Sajak hosted Wheel of Fortune for 43 years from 1981 to 2024, though he still hosts Celebrity Wheel of Fortune from time to time.
While some fans have blasted Seacrest for his handling of certain moments like a contestant losing $1 million in the bonus round, viewers have flocked to the show.
Wheel of Fortune’s Season 42 premiere week averaged 8.31 million viewers an episode, the highest premiere week ratings in five years.
With all of that early success, executives are trying to lock the 49-year-old down with a long-term contract, though Seacrest is said to be driving his bosses ‘crazy.’
His bosses want him to scale back on his multiple other endeavors and focus more on the show, though a report from Closer Weekly adds he doesn’t want to be ‘pigeon-holed.’
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Ryan Seacrest had the unenviable gig of replacing the beloved Pat Sajak on the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune this fall.
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His bosses want him to scale back on his multiple other endeavors and focus more on the show, though a report from Closer Weekly adds he doesn’t want to be ‘pigeon-holed’
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Seacrest’s other more prominent gig is hosting ABC’s American Idol, though Wheel of Fortune producers are fine with him hosting that, if he pares back on his other jobs.
‘It’s okay he hosts American Idol, they can’t change that, but they want him to scale down his other endeavors and tie him up in a binding contract,’ an insider said.
‘The powers that be over at Wheel of Fortune don’t want him stretched to the limit and want his full and undivided attention on the show,’ the source contended.
Along with hosting Idol, he has also hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve since 2004, plus his daily radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest.
He also serves as an executive producer on Hulu’s The Kardashians and Live With Kelly and Mark, and has a number of other business ventures.
The source added, ‘They see Ryan as the future, but Ryan’s not the kind of guy to lock in and sign here.’
‘He wants freedom and control and refuses to be pigeon-holed, and his obstinate stance is driving bosses crazy,’ the source insisted.
Seacrest has yet to comment publicly on the report, and it’s unclear if he will in fact sign a long-term pact to host the long-running show.
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Seacrest’s other more prominent gig is hosting ABC’s American Idol, though Wheel of Fortune producers are fine with him hosting that, if he pares back on his other jobs
+6
View gallery
Along with hosting Idol, he has also hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve since 2004, plus his daily radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest
+6
View gallery
Seacrest has yet to comment publicly on the report, and it’s unclear if he will in fact sign a long-term pact to host the long-running show
Ryan Seacrest slammed for lack of empathy on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
The Ryan Seacrest era of Wheel of Fortune got off to a big start when the Season 42 premiere drew in 9.63 million viewers.
That marked the highest season premiere for the show in nine years, and nearly double the previous season premiere.
The show also boasted a household rating of 4.88 and cemented its status as the top program in syndicated television.
The Season 41 premiere – the last with Sajak at the helm – drew in 5.68 million viewers last September.
