SE _ _ REST

If Wheel of Fortune announced its new host via a bonus round puzzle, the default letters of R, S, T, L, N, and E would be veeeeery helpful.

That’s because the answer is none other than Ryan Seacrest, the man seemingly born to host shows on national TV. The show announced yesterday that Seacrest would be taking over the reins from the legendary Pat Sajak, who recently announced that last season – his 41st with the show – would be his last.

• Seacrest’s resume speaks for itself (kind of like a Furby). He’s hosted American Idol, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, and, most recently, Live with Kelly and Ryan, which he left in April.

🛞 But… what about Vanna? Many hoped that Sajak’s replacement would be Vanna White, the program’s co-host. White has been turning letters since 1982 and tapping them since 1997, when the show switched to a digital touch screen board. In fact, according to oddsmakers at BetOnline, White was the frontrunner to take over, with 3-1 odds. Seacrest (9-2) and Sajak’s daughter, Maggie Sajak (5-1), were the other top contenders.

• Possibly complicating matters, White is currently negotiating with Sony TV for her first raise in eighteen years. Currently, she makes about $3 million a year, which is about 1/5th of what Sajak made ($15 million).

👀 Looking ahead.. Seacrest will begin hosting the show – which averaged about 8.6 million viewers per night in its last season – in 2024.