Remember the months-long chaos over finding a new Jeopardy host? There were extensive auditions, then the producer cast himself, then he was fired, then more auditions, and then the hosts they cast were problematic and at some point I just checked out of the drama. Well, with Pat Sajak retiring from Wheel of Fortune, Sony Pictures Television was looking to avoid a similar drama. I’m not aware if WoF producers even held auditions, or if they just handed the hosting duties off to the first Sajak-esque dude they found. Speaking of, Ryan Seacrest is the new host of Wheel.
Ryan Seacrest, the dexterous Hollywood master of ceremonies, was named the next host of “Wheel of Fortune” on Tuesday, succeeding the longtime host Pat Sajak in 2024.
The selection of a star like Mr. Seacrest by Sony Pictures Television, the studio behind the show, is a big bet on “Wheel of Fortune.” The show has demonstrated remarkable durability even as traditional television has declined in the wake of streaming entertainment.
The swift decision by Sony executives, made just two weeks after Mr. Sajak announced he would step down next year, also suggests that they are hoping to avoid the succession fiasco that nearly overwhelmed their other hit game show, “Jeopardy!”
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Mr. Seacrest said in a statement. “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
At first, I hated this – Ryan Seacrest is smarmy and he makes me and many other women deeply uncomfortable. But then I thought about how much I dislike Pat Sajak and how Seacrest actually seems like an “heir” to Sajak, and I sort of get it. Seacrest will probably be a competent host of Wheel of Fortune and I hope he doesn’t try to shove Vanna White out of her job. Man, Seacrest’s goal of becoming the new Dick Clark with a vast television and radio empire seems to be coming along nicely.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- (FILE) Ryan Seacrest Donates $1 Million to First Responders in New York and Los Angeles Amid Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. INGLEWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – NOVEMBER 30: American radio personality Ryan Seacrest arrives at 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2018 held at The Forum on November 30, 2018 in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 564230725, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Xavier Collin / Avalon
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- INGLEWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – DECEMBER 03: Ryan Seacrest arrives at iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2021 Presented By Capital One held at The Forum on December 3, 2021 in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 646333540, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Ryan Seacrest, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
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- LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA – SEPTEMBER 23: Ryan Seacrest poses in the press room at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival – Night 1 held at the T-Mobile Arena on September 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.,Image: 725774654, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Ryan Seacrest, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
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- Ryan Seacrest arrives on the red carpet of the 95th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.,Image: 762316342, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: SDS / Avalon
Wow, Ryan wants ALL the jobs, I guess.
Not surprising. He’s such a fake, plastic person, he is perfect for this job and yeah, he will push Vanna out the door so fast.
Agree. As soon as Vanna trains him in, shows him the ropes, she’ll be asked to pick a date for her retirement party.
I was hoping with Jeopardy and with Wheel that some unknown would get a chance. Both shows are established enough to not need a name for attention. If it’s a matter of that, I’d say Vanna has more fans than Pat anyway.
I will never Forgive Ryan Seacrest for giving the world The Kardashians.
+1
This. Vapid cockroaches—the lot of them, given relevance by Seacrest. 😑
I’ve been saying that too for years!!!
Does anyone actually like Ryan Seacrest? Besides network executives?
Not me!
I don’t think so. Every time I see yet another one of his jobs announced, the feedback is always “I don’t like that guy“ or comments about how he is everywhere. It’s too much! I don’t know why anyone thinks he is appealing, there are plenty of people who can do a job like that.
I was neutral on him when he first hosted American Idol. But it didn’t take long before I switched to a hard pass. No thank you. And go away, dude.
Our family does. We have a fond spot for him as we used to listen to him, and his co-host on LA radio for a couple of years. He was personable, funny, and had great rapport with his co-host (Lisa, KBIG I think ?). I have no problem with him, and wish him well. If there have been problematic reports, i have not heard them. Who cares if he is ambitious?
We used to listen to that station all the time, too. I think the trio was “Lisa, Frosty & Frank,” but could be wrong. They used to bag on Ryan constantly; they all had a funny rapport. They’d tease him for being metrosexual and an eager beaver, etc. Once he said something like, “I decided I wasn’t gay after all in college,” and they all said stuff like, “Right, man, let us know when you figure that out.” That was way before “American Idol.” I have no idea why I remember that, but I remember when he started hosting things in the Merv Griffin empire.
Do you remember that one time Sasha Baron Cohen dumped Bisquik all over Seacrest as the 2012 Academys? I still think about that incident and smile…and I’m not a fan of Cohen.
Geez I thought Australia recycled the same old 6 faces ad nauseum, ( looking at you Daryl Somers, Sonia Kruger especially), but you guys seem to have the same issue in the US.
Blech, I thought we were rid of him by now.
It’s like there’s literally no one else who knows how to host things.
Someone on social media said he’s “team no sleep” and that is the first thing I thought of too. He must never sleep. So much work.
He does feel like a natural successor to Pat Sajak, except I feel like Ryan has worked with celebrities forever and Wheel of Fortune features regular people isn’t it? That might be interesting / not a good fit. We’ll see!
I have 2 thoughts about this.
1. I hate it. Ryan Seacrest is smarmy and gross and doesn’t need to be on TV for another hour every day. I don’t watch Wheel religiously or anything but occasionally will catch an episode. Seacrest will make it unwatchable.
2. Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie has been “co-hosting” the show for the last couple of years. My husband and I speculated that she was being “trained” to take over. Wonder what will happen with her involvement as well.
I thought they were training Maggie Sajak to take over Vanna’s job. Not that I want to see that happen, but it’s a possibility.
I feel like Seacrest is kind of pleasingly bland? Like this job seems perfect for him.
I definitely thought that I was practically alone in my Ryan Seacrest hatred, since he’s everywhere. Glad to see I’m not the only one! Not such a huge fan of Pat Sajak either so at least it’s in line with the vibe they go for. I dislike WoF at the best of times, but it’s on before Jeopardy, so I often end up watching. That’s not gonna happen with RS, my bf also dislikes him so I think we’ll probably be making an effort to avoid it.
I am so tired of his face.
Eew.
Wheel of Fortune reminds me of the type of show always on in a nursing home. I don’t think he’s stealing some great opportunity here. He’s going to make a fortune from it but that’s just because this is the darkest timeline.
Yeah, he makes me uncomfortable as a woman, and it’s probably for good reason. He was accused of sexual misconduct / harassment. It never went anywhere, probably because he’s rich and powerful and a white man. But I did believe the woman who spoke out. He’s disgusting. The system that protected him is disgusting too.
No. I still do not understand how or why he has the career he does.
Hard. Pass. on everything about him.
Never forget he started the Kardashians. Ugh.
Snoozeville
Ha! I 100% agree with this take. My cousin texted me when they announced it to be like ugh! But I said he absolutely seemed like the right guy for this job. We don’t watch the Wheel in my house. We are a Jeopardy house.
I was actually hoping Vanna would get the gig, but she must not have wanted it. I watched the week she filled in and thought she was great.
This is a big no from me.
Vanna should be the new host with a sexy guy wearing evening wear turning the letters.
The letters don’t get manually turned anymore. You literally just have to stand there and smile lol.
I still have no idea how Ryan Seacrest got famous and remains famous.
Ryan Seacrest’s fame completely befuddles me.
A mystery wrapped in an enigma.
Somewhere in the world, Bryan Dunkleman is weeping as he picks up his next Uber passenger.
Good old Bryan Dunkleman. I honestly wonder what he’s doing now?
Hey say what you want about Ryan, but he is very good at his job. He’s a great host. I wonder if he was offered this job prior to leaving Kelly and Ryan? I thought he left that show because he wanted to take it easy lol guess not. How many jobs does a dude need though? Does he still do radio too? He has an Olive Oil company too…but I guess others can run that.
Is he actually the one that launched the Kardashians? That bastard!!!
Also, why does Seacrest have to jump into every open job on TV? Does he have a mania to make small talk on every TV show and radio broadcast in America? Doesn’t he have enough money? What’s with him? I’m tired of seeing and hearing him.
Don’t like him. I think he’s a smarmy cretin. But aside from that, why couldn’t they give this opportunity to someone fresh and new? We’ve seen Seacrest in everything from hosting morning shows to Academy Awards. Give other people a shot. I had hoped they would go with a person of color to host. It seems they just picked the next white guy in line to do the job.
Mireille, YES! And Seacrest is ALWAYS the next white guy in line for everything! Agree with a person of color and a woman, too.
I love Dee’s idea. That is brilliant!