Just this week, longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak announced his imminent retirement. According to Sajak, the 2023 to 2024 season will be his last, after Sajak had been a part of the game show since the show’s advent in the format it’s most known for.
Now, the question remains: what next? Who will take up the mantle of host after Sajak leaves? Jeopardy! faced a similar conundrum after the passing of Alex Trebek, going through a revolving door of candidates. For Wheel of Fortune, there are a few popular theories, like series mainstay Vanna White, and some unexpected options like Ryan Seacrest. Here are the most popular contenders debated among fans.
Keeping it in the family?
Some of the first names that came up in the Wheel of Fortune host discussion were in the show’s family, in multiple manners of speaking. Vanna White has been with the program as long as Sajak has not voiced any plans for retirement any time soon. Online, some viewers said they would actively petition for White to host the show and higher-ups said they’re ready to make that a reality.
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“If Vanna wants it, zero people would have a problem with it,” said J. Chris Newberg, game show producer whose credits include Beat Shazam and The Chase.
When asked about retiring or splitting up the famous duo, White said she didn’t even want to consider it – and she especially doesn’t want to think about leaving the show. An alleged insider says, “Vanna doesn’t want to leave Wheel of Fortune even after Pat’s announcement of retirement and she would highly consider taking over his role as host on the show.”
Perhaps an entirely new face will host ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ some suggest
As Newberg also notes, “again, just like Jeopardy!, new blood is cool.” There are some likely successors who would bring a fresh feel to Wheel of Fortune as host. For a mix of familiar and new, Maggie Sajak has been suggested. She is the daughter of Sajak with his wife, photographer Lesly Brown, and currently serves as a social media correspondent for Wheel of Fortune. Although she’s done extensive work for the game show behind the scenes and on the other side of the camera, Maggie has experience as a country singer, so she’s no stranger to the spotlight and performing in front of many onlookers.
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
But another name has come up: Ryan Seacrest. The 48-year-old media personality and producer just finished his tenure on Live With Kelly and Ryan alongside Kelly Ripa, the better to focus on other ventures. Just how likely this is remains under debate, with Bloomberg‘s Lucas Shaw, first to report on Sajak’s departure, claiming Seacrest is “talking to the producers of Wheel of Fortune. Some sources say he’s the frontrunner. Others say he is just one of many interested.”
There are quite a few people in that “interested” category, including Whoopi Goldberg, an option that Newberg can get behind, with some stipulations. “I’d like to see someone funny and quick-witted. Whoopi [Goldberg] would be exciting,” he suggested, “but I fear it may become too political.”
“I want that job!” Goldberg has said. “I think it’d be lots of fun.”
Who would you like to see host Wheel of Fortune?
