The Chaos and Cash of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 4
If you’ve ever sat on your couch screaming letters at the TV, you know the vibe. But watching a celebrity do it? That’s a whole different level of secondhand embarrassment and genuine thrill. Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 4 officially kicked off in late 2023, and honestly, it felt like a bit of a fever dream compared to the standard morning-coffee episodes we usually get.
Pat Sajak was still at the helm for this run, which gives the season a certain nostalgic weight now that Ryan Seacrest has taken over the primary hosting duties. Season 4 wasn't just about the puzzles. It was about seeing people like Brendan Hunt—the guy we all know as Coach Beard—actually prove he’s got the brainpower to match his Ted Lasso character.
He didn't just play; he crushed it.
Who Actually Showed Up to Spin?
The lineup was surprisingly eclectic. You had NFL legends, comedians who probably shouldn't be allowed near a live mic, and scientists. Basically, the casting director just threw darts at a "who's who" board and it worked.
Some of the standouts included:
- Brendan Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, and Joe Buck (The season opener trio)
- Kel Mitchell (Giving us all the 90s nostalgia)
- Penn Jillette (The man is a giant; the wheel looked like a toy next to him)
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (Watching a world-renowned astrophysicist try to guess a "Living Thing" is peak TV)
- Paula Abdul (Still a legend, still charmingly confused by the wheel's physics)
There were ten episodes total in this batch. They aired in two main chunks, starting in September 2023 and then wrapping up some of the "lost" episodes in May 2024. It’s kinda weird how the scheduling worked out, but that’s network TV for you.
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Why Brendan Hunt is the GOAT of Season 4
Let’s talk about that first episode. Brendan Hunt didn't just win; he dominated. He solved the Bonus Round puzzle so fast it almost felt like he had the answers taped to the back of his hand.
He ended up taking home over $150,000 for his charity, Steps of Faith Foundation. Most people forget that these celebs aren't pocketing the cash. They’re playing for high stakes because every "Bankrupt" actually hurts someone else’s bottom line.
The Science and the Snark
Then you had the episode with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Robin Thede, and Tony Hale. You’d think the guy who explains the universe would have a leg up on a word game, right? Sorta. He played for the Harlem Educational Activities Fund, and while he’s brilliant, the Wheel is a fickle mistress. Tony Hale (of Veep and Arrested Development fame) brought that classic nervous energy that makes him so watchable. He was playing for Stand Up To Cancer, which is a heavy-hitter charity that usually sees a lot of love on this show.
The Holiday Special: Chance and the Rapper's Luck
One of the highlights of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 4 was the holiday-themed episode. Chance the Rapper showed up against Dionne Warwick and Lil Jon. Yes, you read that right. Lil Jon on Wheel of Fortune.
"Turn down for what?" Apparently, turn down for a "Before & After" puzzle.
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Chance was actually incredible. He walked away with $139,300 for his nonprofit, SocialWorks. He even made it to the bonus round. It’s funny because you see these guys in music videos or on stage, and then you see them getting genuinely stressed about whether there’s an "R" in the puzzle. It humanizes them in a way that’s actually pretty refreshing.
The Numbers That Matter
People always ask how much money actually goes to charity. In Season 4, the totals were massive. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode.
- Brendan Hunt: $150,000+
- Chance the Rapper: $139,300
- Sarah Levy: Played for the FSHD Society (Schitt's Creek fans, represent).
- Krysten Ritter: Repping St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
What Most People Missed About the Production
The filming for Season 4 was actually a bit of a logistical nightmare because of the Hollywood strikes. If you noticed the gap between December 2023 and May 2024, that’s why. They had these episodes "in the can," as they say in the industry, but the rollout was staggered.
Also, can we talk about Vanna White? She’s been doing this for decades, and her chemistry with the celebrities is always a bit different than with the regular contestants. She’s more like a den mother to them. She knows they’re nervous. She knows they don't want to look stupid in front of millions of people.
Is it Rigged? (The Short Answer: No)
There’s always some conspiracy theorist in the comments saying the wheel is weighted or the puzzles are easier for the stars. Honestly, if you watch Jeff Ross or Natasha Leggero play, you’ll realize very quickly it’s not rigged. If it were, they wouldn’t make such hilariously bad guesses. Jeff Ross was there for the FSHD Society, and while he’s a roast master, the wheel didn’t show him much mercy.
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How to Catch Up on the Action
If you missed the original airings on ABC, you aren't totally out of luck. Most of these episodes are floating around on Hulu or Disney+ depending on your region.
You’ve basically got three ways to digest this:
- Hulu: The most reliable place for the full Season 4 catalog.
- ABC.com: They usually keep the most recent ones up for a few weeks.
- YouTube: You can find the highlight reels of the big wins (and the big fails).
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive back into the world of the Wheel, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Charity: If you loved a specific celeb's performance, look up their charity. Many of them, like Chance's SocialWorks or Brendan Hunt's Steps of Faith, do incredible work that goes way beyond a game show appearance.
- Watch for the "Sajak Era" Nuance: Season 4 is one of the final times we see Pat Sajak in this specific celebrity format. His dry wit is on full display here.
- Identify the Patterns: Even in the celebrity version, the "R-S-T-L-N-E" rule for the bonus round applies. Notice how the celebs who actually watch the show (like Lauren Lapkus) do significantly better than the ones who just showed up for the fun of it.
Whether you're there for the puzzles or the famous faces, Season 4 proved that even after decades, there's still something addictive about watching a giant wheel spin.