Pinch him, he’s (not) dreaming.
A “Wheel of Fortune” contestant had an odd request for Ryan Seacrest after he received a grand whole of almost $75,000 on Monday’s episode of the sport present.
P.J. Wilder was dramatic all through the entire sport, together with throughout the penultimate query when he accurately solved the $18,000 puzzle “Sand in my swimsuit.”
When the present confirmed his reply was proper, Wilder screamed, “Let’s f—ing go!”, and channeled The Hulk as he pretended to tear his shirt off.
Wilder additionally tried to hug Seacrest, 50, however the host as a substitute grabbed Wilder by his mustache.
“Oh, okay, yeah,” Wilder mentioned.
Wilder made it to the bonus spherical the place the doable prizes included $100,000, $75,000, and a automotive. He needed to resolve “_ _ _ – _ _ _ _ _ _ _E” with the clue “What Are You Wearing?”
After locking in a number of letters, all of the whereas having enjoyable banter with Seacrest and Vanna White, Wilder accurately guessed “Zip-up hoodie” as the reply to the puzzle.
“How is this happening?” Wilder mentioned to Seacrest as he celebrated his large win.
“Please pinch me! Pinch me!” Wilder advised Seacrest, who did simply that on Wilder’s shoulder, prompting the contestant to yell, “Hey!”
The “American Idol” host then revealed that Wilder received a automotive, sending Wilder into one other match of pleasure as he shouted, “No way! Get out of here!”
Together with his $41,200 yellow Mini Cooper convertible, Wilder’s whole winnings from the sport got here out to $74,860.
Wilder hopped within the passenger seat of his new automotive, honked the horn and high-fived his spouse Katie, whom he launched to White, 68.
“You’re a legend,” he advised the present’s letter-turner.
Through the sport, Seacrest requested Wilder’s spouse, “What’s he really like off camera?”
“Just like this,” Katie mentioned with amusing.
Seacrest replied: “I’m not surprised.”
The TV icon took over Pat Sajak’s “WoF” internet hosting duties in September. Sajak, 78, formally retired from the collection after 41 seasons in June 2024.
“I love giving away the money,” Seacrest advised Fox Information in December. “I get so excited when people win the money, and they win a lot of money. I’m hoping to give away a million dollars in 2025.”
White mentioned final yr she was “very scared” about Seacrest becoming a member of the present, including, “I had no idea what to expect, when I’m used to one person for so long.”
Nonetheless, the blonde magnificence famous that Seacrest is “doing a great job” as host and mentioned they grew nearer as pals as soon as they began working collectively.
