Was ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Ryan Seacrest’s Hire Related To ‘Jeopardy’?
Recently, Wheel Of Fortune‘s current host, Pat Sajak, recorded his final episode. After his retirement announcement, the network was quick to secure Ryan Seacrest as his upcoming replacement. But now fans are wondering if that rapid hiring is related to Jeopardy.
Was Ryan Seacrest’s Hiring Due To Jeopardy’s Rocky Replacement?
Although Wheel Of Fortune host, Pat Sajak’s retirement announcement was in June 2023, his final spin comes almost a full year later in June 2024. Seemingly, some fans believe his position should be passed to his daughter, Maggie Sajak. However, the network was fast in their negotiations to line up employment for popular TV host, Ryan Seacrest. In light of their quick actions, fans think it was a move to avoid a debacle like Jeopardy! went through with their replacement of longtime host, Alex Trebek.
Wheel Of Fortune Snags The Popular Host, Ryan Seacrest
While everyone knows Ryan Seacrest is a great catch for the Wheel Of Fortune succession, there is still a strong inkling that the network was leery of having an incident like Jeopardy!‘s experience. After Alex Trebek’s death in November 2020, the network had many hurdles to overcome. Reportedly, one was the firing of TV producer, Mike Richards, after just one day. Then, the network took a stab at employing two hosts to spice it up. Notably, the duo was actress and neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik, alongside familiar face, former Jeopardy! champ, Ken Jennings. However, it wasn’t the match made in heaven the show had in mind. In December 2023, Mayim made an announcement of her firing as co-host, leaving Ken to solo.
The Network Learns From Others
With the bumpy start for Jeopardy’s replacement, fans are wondering if Wheel Of Fortune learns from others’ mistakes. Additionally, they saw the transition of the late, great Bob Barker hand the leads to new host, Drew Carey, for The Price Is Right in 2007. On Reddit, fans discuss the issues on Jeopardy:
- “They have begun advertising for Ryan Seacrest’s start as host next season. I’m still just glad a jeopardy host search fiasco won’t happen again tbh.”
- “I know somebody who works for Sony Pictures and he said the same thing. He said there was no succession plan like there was for Jay Leno (although we all remember how all that turned out).”
- “I know there’s a lot of people who don’t like that Ryan is replacing Pat as host, but I remember people feeling the same about Drew Carey replacing Bob Barker and that seems to have died down.”
Wheel Of Fortune Got A Heads Up To Start Looking For New Host, Ryan Seacrest
Furthermore, in 2019, fans watched Wheel Of Fortune get a shock when Pat Sajak had an emergency procedure. After speedy logistics, fans believe that was the beginning of the search for his replacement. Undeniably, Ryan Seacrest’s positive personality is a seemingly great blend to carry the torch after Pat’s exit.
- “Pat getting rushed off the set for emergency surgery was a huge wakeup call, my friend said at the time that Pat, Vanna [White, and Alex (RIP) were up there in age and everybody knew that the shows would go on without them and yet while they were in their respective positions nobody wanted to say how that would happen,” they explained.
What do you think about Pat Sajak’s rapid contract for replacement by Ryan Seacrest? Do you think the network is trying to avoid issues like Jeopardy! went through? Are you ready to see how Ryan runs Wheel Of Fortune? Drop your comments below.
- Moriah Plath Going Darker In Latest Music Venture - April 29, 2024
- ‘MILF Manor 2’ Meet The Men And The Big Twist – Their Dads - April 29, 2024
- ‘Jeopardy’ Ken Jennings Takes A Stab At Taylor Swift Trend - April 29, 2024