Pat Sajak’s exit from Wheel of Fortune was followed by Ryan Seacrest’s installation as the new show host, while Vanna White maintained her letter-turner position. The announcement of Pat’s retirement was a sad shock to many fans, who were even further annoyed at Ryan’s takeover.
Since season 42 began with its premiere on September 9, ratings have dropped drastically, and some further adjustments might be needed. An insider revealed that the show bosses are considering promoting Vanna to host if the decline in views and positive feedback persists.
Ryan Seacrest is under pressure to perform better
Updates reveal Ryan is under pressure to prove himself, all while assuring his supporters of a good season run ahead. Season 4 debuted with a household rating of 4.62, which is an impressive 50 percent increase from the last series’ season.
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Signing the $28 million per year contract with Wheel of Fortune puts Ryan in a tough spot to resolve the dwindling ratings quickly. Also, seeking a new host would cost the network time and more money, and based on her longevity, Vanna is the best person to do host duties.
Reactions on social media proved the decline in rating to be true, as viewers expressed their disappointment from the first episode. Some accused Ryan of lacking empathy and being fake, calling him an awful epitome of a hollow man lacking personality. “This is the worst day of my life; just watched the first Pat Sajak-less Wheel of Fortune & hated it,” one of the comments on X read.
Thankfully, some of Ryan’s supporters came to his defense and asked the audience to give him time to adjust. “Ryan Seacrest’s first episode as host of Wheel of Fortune was really good. It’s a hard role to fill, and hard to step in for Sajak,” someone responded, while another agreed that he would do better.