Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’ future in jeopardy as execs miss Pat Sajak’s sense of humor
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ryan Seacrest may have seemed like a seamless replacement for Pat Sajak on 'Wheel of Fortune', but behind the scenes, executives are growing concerned.
While the seasoned host brought initial excitement to the long-running game show, sources claim his performance isn’t living up to expectations and ratings aren’t soaring the way network bosses had hoped.
Ryan Seacrest’s future on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ faces uncertainty as Pat Sajak’s absence is felt
“You’re starting to see what a secret weapon Pat Sajak’s understated humor was for that show,” an insider spilled. "Ryan is fast on his feet, but not necessarily when it comes to jokes, but that stuff came naturally to Pat and got woven into the fabric of Wheel over the many decades he was on," they added.
The insider suggested, "Ryan should hire joke writers that can calibrate his on-air persona a little closer to Pat’s, but only if he intends to do this job for another twenty years."
A close source revealed that just a few months ago, Seacrest, 50, appeared to be on a long-term "track" with the game show. However, despite signing a contract extending his hosting duties into the early 2030s, his future beyond two years is reportedly uncertain as Sony and CBS continue to battle over the franchise’s financial direction.
"Everything around 'Wheel of Fortune' feels very 'wait-and-see' right now, especially because Vanna White's future, and eventual retirement timetable has yet to become clear either," the source shared. The beloved letter-turner, 68, has been with the show since 1982, joining just a year after Sajak, 78.
White is under contract until 2026, but what lies ahead for her beyond that is still uncertain.
The insider explained, "Essentially, the Ryan and Vanna team was always going to be a temporary relationship, and not the permanent configuration of the show for the next two or three decades. With the ratings heat from last fall cooling down, everybody involved with the franchise is wondering if more sudden changes could be in the cards."
Additionally, the insider cautioned, “The bosses at Sony TV aren’t afraid to make hard pivots away from on-air talent, and if you don’t believe me, just ask Mayim Bialik,” referencing 'Jeopardy!’s decision in December 2023 to remove her from co-hosting alongside Ken Jennings.
Executives are reportedly keen on Seacrest making the show his primary focus, rather than balancing it with other roles like his longtime hosting duties on 'Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve' and 'American Idol'.
Another source previously stated, “The powers that be over at 'Wheel of Fortune' don’t want him stretched to the limit and want his full and undivided attention on the show. Ryan as the future, but Ryan’s not the kind of guy to lock in and sign here. He wants freedom and control and refuses to be pigeon-holed, and his obstinate stance is driving bosses crazy."
Ryan Seacrest playfully accuses ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant of cheating after incredible win
Ryan Seacrest had a hilarious reaction to a contestant’s jaw-dropping solve on 'Wheel of Fortune', jokingly suggesting she might have been fed the answer through a hidden earpiece.
In a clip from the show, Traci, a contestant in the bonus round, was given the puzzle: "T_e_ __ ___ ____." After selecting C, D, M, and O, she was left with: "T_e_ _o ___ _c." With just 10 seconds on the clock, Traci stunned everyone by instantly guessing, "They go way back," with barely a moment of hesitation.
Seacrest, visibly amazed, circled Traci, jokingly checking her ears and head for a secret wire. “That was amazing!” he exclaimed before congratulating her and her husband. Her impressive solve earned her a $50,000 prize, bringing her total winnings to $78,650.
When Seacrest asked how she pulled off the near-impossible guess, Traci laughed and simply said, "I just dug deep."
The lighthearted moment showcased Seacrest’s growing comfort as the new 'Wheel of Fortune' host, keeping the audience entertained while celebrating an unforgettable win.
