Tension often runs high in the game show world, testing even the most experienced hosts. Recently, Ryan Seacrest had a surprising moment of frustration on Wheel of Fortune with two contestants.

What could have caused such a reaction?


The episode in question aired on Tuesday, October 29, during the “Girlfriend Getaways” special, which featured teams of contestants competing for lavish prizes.

Best friends Kelli Mullen and Emma Paulson, who have shared a bond since the sixth grade, stepped up to the wheel with hopes of big winnings.


The duo had made it to the final bonus round, where they were presented with a two-word puzzle under the category “What Are You Doing?”

With the pressure mounting, they were given the opportunity to select four additional letters to help solve the puzzle.

This is where the whispering began.


As the clock ticked down, Kelli and Emma huddled together, whispering and deliberating over each letter choice.

Their hushed conference seemed to irk Seacrest, who is known for his smooth demeanor as a host.

Off-screen, his voice cut through the silence, “I can hear you,” he whispered back, a note of urgency in his tone.

The audience could sense the tension as he prompted them with a stern “Hurry.”


The friends giggled nervously, but the laughter did little to ease the situation.

They quickly chose an “F” and then, still whispering, leaned towards an “A,” which Seacrest promptly accepted as their final letter, saying, “A, I heard you.”

Vanna White, the show's iconic letter-turner, revealed the chosen letters on the board, which now read: “A_ _ L _ _ N_’ ‘_ _ SELF.”

With only 10 seconds on the clock, Kelli and Emma scrambled to piece together the answer.

Unfortunately, their time ran out, and the correct phrase, “Applying Myself,” remained unsolved.

The sting of the missed opportunity was made all the more painful when Seacrest revealed that the gold prize card held a staggering $75,000.

Despite the loss, the host concluded the show on a gracious note, telling the pair, “It was so great to meet you.”


Viewers at home were left in disbelief, taking to YouTube to express their astonishment and frustration.

Comments ranged from incredulous, “HOW IN THE WORLD DID THEY NOT GET IT?!” to critical,”[t]hey were too busy whispering, they should’ve got it right on the spot”.

One fan pointed out the costly mistake, noting that choosing “P” would have likely secured the win.

While Kelli and Emma didn't take home the $75,000, they still walked away with a respectable $19,530.

You can watch the clip below:



Have you ever found yourself in a high-pressure situation where communication was key? How did you handle it? Share your stories and tips for keeping cool under pressure in the comments below.