Ryan Seacrest Makes Shocking Admission About Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ originally appeared on Parade.
Ryan Seacrest‘s start as host of Wheel of Fortune was rocky, but he just revealed that he had years to prepare for the role.
Seacrest took over for Pat Sajak on Sept. 9, 2004, after the legendary game show host retired after 41 seasons on the show.
Wheel of Fortune fans have called Seacrest out several times over the last 10 months for perceived errors he made as the new host. From failing to recognize Sajak’s contribution during his first episode to errors in explaining game rules, viewers didn’t miss a chance to speak out. Despite all of that, ratings are great, and viewers are staying tuned in, per TV Insider.
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In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Seacrest discussed taking over on Wheel of Fortune and shared a few surprising things.
“I have a lot fun with the job, but I take the responsibility very seriously,” Seacrest shared. “We all have memories of watching Wheel with our families. I mowed lawns growing up in Atlanta just to save money to buy a Zenith TV for the kitchen so we could watch Wheel during dinner!”
Keeping the long-running game show fun for viewers is a huge responsibility. Seacrest shared that WOF is special because it’s “simple” and “it’s never changed.”
What we weren’t expecting to hear is that Seacrest’s hiring was in the plan for some time. He admitted, “There were conversations — actually, years ago — about me doing this show, and I expressed interest even back then. When you look at what Pat and Vanna [White, co-host] have built over the years … they are your friends. What they’ve established is special. So that’s why I said yes.”
He also claimed that he prepped quite a bit ahead of his big Wheel of Fortune debut to make the transition smooth.
Related: Internet Calls Out Ryan Seacrest for Mistake That Cost Contestant $56,000 Puzzle
“It required a lot more prep than you’d think,” Seacrest revealed. “I made flashcards for myself and, when I could, logged in remotely to watch tape-days. About six months out, my producer built a little travel-friendly wheel for me so I could play in hotel conference rooms with random people.”
Season 43 of Wheel of Fortune is expected to premiere in September 2025, marking Seacrest’s second season as host.
Ryan Seacrest Makes Shocking Admission About Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
