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Vanna White ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contract Extended Through 2026

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

 

Following tense negotiations, it’s been confirmed Vanna White‘s contract on Wheel of Fortune has been extended for the next two years, as the series ushers in Ryan Seacrest as new host. Longtime host Pat Sajak previously announced this year his plan to retire after Season 41, which began earlier this week.

Wheel of Fortune‘s long-time letter-turner last had a pay raise 18 years ago, and so she was looking for a significant bump as negotiations for a new contract ensued.

It was reported earlier this year that White had agreed to a new deal for ABC‘s Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, but was still negotiating a pay bump for the syndicated show as her contract for 2024 was almost up.

According to TMZ, White’s lawyer Bryan Freedman told Sony Pictures his client was looking for 50% of what [Pat] Sajak makes.

However, a source has told People that the previous report was “inaccurate,” including the claim that White accepted an offer of $100,000 per episode to continue the Celebrity edition of the show.

The source added that for years, “Vanna was told, ‘If you fight this, you will lose your job. You’re lucky to have the job.’ And when people tell you that for so long, you believe it,’” before adding that White is now ready to fight for her future. “She’s a really, really sweet person. She deserves so much more.”

 

During a recent conference for Fortune magazine, Seacrest was asked about his upcoming game show gig and whether White would still be involved.

“Are you going to keep Vanna White?” the American Idol host was asked, according to Fox News.

“Well, so I am going to…,” Seacrest began before starting over. “I’m fortunate enough to take over for the legendary Pat Sajak. Next year, which I am so… My energy’s gonna go up, sir, on that. I’m telling you. I have been the biggest fan of that show forever.”

“I love Vanna White,” he continued. “I’ve known Vanna for a long time. We sat in important places next to each other. And I hope for nothing more than to be able to walk out on that stage and host with her.”

Wheel of Fortune, Weeknights, Check your local listings

Vanna White reveals very rare photo with boyfriend of 12 years after admitting she ‘doesn’t want to marry him’

VANNA White has shared a winning selfie with her rarely-seen longtime boyfriend, John Donaldson, on Instagram.

The Wheel of Fortune icon – who shares two adult children with her previous husband – revealed she’s uninterested in marriage this week.

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Vanna White posted a sweet snap with her boyfriend of 12 yearsCredit: Getty

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She wrote from Hawaii: ‘Everything is perfect with rainbows #love’Credit: Instagram/ officialvannawhite
Vanna, 66, infrequently posts to Instagram off-set from her game show.

She also infrequently posts photos of her boyfriend since 2012.

On Friday, the beloved letter-turner surprised fans by sharing the pair on vacation in Hawaii.

Vanna donned hoop earrings, sunglasses, and a huge smile, while John looked happy, holding his love.

The image was spliced in with a snap of their peaceful hotel terrace as a beautiful rainbow formed behind them.

“Everything is perfect with #rainbows!” Vanna captioned the post, and added the hashtags: “#love #hawaii #restandrelaxation.”

‘COUPLES ALERT!’

One fan commented: “Looks beautiful! On my way there tomorrow for the first time and super excited about it!”

Another joked: “Hey Vanna! I will take a vowel please.”

A third wrote: “I love that you are enjoying yourself! Good to see you doing well and no more Covid.”

A fourth wrote: “You look so happy!! You are so beautiful, Vanna!! Have a wonderful day!!!”

And a fifth wrote: “Couple alert!” with an eyeball emoji.

‘DO WE HAVE TO GET MARRIED?’

Vanna told People this week that she’s secure in her relationship, ring or not.

She shared: “I mean, we’ve been together 12 years, and I feel like we are married.”

“Do we have to get married? No, because we feel comfortable in our relationship. You know what I mean?

“I know that he’s the one. He knows I’m the one.”

Vanna and the JDC Construction + Development Group founder haven’t discussed the topic of marriage, according to the outlet.

“We don’t really talk about it, but you never know,” she added.

“I mean, I guess we could, but in my eyes and his eyes, we are married.”

Vanna also said the relationship has lasted over a decade because John: “is the male version of me.”

“We really are very similar. We get along so well. He’s easy. He’s easy, and he lets me be me, and I let him be him.”

Vanna and the real estate developer met in 2012 when a friend brought him to one of her barbecues, they began dating soon after.

Vanna told People that a decade after splitting from her first husband, she was won over by John right away.

“I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘He’s really cute,’” she said with a laugh. “We ended up talking for a long time that night.”

VANNA’S FAM!

Vanna shares daughter Gigi, 26, and son Nikko, 29, with her first and only husband – restaurant owner George Santo Pietro.

They got married in 1990 and amicably split in 2002.

Gigi works at a tattoo studio in Venice, California, and loves showing off her stick-and-poke illustrations on her Instagram.

Meanwhile, Nikko is a real estate agent in California who loves flexing his cooking skills and workout videos on his page.

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Vanna, John, and her children Gigi, 26, and Nikko, 31, seem to get along greatCredit: instagram/officialvannawhite

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Vanna’s daughter Gigi is a tattoo artist in CaliforniaCredit: Instagram/gigisantopietro

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Her son Nikko is a real estate agentCredit: Instagram

MATCHING TATS?

Vanna also admitted that she “never dreamed” that her daughter – who graduated from NYU with an art degree – would become a tattoo artist.

But she’s not opposed to getting matching ink from her.

“You know what, I want to have matching hearts where she’ll do a little heart on me and she’ll do one on herself,” Vanna told People.

“I feel like I need to do that because it’s her, and it would be her on me.”

Vanna also recounted: “I said, ‘Gigi, why tattooing?” She goes, ‘Mom, my art is on someone’s body for the rest of their lives.’ I was like, ‘That’s pretty cool.’ You have to be so good and confident. You can’t mess up.

“So she absolutely loves it. She’s been doing that for the past three years and is doing a great job. I’m so, so proud of her,” she continued.

“They’re both artistic. Nico does artwork for fun. That’s his escape from the real world, his real life is in real estate, which is good for him. So he’s loving that as well.”

“From the time they were born, I wanted them to do whatever they wanted to do in life,” she shared.

Vanna has had a winning month as she extended her Wheel of Fortune contract until 2026 after months of tense negotiations.

Vanna will stay on for the first two years that Pat Sajak’s successor, Ryan Seacrest, hosts.

She also launched a Wheel-themed makeup line which she called: “So cute” and “hopefully the start of something big!”

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Vanna earlier shared on her partner John: ‘I mean, we’ve been together 12 years, and I feel like we are married’Credit: Getty

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Vanna split from her only husband George Santo Pietro in 2002Credit: Getty

Vanna White Reveals Her Personal Secret

Before Vanna White became America’s favorite letter-turner on TV’s “Wheel of Fortune,” she battled depression and was 25 pounds overweight, as she struggled to break into show business.

Vanna was forced to do odd jobs just to pay the rent and she became very discouraged. For two years she was a compulsive eater, sometimes eating a whole pie or meat loaf at one sitting. She gained 25 pounds quickly, which made it even harder for her to find work, as an actress and model.

“When I first moved to Los Angeles, with the change of environment, food and everything, I got extremely depressed and became 25 pounds overweight. Changes were going on in my life and I found it very hard. I just got sick of myself. My clothes didn’t fit anymore and I felt tired and awful. I just didn’t want to do anything,” Vanna explains.

“After two years of living like that, I realized I had to make a drastic change in my life.”

Instead of turning to diet pills or crash diets, Vanna decided to start eating healthy foods. She ate only small amounts, but didn’t deprive herself. Then she started to run for exercise and the pounds melted away quickly.

“I decided to try a good diet and exercise program. I started to run and it was amazing. I started out slowly and soon increased the distance. Soon I lost ten pounds.

“I stopped eating all of the bad foods. I was eating more fruits and vegetables and getting into more balanced food groups. I lost the other 15 pounds by eating right and I started feeling good about myself.”

Soon, she was spotted by Merv Griffin. “Maybe it was a certain glow that made me stand apart from the other 200 girls, trying out for “Wheel of Fortune,” Vanna says. “But, I believe that my diet and exercise program had a great amount to do with it.

“I started to eat healthier. My body had changed and I was adjusting to lighter foods. I know how bad I felt physically and mentally when I was eating lots of cakes and desserts, so eating the healthy way gave me more energy and a nicer figure. Instead of depriving myself, I’ll eat smaller portions to maintain a good energy level.”

Vanna, who is 5’6″ and now weighs 105 pounds, says that she doesn’t believe it’s always necessary to eat three meals a day. “I’ll eat only when I’m hungry,” she says. “If people could learn that, they could stay as slim as they want.

“Some mornings, I’ll wake up with a craving for pancakes, so I’ll have them. Other mornings, I won’t have anything. It has something to do with my energy level. If I need carbohydrates, I’ll crave pancakes. My body tells me what it needs.”

Aside from having an upbeat attitude and not depriving herself, she also keeps in mind, to incorporate a vegetable before lunch and dinner.

“I have a salad at the beginning of a meal. Fresh vegetables always aid proper digestion. I love all kinds of vegetables. There’s not too much I don’t like.

“I also eat a lot of pasta, which is very good for you. If you eat it in moderation, you can enjoy it without the risk of gaining weight.

“Dinner is my main meal. I’ll eat red meat when my body tells me I need it. I’ll have some sort of roast, about once a week.

“I also feel that drinking a lot of water is very important and it’s good for you too. It cleanses the body of impurities.

“Another tip is not to buy all kinds of sweets and fattening foods and keep them at home,” she says. “If it’s there, you’ll eat it. Nobody is going to throw away a bag of cookies!

“I enjoy my diet program. I have a better attitude about myself and I’m aware of what I eat every day. I think that’s important. You’ve got to be aware of the amount of food you eat.

“I watch my diet and do some good at-home exercises to keep in shape and to stay toned.

“If you really want to lose that weight, you can,” Vanna says. “The thing to do is start out slowly and don’t demand too much from yourself and make sure you exercise often.”

Vanna’s diet:

Breakfast: 1 cup black coffee, occasional pancakes or eggs.

Lunch: Large salad, with tuna or chicken, mixed with fresh vegetables; or soup and a chicken or tuna sandwich.

Mid-afternoon snack: A banana or some other fruit.

Dinner: Broiled or baked chicken or poached or broiled fish, with a large salad or soup and steamed green vegetables; or calves’ liver fried, with onions or roast beef or brisket of beef, with mashed or baked potatoes and gravy, a salad and steamed vegetables; or pasta with sauce and meatballs and 1 piece of garlic bread. All in moderation.

Daily liquids: one quart of bottled water, one cup tea, two cups coffee, 6 ounce glass of apple or carrot juice, and a12 ounce can of diet soda.

Dairy products: American or Swiss cheese, a little ice cream.

Snacks: Unsalted raw nuts, popcorn or apples, bananas or white grapes.

Daily vitamins: One mega-multivitamin, vitamin C- 1,000 mg., vitamin E- 400 I.U., iron- 100 mg., calcium- 600 mg.

Vanna’s exercise program:

Running one mile, at least twice a week.

Working out on a mini-trampoline for 15 minutes, three times a week.

On a daily basis, she does: 100 sit-ups and pushups (20 at a time, rest, start again); 50 leg lifts on her back; lifts ten pound dumbbells, 50 times total; does 50 leg lifts on each side; ten minutes of stretching, just before going to work.

— Jay Christian, from the book Hollywood Diet & Exercise Secrets.Copyright 2013. Reprinted with permission. All Rights Reserved.

Vanna White Called Out Pat Sajak For Making A Mistake On Wheel Of Fortune

Summary

Ryan Seacrest is set to replace Pat Sajak as the host of Wheel of Fortune in September 2024 for a substantial amount of money.
Sajak’s tenure as host has led to many memorable moments on the show, including epic mess-ups and heartwarming wins.
Sajak made an epic mistake in 2021 when he unintentionally gave away the answer to the final puzzle, leading to Vanna White calling him out for his blunder.

In September 2024, Ryan Seacrest is set to replace Pat Sajak as the host of The Wheel of Fortune reportedly for a lot of money. When Seacrest takes over that job, he is going to have a lot to live up to even though Sajak reportedly isn’t worth as much money as his long-time co-host Vanna White.

The reason why Seacrest is going to have a difficult job is that Sajak has hosted Wheel of Fortune for decades. As a result, Sajak is inexorably linked to Wheel of Fortune’s most controversial moments and its most entertaining clips. A perfect example of an entertaining Wheel of Fortune clip is the time that Sajak epically messed up, and his mistake was pointed out by White.

What Are Wheel Of Fortune’s Most Memorable Moments?

Now that Wheel of Fortune has been on the air for decades, many incredible things have happened. Whether Wheel of Fortune’s most surprising clips were hilarious, heartbreaking, or some combination of both, many of the show’s moments have stuck with fans.

In October 2008, a perfect example of a heartwarming and truly memorable Wheel of Fortune moment took place. At that time, a contestant named Michelle Loewenstein landed on the million-dollar spot, guessed right, and became the first person in the show’s history to win seven figures.

Two years later, a Wheel of Fortune contestant did something that completely astonished viewers. With a seven-word puzzle on the board, Caitlin Burke guessed L, had one letter revealed, and then she solved “I’ve Got a Good Feeling About This”.

On the other hand, there have been times when contestant’s attempts to solve were so outlandish that the clips went viral. For example, one contestant tried to solve a portrait as self potato. Another contestant named Joe guessed a group of pill pushers to solve a puzzle which inspired Pat Sajak to exclaim “This is Wheel of Fortune Joe!”.

At that moment, Sajak almost certainly wouldn’t have guessed that he would make an epic Wheel of Fortune mistake himself.

Pat Sajak Made A Mistake On Wheel Of Fortune And Vanna White Called Him Out

In 1982, a then mostly unknown Pat Sajak took over hosting Wheel of Fortune from the show’s original host, Chuck Woolery. Since then, Sajak has become so synonymous with the game show that most fans have no idea that anyone else ever hosted Wheel of Fortune.

Since Sajak has now been hosting Wheel of Fortune for decades, he has seen thousands of contestants solve puzzles that reference all kinds of regular phrases. With that in mind, you’d certainly think that Sajak would know better than to say phrases on the show that could give away a puzzle.

In 2021 Sajak was hosting Wheel of Fortune when he made the kind of mistake that must have made the show’s producers shocked.

During every episode of Wheel of Fortune, that day’s winner attempts to solve a final puzzle by themselves for a grand prize. During that process, the contestant gets to throw out a series of letters in hopes that most of the final puzzle will be revealed.

In 2021, a Wheel of Fortune contestant was trying to solve the final puzzle which was two words. The first word was five letters and the contestant had only revealed the final two letters which were T and E. The second word was seven letters and the contestant had revealed four of them which were R, A, N, and L.

Clearly, Sajak didn’t think that things were looking very good for the contestant since the host initially responded to the situation by remarking “Yikes”. As longtime Wheel of Fortune fans will already know, however, final puzzles have been solved with a lot fewer letters revealed. On top of that, trying to solve a puzzle that looks like —TE -RAN-L- doesn’t seem too difficult for many of the show’s devoted fans.

Perhaps Sajak wanted to break the tension at that moment. Failing that, Sajak may have just been in host mode which made him want to say something to make viewers chuckle at that moment.

No matter what was going through Sajak’s mind at the time, the fact is that what he said next to the contestant was amazing. “Well, I’d rather be standing here than there, quite frankly.” After Sajak said those words, the contestant failed to solve the puzzle and most people likely didn’t initially give the host’s remarks another thought.

At the end of each Wheel of Fortune episode, the show’s co-hosts come together to have some banter and bid farewell to viewers. It was at that moment that a clearly astonished Vanna White called out Sajak for what he’d done.

After the contestant failed to solve the final puzzle, it was revealed that the words he was looking for were “quite frankly”. Since Sajak said the words quite frankly to the contestant just before he got the opportunity to solve, that meant the host gave the contestant the correct answer but they didn’t realize.

Once the co-hosts came together for their typical banter, White asked Sajak, “Did you hear what you said?”. In response, Sajak admitted that he quickly realized what he’d done once the words came out of his mouth.

“I did right after I said it. I wonder how many people at home caught it.” In a truly hilarious moment, Sajak then went on to point out the mistake he made while talking to the contestant. At that moment, many members of the studio audience reacted to the news that Sajak gave away the answer with surprise.

Sajak then went on to make fun of himself by remarking on contestants not paying attention to him.

“It goes to show you that people are concentrating, and they’re not paying any attention to me.”

Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White sets record straight on retirement plans in candid GMA interview

WHEEL OF FORTUNE’s Vanna White has set the record straight when it comes to her retirement plans in a new interview on GMA.

Vanna took part in an interview on the morning show, where she spilled some of her thoughts on retirement and what she plans to do in the future.

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Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White took part in an interview with GMACredit: ABC

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She opened up about her time on the show and her retirement plans, if any, for the futureCredit: Getty Images
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 41 years,” Vanna, 66, said during the interview.

“I think of Pat [Sajak] as family and always will,” she added.

“We called ourselves Ken and Barbie,” she said.

“I mean, we’re not quite that today. But Ken and Barbie go together and always have. Peanut butter and jelly go together. Pat and Vanna go together.”

Vanna had to consider whether she was ready to leave the show when Pat, 77, told her he was going to retire.

“When Pat told me he was going to retire, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh. I’m not sure that I’m ready to retire,’” Vanna said.

“So, when I thought about it and thought about it…and I just wasn’t ready to retire.”

With that in mind, Vanna decided to extend her contract for the 2025-2026 season.

She explained that she “loves her job” and loves being on Wheel of Fortune.

If she did ever leave, Vanna said, she would miss her job, as well as contestants like her favorite, Liz Wright.

The 92-year-old won a prize of $65,000 alongside her son KC after she solved a puzzle about How the Grinch Stole Christmas 41 years ago.

It looks like Vanna is committed to remaining a part of the Wheel of Fortune family for the foreseeable future.

NEXT SPIN!

Vanna joined Ryan Seacrest earlier in the week to film a new Wheel of Fortune commercial.

Vanna took a hiatus from taping her final season with Pat, 77, to get acquainted with her next co-host on Saturday.

In a photo exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, the blonde beauty took to downtown Nashville with the American Idol host by her side.

Vanna sported full makeup, a red leather pantsuit and donned her hair blown out in a country-style getup fitting for her surroundings.

Ryan, meanwhile, opted for a double-breasted blazer and jeans as they walked down the street.

The dynamic duo smiled as fans snapped photos of them from every direction.

The moment is meaningful as it marks Vanna and Ryan’s first time filming together, making it our first look at Wheel’s future.

It also marks Ryan’s first time filming anything related to the beloved game show.

The fan who shared the snap above captioned it on Facebook: “Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White were walking down Broadway filming a commercial for Wheel of Fortune.”

“They look so natural together!” one fan replied.

Other fans posted to Facebook that the pair were filming “promos,” and the snap showed them headed to a venue to do so.

The promos would seemingly air on the show ahead of Ryan’s takeover.

‘HE CAN’T SPELL!’

As longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat prepares to step down in June, his co-host Vanna recently got a cheeky warning about her new counterpart.

“Tell me everything,” White said last month to Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos while appearing on their talk show.

Ryan famously co-hosted Live with Kelly and Ryan with Kelly for six years.

“He can’t spell,” Consuelos said, as Ripa agreed, “Yeah, he cannot spell at all.”

Vanna reacted in surprise and said: “Thanks for the warning!” And added they “haven’t had rehearsals yet.”

He then asked Vanna if she had “received texts” from him yet that may have proven as such, to which Vanna said she has.

Kelly then quipped: ”Maybe he’s dictating the texts and somebody’s typing it for him.

“Because, I will say – and I can say this freely, we have all experienced it here – when Ryan Seacrest texts you, you say to yourself, ‘This person is trying to tell me something.’ That’s the first thing.

“It’s that you realize that Ryan is trying to tell you something, but oftentimes, you just don’t know what that is!”

Vanna did say they’ve also communicated via phone, telling the married couple: “I called him to congratulate him on becoming the host.

“He was just so kind, and so he goes, ‘Look, no one’s ever going to replace Pat. I’m not trying to replace Pat.

I’m just thrilled to be able to work with you, and I’ll do whatever it takes. Please teach me whatever I need to know.’”

PAT’S A WRAP!

It’s nearly the end of an era for the iconic duo of Pat and Vanna.

In June, Pat announced that he would be leaving Wheel of Fortune after 40 years.

Sajak previously posted to X that while “it’s been a wonderful ride,” his 41st season would be his final one.

“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he wrote.

He added, “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”

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Vanna admitted that she would miss the show if she ever leftCredit: ABC

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She also said she loved the people and named her favorite contestant of all timeCredit: ABC

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Despite how long she’s been working on the show, Vanna does not want to leaveCredit: ABC

‘Wheel of Fortune’ fans call out the ‘especially bad’ camera work that’s driving everyone ‘crazy’

A screenshot showing a Wheel of Fortune contestant trying to solve a puzzle and co-host Vanna White. (Cover image source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

Despite being one of the longest-running and most popular television game shows in America, a section of fans believe that “Wheel of Fortune” still has a lot of room for improvement. According to Monsters & Critics, a Reddit discussion gave a platform to fans who weren’t happy with the camera work, especially during the puzzle rounds. Turns out that they wanted the cameras to focus on the puzzles for a longer time so that they could attempt to solve it from the comfort of their homes.

The thread was created by a user called u/Cozum, who wrote, “Does it drive anyone else crazy how often they switch away from the puzzle?? I don’t know a solution, but it makes it impossible to solve the puzzle with the amount they switch to look at the wheel/contestants/ Ryan/etc.” The post received several upvotes, and fans clarified their opinions in the comments section.
Screenshot showing the original Reddit post. (Image source: Reddit)
The post received a mixed reaction. Some users agreed with what Cozum had to say. “I’ve been complaining about this for years…show the damn puzzle longer!” a user called ArnoldZiffleJr wrote. “100% I’ve been saying that too. Half the fun is playing along!” wrote another user called Usual_Procedures. “I feel like it’s been especially bad this season. You are not the only one!!!” texan-yankee added.
Screenshot showing some of the comments underneath the Reddit post. (Image source: Reddit)
While some of the criticism is warranted, some users challenged the original post, stating that the puzzles are displayed just long enough for viewers to solve. “Damn, how long do you need to stare at the puzzle?” a user named New_Passenger_173 asked. Another user explained that the purpose of cutting away from the puzzle was to “Speed the game up to fit in 1+ more commercials.”

It’s not just how the show is produced that viewers criticize. Sometimes, even the contestants aren’t spared. One such incident took place on the final episode aired in 2024 on New Year’s Eve. The contestant was Elizabeth Caprini from Imperial Beach, California as per another report in Monsters & Critics.

She had earned $13,200 in the game and had a chance to add to that in the bonus round. She spun the mini wheel, landed on the ‘C’ category, and chose the ‘phrases’ category for her puzzle. After the customary R, S, T, L, N, and E letters were revealed in the puzzle, Elizabeth chose C, M, F, and A as her three consonants and one vowel.

The puzzle on the screen then read “_ _ S T / F _ R / _ _ _.” With 10 seconds on the clock, Elizabeth said, “Best for you,” which was not the correct answer. She was not able to guess the correct answer in the remaining time and lost out on a decent chunk of cash. Turns out the right answer was “Just for you.”

Fans were disappointed with the contestant and they expressed it in the comments section of the clip on YouTube. “When I heard BEST FOR YOU, the JUST FOR YOU has came out my mind right away, and she did not listen to it after that. Sad,” @robertclimate1563 wrote. “Well that’s a terrible way to end the year. Last bonus round of the year and it was lost,” @06MAN added.

Vanna White Was “Very Scared” of Whether She and Ryan Seacrest Would Have Chemistry on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

“I had no idea what to expect when I’m used to one person for so long,” White said.

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures / Sony Pictures Television

Vanna White is reflecting on teaming with Ryan Seacrest on Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak‘s retirement.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Mornings, the longtime game show staple admitted she felt “scared” amid Seacrest’s hosting given she worked with Sajak for so long. White and Sajak had hosted the syndicated Wheel of Fortune since its debut in 1983 and are recognized as the longest-running game show hosts in American TV history.

“I think our chemistry is good,” White said of now working with Seacrest. “I had no idea what to expect when I’m used to one person for so long. I was very scared, but he’s doing a great job.”

“I’ve known Ryan for probably 20 years,” White said. “But in the past couple of months, we’ve done some traveling together for the show, and we got to know each other a little better, too.”

Sajak announced in June 2023 that he was leaving Wheel of Fortune after hosting the game show for 41 seasons.

“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak wrote in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) at the time. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”

Seacrest was announced as Sajak’s replacement, also signing a multiyear deal to host the long-running show.

“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. 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 every night and feel right at home with them,” Seacrest said in a statement after the announcement.

The radio personality added, “Pat, I love the way 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 … I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”

Meanwhile, White signed a two-year contract extension to continue as co-host of the syndicated game show through the 2025-26 season.

Kim Kardashian is ‘at the top of the list’ to replace Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White as she ‘would bring a new audience’

Pat’s final episode aired on June 7 after a week-long farewell

KIM Kardashian has reportedly been named among the potential celebs who could replace Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune.

Vanna, 67, is contracted to appear on the game show with new host Ryan Seacrest until 2026 but could potentially retire after that.

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Kim Kardashian, seen at The 2024 Met Gala in a form-fitting metallic gown on May 06, 2024, has reportedly been named as a possible replacement for Vanna White on Wheel of FortuneCredit: Getty

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Vanna White is said to be considering leaving Wheel of Fortune after nearly 40 yearsCredit: Laura Geller
Vanna has been working with Ryan, 49, as they film new episodes of Wheel of Fortune, which will return this fall.

Things between the new co-hosts aren’t going well, according to Life & Style.

A source told the outlet that the duo is struggling to find their rhythm on set.

Producers are scrambling to find someone to fill Vanna’s shoes, and Kim, 43, is reportedly at the top of the list.

Vanna has co-hosted Wheel of Fortune since 1982.

“They’ve compiled a list of folks to replace Vanna, and Kim Kardashian is at the top,” the insider said.

“Kim is a very close friend of Ryan’s and would bring a whole new audience.

“Ryan wants to make the show younger and sexier. He’s responsible for the Kardashian reality show and believes in that family more than anyone!”

According to the source, Vanna was hopeful that she and Ryan could fall into the same rhythm she and Pat Sajak had.

“After Pat quit, Vanna was optimistic about working with Ryan, but they have zero chemistry and no vibe,” the insider said.
Wheel of Fortune fans reject Ryan Seacrest and rage ‘boo!’ as he stars in high-energy new promo with Vanna White
“Plus, she could be his mother!”

The source told Life & Style that no formal offer has been made to Kim.

However, those close to the Kardashians star say it’s an opportunity she would seriously consider.

Wheel of Fortune Host Timeline

Although Pat and Vanna have been a staple on the game show for decades, there have been other hosts

Chuck Woolery was the host from 1975 to 1981

He co-hosted alongside Susan Stafford (1975 to 1982)

Vanna White then stepped in as hostess in 1982 and has been ever since

After a contract and salary dispute, the show got rid of Chuck and brought in Pat in 1982

Pat hosted with Susan for one season

He then left the game show in 1989 to host a late-night talk show for CBS

For five months, NFL player Rolf Benirschke took his place

In July 1989, Bob Goen hosted the show on CBS

He hosted for a year and a half until the show was canceled in 1991

The show was then moved to ABC with Pat and Vanna hosting for the foreseeable future

In 2023, Pat announced his retirement and Ryan Seacrest as quickly named as his replacement

WHEEL BIG PROMOTION

While it’s been reported that Vanna is considering leaving the show, some fans believe she should leave her role for a new one rather than retire like Pat.

Longtime Wheel of Fortune viewers have called for Vanna to take over as host and replace Ryan on the show.

Many viewers have been outspoken about not wanting Ryan to continue hosting the game show.

“Why didn’t they make her the host and have some beefcake dude in short shorts turning the letters?” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

They quote tweeted a post about Vanna and Ryan struggling to work together.

“They legit should do that for one episode. The internet would explode,” another fan replied.

CHEMISTRY STRUGGLES

While Wheel of Fortune is on summer break, Vanna and Ryan have been hard at work filming new episodes.

The pair reportedly don’t “jibe,” however, The Daily Mail reported.

A source shared similar claims to Life & Style’s report, telling The Mail that Vanna plans to “retire.”

“Vanna is retiring from the show when her contract ends, but there is a part of her that wants to walk away sooner,” an insider shared with the outlet.

“She just doesn’t jibe with Ryan like she did with Pat, and no one really ever expected her to. There is just no way that she possibly could.”

The outlet’s source said that Vanna feels she has put in her time.

“She devoted her entire life to this show and she had an incredible run while making a fortune,” the insider said.

“She knows that the show needs to go in a different direction and appeal to a younger demographic. She wants the show to continue.”

The source said that to do that, Vanna feels the show needs a younger co-host – someone closer to Ryan’s age.

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Vanna White has been co-hosting Wheel of Fortune since 1982Credit: ABC

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She co-hosted with Pat Sajak, seen alongside her on the show’s set, for all but one of those years until he retired in June 2024Credit: AP

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Fans think Vanna White should step in as host, replacing newbie Ryan Seacrest as Wheel of Fortune leadCredit: Wheel of Fortune

Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie is ‘warming up’ for Vanna White gig on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

‘Wheel of Fortune’ host Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie stuns as she prepares to fill in for Vanna White

Host Pat Sajak’s daughter is taking a turn at “Wheel of Fortune.”

Maggie Sajak is gearing up to fill in the big high heels of letter-turner Vanna White for a temporary period.

Maggie, 28, shared on her Instagram Stories Monday that she’s prepping to take the 66-year-old’s place on Wednesday’s episode of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”

“Warming up for Wednesday,” she wrote on a clip of herself walking to the iconic electric green game show board. The blond bombshell rocked a bright yellow top and a black leather skirt.

The trivia show episode will feature guests such as “Jeopardy!” hosts Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings as well as Vanna White competing against each other for the ultimate prize.

In her next IG story, Maggie re-shared a teaser trailer from Bialik, 47, for the episode, and the law school student says: “I hope to make Vanna proud.”

Her father then interjected in the trailer: “I think I’m gonna cry.”

Maggie’s roots run deep in the game show world and has been a part of the “Wheel of Fortune” family since she was a baby.

According to the show’s website, Maggie visited the game show’s set when she was a young girl and she often joined her dad on stage.

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Pat and his daughter Maggie Sajak.ABC via Getty Images

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“Warming up for Wednesday,” Maggie penned on social media Monday.Maggie Sajak/Instagram
She has also been the series’ social correspondent since 2021.

“The Wheel of Fortune staff and crew have always been like an extended family,” Maggie said in a statement about the job at the time.

“And I’m thrilled to be working with them. It’s a real privilege to be able to treat the show’s longtime viewers to a look at what goes on when the cameras aren’t rolling. Plus, I get to use the carpool lane with my father,” she joked.

Maggie has been shooting behind-the-scenes clips and interviews with the show’s staff and contestants as well as sharing them on the show’s website and social media channels.

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Letter-turner Vanna White and game show emcee Pat Sajak have been a part of the “Wheel of Fortune” family for decades.ABC via Getty Images
Wednesday isn’t the first time that the country music singer has taken over White’s job.

In January 2020, when Sajak, 76, was recovering from surgery, White took over as host to fill in for Pat while Maggie made her debut as a letter-turner.

Both Sajak and White have signed on to host “Wheel of Fortune” through the 2023 to 2024 season.

The longtime emcee even claimed recently that he likes to hide in White’s garden at night.

On the May 3 episode, Sajak joked: “So when you’re away from the exciting world of show business, is there a place to go to relax to get away from it all?”

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“Jeopardy!” hosts Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik are appearing in an episode of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” on Wednesday.ABC via Getty Images

White answered back, saying she loves to spend her free time in her backyard.

“Yeah, my garden in my backyard! It’s peaceful it’s quiet — there’s trees, there’s birds,” she said.

“That’s a nice change of pace,” agreed Sajak. White then inquired her co-host where he likes to spend his downtime.

“Uh, you don’t know this, but it’s actually your garden,” Sajak quipped. “I’m usually there about 2, 3 in the morning. Don’t be alarmed!”

Steve Harvey’s Secret Is Out: Game Show Host Is a Pretty Good Gig, Even for A-Listers

ABC

Those of us who grew up with “Sesame Street” still remember Guy Smiley, the stereotypical game show host as originally voiced by Jim Henson. Guy was loud, boisterous and the host of everything from “Here Is Your Life” and “Beat the Time” to “Name That Sound!”

Guy Smiley served a purpose for “Sesame Street,” and so did real-life game show hosts. It was a very specific (and also, very non-diverse) group: Bob Barker, Monty Hall, Jack Berry, Bill Cullen, Wink Martindale, Bob Eubanks, Richard Dawson, Gene Rayburn, Alex Trebek and many more. As he retires, “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak may be the last of that string of game show hosts pretty much only known for being a game show host. (Sure, some of them were actors and many of them came from radio or other TV roles, but they’ll always be remembered first and foremost for their hosting gig.)

Game show host is a tough job, requiring a lot of skill to juggle the gameplay, keep the contestants involved and the audience entertained. But as parodies like “Guy Smiley” hint at, there’s also a cheese factor to it. That’s why, when Steve Harvey first took over “Family Feud” in 2010, he endured a fair amount of ribbing from pals and fellow comedians.

“You would not believe the calls I was getting from guys that I knew,” Harvey tells me. “’Steve, you’re doing a game show, man? Getting into that cornball business?’ Well, do you know the checks they’re writing for this cornball business if you can take this cornball business and turn it into a hit?”

Drew Carey took over “The Price is Right” in 2007 and Wayne Brady began hosting “Let’s Make a Deal” in 2009. After Harvey joined their ranks, the flood gates opened. Now, almost every game show, particularly in primetime, is fronted by a star who’s doing this as a side hustle. Rob Lowe (“The Floor”), Jane Lynch (“The Weakest Link”), Elizabeth Banks (“Press Your Luck”), Keke Palmer (“Password”), RuPaul (“Lingo”), Jimmy Kimmel (“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”) and Jimmy Fallon (“That’s My Jam”), just to name a few.

“They found out,” Harvey says. “Everybody now tries to find that magic. Look at all the game shows, they went and got somebody with some face recognition.”

The rise of the superstar game show host coincides with the elevation of the genre to the primetime Emmys, which began last year as part of an ongoing realignment between the L.A.-based Television Academy and New York’s National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Perhaps the most high-profile game shows are now in primetime anyway, so the move made sense.

Last year, “Jeopardy!” — which it should be noted, isn’t hosted by a Hollywood star, but rather by the show’s famed long-running champ Ken Jennings — won the Emmy for game show, over “Family Feud,” “The Price Is Right,” “That’s My Jam” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

“I think the key to being a great host is you’ve got to be gracious; you’ve got to be willing to laugh at yourself,” says Harvey, who also hosts “Celebrity Family Feud” and “Judge Steve Harvey” for ABC. “But then you’ve got to know the line of how far you can push the joke with a contestant. You can’t make the audience think you’re being harsh with them. But at the same time, you’ve got to have fun with them.”

But really, Harvey has the secret to why game shows are truly having a moment right now: In an era when there aren’t many comedies in primetime, game shows are the new sitcom.

“I’ve taken a game show and turned it into a comedy show, really,” he says. “’Family Feud’ is a show about the survey of what a hundred people think. Nobody cares what a hundred people think anymore, because we’ve got Google, we’ve got YouTube, we can find out what you think. They gave me the leeway to do it my way, so it’s not so much the question and answers, it’s more the relationship between the contestant and the host. And that’s what makes it pretty fun.”

Time to brush up on your comedy skills, Guy Smiley.