’m totally fine with it,” he later commented, encouraging future contestants.
The show’s announcer, Jim Thornton, humorously made reference to the incident while confirming Thomas’ $40,000 bonus round win. After Seacrest’s initial fall, he gave Thomas another congratulatory hug, this time ensuring he remained balanced.
Even before the celebratory fall, the episode was already unusual due to a high number of contestants landing on the Bankrupt wedge, leading Seacrest to joke with viewers, “If you’re just joining us to Wheel of Bankrupt, welcome!” Thomas’ bonus round victory was especially noteworthy as he solved the puzzle with only three letters showing.
The incident was shared on Instagram and YouTube by the show, quickly gaining online attention. Viewers’ reactions ranged from amusement to concern. Many fans humorously commented on the unexpected tackle, while others expressed their admiration for Seacrest’s resilience and Thomas’ impressive puzzle-solving skills.
One viewer humorously expressed their dilemma in deciding whether to be more awed by the puzzle solve or the celebratory fall. Another emphasized the importance of “protecting Ryan Seacrest at all costs.” Some offered advice to future contestants, suggesting they refrain from knocking Seacrest to the floor during the bonus round. The incident sparked a wave of reactions on social media, blending humor with genuine concern for the host.
This episode also showcased recent updates to the long-standing game show since Seacrest assumed hosting duties from previous host Pat Sajak. The redesigned set features a blue-toned stage, a green screen, and an art-deco-wheel design. Seacrest and White now enter from new, brightly lit sliding doors. The traditional puzzle board has been replaced with a high-tech digital version controlled by lasers. The show’s prizes have also been enhanced, now offering NFL games and A-list concert tickets.
