Ryan Seacrest Will Be the New Host of Wheel of Fortune—Here’s What We Know So Far
Updated: Jun. 27, 2023
The American Idol host will usher in a new era of the long-running game show
The beloved game show Wheel of Fortune officially has a new host for its 42nd season. According to a Tweet from the game show’s Twitter account, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest will take over MC-ing duties after Pat Sajak wraps up his longtime hosting gig.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest stated on Twitter. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it has 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.”
Wheel of Fortune pic.twitter.com/pQeTpWsPx7
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) June 27, 2023
The news comes just two weeks after Sajak announced his retirement from Wheel of Fortune after a 41-season stint as host. He made the announcement on Twitter following the game show’s Season 40 finale. “Well, the time has come,” Sajak tweeted on June 12. “I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.”
Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) June 12, 2023
When will Ryan Seacrest start hosting Wheel of Fortune?
Seacrest will start hosting Wheel of Fortune in 2024. The Associated Press reports that Seacrest signed a “multi-year agreement” to host the iconic game show, which is slated to run through the 2027–2028 season.
While new to the Wheel of Fortune job, Seacrest is no stranger to entertaining the masses on the small screen. He’s hosted the singing competition American Idol for 21 years and hosts the annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve program. He also co-hosted the talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan, alongside Kelly Ripa, from 2017 until April 2023.
Will Vanna White still be on Wheel of Fortune?
That remains up in the air—for now. While it’s not confirmed that Vanna White, who has graced American living rooms with her arsenal of stunning dresses since 1982, will return as co-host, Seacrest did write this line in his Twitter statement: “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
How long has Wheel of Fortune been on?
Created by the legendary Merv Griffin, the original Wheel of Fortune premiered on NBC in 1975—however, the nightly version of the show that we’ve all come to know and love premiered in September 1983. Pat Sajak and Vanna White have starred as the show’s co-hosts since day one, and it wasn’t long until the pair became household names.
While much has changed since 1983, fans have always been able to count on seeing Sajak and White at the helm of Wheel of Fortune each weeknight. The landmark game show even earned a celebrity-infused spinoff called Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which premiered in 2021. The offshoot of the classic game show just aired its third season.
The show’s 41st season, Sajak’s last hurrah, starts airing in September 2023.
Additional reporting by Nina Derwin and Jessica Kaplan.
Sources:
- The Associated Press: “Ryan Seacrest will host ‘Wheel of Fortune’ after Pat Sajak retires next year”
- Entertainment Tonight: “Pat Sajak Says ‘End Is Near’ on Him Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ After 40 Years (Exclusive)”
- Deadline: “‘Wheel of Fortune’ & ‘Jeopardy!’ Renewed for 5 Years with Big Increase at ABC Stations”
- NBC News: “Wheel of Fortune’ host Pat Sajak announces he will retire next year”
