Ryan Seacrest had quite the shock during his hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune when he was unexpectedly tackled to the ground by contestant Daniel Thomas, who was simply too excited about his big win. The incident unfolded during the January 21 episode, illustrating just how thrilling the game show can get. This wasn’t just any win; it was during the intense bonus round, and Daniel had his mind set on solving the puzzle, which was categorized as "Living Things." After selecting the letters H, G, D, and O, he was left with G _ _ _ _ E S.
Then came the moment of triumph: Thomas buzzed in and correctly guessed "Guppies." Viewers could feel the room erupt with excitement as the contestant celebrated his victory. The uncontainable joy led him to jump up and down, culminated by giving Seacrest a tight hug. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm was just too much, and as Thomas released Seacrest, the host lost his balance and fell backward near the iconic wheel. It was one of those moments you just couldn’t plan—the kind of moment both viewers and online audiences couldn’t help but gush over.
Despite the tumble, Seacrest quickly reassured Thomas, saying, "I’m good, I’m good," as he got back to his feet, sporting his trademark charm throughout the ordeal. Even as he held his back, it was evident he was not too worse for wear. Seacrest joked with the contestant, laughingly asking, "Did I make you fall?" before humorously noting, "Vanna, you have to take over, but how did you do all this in the last second?" His light-hearted demeanor emphasized the fun atmosphere of the show.
Thomas’s spirited celebration not only brought joy but also secured him $40,000 on top of his overall winnings of approximately $71,950 from the game. What a success story! The tackle was just part of the iconic moment, as he jokingly responded to Seacrest's earlier question by quipping, "Push you over or solve the puzzle?" This quick wit mirrored the engaging spirit of the beloved game show.
The incident became the talk of social media almost instantly, with fans expressing their delighted disbelief over the episode. The official Wheel of Fortune YouTube account shared the recap clip of the comedic moment, captioning it with Seacrest’s humorous note: "Throw me over, tackle me, I’m totally fine with it," showcasing just how light-hearted he was about the fall. Meanwhile, the game show’s Instagram account added, "Bookmarking this video for when we see an influx of people tackling Ryan in the show," accompanied by laughter emojis.
Despite the mishap, the overall mood remained positive. Even the official Jeopardy! account joined the conversation online, expressing relief with the comment, "We’re glad Ryan is okay." Another fan remarked, "Ouch Ryan. Way to go, Daniel!!!" It seems the chaos of the show only intensified the fans' affection for both the program and its hosts.
This isn't the first time Seacrest has experienced this kind of embarrassing yet amusing fall during live television. He previously tumbled out of his chair on Live with Kelly and Ryan back in January 2020, causing Kelly Ripa to share her shock and surprise at another one of his clumsy yet hilarious moments. Seacrest later explained how his fascination with the shiny disco balloons they used as props caught his attention and led to his fall.
Seacrest’s transition to hosting Wheel of Fortune came after Pat Sajak announced his retirement from the show. Many fans were thrilled for the change, excited to see how Seacrest would bring his charisma to the iconic series. Soon after Sajak’s final episode aired, Seacrest took to Instagram to express his gratitude. "Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune!" he wrote, acknowledging the legacy of the show and Sajak’s role in its charm.
With the latest episode, it’s clear Seacrest has already left his mark, providing yet another chapter full of humor and heart as he takes on his role. The fall has not hindered his spark as a host—if anything, it only solidifies his presence now as part of the show’s ever-growing legendary moments. Fans look forward to joining the fun as the Wheel of Fortune adventures continue as time goes on.