Ryan Seacrest will supplant Pat Sajak as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” when the long-term TV character resigns after the show’s impending 41st season.
Seacrest tweeted that he was “truly humbled to be stepping into” Sajak’s “legendary” footsteps to confirm the news.
“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,” Seacrest wrote, over an image of the iconic wheel. “Pal, love the way you’ve always celebrated contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
Seacrest went on to say that his “first jobs was hosting a little game show called ‘Click’ for Merv Griffin 25 years ago,” calling it a “full circle moment,” made the new position even more significant. In the late 1990s, the show aired for two seasons.
Seacrest stated, “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
Sony said in a press release that Seacrest had been hired and that he will also consult as a producer on the show.
“We are ecstatic to have Ryan as the next host of Wheel of Fortune. Ryan loves Wheel as much as we do and is the perfect person to continue the show’s four-decade success into the future,” said Ravi Ahuja, the chairman of global television studios at Sony Pictures, in the release.
Sajak started facilitating “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981, close by Vanna White. Over the 40 seasons that the show has run, he has gathered three Emmy Grants, a Group’s Decision Grant and a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Notoriety. Since the show’s inception, White has also appeared on it.
According to Sony, Sajak will continue to consult on the show for three years following his final season.
Notwithstanding “Snap,” Seacrest has recently been a co-have on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” which he left in April 2023. He has also hosted competition shows like “American Idol” and others.