Sajak announced this month that he will retire in 2024 after more than 40 years hosting the iconic game show.Pat Sajak’s announcement this month that the next season of Wheel of Fortune would be his last was surprising, even though he’d teased for years that he’d soon retire from the TV staple he’s starred on since 1981. The revelation just two weeks later that Ryan Seacrest will step into the job isn’t.
Seacrest is a veteran host of shows including American Idol and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. He departed morning show Live With Kelly and Ryan, which he had hosted with Kelly Ripa for nearly six years, in April.
On Tuesday, he reacted to his new job, alongside letter-turner Vanna White:
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. 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. Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
“Many people probably don’t know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show called Click for Merv Griffin 25 years ago so this is truly a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity. I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
