Ryan Seacrest has had a blunder or two (or three) since taking the reins of Wheel of Fortune in September 2024. And every time he does, the beloved host — who replaced Pat Sajak following the game show icon's retirement — just endears himself to fans even more. Seacrest's latest viral moment went down when he was competing against contestant Becky, a fitness instructor, in a friendly planking contest — right there on the Wheel of Fortune stage.
The official Wheel Instagram account shared video footage of the impressive stunt, in which Seacrest and Becky both called it a draw after Seacrest was able to keep up with the trainer for two minutes. "I burnt seven calories," the 50-year-old American Idol host quipped, before telling the audience that the planking exercise did a little more than just that. "Well, it caused me to burp, I'll let you know that," Seacrest shared, as Becky and Vanna White laughed.
Though Seacrest showed off his athletic prowess — and bodily functions — in the latest Wheel video, his previous attempts at fitness during Hawaiian Week were not as fruitful. While promoting the tropical-themed week in Honolulu, Seacrest and White, 68, filmed a clip in which they showed everything the tropical paradise had to offer — sandy beaches, fruity drinks, Hawaiian shirts and so much more. Every time Seacrest attempted to show off his water sport skills, however, he hammed it up for the camera — wiping out not once, but twice.
One moment, he attempted to stand up on a surfboard, only to end up in the crystal clear water — which, to be honest, is not exactly a bad alternative. In another flub, he tried to land a cartwheel in the shallows in a full wetsuit and flippers before crashing, once again, into the water. Given that Seacrest has also tripped multiple times on set, was once accidentally knocked down by a contestant — and put in a headlock by another — it's safe to say that his post-plank burp is just one more viral moment to add to the ever-growing list.
In another exciting episode of Wheel of Fortune aired on April 17, 2025, Christina Rinaldi, a contestant from Santa Barbara, California, made headlines by winning a Ford Bronco during the Bonus Round. Rinaldi played against Vernesha Montgomery from Clinton, Maryland, and Justin Orr from Bentonville, Arkansas. During the game, Rinaldi shared a personal touch, telling Seacrest that she recently exchanged vows for a second time with her husband in Rome at the Trevi Fountain at sunrise.
The competition was fierce. Montgomery won the first toss-up, while Orr won the second, each earning $1,000. Rinaldi solved the first puzzle, "Personal Grooming in Public," earning $1,800. Montgomery took the lead when she solved the Mystery Round puzzle, racking up $2,650. However, her luck changed when she landed on Bankrupt in the next puzzle, leading to a dramatic shift in the game's momentum.
Rinaldi seized the opportunity, solving the puzzle "Foundue Fountain" and winning a trip to Switzerland, which put her in the lead with a total of $14,099. Orr showcased his skills by solving two of the three Triple Toss-ups, while Rinaldi managed to solve one. Montgomery, despite her earlier success, ended the game with $3,650.
As the game progressed, Rinaldi was the clear standout. She ultimately finished the night as the big winner, taking home $16,099 in cash and prizes. The excitement peaked during the Bonus Round when Rinaldi brought her husband, Frank, with her. "That is my smoking hot. Five out of five husband, Frank," she declared to Seacrest, prompting him to make a playful remark. "I think we should all leave the building right now for these two," Seacrest joked, adding a lighthearted touch to the moment.
With the game show giving Rinaldi the letters "R, S, T, L, N, and E," she chose "C, P, M, and A" for her puzzle. The letters revealed the phrase "_ _ _C_ PEAC_". Rinaldi confidently guessed "Juicy Peach" just before the timer could count down one second, and her instincts were spot on. Seacrest enthusiastically confirmed her guess, flipping the envelope around to reveal that she had won the Ford Bronco. Rinaldi couldn't contain her excitement, hugging Seacrest and screaming in his ear, while Frank rushed over to celebrate, picking her up and spinning her around.
As the show wrapped up, Seacrest remarked, "A very happy couple I would say," encapsulating the joyous atmosphere of the evening. With Rinaldi ending the night with a total of $59,859, it was a memorable episode for both contestants and viewers alike.
As Seacrest continues to navigate his new role as host of Wheel of Fortune, fans are clearly enjoying his blend of humor and authenticity. Whether it’s through his viral planking moments or playful banter with contestants, Seacrest is carving out his own legacy in the world of game shows, one laugh at a time.
