Ryan Seacrest, the new host of *Celebrity Wheel of Fortune*, has introduced a strict rule following an incident involving contestant Derek Hough. During the show’s September 29 episode, Hough was reprimanded for jumping on the game show’s iconic 2,400-pound wheel, prompting Seacrest to clarify expectations for the set.
In an interview with *USA Today*, published on October 20, Seacrest, aged 50, recounted the moment when Hough, 40, jumped onto the wheel while the show was in a commercial break. Initially, Hough was permitted to mount the podium, but his antics soon escalated. “In the commercial break, [Hough] was jumping on the center of the wheel and having Bruno spin it, much like the top of a cake ornament,” Seacrest explained. He added, “We did say, ‘Please don’t do that. That would break it, and there’s only one of those wheels. If that breaks, we have a real problem.’”
Seacrest acknowledged the lively nature of his *Dancing With the Stars* guests, referring to them as “very physical,” which contributes to the entertainment value of the show. Their friendship, stemming from Seacrest’s past relationship with Hough’s sister, Julianne, allows them to maintain a candid rapport. Seacrest noted, “Knowing someone, or being friends, is definitely helpful. You can kind of tease them more than somebody you don’t know.”
As Seacrest prepares for his role as the host of the original *Wheel of Fortune*, taking over from Pat Sajak in September 2024, he has received praise for his dedication to the show. Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, previously informed *Us Weekly* that Seacrest deeply appreciates the show’s legacy. “You can really tell by how prepared he is and how he treats the contestants and the whole experience,” she stated.
Earlier this month, Seacrest had a front-row seat to a historic moment on *Wheel of Fortune*. Contestant Christina Derevjanik made headlines by winning a staggering $1,035,155 on September 30, marking a new record for the game show. As confetti fell around her, Derevjanik, aged 35, shared a heartfelt embrace with Seacrest and co-host Vanna White. “I’m in tears. You’re a millionaire! Do you know you have more than $1 million?” Seacrest exclaimed during the celebration.
Derevjanik humorously remarked that she planned to retire early from her job as a marketing manager if she won the grand prize. Turning to the camera, she addressed her boss, saying, “We’ll have a discussion once we get back to the office.” This victory makes Derevjanik the fourth contestant in the show’s history to achieve the million-dollar milestone, surpassing the previous record held by Sarah Manchester, who won $1,017,490 in 2014.
Celebrating the achievement, Seacrest took to Instagram, expressing his excitement: “Ecstatic doesn’t even cover it, my first million-dollar win just set a new Wheel record! Biggest win ever. Biggest grin ever. I’ll never forget this moment.”
With Seacrest at the helm, *Celebrity Wheel of Fortune* continues to deliver memorable moments, blending excitement with the unpredictability that comes from both contestants and the iconic game show format.