Ryan Seacrest wasn't Pat Sajak's 'choice' for 'Wheel of Fortune' successor, claims source

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The world of television is entering a new chapter as Ryan Seacrest steps in to host 'Wheel of Fortune', replacing the iconic Pat Sajak.

However, recent reports suggest that if Sajak had his way, Seacrest might not have been the person to fill his shoes.

The 77-year-old wasn't keen on Seacrest being his successor, though he stayed out of the decision-making process entirely, as told by a top-level Sony source to The US Sun. 

As fans prepare for the premiere of Season 42 on Monday, September 9, there's speculation about the behind-the-scenes dynamics between the outgoing and incoming hosts.

Pat Sajak might not have chosen Ryan Seacrest if given the chance

Pat Sajak announced his retirement in June 2023. After 41 years of hosting, his departure from 'Wheel of Fortune' marked the end of an era, with millions of viewers anxiously awaiting to see how Ryan Seacrest will perform alongside longtime co-host Vanna White.

The choice of Seacrest to replace Sajak was made swiftly, with the 'American Idol' veteran being announced as the new host just weeks after the former's retirement announcement.

Despite the excitement around this new era, sources indicate that Sajak did not have much say in the selection process and might not have chosen Seacrest if given the chance.

The source from Sony told The US Sun, "Ryan wasn’t Pat’s choice to replace him, and Pat deliberately stayed out of that process."

Despite Sajak's reported reservations, Seacrest approached the transition with respect. According to the insider, "Ryan was extremely smart when he took the job to be utterly respectful to Pat at every turn."

Seacrest went out of his way to prevent any tension between himself and Sajak, a move that has likely helped him navigate the early stages of his hosting role. For now, the new host enjoys what some are calling a "honeymoon period," but the real test will come as viewers adjust to the change.

While Seacrest has been publicly gracious in his interactions with Sajak, the pair has had limited on-set overlap. This minimal interaction has left many wondering how much mentorship, if any, Seacrest received from his predecessor.

The same Sony source commented, "Ryan acts like he has Pat’s support, and for now, that helps him [Ryan] enjoy this honeymoon period, where the fans are going to decide if he’s a good fit for the show. But it could certainly be a different story a year from now, especially if there’s erosion in the ratings."

Pat Sajak will remain involved with 'Wheel of Fortune' as a consulting producer

While Pat Sajak may not have been involved in choosing Ryan Seacrest, the new host has publicly paid tribute to his predecessor's legacy.

When Sajak's final episode aired on June 7, 2024, Seacrest shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, praising the long-time host for his "dedication, charm, and wit." He wrote, "You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era."

However, while Seacrest’s message was full of admiration, Sajak’s own words have been noticeably more reserved.

Although he did acknowledge his final farewell as the host of 'Wheel of Fortune', Sajak didn’t mention Seacrest in his goodbye note.

On Friday, ahead of the last night of summer reruns, Sajak posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), where he reflected on his time on the show, as per The US Sun.

"This is the last night of summer reruns, although having cable and streaming services means never having to say goodbye. Looking forward to Season 5 of @celebritywof on @ABCNetwork this fall, as well as what’s coming next," wrote the 77-year-old. 

Despite his retirement, Sajak will remain involved with 'Wheel of Fortune' as a consulting producer for the next three years.

This means he will keep a close eye on the show's direction, though his influence over Seacrest’s tenure as host remains to be seen.