Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.Photo:Stewart Cook/ABC via Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Stewart Cook/ABC via Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Ryan Seacrestis “very excited” thatVanna Whitewill be joining him when he takes over the reins atWheel of Fortune.
White’s deal, which secured the game show stable’s spot on the syndication series through the 2025–26 season (and therefore beyond longtime hostPat Sajak’s departure), was announced on Tuesday.
That happened to be when Seacrest,Sajak’s replacement, was pre-tapping an appearance forSunday Today WithWillie Geist— meaning the NBC show got the broadcaster’s first reaction.
“This is such great news,” Seacrest, 48, told Geist, 48, in the “Sunday Sitdown” segment, a sneak peek of whichaired onTodayWednesday. “Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I have been very excited to work with her, but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can’t wait.’ ”
TheAmerican Idolhost, who will begin hisWheel of Fortuneduties next fall, went on to share that he thinks it’s “super important” to have White on the show.
Seacrest added that as the new guy he will also be able to ask White for her guidance and joked, “Vanna, please tell me what to do!”
“I can say, ‘How does this work? Where do we go now? What’s next? Okay, got it,’ ” he said.
Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune.Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images
Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images
White has been onWheel of Fortunefor over 40 years, having joined the game show in 1982.
A source with knowledge of White’s negotiations previously told PEOPLE that she wasseeking a pay increase and pay paritywith Sajak, 76, after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any increases.
The show’s current 41st season, which kicked off last week, will be Sajak’s last. He announced in June that he wouldretireafter the show’s 41st season and shared onXthat he’d had a “wonderful ride.”
The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest, 48, asSajak’s replacementand shared a statement from the star.
Vanna White and Pat Sajak.Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images
Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” he said. “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.”
“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
He continued, “Many people probably don’t know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show calledClickfor Merv Griffin 25 years ago so this is truly a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity. I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
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Back in December, White told PEOPLE in December shewasn’t ready to leaveWheel of Fortunebehind.
“I don’t even want to think about that,” she said, adding that it was hard to imagine a world where neither herself nor Sajak is hosting the series.
Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights in syndication (check local listings).
source: people.com
