As "Wheel of Fortune" gears up for a significant transition, Ryan Seacrest, pegged as the show's next host, is contemplating a refreshed dynamic and even a potential new partner, according to insider sources.
With the game show's legendary host, Pat Sajak, heading for retirement after the upcoming season, Seacrest, 48, is making the case to Sony Pictures executives about bringing a new co-host alongside him. “Ryan says he has nothing against Vanna personally, but she and Pat were a team for 40 years on Wheel and he’s trying to usher in a new era,” reveals an inside source. According to the same source, Seacrest believes it's challenging to pave a new path if "the show is stuck in the past — and that past is Vanna."
Vanna White, 66, who has gracefully turned the game's letters since 1982, was already disappointed by not being considered for Sajak’s position, which Seacrest snagged with an impressive $28 million annual salary. The renowned letter-turner is currently lobbying for a salary adjustment, one that matches Sajak’s whopping $600,000 per episode rate, despite her recent $100,000 raise for her role in the "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune." As of now, she has committed to a $3 million contract for the prime-time episodes till 2024, but she's pushing for renegotiation.
An informed source commented, “Vanna is a proud woman who believes she was just as integral to Wheel’s success as Sajak — and he got paid five times more than her, which she has always thought was unfair and wants addressed.”
Yet, even with Seacrest's aspirations of forging a fresh start, it appears that White isn't setting off anytime soon. There's growing concern that too much change might unsettle the show's loyal audience. “There’s the fear that if Vanna goes at the same time as Pat, it will be too much change for the show and the dedicated viewers will find it a turnoff,” a source added.
In light of these perspectives, Sony seems inclined to retain White for at least another season or two, aiming for a smoother transition, even if it diverges from Seacrest's vision.