Ryan Seacrest looks back at a behind-the-scenes moment from Celebrity Wheel of Fortune involving Derek Hough’s playful energy on set.
The incident occurred during the September 26 episode featuring Hough, along with fellow Dancing with the Stars personalities Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy and Bruno Tonioli.
According to Seacrest, Hough got a bit too enthusiastic during a commercial break. “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,” Seacrest told USA Today, noting the fun quickly turned into concern.
“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.”
Hough later responded with humour, denying he would ever damage the game show’s iconic set. “I would never disrespect a set like that however awesome that would’ve been to be ‘spun around it like a cake ornament’ haha,” the Emmy-winning choreographer wrote.
Despite the lighthearted misunderstanding, Hough had plenty to celebrate. He won the episode, earning $63,350 for Feeding America. To mark his victory, he jumped onto the podium—this time without risking any set damage.
Seacrest and Hough share a bit of history off-camera as well.
The Wheel of Fortune host previously dated Hough’s sister, professional dancer Julianne Hough, from 2010 to 2013. Julianne now co-hosts Dancing with the Stars with Alfonso Ribeiro.
Wheel of Fortune airs weeknights on ABC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock, Hulu, and Disney+.