Ryan Seacrest.Photo:David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadioRyan Seacrestknows he has one job to do when he takes over hosting duties ofWheel of FortuneafterPat Sajak’s retirement: Don’t mess with the formula.“With this game show, it’s such a success and has been for generations,” Seacrest, 48, told PEOPLE at theiHeartRadio Music Festivalin Las Vegas on Friday. “You don’t mess with it, just don’t mess with it. Just get out of the way, say ‘Good evening’ and let’s play.”“I think I have so much adrenaline rushing through my body. Excitement is the word because it’s such a phenomenal show,” he added. “I’ve been a fan. I grew up watching the show. and I can’t wait to take over after the legendary Pat Sajak.”Sajak, 76, will still helm the show for one more season before Seacrest takes the reins. The gig comes after the radio host leftLive with Kelly and Ryanin April, a show he co-hosted for nearly six years.“It was a good time to go, and then fortunately a couple of weeks later, this other great opportunity came to fruition,” he said, referring toWheel of Fortune. “I’m a kid in a candy store.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Ryan Seacrest.David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadioWheel of Fortune’s current 41st season, which kicked off earlier this month, will be Sajak’s last. He announced in June that he wouldretireafter the show’s 41st season and shared onX, formerly known as Twitter, that he’d had a “wonderful ride.”The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest asSajak’s replacement.Earlier this week, Seacrest said he is “very excited” thatVanna Whitewill be joining him when he takes over the reins atWheel of Fortune.“This is such great news,” Seacrest said while pre-taping an appearance forSunday Today withWillie Geist, 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.’ ”Vanna White, Pat Sajak.Middlesworth/ABC via Getty ImagesWhite 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 after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any increases.Continuing to chat with PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Seacrest spoke candidly about his relationship with White, 66.“We text recently and she’s the most lovely person,” theAmerican Idolhost said. “We’ve known each other for a long time, and I think we both feel excitement about all of this.“He added, “And also, just to watch Pat and Vanna celebrate their final year together after 40-plus years co-hosting that show, it’s history in the making.”Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights in syndication (check local listings).
Ryan Seacrest.Photo:David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Ryan Seacrestknows he has one job to do when he takes over hosting duties ofWheel of FortuneafterPat Sajak’s retirement: Don’t mess with the formula.“With this game show, it’s such a success and has been for generations,” Seacrest, 48, told PEOPLE at theiHeartRadio Music Festivalin Las Vegas on Friday. “You don’t mess with it, just don’t mess with it. Just get out of the way, say ‘Good evening’ and let’s play.”“I think I have so much adrenaline rushing through my body. Excitement is the word because it’s such a phenomenal show,” he added. “I’ve been a fan. I grew up watching the show. and I can’t wait to take over after the legendary Pat Sajak.”Sajak, 76, will still helm the show for one more season before Seacrest takes the reins. The gig comes after the radio host leftLive with Kelly and Ryanin April, a show he co-hosted for nearly six years.“It was a good time to go, and then fortunately a couple of weeks later, this other great opportunity came to fruition,” he said, referring toWheel of Fortune. “I’m a kid in a candy store.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Ryan Seacrest.David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadioWheel of Fortune’s current 41st season, which kicked off earlier this month, will be Sajak’s last. He announced in June that he wouldretireafter the show’s 41st season and shared onX, formerly known as Twitter, that he’d had a “wonderful ride.”The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest asSajak’s replacement.Earlier this week, Seacrest said he is “very excited” thatVanna Whitewill be joining him when he takes over the reins atWheel of Fortune.“This is such great news,” Seacrest said while pre-taping an appearance forSunday Today withWillie Geist, 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.’ ”Vanna White, Pat Sajak.Middlesworth/ABC via Getty ImagesWhite 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 after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any increases.Continuing to chat with PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Seacrest spoke candidly about his relationship with White, 66.“We text recently and she’s the most lovely person,” theAmerican Idolhost said. “We’ve known each other for a long time, and I think we both feel excitement about all of this.“He added, “And also, just to watch Pat and Vanna celebrate their final year together after 40-plus years co-hosting that show, it’s history in the making.”Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights in syndication (check local listings).
Ryan Seacrestknows he has one job to do when he takes over hosting duties ofWheel of FortuneafterPat Sajak’s retirement: Don’t mess with the formula.“With this game show, it’s such a success and has been for generations,” Seacrest, 48, told PEOPLE at theiHeartRadio Music Festivalin Las Vegas on Friday. “You don’t mess with it, just don’t mess with it. Just get out of the way, say ‘Good evening’ and let’s play.”
“I think I have so much adrenaline rushing through my body. Excitement is the word because it’s such a phenomenal show,” he added. “I’ve been a fan. I grew up watching the show. and I can’t wait to take over after the legendary Pat Sajak.”
Sajak, 76, will still helm the show for one more season before Seacrest takes the reins. The gig comes after the radio host leftLive with Kelly and Ryanin April, a show he co-hosted for nearly six years.
“It was a good time to go, and then fortunately a couple of weeks later, this other great opportunity came to fruition,” he said, referring toWheel of Fortune. “I’m a kid in a candy store.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Ryan Seacrest.David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Wheel of Fortune’s current 41st season, which kicked off earlier this month, will be Sajak’s last. He announced in June that he wouldretireafter the show’s 41st season and shared onX, formerly known as Twitter, that he’d had a “wonderful ride.”
The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest asSajak’s replacement.
Earlier this week, Seacrest said he is “very excited” thatVanna Whitewill be joining him when he takes over the reins atWheel of Fortune.
“This is such great news,” Seacrest said while pre-taping an appearance forSunday Today withWillie Geist, 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.’ ”
Vanna White, Pat Sajak.Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images
Middlesworth/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 after earning approximately $3 million a year for the 18 past years without any increases.
Continuing to chat with PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Seacrest spoke candidly about his relationship with White, 66.
“We text recently and she’s the most lovely person,” theAmerican Idolhost said. “We’ve known each other for a long time, and I think we both feel excitement about all of this.”
He added, “And also, just to watch Pat and Vanna celebrate their final year together after 40-plus years co-hosting that show, it’s history in the making.”
Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights in syndication (check local listings).
source: people.com
