It seems as though a replacement for a long-time host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak has finally met his match as a teenager left both the host and the audience speechless when he took over the reins of the show completely without giving room for the 76-year-old.
A video posted on the show’s verified Twitter account showed the 15-year-old Ross Campbell, a sophomore student at Ohio High School excitedly spinning the wheel and solving several puzzles correctly. His display of energy and vibrancy got Sajak doubting whether there was a need for him on the show. “There’s really no need for me at all,” the host said.
Ross Campbell takes over the show
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All through the episode, the 15-year-old put up quite a show for both the audience and the host. At the start, Sajak propped the contestant to begin the puzzle. “Well, let’s have a letter, my friend!” he said to which Campbell replied with the letter, “B”.
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While the 76-year-old was trying to gain momentum and move the game to the next stage, Campbell interrupted and took one of the mystery placards that was worth $10,000 off the wheel. “I like money! Whoo!!” He shouted. “Yeah! I’d like to solve!” The 17-year-old was able to correctly give the complete phrase. “I before E except after C,” Campbell answered before shouting with enthusiasm.
However, Campbell did not only stand out for his unmatchable energy, he won a total of $30,450 in cash and prizes and a trip to Puerto Rico.
Netizens react to Ross Campbell’s video
The display of Ross Campbell on the show has got social media bubbling as fans of Wheel of Fortune took to the comment section to air their views about the teenager. Some talked about the rare energy that he radiated on the show. “Main character energy!” A fan wrote. “We loved his energy! He had no fear with that $10,000 mystery wedge!” another commented.
Some other fans are pushing the teenager as a replacement for the show after Sajak’s retirement while several others are eager to see Campbell make a guest appearance as host very soon. “Can you bring Ross on as host when Pat retires?” a fan asked.
However, another group spoke about the need for Teen Week to be frequent on the show because the contestants bring out certain unique qualities that make the episodes interesting.
Ross Campbell talks about his ‘Wheel of Fortune’ journey
The 17-year-old revealed in an interview with Ohio’s Dayton Daily News that his journey to becoming one of the contestants on the show started with the completion of an online form following an announcement on Wheel of Fortune‘s social media site that applications for teen contestants were open.
Campbell stated that he had his audition via Zoom and got a notification that he had been selected to participate through email in November 2022. “It was about 9 o’clock at night and I was sitting on the couch when I got the email telling me that I was selected as a contestant,” he told the news outlet, “and I jumped up and down and was so happy because I have always been a fan of the show.” He further explained that he had to take three days off school and flew to Los Angeles with his parents to record his episode in early December.
The 17-year-old also told the Daily News that he intends to put aside a large part of his earning towards his college education and also get himself a new computer and a car. “I am planning on going to college either at Wright State University or Miami University,” Campbell said. “I would like to double-major in journalism and Spanish since you never know what language might be needed when doing. And I love being in front of the camera.”