When Ryan Seacrest joined Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak resigned, he was welcomed with open arms. Fans of the game show were curious to see how he would fill the shoes of Pat, who hosted the show for 43 years; there were a lot of expectations from him. His arrival brought fresh energy, but it also came with constant comparisons to Sajak’s hosting style. While some viewers appreciated his lively personality, others were hesitant to embrace the change. They were not pleased with the way he hosted the show, and the complaints kept mounting
Now, rumor has it that Seacrest’s time on the show might be short-lived. Reports suggest that he could be replaced sooner than expected, with Maggie Sajak emerging as a possible successor. Adding to the speculation, some sources claim that Pat Sajak never truly wanted to leave in the first place, and he might even return. With all these rumors, fans are wondering which is true or false.
Is Ryan Seacrest leaving ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
Since Ryan Seacrest took over as host in September 2024, he has faced mixed reactions from the show’s audience. His years of hosting experience initially made him a strong choice to lead Wheel of Fortune into a new era. However, some longtime viewers struggled to accept him, a few even accused him of struggling with basic hosting duties. There was even a viral Reddit post, where the original poster was questioning whether he could read numbers correctly.
Despite these criticisms, Seacrest’s presence has had a huge impact on the show’s ratings. According to The US Sun, Sony executives have been pleased with audience engagement and are considering extending his contract. While speculation about his departure continues, there has been no official confirmation from Seacrest or Sony that he plans to leave anytime soon.
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Will Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie Sajak take over?
Another persistent rumor centers around Maggie Sajak, the daughter of longtime host Pat Sajak. She has also been involved with Wheel of Fortune for years. She is currently serving as a social media correspondent, and she occasionally makes on-air appearances.
In December 2024, The US Sun reported that Sony was keeping Maggie in mind as a backup option. While Seacrest has a multiyear contract, insiders claim that the network wants to be prepared if he decides to leave. In January 2025, Radar Online suggested that Pat Sajak himself was reluctant to step down and may be eyeing a return. According to the report, Sajak felt pressured to retire and still has a strong desire to be part of the show. If these claims hold any weight, it could mean that Wheel of Fortune is far from settling on a long-term replacement.
At this point, there is no official word on whether Ryan Seacrest will leave Wheel of Fortune or if Maggie Sajak will take over. While speculation continues to build, Sony appears committed to keeping Seacrest as the host. Whether these rumors turn into reality or not, one thing is clear: Wheel of Fortune remains a game of surprises.