Ryan Seacrest Replacing Pat Sajak as ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host Alongside Vanna White
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Ryan Seacrest is replacing Pat Sajak as host of Wheel of Fortune after Sajak retires from the beloved game show. The Live with Kelly & Ryan alum announced the news on Twitter on Tuesday, June 27, confirming he will be hosting alongside Vanna White. The future of her position on the series had been in question in the days leading up to this announcement. Seacrest will begin hosting duties in 2024.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest’s tweet reads. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them. Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
“Many people probably don’t know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show called Click for Merv Griffin 25 years ago, so this is truly a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity,” he continued. “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
Wheel of Fortune pic.twitter.com/pQeTpWsPx7
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) June 27, 2023
Wheel of Fortune confirmed the news shortly after Seacrest’s announcement, tweeting, “It’s official! Starting in 2024 @RyanSeacrest will take the stage as the new host of Wheel of Fortune. We’re so excited – Welcome Ryan!”
Season 41 will be Sajak’s last as host. Sajak announced his retirement from the long-running series (which he has been hosting since it debuted in 1983) on June 12. Seacrest was reported to be “in talks” to take over for Sajak on June 13.
“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak said in a statement to Bloomberg News. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)” Wheel of Fortune Season 41 begins in September.
While Seacrest’s statement says he’ll be working with White on the game show, her long-held position on the series was recently up in the air. It’s possible White would opt to leave alongside Sajak after Season 41. Sony reportedly has been considering eliminating White’s position all together, according to Puck News.
The report also states that White makes $3 million per year on the show but hasn’t gotten a raise in two decades. She also reportedly makes almost five times less than co-star Sajak. White has reportedly hired celebrity lawyer Bryan Freedman to help negotiate pay equity. Sony TV hasn’t commented on the report, but a source told TV Line that there “is no plan to eliminate Vanna’s role,” and that Sony “is in active discussions to renew Vanna’s deal beyond her current contract.”
It’s not clear whether this means Seacrest will be stepping down as host of American Idol on ABC. As fans well know, the TV veteran has long balanced hosting multiple shows at once; he hosted American Idol and Live with Kelly & Ryan simultaneously for several years.
