Ryan Seacrest was blasted for his lack of empathy after a Wheel Of Fortune contestant’s heartbreaking $1million loss as some viewers claimed that Pat Sajak would have handled the situation better.

 The 49-year-old television personality – who is struggling to win over fans of the game show – had critics displeased on the Monday episode of the show as he begins his second week of the hosting gig.

The latest controversy began when contestant Vivian had made it to the bonus round to solve the ‘What Are You Doing?’ puzzle.

She made the bold move of choosing C,H, M, and P for her consonants with I has her vowel.

Ryan asked how the contestant was doing before the reveal to which she responded ‘nervous’ as the letters lit up.

Ryan Seacrest was blasted for his lack of empathy after a Wheel Of Fortune contestant’s heartbreaking $1million loss as some viewers claimed that Pat Sajak would have handled the situation better

Wheel of Fortune’s original host Pat Sajak, 77, left the show in June after 40 years at the helm

Vivian made her guesses in effort to solve the puzzle as she said: ‘Wondering some help, answering some help, finding some help, looking around for some help, boundary for help.’

However, she was unsuccessful as the buzzer  went off as the correct answer was ‘offering some help.’

Then came the most heartbreaking moment as Ryan opened the envelope with a smile and showed her the prize was actually for the coveted $1million pot.

The contestant was in complete shock as she put her hands on her head.

Ryan continued to smile and chuckled as he said: ‘You were so close to that million dollars. You almost had it.’

Vivian was at a complete loss for words and the host said: ‘Are you alright? Breathe! You’re still walking away with $27,300 and that trip to Europe.’

As the clip was posted on Wheel Of Fortune’s Instagram account, some expressed their displeasure with the way that Ryan handled the loss.

One viewer wrote: ‘Ryan doesn’t show the envelope correctly. He keeps showing to the contestant when he should be showing it to the audience and viewers at home.

The 49-year-old television personality – who is struggling to win over fans of the game show – had critics displeased on the Monday episode of the show as he begins his second week of the hosting gig

The latest controversy began when contestant Vivian had made it to the bonus round to solve the ‘What Are You Doing?’ puzzle

 She made the bold move of choosing C,H, M, and P for her consonants with I has her vowel. Ryan asked how the contestant was doing before the reveal to which she responded ‘nervous’ as the letters lit up.

Vivian made her guesses in effort to solve the puzzle as she said: ‘Wondering some help, answering some help, finding some help, looking around for some help, boundary for help.’ However, she was unsuccessful as the buzzer went off as the correct answer was ‘offering some help’

Then came the most heartbreaking moment as Ryan opened the envelope with a smile and showed her the prize was actually for the coveted $1million pot

The contestant was in complete shock as she put her hands on her head. Ryan continued to smile and chuckled as he said: ‘You were so close to that million dollars. You almost had it’

Vivian was at a complete loss for words and the host said: ‘Are you alright? Breathe! You’re still walking away with $27,300 and that trip to Europe’

Some Wheel Of Fortune fans were not pleased by how Ryan handled the situation

However some fans had sympathy for Ryan as they were hoping for a magical moment so early on in his tenure

‘Also, he didn’t handle the distraught contestant too well.’

Another Instagram user agreed with the commenter as they replied: ‘I hear ya. It’s more devastating maybe than he realizes.’

A viewer expressed their displeasure as they wrote: ‘He’s gotta work on his empathy skills. Lol yikes!! Can he even remember what it’s like to not be rich?! lol oh Ryan.’

 Others drew comparisons to the recently retired longtime host Pat Sajak, 77, as they claimed would have handled things a lot differently.

One said: ‘Ryan laughed at her, I felt – Pat was way more demure about it.’

Another user wrote: ‘Didn’t Ryan say something like ‘You’re going to kick yourself’ or something like that? While Pat acted like somebody died. I’m not here to pile on Ryan but I preferred Pat’s approach better.’

However some fans had sympathy for Ryan as they were hoping for a magical moment so early on in his tenure.

One wrote: ‘oh my gosh. I just finished watching and I was so heartbroken not only for Vivian but for Ryan too. If he would have hosted on his second week a million dollar winner – that would have been amazing.’ 

Meanwhile, Wheel of Fortune viewers have slammed Ryan Seacrest’s new season for its ‘over the top’ contestants and for desperately trying to ‘appeal to millennials,’ describing the popular ABC game show as ‘unnaturally extra.’

American Idol host Ryan officially took over from long-serving host Pat Sajak last Monday night and was quickly called out for not mentioning the former presenter by name.

Wheel of Fortune viewers have slammed Seacrest’s new season, describing it as ‘unnaturally extra’

The American Idol host, 49, made his debut alongside returning letters whiz Vanna White, 67, on Monday

Now, viewers are complaining of ‘overproduction’ and ‘fake emotion’ from contestants, with some going as far as questioning if the players are ‘paid actors.’  

One disgruntled viewer on Reddit asked: ‘Is it me, or are they using more over the top characters as contestants this season?

‘I know 3 days is a small sample, but between their outfits and over the top enthusiasm it seems like it is being a prerequisite to be picked as a contestant.’

Replying in the thread, another added: ‘The other thing I’ve noticed are the puzzles and some prizes are more geared to millennials or a younger demographic.

‘Kombucha prize, I heart radio event, IYKYK puzzle answer, Dua Lipa song answer. I’ve just noticed more than usual.’

A third replied: ‘They’re targeting younger I think, and that’s gonna come with some annoyances.’

In a separate thread, another Reddit user bashed the contestants’ behavior.

They asked: ‘Does anyone besides me feel like the entire new WoF is just over the top?

Viewers haven’t held back their criticism on social media, with many branding the new series ‘over the top’

‘From the set, to the contestants outfits, and even the contestants behavior. Especially the male contestant tonight.

‘To me, it’s almost like they are actors. It feels unnaturally “extra”.’

Agreeing, one said: ‘Yes for sure. I was afraid this would happen after Pat retired. Wheel of Fortune is following the trend of overproduction and fake emotion. 

‘Tonight’s episode especially, you feel dizzy and overwhelmed from all the cuts and noises from contestants. You can barely follow the puzzle.

‘Maybe the ratings don’t support this, but I’ve always preferred authentic emotions. You don’t want snoozefest contestants, but authenticity is nice.’

Others compared the new look to Family Feud and Press My Luck. 

‘Seems like they are Family Feuding the show up,’ said one fan.

‘Used to love Family Feud, but now the show is just set up for people to answer with a dumb answer so Steve Harvey can react and make a joke with an over-the-top contestant.’

A fourth added: ‘Came here to see if anyone mentioned this.

‘It seems like a fake game show. It’s like an episode of Black Mirror. I’m not going to continue watching of it keeps like this.’

The new season of Wheel of Fortune began on Monday, introducing Ryan as host following Pat’s exit after 40 years at the helm. 

With a new presenter came a sparkling new set, which features an upgraded puzzle board that is bigger and has a new, gold tiled border. Previously, the board had a teal blue screen.

The fifth season of Wheel Of Fortune on ABC featured a brand new set with lots of wheels

Since the show’s return, Health-Ade Kombucha has been featured heavily on the program, which fans has left fans fuming. 

Wheel of Fortune has also been accused of appealing to a younger crowd after revealing a competition which gives away tickets to the 2024 Jingle Ball. 

Ryan failed to pay tribute to his predecessor during his introduction in the season’s first episode, prompting an outcry from viewers.

He said: ‘Welcome to Wheel of Fortune. I am your host, Ryan Seacrest.

‘I still can’t believe my luck being here with you tonight to continue this legacy of this incredible show with all of you.

‘And, of course my good friend, Vanna White.’

Ryan continued: ‘Thank you for the very warm welcome. Hosting Wheel of Fortune is a dream job.

‘I’ve been a fan of this job since I was a kid watching it in Atlanta with my family, and I know how special it is that Wheel has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years.

‘And I’m just so grateful to be invited in. I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill. So, let’s play Wheel of Fortune.’

Following his debut, a source told DailyMail.com that Ryan didn’t feel the need to mention Pat because he believes he lavished enough praise on the former host in the months leading up to his big moment.

The source added that he wanted to focus on taking Wheel of Fortune in ‘a new direction.’