He was so excited! A Wheel of Fortune contestant picked Ryan Seacrest up and spun him after he had a come-from-behind win. The excited host then wrapped his legs around the contestant who was almost in tears before the show ended. The contestant barely had $2,000 in his bank, and then won on the final puzzle.
Stephanie Hoetzer, from Antioch, Illinois, solved the first toss-up on May 14. She is married and has two sons named Bob and Dylan after her husband’s favorite singer, Bob Dylan.
Hoetzer played against Jason Nieradka, from Kernersville, North Carolina, and Derrick Kimbrough, from Memphis, Tennessee. Kimbrough, a big vinyl collector and Aretha Franklin fan, solved the second toss-up.
Kimbrough put $5,850 in his bank when he solved “Flying on a Private Jet.” He also obtained the Wild Card when he solved the “Same Name” puzzle — “Poker & Corn Chips.” This put $8,500 in his bank.
On the next puzzle, Kimbrough guessed a few letters before he landed on Bankrupt. He had to forfeit his Wild Card. Hoetzer decided to solve “Things Are Getting Out of Hand.” She won a trip to Aruba and took the lead with $9,657.
All three game show contestants put $2,000 more in their banks when they each solved a Triple Toss-up. For the final puzzle, the wheel landed on $5,000, which meant consonants were worth $6,000 each.
“Suddenly, it’s anybody’s game,” host Ryan Seacrest said.
Nieradka, a guy who goes to at least four music festivals per year, jumped into the lead when he called a “T,” in which there were three, putting $18,000 in his bank. He then got three “L”s, giving him $36,000.
“A Little Bird Told Me,” Nieradka solved.
“He’s going to the Bonus Round!” Seacrest shouted. When the host walked over to him, the contestant hugged him and picked him up off the ground, causing Seacrest to wrap his legs around him. “Congratulations!” Seacrest said, out of breath.
Nieradka had $38,000 in his bank and chose “Phrase” for his category. Hoetzer left with $11,657. Kimbrough had $10,500.
When Hoetzer and Nieradka went to high-five, Seacrest ducked under them and said in a squeaky voice, “Jason’s going to the Bonus Round.”
When it came time for the Bonus Round, Seacrest said, “Every round we said, ‘Next round, you’re going to get some money,’ and then you did.”
Nieradka brought his mom and best friend with him. He also brought a piece ofhis grandmother’s dress, who he used to watch Wheel of Fortune with all the time.
After being given “R,S,T,L,N, and E,” the Wheel of Fortune contestant chose “H,D,F, and A.”
The puzzle looked like “_N THE AFTER_ATH.” He quickly solved “In the Aftermath.” With $40,000 in the envelope, Nieradka took home $78,000.
The contestant got emotional and said the money was “life-changing.” “That’s why we do this every night,” Seacrest replied.
Fans were very impressed with Nieradka’s come-from-behind win. “What an ending!!! Jason had nothing after the prize puzzle round. He came back with $38K and won an additional $40K in the bonus round holy s**t!!! His grandmother is definitely smiling down…” a Reddit user said.
“That was so intense,” another said.
“What an episode tonight. Oh my God!” a third added.
“I’m crying at Jason picking up Ryan and twirling him around. Guess I would too if I made it to bonus like that,” a fan reacted.
“Wow! From zero to hero,” a Reddit user commented.
“Go off Jason!” said another.
“Spinning 5k on the final puzzle is probably THE most intense thing in any game show. That ending was so intense and Jason was absolutely popping off. Such a good episode. I’m glad they all went home with good amounts,” a fan wrote.
“I screamed and cried!” one last fan said.
Wheel of Fortune, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Hulu and Peacock
