Ryan Seacrest said he’s preparing to take up the mantle from legendary game show host Pat Sajak when he becomes the host of “Wheel of Fortune” this year, but made it clear he could never replace him.
The TV host takes over this year, becoming only the second host ever for the show, after Sajak became the first man to call out the letters for the puzzle game more than 40 seasons ago.
“He [Sajak] has made such an impact on this whole country,” the “American Idol” host told Fox News. “He’s become a companion, a best friend to a lot of people.”
“I have so much respect and admiration for what he’s been able to do,” he added. “He’s a total pro. No one’s smoother and [more] seamless than Pat.”
“No one can replace him,” Seacrest continued. “I just want to come in and continue to have fun with those contestants.”
‘American Idol’ host Ryan Seacrest admits the one thing he cannot do when he takes over ‘Wheel of Fortune’ https://t.co/LQawbVRDD5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 29, 2024
Last year, Sajak made the announcement that after 43 years helming the show he was leaving at the end of his 41st season.
“Well, the time has come,” Sajak wrote in June. “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!).”
Later that month the game show announced his replacement was Seacrest.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement at the time.
“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,” he added.
“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease,” Seacrest continued. “I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
Sajak reportedly has already taped his final episode which is expected to air, Friday, June 7, to coincide with the season 41 finale, Deadline reported.
Seacrest has previously hosted “American Idol,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’Eve,” and the podcast “On Air With Ryan Seacrest.”
After Sajak’s announcement, Vanna White — who first appeared alongside Sajak in 1982 — took to social media to celebrate her costar and all the seasons they worked together.
“When we started [Wheel of Fortune] who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later? ” White tweeted. “I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you [Pat Sajak]!”
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