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American Idol 2025: Backstreet Boy confirms son Baylee Littrell auditioned

AMERICAN IDOL – Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, And Ryan Seacrest. (Disney/Eric McCandless) LUKE BRYAN, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST

Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell confirms son Baylee Littrell auditioned for American Idol

Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell confirmed news that most alert American Idol fans already knew–his son Baylee Littrell auditioned for season 23 and will appear on the show.

“He’s actually on the new ‘American Idol’ this season, which is a little caveat of information,” he told the Today show while promoting the band’s upcoming residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Baylee, a country singer, had teased his American Idol audition on Instagram, writing, “Well guys, recently I had the opportunity to audition for @americanidol. Tune in to see the season premiere and what happens on 3/9/25!”

Dad Brian supported his son in comments writing, “Bubba I can’t wait!!!!! Good Luck we’re all counting on you hahaha.”

Brian has also lent support behind the scenes, giving Baylee tips on how to deal with the pressures of show business. “He was just texting me last night, going, ‘Dad, dude, how do you do this? Like, it’s hard work,’” Brian told Today. “He’s been busting his butt, and I’m super proud of him. He kind of gets a new sense of reality of what this is.”

According to Today, Brian Littrell was the first Backstreet Boy to have a child and would take his son on the road. As a kid, Baylee would introduce the group from the stage before concerts.

“He tells this joke about being at a convenience store or a drug store, and there was a ‘Millennium’ album, in the casing of all these CDs,” Brian recalled. “And he picks it up … and he was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, that’s my dad!’ And this was when he was, like, probably 7 or 8 years old.”

Baylee Littrell has been pursuing a career in music since childhood

Baylee has been an entertainer since he was a little guy, He made his Broadway debut at 13 in the musical Disaster! and released his debut album, 770-Country, in 2019. While recording tracks written by the Florida-Georgia Line member Tyler Hubbard, the veteran country star stopped by the recording studio to offer his support. “I opened the studio door and Tyler goes, ‘Hey, man. I just want you to know that me and [Brian Kelley] support you and we’re excited for your record’,” Baylee told Variety at the time. “It was one of the best memories from recording. That same year, he was the opening act during the Backstreet Boys’ “DNA Tour.”

Find out if Baylee made it on the show as far as the Top 24 in our latest SPOILER POST!. American Idol recently taped the round with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. Jelly Roll is the show’s first ever “Artist in Residence” while Ashanti and Josh Groban mentored the Top 24 performance.

BUT AS ALWAYS DO NOT SPOIL CONTESTANTS IN COMMENTS! KEEP ALL SPOILER TALK IN THE SPOILER POST! Believe it or not some folks DO NO want to be spoiled! Thank you in advance.

American Idol season 23 premieres on Sunday March 9 at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC. It will stream on Hulu beginning the next day. However, a special preview episode will air after the Oscar telecast on Sunday March 2.

The Voice fans think John Legend made ‘big mistake’ for keeping Taylor Swift contestant

Dan + Shay compared one of John Legend’s contestant, Zoe Levert, to Taylor Swift. Fans were left upset after John’s decision but luckily, Reba hit her steal button

The Voice fans think John Legend made a ‘big mistake’ for keeping ‘Taylor Swift contestant’ after Dan + Shay were compared to the mega-star.

Reba hit her steal button to save one of the contestants

On Monday nights episode of The Voice, Team Legend’s Jackie Romeo and Zoe Levert went head to head as they were the last performance of the night. Jackie was the first to start the Knockout round and sang her version of Rihanna’s Love On the Brain, while Zoe sang Cowboy Take Me Away by The Chicks.

The coaches were torn once as they praised both their renditions. Dan + Shay enjoyed Zoe’s performance so much that Shay Mooney even compared her to Grammy winning artist, Taylor Swift.

Dan + Shay compared one of John Legend’s contestant to Taylor Swift
Shay said: “You remind me so much of Taylor Swift. You are unapologetically yourself just like Taylor is. I feel like we are watching you kind of come into your own.” This left John making a hard decision between the two. At the end, he chose Zoe over Jackie, which left fans upset and believe he made a mistake.

One person on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “#TheVoice @johnlegend Big mistake.” Another person wrote: “ZOE OVER JACKIE??? BFFR #TheVoice.” A third person wrote: “JOHN PICKED HER OVER JACKIE???? The judges were really dumb this episode #TheVoice.”

Fans were left upset after John’s decision
Luckily for fans, Reba used her last steal on Jackie and will be seeing her during the playoffs. Reba was happy to push her button and ran to give the emotional contestant a hug. Reba told the viewers: “Jackie can sing country, Jackie can sing anything she wants, ’cause she’s that strong of a singer. I’m very excited to work with her during the playoffs.”

She told Jackie: “Continue to have fun. I love you.”

Viewers expressed their excitement. One person wrote: “It’s over for John! Reba stealing Jackie CONTROL IT! #TheVoice.” Another person wrote: “Thank you @reba for saving Jackie. She gave me goosebumps! #TheVoice.” A third person wrote: “#TeamLegend letting go of Jackie Romeo. No Bueno! but #TeamReba picks her up. Yay! What a rollercoaster. #TheVoice #VoiceKnockouts.”

This was not the first steal Reba used on this episode. She tried to use her last seat during the beginning of the episode on Kamalei Kawa’a who sang All of Me by John Legend. Kamalei had to choose between Reba or John.

‘American Idol’ Kicks Off 2025 Season in Hollywood: Details & Images Leaked by Attendees

Though season 23 of “American Idol” won’t premiere on ABC until March 9, 2025, filming is well underway with dozens of contestants, host Ryan Seacrest, longtime judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, and first-time judge Carrie Underwood.

On January 27, 2025, contestants who earned golden tickets from the judges during auditions last fall performed for a live audience as part of the Showstopper round of Hollywood Week. Contestants, audience members, and show staff at the January 27 event shared glimpses on social media of the scene at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, ABC also released a new season 23 promo featuring some of the new season’s hopefuls and an emotional Underwood wiping away tears as she talked to one of them.

Hollywood Week Photos Shared by Attendees & ‘American Idol’ Staff

https://youtu.be/ECdBGEsKsbE

“American Idol’s” iconic Hollywood Week has traditionally happened in December. But the show’s ticket coordinator, On Camera Audiences, announced online and via email that tickets were available on January 27 for fans to “be the first to see the top contestants perform in front of a live audience for the iconic Hollywood week.” On Camera Audiences said the performances would mark the start of season 23.

Though the show’s stars have stayed mum about Hollywood Week, some of the people in attendance shared photos on January 27, including Richie’s longtime love Lisa Parigi, who posted a picture of the Orpheum’s marquee in her Instagram Stories.

“Office today,” she wrote over the image, showing signage that said “Showstoppers” and a tour bus parked outside the theater.

Among the audience members who shared peeks from the venue, teacher Shane Twamley shared a carousel of photos on Instagram featuring fans who helped raise $1,000 for victims of the recent Los Angeles wildfires by attending. He included pics from inside the theater, including some of the judges, and said 62 contestants performed.

Other attendees who leaked pics from the event included a fan who tweeted a selfie while waiting in line to get into the Orpheum. Another audience member shared Facebook photos of Underwood in a metallic, purple mini dress sitting at the judging table with Bryan and Richie.

 

Xem bài viết này trên Instagram

 

Bài viết do Shane Twamley (@twamleyshane) chia sẻ

Among those working behind the scenes, longtime “Idol” casting producer and talent coordinator Nancy Yearing shared photos in her Instagram Stories of the stage, and casting producer Audrey Pine Wright shared a photo in her Stories of “Idol” warmup host Josh Randall getting the crowd pumped up.

Season 23 ‘American Idol’ Contestants Posted Behind-the-Scenes Pics, Too

https://youtu.be/-UU3ihyNIUg

Though it’s not known how they’ve done during Hollywood Week, “Idol” has already revealed two of its platinum ticket winners, chosen by the judges as contestants who impressed them so much that, if the rules follow past years, they would have been able to skip the first round of competition during Hollywood Week.

In November, the “Idol” cast surprised a contestant named Coby with her platinum ticket at the NFL matchup between the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots, bringing her to tears. On New Year’s Eve, before Seacrest and Underwood led the countdown in New York’s Times Square, they surprised an R&B singer named Filo with a platinum ticket, too.

As Hollywood Week came to a close, some contestants shared on social media that they’re part of season 23, including college student Julia Gergis. She posted an Instagram photo of herself (above) outside doors labeled with the “American Idol” logo and wrote, “So beyond blessed and excited to have the opportunity to audition in front of @lionelrichie @carrieunderwood @lukebryan for @americanidol  Season 23!! Tune in March 9th to see if I make the cut 😉💫🎤”

Rock singer Danny Youngelman shared photos of himself on January 26 with the “Idol” logo over a fireplace behind him and captioned his post, “Surprise!!! I auditioned for @americanidol 😭 Tune in March 9th on ABC or streaming on Hulu to see Danny Boy LIGHT IT UP 🔥”

Folk rock singer Shane Dan Turner, who regularly busks in the New York subway system, posted a similar update to other contestants on Instagram, with a photo of himself in a waiting area with the “Idol” logo in the background.

One contestant who also posted from behind the scenes, Gabby Samone, already has some serious support behind her. On January 27, Samone posted her photos with the caption, “Soo I did a thing… 🤭 Tune in March 9th! ❤️” and among the followers cheering her on was “Idol” alum and EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, who commented, “Yaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!”

Next up, the contestants who make it through Hollywood Week will head to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, where filming is expected to take place from February 6 – 13, according to Reel News Hawaii. The fall auditions and tapings from January and February will be featured during the first few weeks of season 23, before ABC moves to live shows with viewer voting.

ABC just announced the premiere of season 21 of “American Idol.” Get the details and find out what contestants are busy doing between now and then.

After decades of dominating the country music scene and delivering hit after hit, George Strait has finally revealed his all-time favorite song. Known as the “King of Country,” Strait’s career spans over four decades, and his impressive catalog includes timeless classics. 

George Strait Revealed The One Song That Was His Favorite To Record

George Strait (Image via Facebook)

George Strait has recorded innumerable songs during his very long and illustrious career. But there is one that apparently stands out to him as his favorite to record above all the others. Per Whiskey Riff, Strait performed at Gruene Hall in Texas nine years ago to mark the release of his latest album at the time, Strait Out Of The Box: Part II. Per the outlet, “…[S]eeing someone of his caliber, a legend who can still sell out stadiums, play a small honky tonk like this is just beyond cool.”

Strait performed that night for almost two glorious hours, running through his hits and delighting the throng. He mentioned his partiality to one song, “Amarillo By Morning.” Strait said, “My most favorite song I’ve ever recorded, and it was big in the dance halls, people always requested it. This one’s called ‘Amarillo By Morning.’ I love singing it.”

‘Amarillo By Morning’ Was A Big Hit For George Strait

It Did Very Well

Per the outlet, “‘Amarillo by Morning’ was released in 1982, becoming a hit from his Strait from the Heart record after it peaked at #4 on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs, and has obviously remained a timeless country standard ever since. Perhaps his most popular song of all time.”

Given the sheer number and quality of George Strait’s output, that is really saying something!

Fans Have Weighed In On This Song And How Much They Love It And George Strait

They Expressed Their Unvarnished Admiration On YouTube

“George is perfection and so is the gentleman planning his violin/fiddle! Beautiful!”

“George Strait= what you see is just what you get! A genuine nice man who has tremendous amount of talent!!!!”

“Love this song Cowboy”

“Once in a life time song , never get sick of hearing this song, love it.”

“I played this song for my 97 year old father and his reaction on hearing George’s beautiful smooth voice was priceless. From an Aussie down under. Your music will live on George.”

Sometimes an artist and a particular song just get under people’s skin. That is true of George Strait and “Amarillo By Morning.” Pure country bliss.

Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert are shaking up the country music scene with their secret collaboration! The buzz surrounding the new song started after Lambert teased it on the red carpet

Ella Langley Showcases New Song Written With Miranda Lambert During Intimate Texas Show

Since releasing her hit song “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green, Ella Langley has become a popular commodity in the country music business. So much so, that it seems folks have been patiently waiting in line to work with her. Well, one musician has seemed to have jumped the line, and that is, of course, Miranda Lambert.

The news about the collaboration came to light at the People’s Choice Country Awards red-carpet walk when Miranda Lambert revealed that she intended to collaborate with Langley. Though, ever since that announcement, things have been rather radio silent. Until now, as Ella Langley recently debuted the two’s song last weekend.

Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, and The One That Got Away

Last weekend, Ella Langley debuted the untitled song at Banita Creek Hall in Nacogdoches, Texas. The venue is not a stadium and seemingly doesn’t even fit over 500 people, so the people in attendance got an intimate teaser of what is to come. Thanks to the venue’s intimacy, a patron at the venue was able to clearly capture Langley’s performance and some of the lyrics in the untitled song.

Some of the lyrics Langley sang include, She’s from Texas, I can tell / I can tell by the way / He’s two-stepping around the room / Judging by the smile that on his face / There’s nothing I can do. As well as, It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see / A cowboy always find a way to leave / Drinking Jack all by myself / ‘Cuz he’s choosing Texas, I can tell.

Per the lyrics, it seems Lambert and Langley’s new tune is the antithesis of Langley’s previous hit. In short, the antithesis is that in the song, Langley is losing love, not obtaining it. However, take our elementary analysis with a grain of salt, as Langley and Lambert surely have a more expansive story embedded in the rest of the lyrics.

Lastly, it is unclear whether Lambert will sing alongside Ella Langley on the track. It could be that Lambert simply helped Langley write the song, and as a result, won’t end up singing on the single or Langley’s upcoming album. Though, as of now, there is no way of truly knowing. So, the world of country music is just going to have to sit tight and wait.

“He’s choosing Texas, I can tell…”

Ella Langley performed she and Miranda’s unreleased co-write (rather fittingly) in Nacogdoches last week 🤠 pic.twitter.com/MvravHzyUS

— Miranda Lambert Fan (@ranfancentral) February 1, 2025

Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage

Alan Jackson and George Strait join forces to sing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in a heartfelt and powerful tribute to the legendary George Jones.

The two country icons pour their hearts into the performance, bringing a perfect blend of raw emotion and reverence to the unforgettable ballad that Jones made his own.

Their harmonies echo the deep love and respect they share for the man who defined country music for generations, making this tribute not only a celebration of his life but a beautiful moment of country music history.

Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.

On April 26, 2013, we lost the Possum, George Jones, whose seamless iconic voice sang heartbreak so intense that he inspired a generation of country singers and songwriters.

It only made sense that the 2013 Country Music Association Awards paid tribute to the legend, with country superstars Alan Jackson and George Strait coming together for a performance of Jones’ most recognizable and cherished hit, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

Host Brad Paisley introduced Jackson and Strait, who were both donning cowboy hats. He described Jones as the “greatest country singer of all time,” adding that he was proud to have called the legend his friend.

The King of Country then started strumming his guitar with Jackson on his side and later, the two traded lines and harmonized their extremely powerful voices beautifully. Images of Jones all through his illustrious life were shown on the screen behind the singers.

Jackson and Strait’s performance earned some of the biggest cheers during the night of glitzy performances. It was truly a delightful homage to a man that all country fans adored and respected.

The Wistful Track That Tugged The Hearts Of Millions

Released in 1980 as the lead single off George Jones’ album I Am What I Am, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” has been lauded as one of the genre’s greatest songs. It ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and helped Jones score different awards – including a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Country Performance.

A week after Jones’ death, the song re-entered Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart – peaking at No. 21.

And there were no better choices than Alan Jackson and George Strait to sing such an iconic ballad and honor Jones’ life and musical contribution. You can watch their performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” in the video below.

Video

Luke Combs Took A Fall During A Concert But It Somehow Makes Him Infinitely More Likable

If what happened to Luke Combs during a recent concert in San Francisco happened to me? I’d die. I’d stay on the ground and shrivel up into nothingness. Luke Combs was at Levi’s Stadium, gearing up to sing “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” He was happy, fans were vibing, it was a great time. Until he fell.

@misscheezajoy6

Not Luke Combs slipping on stage! One of thee best concerts ever! #LUKECOMBS #SantaClara @Luke Combs

♬ original sound – misscheezajoy

To bust out another Toy Story reference, Luke Combs fell… with style. That left foot started sliding and disaster followed it. But maybe winning Single of the Year at the ACM Awards gave Combs the strength to make the best of a bad situation. There’s a lot of character in this mishap, if you’re looking for it. Combs isn’t angry and doesn’t storm off, grumbling about how the stage shouldn’t have been slippery and ruined his moment.

He slides, lets everyone know he’s good, and gets up and struts his stuff. When you’re this effortlessly classy, people take notice.

Luke Combs Fell During A Concert, But It Only Showed Why He’s So Beloved

“After further review the runner is SAFE,” one TikTok user jokes. Everyone’s having a good time; the fans love it, and I’m sure it’s great PR for Combs, too!

“I almost slipped on boot one time. love you Luke the best number one country singer!” She almost slipped on boot, y’all. It’s a matter of national security. (I’m sorry. I’m the last person who should make fun of people and their grammar.)

“What’s with the celebrities falling on stage ?? seems to be happening to all of them.!!” It’s been a bit of a pattern recently, yes. But to phrase it as a clickbaity YouTube video is hilarious to me. On a serious note, Luke Combs is slowly making his case for the “Most Wholesome Man In Country Music” award I desperately wish existed. He gives money to support kids with cancer, he falls with grace — what more could you ask of a person?

To conclude, I want to quote another TikTok comment that spoke to me spiritually.

“Slippery little sucker.”

Art comes in many splendid forms, folks. I’m not even going to articulate why I thought that comment was so funny. It’s time to utilize those critical thinking skills!

Happy’s Place is officially set to return for Season 2. Premiere Date, Cast, Trailer: Revealed

‘Happy’s Place’ Renewed for Season 2: Premiere Date, Cast, Trailer & More

‘Happy’s Place’ Renewed for Season 2 at NBC: Everything We Know So Far

Casey Durkin / NBC

Happy’s Place is officially set to return for Season 2 on NBC as the comedy led by Reba McEntire continues to entertain audiences.

Below, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the upcoming chapter of the sitcom, including what landed it the renewal and when it’s likely to return for the new season.

What landed Happy’s Place‘s Season 2 renewal?

Casey Durkin/NBC

Happy’s Place has improved NBC’s Friday 8/7c timeslot by 54 percent in total viewers. The pilot episode of the series has amassed 17.6 million viewers across various platforms, up 338 percent from its initial debut on the network last October. It is the second-biggest NBC comedy launch on Peacock behind fellow freshman hit, St. Denis Medical. Both new shows have reached nearly 45 million viewers across linear and digital platforms this season, making the renewal of Happy’s Place an easy choice.

Who stars in Happy’s Place?

Happy’s Place is led by McEntire, and she’s joined onscreen by series regulars Belissa Escobedo, Melissa Peterman, Pablo Castelblanco, Tokala Black Elk, and Rex Linn. Throughout Season 1, various guest stars have featured including Reba alums Steve Howey and Christopher Rich.

What is Happy’s Place about?

Happy’s Place follows the story of Bobbie, a woman who inherits her father’s titular tavern but is surprised to learn she has a new business partner in Isabella (Escobedo), her twentysomething half-sister that she never knew about.

When will Happy’s Place Season 2 premiere?

No premiere date has been announced, but considering Season 1 debuted this past fall, it’s likely to be back sometime between late September and early November if it remains part of the fall lineup. Stay tuned for exact dates as we await further news on Season 2.

Who will make Happy’s Place Season 2?

Currently, Happy’s Place is made for television by co-creator and writer Kevin Abbott who executive produces the series with McEntire, Michael Hanel, Mindy Schultheis, Matt Berry, and Pamela Fryman. The show is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Meanwhile, Julie Abbott also serves as co-creator.

Stay tuned for more details, and let us know what you look forward to seeing in Happy’s Place Season 2 when it arrives.

Happy’s Place, Season 2 Premiere, TBA, NBC

[AWESOME] Christopher Rich is ‘really good,’ reuniting with ‘Reba’ co-stars 7 years after a stroke. Now He Breaks Down Reba Nods on Happy’s Place After Acting Return

Christopher Rich is ‘really good,’ reuniting with ‘Reba’ co-stars 7 years after a stroke

On the eve of his return to TV, “Reba” star Christopher Rich is getting vulnerable about the health issues that kept him from acting in recent years.

Rich, 71, reunites with “Reba” co-stars Melissa Peterman and Reba McEntire on Friday’s episode of “Happy’s Place.” He told Us Weekly in an interview published Wednesday that he’s feeling “really good” several years after experiencing a stroke and subsequent blood clots, which left him with limited mobility and a long road to recovery in their wake.

“After my stroke and having a brain injury, it is like I got hit with an atomic bomb. So it all gets traumatized, and it is a hard reset,” he told the outlet. “After I finally got out of the hospital, I was moving around again.”

He landed back in the hospital due to blood clots in his lungs and “debris in my heart.” But “after surviving all of that crap, I’m feeling really, really good,” he said. In his guest spot on “Happy’s Place,” Rich – who played Reba Hart’s ex-husband Brock during the show’s airing from 2001 to 2007 – takes on the role of a tattoo artist named Maverick who is also recovering from a stroke.

“It’s great to be able to be a disabled person and play a disabled person,” Rich said. “I’m hoping that when some of this gets out there, that people that I’ve worked with in the past are going to say, ‘OK, let’s bring him back. We can work with him.’”

Being back on set reminded Rich of how much he loves acting.

“The crew made it feel like the old Reba set because we were having a blast. They had as much fun as I did and that was really heartwarming for me. It felt like I was back home in a safe place,” he said. “I was really well taken care of. It was a blessing. I want to go back so badly.”

‘I don’t think I’ll ever be exactly what I was before’

Rich appeared in 2018’s “The Christmas Trap” and spent some time away from acting, making his return in the 2021 streaming film “Spiked.” Since his stroke, Rich has kept busy with philanthropy and work in “green energy.”

In promotional videos for medical clinics where he received treatment, Rich previously described undergoing stem cell treatments to “help heal the right side of my brain where the blood clot happened because it destroyed some of my brain.”

“My left side was completely frozen; I couldn’t walk or use my left arm,” he said in a clip for ReGen Clinics.

The stroke happened in the middle of the night on Easter morning in 2018, he said in a video series for the Centre for Neuro Skills.

Afterward, his voice sounded “abnormal,” he had saliva leaking from the left side of his mouth and he struggled with his memory.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be exactly what I was before, and I hope not, because this has been such a learning experience for me,” Rich said.

‘All-time horrible answer’: Wheel of Fortune viewers stunned

Wheel of Fortune viewers were left spinning with rage after one of the contestants blurted out a new “all-time horrible” answer.

Wheel of Fortune viewers in the US were left spinning with rage after one of the contestants blurted out a new “all-time horrible” answer.

On the episode that aired December 30, contestants had to guess a three-word answer in the “food & drink” category.

Contestant Gaelyn Nease guessed several letters right, until the board read: “Ne_ / _or_ / _heese_a_e.”

Instead of guessing the correct answer of “New York Cheesecake,” she guessed “New York Cheesesteak” and lost.

The December 30 episode of Wheel of Fortune. Picture: Sony Pictures Television
“A new all-time horrible answer on wheel,” one viewer wrote on X.

“I knew this would end up making the rounds. Oooooooof!!!” another viewer wrote.

Another fan snarked, “Game shows are hard but yes that should’ve been gotten.”

“I was watching. Worst I’ve ever seen ‘live’ on TV. What a nerd,” another said.

In the past, Nease might have faced similar comments not just from the audience, but from the show’s host.

Sajak, who retired in June at age 77 after a 41-season reign hosting the show, was notorious for getting snippy with contestants.

Contestant Gaelyn Nease on Wheel of Fortune. Picture: Sony Pictures Television

The December 30 episode of Wheel of Fortune. Picture: Sony Pictures Television

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest on Wheel of Fortune. Picture: Sony Pictures Television
For instance, Sajak made fun of contestant Scott Ingwersen’s introduction story during an episode in March 2022.

Ingwersen told viewers that when he was 12 years old his toe got cut off when he fell off a speed bike, and then paramedics reattached his toe.

“That may have been the most pointless story ever told,” Sajak said to Ingwersen.

In December 2023, Sajak lobbied a verbal bomb at player Jill who failed to guess the phrase from the letter puzzle “_ _ _ C _ N _ _ _ R _ _ _ N _ _ N.” (The answer was “Voicing our opinion.”)

“What kind of puzzle is that?” Jill asked.

Sajak quipped, “It’s a puzzle you didn’t solve.”

But, Nease didn’t face criticism from new host Ryan Seacrest, who began hosting Wheel of Fortune on September 9, joining co-host Vanna White.

Viewers have been divided over Seacrest, with some appreciating his seasoned hosting and other fans commenting, “Not a fan of the way the show’s being produced since he’s taken over the lead.”

During an interview with Fox News Digital on December 31, Seacrest shared his goal for 2025.

“I love giving away the money,” he said. “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.”

This story was published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission