A lot has happened in the last few weeks for fans of Wheel of Fortune. Between Pat Sajak announcing his retirement from the game show and Ryan Seacrest succeeding him as host, viewers may be curious to know his take on the subject. Luckily, it seems like he's on board with who will step into his role after the 2023-2024 TV season.
The day after Ryan posted his hosting reveal on Instagram, Pat went on Twitter to share his excitement about the American Idol star taking his spot on the iconic series. What's more, he also alluded to a timeframe for when folks may see Ryan spinning the wheel on their small screens.
"I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024," Pat wrote on June 28.
When folks saw Pat comment about Ryan joining the Wheel of Fortune family, many took the chance to voice their feelings about him leaving the role.
"It’s impossible to imagine it without you. You will be missed, but I hope there are many new and wonderful experiences waiting for you after Wheel! ❤️," one person wrote on Twitter. "I guess it had to happen, but man, oh man are we gonna miss you. Best wishes for a long and fruitful retirement!!" another replied. "So sad that you're leaving. You've been a staple in my household for as long as I can remember," a different follower responded.
Although Wheel of Fortune (and Pat) confirmed the transition will happen sometime next year, Pat's tweet infers when his final episode might air. If the game show carries a similar schedule to season 40, it's likely that Pat will say goodbye in June 2024. But he's not leaving the series completely, as an official statement reported he'll stay on as a consultant for three years following his exit, per Deadline.
In the meantime, it sounds like Ryan is gearing up to learn from the best. "I'm truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak," he wrote on Instagram. "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 and feel right at home with them."
He continued: "Pat, I love that 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."
As of right now, it appears that Ryan will eventually take his place next to longtime Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White though she's reportedly currently "in negotiations" for tapings past the 2023-2024 season.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
