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Did Chris Stapleton file an objection to Beyoncé’s Grammy win? Viral Facebook post debunked

The 59th GRAMMY Awards – Press Room – Image via Getty

A rumor claiming that country singer Chris Stapleton had filed an objection after Beyoncé’s Grammy win for Cowboy Carter, has been circulating across social media. For the unversed, the singer won the award in the category of “Best Country Album” earlier this month.

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The rumor stemmed from a post that was uploaded on Facebook on Sunday, February 16 by a page called Country Music Stories. The caption of the post read:

“Chris Stapleton had filed an official objection to Beyoncé’s Grammy win: ‘Even she admits this is not a country album.’”

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The post also included a statement allegedly by Chris, in which he said that country music possesses a rich taste and culture which should be celebrated. According to the alleged statement, awards under this category should be presented to those who have dedicated their lives to this genre.

The post eventually circulated on other social media platforms like Threads and TikTok. The original Facebook post garnered over 700 reshares and more than 1K likes. Snopes, however, has reported that no credible source to substantiate the claim about an objection by Chris, could be discovered.

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No mention of the same could be found on the country musician’s social media platforms as well. The alleged claim was also not covered by any prominent media houses. It could, thus, be concluded that no such objection was filed by Chris Stapleton against Beyoncé.

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Fact-checking site Lead Stories looked into the speculation and came across a February 9 post shared on website called Fancy 4 Work. According to Lead Stories, Fancy 4 Work shows signs of being “a content farm or spam network” and not an authentic news agency.

Many fans assumed that the Grammy Awards show was rigged after Beyoncé won the best country album award

While there has been no solid evidence to corroborate that Chris Stapleton filed an objection against Beyoncé’s win, it was clear that many country music fans didn’t take the win positively.

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According to a February 3 article by The Daily Mail, Beyoncé looked stunned when Taylor Swift announced her name as the win in the aforementioned category. Fans reportedly recalled last year’s incident when Jay-Z criticized the Record Academy Industry after the 43-year-old singer failed to grab an award.

A user (@TaraBull808) took to X, on February 3, 2025, and wrote:

“Beyonce won the Grammy for the best country album. Even she knows it’s rigged.”

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Another netizen tweeted:

“At this point, the Grammys aren’t about music, just marketing.”

While she received the award under the “Best Country Album” category for Cowboy Carter, the album received no nominations at the 2024 CMA Awards. While many of her fans then seemed outraged, Dolly Parton happened to defend the CMAs. Parton told Variety in a September interview:

“I think everybody in country music welcomed her and thought that, that was good.”

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She further spoke about Beyoncé releasing a country album. Parton additionally mentioned:

“She’s a country girl in Texas and Louisiana, so she grew up with that base. It wasn’t like she just appeared out of nowhere.”

Beyoncé at the CMA Awards in 2016, Image via Getty

The Formation singer has thus received mixed reactions over time for her presence in the country music industry.

Blake Shelton teases possible return to The Voice as a coach or ‘surprise appearance’

Country singer Blake Shelton was one of the original coaches on The Voice, and though he left the show in 2023 fans would love to see him back and he teased the possibility recently

Blake Shelton was one of the first coaches on The Voice and he might be coming back to the hit show.

Blake might make a return to the hit singing competition (Image: NBCUniversal)

The country singer appeared on every season of the singing competition since the show started in 2011 until season 23 in 2023. He holds the record for most wins of any coach with his team going on to win nine seasons.

The show has since continued with other celebrity coaches – this season consists of Reba McEntire, country duo Dan + Shay, Chance the Rapper, and John Legend. But diehard fans of the show want to see the veteran judge make his return.

He was on the show for 23 seasons (Image: Evans Vestal Ward/NBC via Getty Images)

Blake said during an interview on Sunday with Extra TV: “I don’t ever plan on working at The Voice again.” While he isn’t planning an official return to the show, he didn’t rule it out entirely in the future. He added: “Who knows? That’s me sitting here as I say that right now.”

“I can’t say I wouldn’t come by for a surprise appearance,” He continued, “That show is the greatest and most important thing I’ve ever been a part of in my career. It changed my life.”

Blake also said: “When I left, I feel like I really left; we all love each other.” Besides flexing his professional skills on the show and mentoring up-and-coming artists, the show also impacted his personal life. Blake met his now wife, Gwen Stefani, on the show when she was also a judge.

The two started dating in 2015 and became engaged in 2020. A year after their engagement, Gwen and Blake married in a chapel on Blake’s property in Oklahoma.

He said the show didn’t give him time for anything else

In the Extra TV interview, Blake admitted that he left the show after the toll it took on him and how he wanted to focus on his family. “I’ve done it for 23 seasons without missing a single season, you know?” he said.

“I know what you feel like, Pat Sajak!” he added. Pat is leaving his hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune this year after 41 straight years of hosting the game show.

Blake continued: “If you’re on back-to-back seasons, there’s really no time for any other thing, you know? If you didn’t want to have a family and a life that much you could do it, but something has to give. It was time for The Voice to be the thing that gives.”

The Voice fans slam judges for giving ‘already famous’ Grammy-nominated singers a platform

The Voice fans were left frustrated after week three of blind auditions as they slammed the show for giving ‘already famous’ Grammy nominated singers a platform

The Voice fans were fuming as judges give “already famous” artists a platform sending more than one Grammy nominated artist onto the next round.

Monday evening, the star-studded panel of judges on season 25 passed a number of talented artists during the blind audition segment, but fans were furious as they noticed more than one “already established” was met with an instant chair turn from judges.

Fans of The Voice were outraged so many of the singers that took the stage had such a decorated music career and rallied for lesser-known artists to be discovered.

During the third round of blind auditions, star-studded judges Chance The Rapper, John Legend, Reba McEntire, and Dan + Shay made some questionable choices in the eyes of viewers as they supported two successful artists. During the week three episode, Grammy nominated singers Bryan David Olesen and Kamalei Kawa’a were met with instant chair turns from judges.

Two Grammy-nominated singers moved forward in the competition

After the controversial choice to move Bryan and Kamalei forward, fans took to X, formerly Twitter, shading the show and judges. One viewer wrote: “just a little confused how this is allowed.. he is already famous.. #TheVoice.”

Another fan said: “Respectfully, I thought #TheVoice was for aspiring artists?” To which someone replied: “Switch respectfully to disrespectfully but yeah you’re right.” Another viewer angrily wrote: “That’s what I’m saying like what is happening?? And for these already established artist most of them are a**.”

During his audition on The Voice, Bryan sang a beautiful rendition of Love Runs Out by alternative rock band OneRepublic and joined John’s team. Before auditioning on The Voice Bryan was previously one of the founding members of Christian rock band VOTA and also played in Newsboys from 2004 to 2006 but now Bryan is on a mission for a solo career.

Hawaii-native Kamalei also gave an unforgettable performance onstage as he sang a rendition of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song to send a powerful message of strength and power to his native people.

In March of 2012, Kamalei was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Regional Roots Music Album following the release of his hit album Lovely Sunrise. After being met with rave reviews from the judging panel, Kamalei went on to join Chance The Rapper’s team.

‘I’ve mo$tly been ju$t kicking it with Adam Levine’: Amy $chumer Troll$ Adam Levine Cheating $candal, $ay$ Her Hu$band Re$pect$ Her ‘$*x life’

When new$ broke about the much-controver$ial $candal $urrounding Maroon 5 lead vocali$t Adam Levine, fan$ of the band and the $inger were $tupefied. With people quickly re$orting to making meme$ about it, $ome Hollywood celebritie$, too, have taken their turn$ to poke fun at the fia$co. One $uch famed per$onality i$ none other than $tand-up comedian Amy $chumer.
Amy $chumer troll$ the Maroon 5 vocali$t
Making an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the comedian, who ha$ al$o acted in $everal endeavor$, wa$ a$ked to $hed light on what’$ up with her life nowaday$. $chumer wa$ quick to make a witty comment that reaped laughter from the crowd. The dig made at Levine add$ up to the meme culture that ha$ followed $uit after the controver$y made headline$.

Amy $chumer Ha$ Been Kicking It With Adam Levine

Amy $chumer at the 2022 O$car$
On the $how, Amy $chumer wa$ introduced a$ the fir$t gue$t of the night with Jimmy Kimmel terming her a$ “one of the funnie$t people in all five borough$ and beyond.” The comedian who wa$ there to promote her upcoming tour – dubbed the Wh*re Tour – wa$ a$ked for a life update by the $how ho$t. To thi$, $he replied the following:

“What have I been up to… I’ve been, mo$tly, ju$t kicking it with Adam Levine.”

The re$pon$e $eemed to have amu$ed the audience who erupted into laughter. Kimmel, equally entertained, rhetorically que$tioned, “Have you?”
Jimmy Kimmel
The $how ho$t further pre$$ed on, a$king humorou$ly whether $chumer’$ hu$band i$ okay with that revelation. The comedian bluntly $aid:

“Oh my god, he totally re$pect$ my choice$ and… yeah, no, we have a good $*x life.”

Needle$$ to $ay, thi$ i$ not the fir$t time Adam Levine ha$ been made fun of after In$tagram model $umner $troh revealed that $he had a long affair with the $inger. Bizarre text me$$age$ al$o revealed how the rhythm guitari$t wa$ planning to name hi$ third child after the model. The whole $ituation wa$ quite ob$cure, to begin with.

The Adam Levine $ituation

Adam Levine allegedly cheated on hi$ wife Behati Prin$loo
The 23-year-old model/influencer’$ $hocking revelation came mere day$ after Levine’$ wife Behati Prin$loo di$clo$ed her pregnancy on In$tagram. $troh alleged that after having ended thing$ with the vocali$t, he came back to her life with a peculiar reque$t after $everal month$. Through In$tagram DM$, Levine had a$ked: 

“Ok, $eriou$ que$tion. I’m having another baby and if it’$ a boy I really wanna name it $umner. You ok with that? DEAD $eriou$.”

The$e me$$age$ were confirmed by $troh’$ repre$entative, who provided validated proof through a $creen recording. The $inger, through a $tatement, denied the claim$ of an affair. He did, however, $tate that he “cro$$ed the line during a regrettable period” of hi$ life.
In$tagram model $umner $troh
Furthermore, Levine expre$$ed that hi$ flirtatiou$ interaction$ with the In$tagram model, at time$, “became inappropriate.” While Prin$loo ha$ not made an official $tatement a$ of yet, the Maroon 5 $tar claimed that he’$ trying to better thing$ with hi$ family, a$ they’re all he care$ about in the world.

While the entire debacle ha$ taken an amu$ing turn, with $ome of Levine’$ text$ to $troh being turned into reaction meme$, celebritie$ like Adam Devine al$o made joke$ about the incident. Taking to In$tagram, the Pitch Perfect alum cleared up $ome hilariou$ mi$conception$. Po$ting a picture of him$elf and hi$ wife, Chloe Bridge$, the actor $aid, “Ju$t want to po$t thi$ and $ay that my wife… and I are doing great.” Devine then went on to $tate, “I am not Adam Levine.”

Adam Devine’$ witty In$tagram po$t
Making a comical dig at the $cenario, the actor concluded by $aying that he’$ indeed planning to name their future child $umner.

A$ people continue to ridicule the lead $inger for the entire $ituation, it would be intere$ting to witne$$ the $tep taken by Behati Prin$loo moving forward. According to variou$ in$ider $ource$ and report$, the couple want$ to make their marriage work, but Prin$loo i$ under$tandably “up$et” at the $inger’$ inappropriate action$. 

It i$ yet to be $een whether the Namibian model break$ her $ilence and make$ a public re$pon$e to the allegation$ made by $umner $troh.

The Voice: Adam Levine’s Explosive Comment That Sparked So Much Outrage He Was Forced to Apologize

While fans are elated by Adam Levine rejoining The Voice, it is reminding them of the controversies he caused during his past reign in the show.

image on the left from thevoice/youtube. image on the right by NBC

Adam Levine’s return to The Voice’s judges’ panel is reminding everyone of his past controversies. The Voice Season 27 is getting more and more heated, and Levine’s return is obviously a big reason for that. He had previously graced the red seat for the first 16 seasons of the show.

Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine | Credits: YouTube / The Voice

During which, the show witnessed some of its most entertaining moments. The reason, of course, was the Maroon 5 singer’s penchant for controversies, which admittedly amused the audience as well.

One such controversy, though, was blown so out of proportion, that the same audience ended up turning on him. In fact, they were relentless in criticizing him until the singer apologized at last.

Adam Levine was almost canceled due to his comments on The Voice

As stated above, Adam Levine‘s flair for drama has gotten him in trouble multiple times during his long reign on The Voice. Although most of the time people just shook their heads admonishingly, there was one time they weren’t so forgiving.

Adam Levine in The Voice | Credits: YouTube / The Voice

As Cinema Blend explained it, trouble brewed during the show’s Season 4. Two members of Levine’s team were eliminated after three of them ranked in the bottom four with the least number of votes from the audience.

While his disappointment was justified, to many what he said afterwards was uncalled for. Although it was off-camera, his voice rang clear when he expressed his displeasure.

I hate this country.

Obviously, it didn’t go over too well with the country, and many called him out for his rude statement. Things ultimately got so worse that he had to clarify his stance.

In an apology after the incident, he noted to US Weekly that he obviously loves his country very much, and his expression was born out of momentary frustration.

I obviously love my country very much and my comments last night were made purely out of frustration. Being a part of The Voice, I am passionately invested in my team and want to see my artists succeed. Last night’s elimination of Judith and Sarah was confusing and downright emotional for me and my comments were made based on my personal dissatisfaction with the results.

Thankfully things died down soon at the time, and he went on to be a judge on The Voice for many more seasons. Fans were actually somewhat disappointed when he eventually left the show after Season 16. As such, his return to the show in the ongoing Season has elated a lot of people.

Adam Levine rejoined The Voice as a judge in Season 27

Although only two episodes have aired so far, people seem to be loving the current season of The Voice. Their excitement seems to be for the contestants as much as it is for Levine’s return to the show. As stated above, he has had many controversial moments played out during his last tenure apart from almost getting canceled.

Adam Levine returned as a coach in The Voice Season 27 | Credits: YouTube / The Voice

As a result, many are waiting to see what new drama plays out as The Voice Season 27 progresses. The singer also noted his excitement for his return in an interview with E! Online, stating how he felt like “it was time” to make a comeback.

I had some time to reflect and do my thing and be with my family. I was ready to do it, then the stars aligned and here I am.

He further stated that while he didn’t miss being on the show much during his time apart, his nostalgia grew after being back on set. He also noted his appreciation for his fellow coaches in the interview saying how much he loves them.

I feel like no time has passed, but then it also feels so different in an amazing way. I’m just super happy and pumped. I love these guys so much.

Interestingly, after his last departure from the show, he took to Instagram to thank every coach he had the opportunity to work with. According to him, it was a “life-shaping experience” that he would cherish forever.

Additionally, he also thanked everybody who supported him and The Voice for all these years as he never would have gotten to where he is now without them.

The Voice Season 27 airs on NBC every Monday at 8 pm. The show is also available to stream on Peacock.

Blake Shelton took the stage, and the crowd had no idea they were about to witness something unforgettable. As the first chords rang out, fans froze, recognizing a song he hadn’t performed in “years and years.”

His voice, raw and full of emotion, carried the weight of every memory tied to the retired track. By the time he reached the chorus, tears were streaming down faces across the audience.

Since stepping on stage back in 2001, Blake Shelton quickly climbed to the top of country music as he released 12 studio albums. But that was just the start as he also helmed 10 tours throughout his time in country music.

While sharing hits like “Ol’ Red”, “God’s Country”, and “Some Beach”, there was one song that was so emotional that he stopped playing it at concerts. Released on his 2003 album, The Dreamer, “The Baby” focused on a son’s relationship with his mother. Striking a chord with countless fans, Shelton recently decided to play it for the first time in years.

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@kaylayeh82

I can’t get through this song without #uglycrying ! This is why I #love #countrymusic !! Thanks @Blake Shelton for beinging this song back!! #thebaby #austintx #moodycenter #texas #country #raw #fyp

♬ original sound – Kayla Yeh

Kicking off his Back To The Honky Tonk Tour, Shelton performed in Hershey, PA on February 22. While fans enjoyed hearing the singer perform several of his hit songs, many were surprised when he decided to sing “The Baby.” Discussing his reasoning for not playing the song for years, Shelton told the crowd, “There’s a song that I quit doing years and years ago because the song is just so heavy that sometimes I would do it and look out into the crowd and literally see people crying and running to the bathroom.”

Believing it was a mistake to stop playing the song, Shelton added, “I decided to bring it back and do it on this tour because now that 20 years later, since it came out, I realized that it was a mistake to stop doing it back in the day because that’s just the power of country music when a song connects with people.”

Fans Can’t Get Enough Of Blake Shelton Or “The Baby”

Hitting every note as if he never stopped performing it, Shelton gained high praise from fans. “This one and ‘Austin’ give me chills every time. Old school Blake Shelton was so good.”

Another person insisted, “This era/time frame of his music was his best. I don’t care for any of his recent stuff. But this was some of his best work.” And one comment read, “This was my mom’s ring tone for me as long as she could have a ring tone. She passed away in 2021. I tear up every time I hear it.”

With fans sharing their love for “The Baby”, it seems Shelton picked the perfect time to return it to his lineup.

The Voice Coach Adam Levine SPEAKS OUT After Fan Ran Onstage and Grabbed Him lead some people on TikTok criticizing his reaction

Adam Levine Speaks Out After Fan Ran Onstage and Grabbed Him: ‘I Was Really Startled’

The Maroon 5 singer explains why he appeared to curse and recoil from the woman after some fans on TikTok criticized his reaction

Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Audacy

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 performs onstage during the 8th annual “We Can Survive” concert hosted by Audacy at Hollywood Bowl on October 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

It happened in a flash during a Maroon 5 performance over the weekend — frontman Adam Levine was belting out the band’s 2004 hit “Sunday Morning” when an overly eager fan suddenly rushed the stage and grabbed him mid-note.

A now-viral TikTok clip of the incident, which took place at Saturday’s We Can Survive concert at the Hollywood Bowl, shows that security quickly grabbed the woman and pulled her away from Levine, who could be seen cursing, shuddering and shaking off the uninvited experience before getting back into the groove.

In the comments that follow that video, some people seemed offended by the former “Voice” coach’s visceral reaction, suggesting he should “humble himself” and “remember the money in your pocket is from those fans.” Levine responded to those critics in clips he shared to his Instagram stories Tuesday.

“So I just wanted to address the Hollywood Bowl incident thing — a fan coming up to me onstage,” he said. “I have always been someone who loves, respects, worships our fans. Without our fans, we don’t a job. I say that all the time to our fans.”

He went on to explain that he found the way some people characterized his reaction at the show, which was referred to as “demeaning,” “arrogant” and “humiliating” by various commenters, hurtful.

“To think that anyone would believe that I thought that our fans were beneath us, or less than us, makes my stomach turn,” he continued. “That’s just not who I am. That’s not who I’ve ever been.”

The 42-year-old pop rocker then offered up a defense of his in-the-moment shudders.

“I just need you guys to know I was really startled, and sometimes when you’re startled, you have to shake it off and move on,” he noted. “Because I’m doing my job up there, and it’s what I pride myself on. So I need to let you guys know what my heart is, and my heart is that connection that exists between the band performing onstage and the fans.”

He closed by adding, “I hope we can all understand that,” before blowing a kiss to the camera.

While Levine addressed his critics, many of his fans in the 45,000+ comments on that TikTok clip firmly had his back.

“He doesn’t even have to be humbled… a random person invaded his personal space during a pandemic,” one wrote. “He acted the right way.”

“DONT TOUCH PEOPLE WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT. Period,” another added.

And yet another insisted that “no one would want a stranger to run up to them and touch them.”

Gone but not forgotten: 53% of ‘The Voice’ fans are ‘devastated’ that Adam Levine quit [POLL RESULTS]

NBC

In Gold Derby’s recent poll, we asked diehard fans of “The Voice” what they thought of Adam Levine quitting NBC’s reality TV show after 16 seasons, and 53% voted that they were absolutely “devastated” by the news.

The other 47% of fans voted that now was “the right time” for Adam to finally call it quits. Do you agree or disagree with those poll results? Be sure to sound off down in the comments section.

Adam didn’t give a specific explanation as to why he decided to leave the show he’s called home since 2011, except to say, “For me, it was time to move on.” In his official statement, Adam thanked fellow coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, host Carson Daly, producer Mark Burnett and other “The Voice” crew members.

“I couldn’t hide my love for you if I tried,” he said about his frenemy Blake, who’s been a coach with Adam since day one. “Seriously. I tried. Can’t do it. Our friendship is and always will be one for the books. Whatever this whole surreal experience was, I’m just happy I got to experience it with you. You’re my brother for life. Kelly and John, take care of the cowboy and I’m sure I’ll be back to say hi very very soon. So much love to you both.”

Finally, the Maroon 5 singer thanked his “loyal” fans, declaring, “There’s literally no show without you guys. For me, it was time to move on. Your support has meant EVERYTHING.” Based on the results of our poll, it appears as though his “The Voice” fans will miss Adam just as much as he’ll miss them.

Throughout his 16 seasons on the show Adam mentored three winning artists: Javier Colon (Season 1), Tessanne Chin (Season 5) and Jordan Smith (Season 9). However, over the past few seasons he’s notably had a rough go of things, with all of his artists being eliminated before the finale for three cycles in a row. Gwen Stefani will replace Adam in Season 17, which will air this fall on NBC.

Ryan Seacrest spins ratings gold as new host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’

 

There is nothing like a familiar face to serve up TV’s ultimate comfort food.

In September, Sony Pictures Television handed the keys to its game show “Wheel of Fortune” to Ryan Seacrest, broadcasting’s iron man. Nielsen data show “Wheel of Fortune” averaging 7.9 million viewers through Dec. 1, up 3% from a year ago during longtime host Pat Sajak’s final season.

“Wheel” has more viewers than every network nonsports prime-time series, with the exception of CBS’ “60 Minutes” and “Tracker.” More than 58 million people have tuned into some portion of the program this season. More people watch “Wheel” and Sony’s companion show “Jeopardy!” in the 7 p.m. hour than any single streaming service, including Netflix.

The bump in ratings for “Wheel” comes as traditional TV viewing continues to decline. The show gained viewers as the number of people watching TV overall fell 9% during the same period.

Durability has been a hallmark of “Wheel,” which on Jan. 6 marked 50 years since it premiered on NBC’s daytime lineup. The game, where contestants guess the letters of a mystery word or phrase, has been part of the TV landscape ever since, surviving huge changes that have splintered the mass audience.

But a major test for the popularity of any TV show is when the star is replaced. Sajak had hosted the syndicated version of “Wheel” since it launched in 1983 and became an evening ritual for millions of viewers. He decided to hang it up at the end of the 2023-24 season.

“It was a pivotal moment for us,” said Suzanne Prete, president of game shows for Sony. “It’s personal to the viewers. Pat is like a family member to them.”

Ryan Seacrest enters the “Wheel of Fortune” set arm in arm with co-host Vanna White, just as former host Pat Sajak always did.
(Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Sony executives know how disruptive change can be for an institution such as “Wheel.” After a public audition of potential successors for longtime “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek in 2021, the company went with executive producer Mike Richards, who was not exactly a household name. The move angered fans, and a scandal over offensive remarks Richards had made on a podcast led him to quit before his episodes aired.

Seacrest is a well-known quantity. He holds down mornings on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, hosts “American Idol” and counts down the ball drop in Times Square for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” In 2023, he finished a successful six-year run as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on the daily talk show “Live.” He has largely steered clear of controversy, surviving a 2018 investigation of sexual harassment claims made by a former stylist who worked for him at E! (The network dropped the probe due to insufficient evidence.)

When Sony considered successors for “Wheel,” Seacrest was at the top of Prete’s wish list. “If I had the choice of anybody in the world, it would have been Ryan,” she said.

Viewers who discovered the Queen of Country Music on ‘The Voice’ are finding six seasons of comedy she made for the WB and the CW.

July 10, 2024

Once Prete promoted the idea, she learned that Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman Tony Vinciquerra was acquainted with Seacrest from their days at Fox, the original “American Idol” network.

Vinciquerra recalled how Seacrest idolized Merv Griffin, the band singer turned talk show host and game show impresario who created “Wheel” as well as “Jeopardy!” Seacrest did a game show pilot for Griffin after he first arrived in Hollywood. One of his dreams was to host “Wheel.”

Vinciquerra had dinner with Seacrest, and a deal came together quickly, a year ahead of Sajak’s exit.

Once he secured the job, Seacrest asked for videos of past shows so he could study the nuances of the game. Prete was ready to send him 50 recent episodes.

“He said, ‘No, I want to see every episode,’” Prete said. There are 8,000.

Ted Harbert, a former network executive and Seacrest friend, can attest to the host’s obsessive preparation. “He wanted the rules to be just second nature to him,” Harbert said. “He didn’t want there to ever be a question.”

Executive producer Bellamie Blackstone flew to Miami to see Seacrest with a tabletop version of the game and practiced as many scenarios as possible.

“When he stepped on the set, it was like he’d been doing it his whole life,” Prete said.

Seacrest also quickly mastered the interaction with contestants and has shown he is willing to go the extra yard. When a bodybuilder recently played the game, the host volunteered to be bench-pressed right on set.

Ryan Seacrest gets bench-pressed on “Wheel of Fortune.”
(Sony Pictures Television)

The colorful carnival atmosphere of the set, which Seacrest enters arm in arm with co-host Vanna White, just as Sajak did, remains unchanged.

Although a smooth transition helps, the continued success of “Wheel” is also a testament to the lasting power of classic game shows.

After logging decades on air, their appeal spans generations. The fans who watched at home with parents and grandparents now make up the audience with their children and grandchildren. The easy-to-watch shows also provide viewers with a break from scripted TV, which has become more complex and intense in the streaming era.

“I think, in general, programming is pretty heavy,” said Prete. “Our game shows are fun and energetic, and they bring people together.”

 

Wheel of Fortune spins its way into history with its 50th anniversary

Since its debut in 1975, Wheel of Fortune has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences across generations.

Created by Merv Griffin, Wheel of Fortune started as a daytime TV show but quickly spun its way into primetime fame.

KHOU 11 News got an exclusive tour during the tapings of Wheel’s Golden Anniversary, where we saw the new set for ourselves.

Ryan Seacrest, who joined the show as host in 2024, described the secret to its success.

“The simplicity of the show. It is what it is and that’s why it works. And that’s what Merv, who created the show, said. If you walk past the room, you have to stop and try to solve the puzzle,” Seacrest said.

Seacrest replaced Pat Sajak, who stepped down after more than 40 years.

The show’s 50th-anniversary episodes will honor Griffin’s legacy.

“We’re going to be honoring Merv, because we all wouldn’t be here without him. He started my career and he started your career,” White said.

A new set with updated LED lighting, interactive screens, and immersive visuals was unveiled for the anniversary.

“Everything that we have out here is updated LED lighting, LED on the floor, giant screen we can do so much with. Not only are you seeing the themes, you’re also seeing the beautiful locations we’re sending people to,” a production member said.

Despite the modern touches, some elements remain unchanged.

“It’s the same wheel as it was in the pitch,” Seacrest said. “You cannot touch the vintage – iconic ‘Wheel of Fortune’ wheel and the sound. You can hear the click, click, click from the other room and know it’s time.”

Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, has led efforts to attract younger viewers through platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

“We have so much fun doing the social media for the show. I think it’s really special because people know the show, it’s a really important part of their day, lives. But to be able to give them an insider’s look that they may not have ever had before, it’s really amazing,” she said.

As “Wheel of Fortune” looks to the future, Seacrest hopes to continue the show’s legacy.

“We’re celebrating people’s milestones. We’re looking forward to so much of what’s going to happen in years to come. I have a lot of energy and I want to bring 50 years more of this energy and some fun, new ideas as well,” he said.