After Pat Sajak announced his retirement from the venerable game show, Ryan Seacrest will take over as host.
Many people were left wondering who exactly would be taking over the game show after it was revealed that Pat Sajak will be leaving Wheel of Fortune at the end of the forthcoming season.
Vanna White? Would a relative unknown get the job? Or would it go to a compulsive worker who has come to represent hosting responsibilities? It turns out that Ryan Seacrest will be the host of Wheel of Fortune.
In a statement, Ryan Seacrest stated that he would succeed Pat Sajak as host of the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune while simultaneously paying tribute to Sajak, who started presenting the show’s syndicated edition in 1983.
“I’m really humbled to be following in the famous Pat Sajak’s footsteps…I can speak for the majority of Americans when I say that it has been a luxury and a source of unadulterated delight for us to watch Pat and Vanna on television for an extraordinary 40 years, making us laugh every night and feel right at home with them. Pat, I like how you’ve always praised the competitors and put the audience at home at ease. Throughout this change, I’m looking forward to learning everything I can from you.”
Ryan Seacrest went so far as to defend his eligibility for the Wheel of Fortune by providing a glance at his resume.
“One of my first gigs was hosting a small game show called Click for Merv Griffin 25 years ago, which many people probably aren’t aware of. For me, this is a true full-circle moment, and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity. I’m eager to carry on the wheel-spinning legacy and collaborate with the legendary Vanna White.” According to reports, White is negotiating her contract.
He began presenting programs like Gladiators 2000 and Wild Animal Games before really breaking through with American Idol and other projects.
Ryan Seacrest presumably brought up the aforementioned Click because of its relation to Wheel of Fortune. However, Pat Sajak’s aren’t the only large shoes he has filled; alongside Kelly Ripa, he took over Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and Regis Philbin’s (via Michael Strahan).
What are your thoughts on Ryan Seacrest presiding over Wheel of Fortune? Do you think he’ll be a good Pat Sajak replacement? Comment below with your opinion!