If you caught the latest episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, you likely got a warm blast of nostalgia watching longtime host Pat Sajak spin back into action.

After officially handing over the reins to Ryan Seacrest, Sajak surprised fans by returning for this special edition. But while his cameo sparked joy, the online chatter wasn't all applause.

Instead, it turned quickly into a familiar gripe: Are these guests really celebrities?

In this round of Celebrity Wheel, viewers saw a trio that raised more eyebrows than excitement.



Justin Long, best known for Dodgeball, Jeepers Creepers, and the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies,

Rachael Harris, the comedic standout from Lucifer and The Hangover, and

Cameron Brink, a rising WNBA star and the No. 2 overall draft pick.

On paper, they check the boxes—TV, film, sports. But many longtime viewers weren’t convinced.


A now-viral online thread titled “Celebrity (?) Wheel??” summed up the mood:

“I admit: I am not plugged into pop culture at all, so I know I'm probably just ignorant, but who are these people?”

Other users piled on: “The only one I recognize is Justin Long and even that's a stretch.” “Great show to watch but I think the word "celebrity" just might be a stretch for many guests on the show.”

Sound familiar? It's the same debate that’s haunted shows like Dancing with the Stars for years. The term “celebrity” isn’t what it used to be—and viewers are noticing.

Not everyone was throwing shade. In fact, some fans defended the lineup, calling the backlash unfair. Justin Long’s resume spans decades.



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Rachael Harris has been a fixture on TV screens for years. And while Cameron Brink may not be a household name (yet), she’s making waves in pro basketball.

As one commenter pointed out: “Tonight's Celeb wheel had two pretty famous people. Justin Long has been in NUMEROUS movies.” “Rachael Harris is a comedian who has been in numerous TV shows (Lucifer being her longest-tenured).”

“Nobody knows WNBA players except for Caitlyn Clark. Lol.” “The girl tonight was the second overall pick so she's kinda high profile in the league I'd say.”

It’s a valid point: today’s fame isn’t just measured in tabloid covers or blockbuster hits. For younger or niche audiences, these guests are celebrities.



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Amid the debate, one thing united the fandom: Pat Sajak’s return was the true highlight.

The 78-year-old icon may have stepped down officially, but fans were thrilled to see him back in the familiar host's seat, even temporarily.

“Pat coming back for that’s kinda neat, personally,” one viewer wrote. “I thought he was completely retired,” another commented.

With Seacrest settling into the main gig—and bringing along flashier visuals, prize upgrades, and a more polished aesthetic—Sajak’s appearance felt like a warm blanket of TV comfort. For many, he’s the real celebrity.

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Who would you love to see take on the Wheel? Should producers stick to red carpet regulars, or is it fun to discover new talent? And have you ever had to Google a contestant mid-episode? Let us know in the comments below—and don’t forget to share your favorite Pat Sajak moments while you're at it.