Let’s talk about Ryan Seacrest, the man who’s now running the show on Wheel of Fortune. Since he took over, the ratings have soared, and it seems like Ryan’s not just stopping there. Sources close to the production are whispering that he might be making some big changes down the line, and that has everyone talking about what’s next for Vanna White. Is this the beginning of a new era, or is it the end of an iconic partnership?
Ryan's Swagger and the Show's Success
Here’s the scoop: Ryan’s confidence is through the roof after his incredible success on Wheel of Fortune. An insider exclusively tells Closer, “Ryan’s walking around with a huge swagger after his ratings success on Wheel of Fortune. He’s already talking about implementing changes to ‘improve’ the flow of the show.” While he’s giving more responsibility to others on the team, there’s a growing concern that this shift could put Vanna in a precarious position, even if she doesn’t realize it yet. “They both play nice,” the source adds, “but let’s be real, Ryan’s getting all the credit here.”
Breaking Records from Day One
In Ryan’s debut week as host of Wheel of Fortune, which began on September 9, the show brought in its largest premiere week audience in five years, according to Nielsen. The numbers don’t lie: the show averaged 8.31 million viewers during premiere week in season 42, catapulting it to the No. 1 spot in syndication. That’s a huge deal, and it’s clear that Ryan’s presence has had a significant impact on the show’s popularity.
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What’s Next for Vanna White?
“The incredible numbers speak for themselves,” the source continues. “If Ryan wants to bring in a younger, more modern hostess, he probably can, even if Vanna has signed a deal. The pressure is on to keep the numbers up, and Ryan’s known for getting what he wants.” It’s a bold statement, and one that’s raising eyebrows in the entertainment world. But let’s not forget, Ryan’s first episode of season 42 was the game show’s highest-rated season premiere audience in nine years, with 9.63 million total viewers tuning in to see him take the stage alongside Vanna, 67. For comparison, last season’s premiere with Pat Sajak brought in 5.68 million viewers.
As the numbers continue to rise, there’s a growing sense that Ryan could push for more changes. “At the end of the day, as long as the numbers are high, Ryan can do what he wants,” the insider reveals. “It’s no secret it annoys him that she’s been sneaking off for lunches with Pat Sajak. Ryan’s going to act charming, but people know he’s as ruthless as they come.”
Vanna was spotted hanging out with Pat, 77, for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen in Encino, California, on September 3. A few weeks later, she opened up about their friendship. “We’re friends, and we’ll remain friends, and we’ll still go out to dinner and hang out for sure,” Vanna told Parade in an interview published on September 20.
While the letter-turner was sad to see Pat exit Wheel of Fortune after his final episode aired in June, she didn’t feel it was the right time for her to retire alongside him. “I enjoy it. I love coming to work. I love watching people win. I love changing people’s lives,” Vanna told the outlet of why she decided to stay. “There’s a lot of stuff on TV that is so dramatic, and this is a half-hour of family fun and escape from so much. It’s such a positive family show. I love being part of that. So I’m not ready to leave.”
