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‘Jeopardy!’ Winner Reveals Sweet Connection to ‘Wheel’ Star Vanna White

Jeopardy!/YouTube, Wheel of Fortune/YouTube

Marko Saric is making a name for himself on Jeopardy! — he’s officially in this year’s Champions Wildcard semifinals — but he’s also a big fan of another game show filmed across the way at Sony Pictures Studios. In the Jeopardy! episode airing on Friday, January 17, Saric shared he got a shout-out from Wheel of Fortune letter-turner Vanna White.

That reveal came during Friday’s contestant meet-and-greet, in which Saric reminded Jeopardy!viewers of the anecdote he shared in his first episode on the show — that he was a Wheel fan who would “mimic Vanna White’s motions as she would walk across the stage” when he was a kid.

Turns out, word of Saric’s fandom reached White, and White reached out to Saric. “I actually received a personalized video message from Vanna after that episode,” Saric told Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings. “So no matter what happens here, I can die happy.”

 

Jennings asked if White’s video message included any tips.

“No, ’cause I think she doesn’t want anyone coming for her job,” Saric quipped.

“Exactly,” Jennings replied. “She can tell you’re a threat.”

Saric, a math professor from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is certainly on a threat on Jeopardy! At the end of Friday’s game, he defeated Will Weiss, a technical program manager from Islip, New York, and Adam Hersh, a lawyer from Brooklyn, New York, in Friday’s episode.

Hersh was in the lead at the end of Friday’s Jeopardy round, but after finding both Daily Doubles in the Double Jeopardy round, Saric emerged in first place by the time Final Jeopardy came around.

None of the three contestants responded with the correct question to the Final Jeopardy answer. (It was Alexander Hamilton, it turns out, who “wrote of his intent ‘to reserve & throw away my first fire, & I have thoughts even of reserving my second fire.’”) Saric wagered nothing on that round and advanced to the semifinals; Hersh, meanwhile, bet and lost all of his $18,600 score, much to fans’ confusion, and did not advance.

Now Saric will face off against Mehal Shah, a software engineer from Seattle, Washington, and Paul Clauson, a tax analyst from Madison Heights, Michigan, in the episode airing on Wednesday, January 22. Perhaps Vanna White will be watching!

Wheel of Fortune contestant stuns Ryan Seacrest with intense obsession

A Wheel of Fortune contestant shocked Ryan Seacrest with his bold claim: ‘I prioritize the New York Football Giants, my family, and then breathing right after.’

Ryan Seacrest was floored by a fan who prioritizes the NY Giants over family (Image: ABC)

Television host Ryan Seacrest was left speechless during a recent Wheel of Fortune episode when a contestant revealed his jaw-dropping priorities while answering a question.

Introducing himself, Nick Isidori, from Emerson, New Jersey, confessed to being an extreme New York sports fan.

He shared: “Some probably would say it’s an unhealthy obsession.”

Ryan went on to ask: “Who would be those people who say that? Do they know you well?”

Nick replied: “Everybody. So, I actually have a list of priorities in life and in order, I prioritize the New York Football Giants, my family, and then breathing right after.”

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Nick Isidori is a Wheel of Fortune contestant from Emerson, New Jersey (Image: ABC)

Ryan quipped: “You should look up the definition of priority.” Nick responded: “I’ve been told that one too, Ryan.”

Fans quickly took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions.

While some said Nick “should really get his priorities straight,” others celebrated his dedication to the Giants.

“Hell yeah!” one fan cheered, while anothers called his praise “words to live by.”

Nick was previously featured in a 2020 interview with NJ.com, where he confessed: “The [feeling I got on the] last day of my chemo is not even remotely close to that first Super Bowl. I care about this team more than anything.”

He even has a neck tattoo reading: “Only a Giant.”

Blac Chyna wants Ryan Seacrest deposed in lawsuit against the Kardashians

Blac Chyna and Ryan SeacrestGetty Images

While Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian appear to be peacefully co-parenting their daughter, Dream, Chyna is still waging legal war on the rest of the Kardashian-Jenners.

Chyna, whose real name is Angela White, has been in a legal battle with the Kardashians over the cancellation of her former E! reality show, “Rob & Chyna.” According to court documents, obtained by The Blast, Chyna now wants Ryan Seacrest to be questioned under oath during a deposition as part of her lawsuit.

Chyna sued Rob, Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner in October 2017, claiming they interfered with the show and caused producers and the network to cancel it, which allegedly caused her substantial damages. Kim and Kris were later dropped from the suit in January 2018 at the request of their attorney, Shawn Holley. The judge sided with the Kardashians, saying he didn’t see any interference from Kris or Kim.

The Kardashians have continued to deny all allegations of wrongdoing and want the lawsuit tossed.

In the newly filed documents, the Lashed salon owner also claims Seacrest, who served as an executive producer on the show, refuses to sit for the deposition and requests the court demand his presence. She also is requesting all communications between Seacrest and Kim, Khloé and Kylie about her defunct reality show.

Chyna also wants all documents about the renewal of the show, records of meetings between Seacrest, Kim, Khloe and Kylie about canceling her show, and all information about the origins of “Life of Kylie.”

Holley told Page Six on Wednesday, “We will file a motion to dismiss Ms. White’s case at the appropriate time and look forward to the Court’s consideration of the evidence. Most importantly, Ms. White’s entertainment lawyer had negotiated a ‘kill fee’ which sought to pay her a large amount of money in the event that the second season of ‘Rob & Chyna’ did not go forward. Ms. White received that money and obviously understood that a second season wasn’t guaranteed to her. Taking Ryan Seacrest’s deposition—though attention-getting—won’t change these simple facts.”

Chyna’s attorney had no comment.

Is ‘Saturday Night Live’ new this weekend? About the Jan. 18 episode

“Saturday Night Live” has yet to air its first episode of 2025.

“Saturday Night Live” is nearing its 50th anniversary special, celebrating the show’s milestone 50th season on air.

The show has been on hiatus for the holidays since Dec. 21, 2024, when Martin Short hosted the show, featuring Hozier as musical guest.

So when does “SNL” resume in 2025?

Is there a new episode of ‘SNL’ this weekend?

Yes, there is a new episode of “Saturday Night Live” airing Jan. 18. Hosted by Dave Chappelle, the episode will be the first of 2025.

The episode will mark Chappelle’s fourth time hosting the sketch comedy show.

In a promo for the upcoming episode, Chappelle was announced as the host. Meanwhile, the clip’s narrator took a jab at Steven Seagal, who hosted the show in 1991.

“Studio 8H. New York City’s hallowed comedy ground. A 50-year tradition of laughter at ‘Saturday Night Live. All the greats have passed through these halls … also, Steven Seagal,” the narrator said. “And this Saturday … Dave’s back.”

Who is performing?

Rapper GloRilla will serve as the musical guest for the Jan. 18 episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

GloRilla is known for hits including “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” “TGIF” and “Sticky.”

When does the new ‘SNL’ episode air?

Chappelle’s episode of “Saturday Night Live” will air Jan. 18 on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET/ 8:30 p.m. PT.

Robert Downey Jr. Makes Rare Remarks About His Single ‘SNL’ Season

Though he rarely speaks about his short-lived tenure on Saturday Night Live, Marvel superstar Robert Downey Jr. broke his silence in the final episode of Peacock’s docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night.

Downey joined the cast at the beginning of season 11, an infamous chapter in SNL’s history. It marked creator Lorne Michaels’ return to the show following a five-year absence due to political wrangling at NBC. Instead of recruiting unknown names from niche comedy circuits, Michaels decided to retool the show and cast known actors. Joining Downey in Studio 8H were established actors Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall, and Joan Cusack; but it also marked the first season for legacy cast members Jon Lovitz and Nora Dunn.

“I wanted to go younger,” Michaels explained of his decision in SNL50. “I perhaps went too young, but I wanted to go younger. The Baby Boomer generation had dominated the show for 10 years, so I decided to clean house.”

Downey found out about the job through Hall, his Weird Science co-star, who couldn’t believe his luck at landing the gig. “I remember just being shocked,” Hall said, adding that he couldn’t comprehend being part of “a show that meant so much to me as a kid growing up in New York.”

Hall decided to share the good fortune with his good friend. “Michael Hall said to me, ‘I’m gonna go do SNL,’” Downey said in the doc. He recalled his friend telling him, “I’m gonna get you an audition, and I bet you’re gonna get yourself on the show too.”

That turned out to be prophetic, and Downey soon found himself sharing the stage with Hall. But many in the docuseries speak to a disparity between the young cast and the veteran writers which ultimately unraveled the thread. “When I look back,” Hall mused, “I have some memories of it being difficult, I think, for a lot of the writers to figure out how to write for [these kids]. I think it was a big challenge.”

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 14 — Pictured: (l-r) Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall during ‘Weekend Update’ on April 14, 1986 (Photo by Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)NBC/Getty Images

Downey, who went on to Marvel superstardom and is to date the only SNL cast member to win an Oscar, also found his single-season arc to be difficult. However, he found it to be an invaluable learning experience and doesn’t regret his decision. “I learned so much in that year about what I wasn’t,” Downey admitted. “But there’s not a more exciting 90 minutes you could have, whether you are any good or not,” he cracked.

The show’s eleventh season was such a disaster that it ended with a cliffhanger in which the entire cast was trapped in a burning building, with Michaels concentrating on saving only Lovitz. The episode ended with a title card reading “Who Will Survive?,” with a question mark next to every cast and crew member’s name in the credits, including Michaels. NBC’s president at the time, Brandon Tartikoff, was intent on canceling the show, but Michaels begged for another opportunity. Tartikoff agreed, but only if most of the new cast was jettisoned. Ultimately, only Lovitz and Dunn returned for season 12.

All four episodes of SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night are streaming on Peacock

‘American Idol’ Fans Get Emotional for Ryan Seacrest After He Shares Big Instagram News

The Live With Kelly and Ryan co-host is marking an incredible milestone.

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With Ryan Seacrest hosting American Idol and preparing to exit Live With Kelly and Ryan, folks may expect him to always be on the move. Despite his never-ending hustle, he did take the time to acknowledge a major milestone in his career on Instagram.

On February 26, the longtime TV personality reveled in the fact that his radio show On Air With Ryan Seacrest celebrated its 19th anniversary. In a short video montage posted on the show’s official Instagram, Ryan was featured through the years as he interviewed a number of celebrities, like Britney Spears and Hilary Duff. Apart from the celebrity highlights though, there were also plenty of behind-the-scenes moments, showing Ryan working in the studio with his crew, who helped him get to this point in life.

“19 years ago!” he said in the clip. “How fantastic? I have to tell you, I love it here!” The video’s caption also expressed gratitude to dedicated listeners. “Happy 19th! Thanks for tuning in all these years 🫶,” it read.

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As soon as Ryan’s hit weekly program commemorated the news online, followers immediately got nostalgic about the amount of time that has passed since its premiere episode in 2004. What’s more, they sent congratulatory words to the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve host for reaching this incredible work accomplishment.

‘American Idol’

“Wow! That’s amazing! Congratulations to great and continued success. You deserve it!! 👏👏👏❤️,” one person wrote on Instagram. “I can’t believe it’s been 19 years! Congrats Ryan and I have loved listening to you so these years 👏👏❤️❤️,” another noted. “Congratulations Ryan on your 19 years 👏,” a different user added.

The heartfelt social media post comes on the heels of Ryan announcing his plans to exit Live With Kelly and Ryan early this spring. He later confirmed his April 14 exit date while speaking to Vanessa Hudgens from the red carpet of the 2023 Oscars.

Luckily, this won’t be the only time folks see (or rather, hear) Ryan this year. He’s still busy working on American Idol, with new episodes from the latest season airing every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Wheel of Fortune fans fume over ‘awkward’ Ryan Seacrest on-air stage habits

As Ryan Seacrest’s first season of Wheel of Fortune is underway, fans are slamming the new host as they notice his ‘awkward’ on-stage habits.

Ryan Seacrest replaced Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune (Image: ABC)

Hit gameshow Wheel of Fortune fans are calling out Ryan Seacrest as they pick apart his ‘on-screen’ habits and compare him to former host Pat Sajak.

Seacrest took over the huge roll after Sajak announced his retirement last year, leaving a 40-year legacy behind him.

Following Sajak’s big shoes, it’s inevitable for fans to pick Seacrest apart.

Most recently, fans are noticing his ‘awkward’ habits, with one saying: “Ryan tends to wear sport jackets with open collar shirts. Perhaps it’s due to their generation gap of 27 years.”

“Or the show’s producers saw it as part of the modernization of WOF. But thankfully the nixed the idea of replacing Vanna with an animatronic,” they finished.

Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White are the new faces of Wheel of Fortune (Image: Getty)

The Reddit posts had fans in a frenzy as they agreed with the disppointed fan.

“Is it just me or does Ryan laugh and chuckle too much? Feels slapstick when not awkward,” another fan noted.

A third wrote: “Can’t do it. Unless Seacrest turns the volume down, I’m exhausted and need a drink to watch. Is this the producers new ‘spin?’”

Ryan Seacrest is also the host of American Idol (Image: Getty)

“I think Ryan is still just in that “prove yourself” part of the job like we all get with any new job. It takes a while before you can let your guard down, relax, be yourself,” another wrote in defense of Seacrest.

A fourth wrote: “The contestants are so wild and crazy now! Annoying,” as they claimed the audience was the issue.

“According to my mother every time somebody lost the 100,000$ it looks like he’s laughing at them. Like he’s so happy to point out that they didn’t win all that money,” a final fan theorized.

Ryan Seacrest ‘Petrified Exes Will Spill Bedroom Secrets’ After Julianne Hough ‘Belittled His Masculinity With Relationship Attack’

Source: MEGARyan Seacrest feels he’s been slighted after ex-girlfriend Julianne Hough publicly attacked their relationship.

Ryan Seacrest is hurting and feeling his manhood has been slighted after ex Julianne Hough belittled their three-year romance.

And now RadarOnline.com can reveal the new Wheel of Fortune host fears other ex-girlfriends will spill his tightly kept secrets.

An insider said: “He can’t understand why she did this to him and thinks she owes him an apology.

Source: MEGASeacrest is scared his other ex-girlfriends will now also spill his tightly kept secrets.

“When Ryan breaks up with someone, the one thing he counts on is discretion. He doesn’t want people scrutinizing why he’s still single at this age.

“He assumes everyone’s laughing at him.”

The 36-year-old Dancing with the Stars hoofer, who’s now co-hosting the show, dated the 49-year-old media mogul from 2011 to 2013 – and recently said she made herself “smaller” and twisted herself into the type of girl she thought Seacrest wanted.

Hough said: “I had this insecurity…. and so I then started playing smaller. So I was malleable to fit into exactly what somebody needed me to be for them to be happy.”

Source: MEGAHough recently opened up about her and Seacrest’s three-year romance – even though they split in 2013.

But her shocking confession left the American Idol host fuming.

A source said: “Ryan’s stunned that she would attack his masculinity that way. He feels he’s been made to look like a fool and a real jerk.

“Truth is, it wasn’t a flaming romance. What they had was a glorified friendship, but he thought they had a deal to respect each other.”

The upcoming Wheel of Fortune host also split with Aubrey Paige, 26, in April after three years, and previously dated food blogger Shayna Taylor, 32, for eight on-and-off years until their breakup in 2019.

Source: MEGASeacrest and his latest girlfriend, 26-year-old model Aubrey Paige, broke up in April after three years together.

An insider added: “He’s telling Julianne to please stop with this, and make this the last time she embarrasses him.”

As RadarOnline.com reported, Seacrest has also allegedly bumped heads with Vanna White, 67, since taking over for Pat Sajack, 77, as the new host of Wheel of Fortune.

Although Seacrest’s first episode is scheduled to air on Monday, September 9, he and White began filming earlier this year – and she was said to be left “feeling like a third wheel” during production.

One source said: “They started taping in late May and Vanna has tried to give Ryan advice and show him the ropes.

“But Ryan is a control freak. He finally told her he’s doing things his way and he’s not trying to be Pat Sajak.”

Source: CBSSeacrest and Vanna White have allegedly bumped heads since he officially took over for Pat Sajack as the new host of Wheel of Fortune.

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The insider continued: “So Vanna is again relegated to the background, but now it’s not with Pat, someone she knows and loves, but a new guy, Ryan.

“It’s not that she doesn’t like Ryan, but her chemistry with Pat was just much more natural. With Ryan, it feels forced and she doesn’t want that to come across to loyal viewers – and producers fear the audience will notice it as well.”

‘Wheel of Fortune’ With New Host Ryan Seacrest Was the Most-Watched Entertainment Show Across Broadcast, Cable and Syndication in September

Sony Pictures TV

Viewers are still giving “Wheel of Fortune” a spin with new host Ryan Seacrest. The syndicated strip’s Season 42, with Seacrest taking over for longtime host Pat Sajak (and joining co-host Vanna White), made a splash in its opening month as the most-watched entertainment series in September across broadcast, cable and syndication.

According to Nielsen data, “Wheel of Fortune” averaged 7.99 million viewers during its premiere month (September 9 to October 6, 2024). When sports and news are taken out of the equation, that means more people watched “Wheel” than any other entertainment program on linear TV. And even when you add news into the mix, only “60 Minutes” (8.98 million viewers) beat it.

The arrival of Seacrest helped give “Wheel” its highest best premiere month audience in three years, up 12% from last year. According to producer Sony Pictures TV, the show reached 40 million total viewers in its premiere month. “Wheel of Fortune” is also up 3% in the adults 25-54 demo vs. last year.

“Wheel of Fortune” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, and is distributed domestically by CBS Media Ventures and internationally by Paramount Global Distribution Group. The two also work together on “Jeopardy!” — which was the No. 3 most-watched entertainment series during the first month of the season, averaging 7.35 million viewers. (The single sneak preview episode of CBS’ “Matlock” was at No. 2, with  7.74 million.)

According to early, local data, the Season 42 premiere averaged a 4.62 household rating in the overnight markets, vs. a 2.94 rating for the Season 41 premiere in 2023. “Wheel of Fortune” returned on Monday, Sept. 9, for its Season 42 with some big changes, including a new set (which, Seacrest noted, came with a lot of lights) and, of course, the biggest change of them all: A new host. That was acknowledged up top, when announcer Jim Thornton opened the show: “And now together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”

As for Sajak, he will still be seen this midseason in ABC’s primetime edition of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which reps his last turn on the show.

Wheel of Fortune fans floored as they call out the ‘raciest puzzle’ they’ve ever seen on the show

Wheel of Fortune viewers were left jaw-dropped as they witnessed the ‘raciest puzzle’ they’ve ever seen in the gameshow during the latest Halloween-themed episode

Wheel of Fortune fans call out gameshow for racy clue

Wheel of Fortune fans were left floored as they called out the “raciest puzzle” they’ve ever seen featured on the gameshow.

During the Tuesday, October 23 episode of Wheel of Fortune, viewers were left jaw-dropped as the family-friendly gameshow featured a shockingly sexual clue as one of their puzzles. During the Halloween-themed episode, filled with costumes and festive decorations, contestants were asked to guess hidden spooky phrases by choosing one letter at a time.

In the category ‘Before and After,’ contestants took turns guessing the missing letters until the final answer was revealed and it strayed from what many thought was going to be the outcome. After each player chimed in with their guesses, the final answer read: “Things that go bump in the night nurse” rather than the classic phrase “Things that go bump in the night.”

After the shocking final answer was revealed, one stunned fan took to X, formerly Twitter, sharing his surprised reaction to the suggestive clue. The viewer wrote: “I know it was a ‘Before and After’ but THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT NURSE might be the raciest (actual) puzzle I’ve seen on #WheelOfFortune.”

Wheel of Fortune fans call out gameshow for suggestive clue
After the clue was revealed, the Wheel of Fortune contestants seemed completely unphased by the answer despite it’s racy nature and continued right on playing. And by the end of the episode, a new exciting milestone was met as Jackie brought home the first-ever $100,000 win during Ryan Seacrest’s run as host.

After Jackie’s incredible accomplishment, fans took to X congratulating her on a job well-done. One viewer wrote: “Fun contestants tonight and wheeeeee Jackie!” And another announced: “We have a first Seacrest-era $100,000 winner!” And someone else proclaimed: “First $100K win of the season! First $100K win of the Seacrest era!” While another excited fan penned: “Omggg Jackieeeeeeeeeeee” followed by a series of partying emojis.

This comes as Ryan has been hit with a series of wins as it was also recently announced that Wheel of Fortune was named the most-watched entertainment series in September across broadcast, cable and syndication, according to reports by Variety. The positive update comes as Ryan took on the daunting task of replacing beloved gameshow host Pat Sajak after his retirement.