Ryan Seacrest Shares Advice Pat Sajak Told Him Ahead of Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’
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In 2024, Ryan Seacrest is taking over the hosting role of the legendary Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune. As he gets ready for the job, Seacrest is keeping in mind one advice that Sajak has given him.
Ryan Seacrest Reveals What Pat Sajak Told Him as the Next Wheel of Fortune Host
Seacrest is definitely aware that he’s got big shoes to fill. Yet, while the pressure is high, he promises to enjoy every bit of hosting Wheel of Fortune — just like what Sajak said. Last Tuesday, the American Idol emcee shared what it means to replace four-decade-long host of the game show.
“He is a legend. I’ve looked up to him forever. He’s so good at that job, which, you know, is a little bit of pressure here. But he just said, ‘You’re going to have a great time. It’s so much fun. What’s better than giving away money and doing that every single night?'” he said. “I can’t wait to meet the contestants and do it.”
Back in June, Seacrest confirmed that that he will be “stepping into the footsteps” of Sajak. According to the 48-year-old, it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Sajak and Vanna White on the television screens for an unprecedented 40 years. Even now though, Seacrest is on cloud nine.
“I wanna close my eyes and hear you say it,” he said. “I can’t believe that’s real.”
Seacrest will kick off his tenure next year for season 42. At present, Sajak is seizing his one last hosting lap with season 41, a “celebratory season for him and the show.”
Sajak is nonetheless not totally retired from the game show. After he steps out as host, he will stick around for three years as consultant.
He Says Upcoming Hosting Role Felt Certainly for Him
Extremely grateful for the chance, Seacrest says it’s been a dream job ever since. However, he said that hosting Wheel of Fortune felt like destiny even though he feels nervous and terrified.
“It was something that felt, certainly for me, felt like the perfect opportunity,” he said. “I’m glad it felt that way to Sony as well. And it was not difficult or complicated to work out.”
White will be staying on the show as his co-host. As per Seacrest, creating professional chemistry with White wouldn’t be as hard as they already know each other.
“I’ve known her for a long time,” he said. “We’ve known each other for many, many years, and so I’m looking forward to being on that set with her.”
Seacrest is not only keeping himself busy with Hollywood entertainment. He’s presently focused on his foundation’s its 13th Seacrest Studios at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center. This charity work particularly aims to open state-of-the-art studios at pediatric hospitals across the country, helping patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media.
“I wanted to do something tangible for my mission and my purpose and my foundation,” he said. “And I met with parents at different children’s hospitals and talked to them about what their kids were going through and asked them how they escaped from it.”
