If you’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars on the 2025 TV schedule, you know the judges can get animated. Derek Hough is not afraid to stand up to demonstrate a move or sing his praises, and Bruno Tonioli is no stranger to enthusiastically gesturing and taking his jacket off while he gives feedback. Well, recently, the two of them, and pro Jenna Johnson, took that big energy over to Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. At one point, Hough tried to jump on the 2,400 lb wheel, and now Ryan Seacrest has a new rule for contestants.
The highly entertaining DWTS judges and the fan-favorite pro stopped in to play what I'd argue is one of the best game shows back on September 26. To note, this was also Seacrest’s first episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, so the stakes were a bit higher than your average ep.
The second Hough was introduced, he was dancing. Then, while talking to Vanna White during introductions, he did say (and imitate) that he could jump over the table to go dance with her. After solving a puzzle at one point, he even celebrated by getting up on the table and putting his hands out victoriously. On top of all that, he also got on the wheel during a commercial break, which is a no-no according to Ryan Seacrest, who told USA Today:
In the commercial break, (Hough) was jumping on the center of the wheel and having Bruno spin it, much like the top of a cake ornament. We did say, 'Please don't do that. That would break it, and there's only one of those wheels. If that breaks, we have a real problem.'
Well, this has me wondering if anyone has ever tried to stand on the wheel before. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if this was a first. I also have to say, it’s a solid rule to have in place.
While it’s hilarious to think about the dancer jumping onto the infamous wheel, as Seacrest noted, there’s only one wheel physically created to accommodate the show. I doubt anyone wants to be in a “you break it, you buy it” situation with it. So, the host made a new rule for the celebrity contestants-- maybe just stick to the ledge instead.
We had to sort of say, 'Stick to the ledge.' They're very physical, and that makes for fun.
As I explained earlier, Hough did end up doing just that. While I’m kind of bummed we didn’t get to see him jump onto the wheel, I am happy we got this alternative on the air:
It's probably best for safety purposes, anyway. Though I'd probably just be celebrating on social media, like Seacrest did with his first million-dollar winner.
The jumping on the wheel ended up being understandable, though, at least in my opinion, because Derek Hough did win the episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (you can watch it with a Hulu subscription). Ultimately, he took in $63,350 for Feeding America and a new rule. I bet there aren’t many winners who can say that.
Now to watch celebrities playing Wheel of Fortune and not jumping on the wheel, you can catch new episodes every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Meanwhile, to see Hough, Bruno Tonioli, Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy and more dancing, judging, and occasionally jumping and/or dancing on tables on Dancing with the Stars, you can watch new episodes on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET either on ABC or with a Disney+ subscription.
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