Ryan Seacrest may be settling into his new role as the host of Wheel of Fortune, 

but that hasn’t stopped his longtime friend and former co-host Kelly Ripa from poking fun at him for a recent on-air mishap.

During a recent appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, Seacrest was there to promote his new children’s book, The Make-Believers, 

which he co-wrote with his sister, Meredith Seacrest Leach. 

However, the conversation quickly turned to his high-profile hosting gig, and Ripa couldn’t resist teasing him about a minor flub he made on the game show just days earlier.

Ripa Playfully Calls Out Seacrest’s Spelling

As Seacrest settled into his interview on Live with Kelly and Mark, Ripa, who worked alongside him for six years on Live with Kelly and Ryan, took the opportunity to rib her friend about his new job.

“Tell me about Wheel of Fortune now. Have you learned how to spell?” she jokingly asked, referencing a recent moment on the show that had fans talking.

Though Ripa’s comment was lighthearted, some viewers did question Seacrest’s reaction during a puzzle-solving moment on Wheel of Fortune the previous week.

The ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Flub

During last Friday’s episode of Wheel of Fortune, Seacrest seemed to hesitate after a contestant successfully solved a puzzle. Instead of immediately congratulating the player, he paused awkwardly, creating a moment of confusion. Fortunately, his co-host, the legendary Vanna White, jumped in with some clapping, breaking the silence and prompting Seacrest to recover.

Once he realized what had happened, he responded with enthusiasm, saying, “Cody? That’s it!”

While the moment was minor, it didn’t go unnoticed by fans—or Ripa, who used it as comedic fuel during Seacrest’s visit to her morning show.

Seacrest Laughs Off the Incident

Rather than getting defensive, Seacrest took the joke in stride, admitting to Ripa that texting has never been his strong suit—something she was well aware of from their years working together.

“But on the puzzles, I’m OK,” Seacrest assured. “I kind of know where we’re going with the puzzles.”

Not missing a beat, Ripa quickly quipped, “Because you have the answer in front of you, don’t you?”

Seacrest, ever the entertainer, simply smiled and replied, “I mean, either in my head or in front of me. It’s somewhere.”

A Warm Welcome to Wheel of Fortune

Seacrest officially took over hosting duties for Wheel of Fortune last month, following Pat Sajak’s retirement in June 2024. While stepping into such an iconic role comes with challenges, the seasoned TV host has embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm.

Ripa has been one of Seacrest’s biggest cheerleaders throughout the transition, but that hasn’t stopped her from having a little fun at his expense. This isn’t the first time she’s poked fun at his communication skills, either.

Back in October 2023, before Seacrest had even begun his Wheel of Fortune journey, Ripa shared a humorous take on his texting habits. While chatting with Vanna White on Live with Kelly and Mark, she joked, “When Ryan Seacrest texts you, you say to yourself, ‘This person is trying to tell me something.’ That’s the first thing—you realize Ryan is trying to tell you something, but oftentimes, you just don’t know what that is.”

Seacrest Takes It All in Stride

Despite the teasing, it’s clear that Seacrest and Ripa share a genuine friendship filled with mutual respect and lighthearted banter. After working together for years on morning television, the two have developed a playful dynamic that fans love to see.

While Seacrest may have stumbled momentarily on Wheel of Fortune, his quick recovery and ability to laugh at himself prove why he has remained one of the most beloved hosts in television. As he continues settling into his role, there’s no doubt he’ll bring his own unique charm to the legendary game show—flubs and all.

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