It was practically 11 months in the past that Pat Sajak — among the finest recreation present hosts of all time — bid an emotional farewell to Wheel of Fortune after 4 many years as its chief. Now we’re about to get him again — albeit briefly. Celeb Wheel of Fortune is about to premiere on the 2025 TV schedule with a fifth season that was taped earlier than Sajak’s retirement. As we put together to see him share the stage with Vanna White once more, the famed letter-turner recalled what new host Ryan Seacrest did to make her be ok with the transition.
As powerful because it was for all of the Wheel Watchers to see Pat Sajak retire as Wheel of Fortune’s host, take into consideration how Vanna White felt dropping her associate after so a few years. White has stated she knew it will be onerous to work with another person, however she stated Ryan Seacrest made the changeover very easy, telling TV Insider:
Ryan did his homework. He rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed. He additionally stated to me, ‘I’m not changing Pat Sajak as a result of nobody may – ever. I’m simply stepping in.’ That made me really feel good as a result of, as Ryan stated, he’s simply stepping in – he’s not attempting to show something.
I like that Ryan Seacrest was capable of present that reassurance for Vanna White, displaying by his actions and his phrases that he understood the duty of following Pat Sajak and the way a lot Wheel of Fortune means to followers, and he wasn’t attempting to come back in and blow up the sturdy basis that had been laid for him.
He offered the identical assurance to followers, saying that his model of Wheel of Fortune can be the identical that Pat Sajak was leaving. With Sony selecting Pat Sajak’s alternative up to now upfront — and choosing somebody with a lot internet hosting expertise — the powers that be actually set the crew and viewers alike up for a easy transition, and when Ryan Seacrest made his debut in 2024, followers took to him surprisingly shortly. (He does have his haters although.)
It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see Pat Sajak again in his rightful place on Celeb Wheel of Fortune. Followers will be capable of simply evaluate the 2 hosts’ types, with Ryan Seacrest persevering with to steer the each day syndicated present whereas Sajak reveals up in primetime Wednesdays on ABC.
Viewers are additionally prone to really feel fairly nostalgic seeing the previous host reunite with Vanna White (even supposing she nonetheless sees Pat Sajak outdoors of the present). I do know Kelly Ripa isn’t the one one in all us that used to suppose they had been married! All in all, I believe it’s going to be a particular season that followers will cherish, even whereas returning to Ryan Seacrest’s commonly scheduled programming.
Don’t miss Pat Sajak’s massive return (and for-real final hurrah) on Celeb Wheel of Fortune Season 5, which premieres at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, April 30, on ABC and streaming the following day on Hulu.