The changes on Wheel Of Fortune are officially happening this summer, even though fans won’t see the difference until the fall. Ryan Seacrest has begun taping his first episodes of the beloved game show after Pat Sajak retired at the end of its 41st season. Vanna White is still staying on as the series’ co-host, but the new duo might not have the same magic together.
A Wheel of Fortune source claimed to Closer Weekly that “Vanna isn’t a huge fan of Ryan so far” because she’s getting adjusted to having a new person in the room. “It’s not that she doesn’t like him, but her chemistry with Pat Sajak was much more natural,” they backtracked slightly. “With Ryan, it feels forced, and she doesn’t want loyal viewers and her longtime fans to pick up on that.” Being the fresh face on the set is hard and Seacrest is doing his best to keep “track of key players’ birthdays and doing everything he can to win brownie points with bosses. It’s actually a smart move, even if it seems a little desperate.”
White doesn’t seem to have any time for nonsense, though. She decided to put an end to the feud rumors by posting a photo of them sharing lunch together. “Friends on and off camera,” she wrote of the warm and friendly outing. “Enjoying one of our favorites, Chicken and Dumplings!” She broke her silence after the Daily Mail joined in with news of a rumored rift. “Vanna is retiring from the show when her contract ends, but there is a part of her that wants to walk away sooner,” the source revealed. “It is just so difficult to do this without Pat.”
Seacrest posted an Instagram snapshot in June with White and Sajak ahead of his retirement. The radio star shared his gratitude for having the opportunity to step into such big shoes. “Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers,” he wrote in the caption. “You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!”
However, it seems to be much ado about nothing, especially if they are spending time together away from the cameras. White and Seacrest are total pros as TV personalities, and now, it will be up to the viewers to decide if they like their chemistry as the Wheel of Fortune ushers in a new generation.
