Latest news with #Sajak
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Seacrest talks ‘Wheel of Fortune' future, honors Pat Sajak and Vanna White: ‘This show means something to people'
Ryan Seacrest wants his Emmy for hosting Wheel of Fortune and he's not afraid to ask for it. Six months after taking the reins from Pat Sajak, who spent over four decades behind the wheel from 1981 to 2024, Seacrest sat down with TV Academy members at the game show's iconic Sony Pictures Studios lot to discuss the future of the iconic game show. More from GoldDerby 'The Masked Singer' is skipping the fall season 'to regroup' 'Grotesquerie' star Niecy Nash-Betts on that shocking coma twist, and Travis Kelce's 'greedy' appetite TV Cinematography panel: 'Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire,' 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,' 'Étoile' "You have memories of your grandparents watching this show," Seacrest said. "Everybody who's here, and certainly every contestant who comes on, has a story to tell about when they first saw Wheel of Fortune. I remember having to mow lawns and bag grass — because you got paid extra to bag it — to buy a Zenith TV. My mom wouldn't let us watch TV at dinner time, so I bought the Zenith TV with the ears, put it on the butcher block in the kitchen, and that's when I began to watch Wheel of Fortune with my family while we had dinner." "This show means something to people," he continued. "It means something to families. I have fun with the job, but I take that responsibility very seriously." Following the discussion, Vanna White surprised attendees as she walked out in one of her signature gowns and asked, "Should we play a game?" Holding Seacrest's arm, she looked at him and said, "This is an incredible man. I am so happy to be working with you. We've known each other for over 20 years, but we've worked together over a year now — and it's such an honor. You make it so easy and you're doing such a great job. I adore you and enjoy working with you." After a couple of impromptu rounds with three lucky guest players, Seacrest and White invited everyone to join them for a cocktail and an up-close look at the famous wheel and letter board. The dynamic duo also stuck around for well over two hours, taking photos and chatting one-on-one with each person in attendance. In its 50th anniversary season, Wheel of Fortune still ranks No. 1 in its time slot across most of the country and reaches 22 million viewers each week. Seacrest took over hosting duties for Sajak on Sept. 9, 2024, but conversations about the transition began years prior. Sajak's letter-turning cohost White decided to remain on the show with Seacrest after working with Sajak since 1982. "When you look at what Pat and Vanna have built over the years — they are your friends! They're your companions. You feel like you know them," Seacrest said. "What they built being in peoples' living room every night is such a special thing." To fill Sajak's iconic shoes, Seacrest watched the duo tape their shows for a year, closely studying the rules and what made the game show work so well. Six months before he started, producers gave Seacrest a small wheel he could travel with that allowed him to play in hotel conference rooms with random guests. "I wanted to come on day one as if I knew what I was doing," he said. Seacrest also revealed his relationship with the show's creator, Merv Griffin (who died in 2007), started 31 years ago. "When I was 19, I auditioned to host a game show called Click for kids on Saturday mornings," he said. "I got the job, and Merv was the first person to teach me the mindset of game. It was a different game — but the mindset of game and how to interact with contestants. He told me the story of how he created Wheel of Fortune on an airplane — it's basically Hangman — and that's why it's worked forever. It's a very simple game." "When I was working for Merv, he let me come and sit in meetings about Wheel of Fortune at the Beverly Hilton Hotel," he continued. "I had no idea I would eventually be sitting here. Merv is the one that taught me to be as focused on the business show business as the performance, which is why I produced a lot at the beginning of my career. He wasn't just the guy that was on camera, he was a force behind it. I found that so fascinating. He was so charming. He could get anybody to say yes to anything." When asked how his hosting gigs on American Idol and Live With Kelly and Ryan helped prepare him, Seacrest shared, "With American Idol, I have a chance to really connect with contestants and their families. I get to meet them early on. I'm interested in where they've come from. That's something that is part of this show. The one thing I forget about Wheel — that I'm often reminded of by our producer — I think we're live. I'm like, 'We have to start in one minute! What's going on?' And sometimes they're like, 'If anything happens we can fix it,' and I'm like, 'We can fix it?' I forget we're on tape. I like to not stop ever and try to do this as fast as possible." "Live With Kelly and Ryan was interesting because we would show up and we didn't discuss anything we were going to talk about beforehand," he continued. "You really get comfortable on national television just sitting and telling stories." The new Wheel host also revealed that his chemistry with White came naturally because they've been friends for over 20 years. "We first met through Merv Griffin and we sat together at Merv's funeral as well," he said. "We have remained friends over the years. When I first got the job, I tracked her down at a golf course and said, 'I want to make this as seamless for you as possible.' This crew is a well-oiled machine. You don't want to be the guy that slows things down. I wanted her, also, to feel comfortable. She has been a tremendous supporter and dear friend through all of this." Seacrest describes White as "very casual" in real life — far different from her glamorous persona on TV — and recounted how she hand-made him a quilt that he has in his home. "She's just a lovely person," he shared. "Have you ever met someone famous and they let you down? Shout their name! No — but you see her, you know she's a treasure, and when you meet her she's even better." "Wheel of Fortune is simple, it's never changed, and will always be a protected safe space for anybody to watch," he said about why the show has resonated with viewers for so long. "We're never going to have an uncomfortable puzzle. We're never going to have an uncomfortable conversation about something you've got to explain to your kids. This is a safe place for fun and it will always be that way. I think that's special." Wheel of Fortune has won seven Daytime Emmys, including Best Game Show in 2011. Last year, the show won its first Primetime Emmy for host Pat Sajak in his final year. SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby 'Grotesquerie' star Niecy Nash-Betts on that shocking coma twist, and Travis Kelce's 'greedy' appetite TV Cinematography panel: 'Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire,' 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,' 'Étoile' 'Étoile' cinematographer M. David Mullen on reuniting with the Palladinos Click here to read the full article.
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' returns: How to watch Pat Sajak's 'final spin'
"Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" is back Wednesday night, and we have all the details. The season 5 premiere for the spinoff of the hit game show " Wheel of Fortune" returns with three new stars, who will compete to win money for charity. This season also marks Pat Sajak's"final spin" as co-host. Here's everything you need to know. How can I watch 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune'? You can watch "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" Wednesday night on ABC and the next day on Hulu. What time does 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' air? The new season of "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" will air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. What is Pat Sajak's 'final spin'? This season of "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" marks the final set of episodes that Sajak will host following the end of his decadeslong "Wheel of Fortune" hosting gig in June 2024. Sajak will host "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" with his longtime "Wheel of Fortune" co-host and letter-turner, Vanna White. Who are the celebrity contestants tonight? Tiffany Haddish, Joe Manganiello and Matt Walsh will spin to win for charity on Wednesday night. See which charities each is playing for below. Who else is slated to compete this season? Other stars who will compete this season are Rainn Wilson, Ellie Kemper, Oscar Nuñez, Justin Long, Cameron Brink, Regina Hall, Katharine McPhee, Randall Park, Andrew Rannells and Sam Richardson. Who is hosting 'Wheel of Fortune' now? After Sajak said farewell to "Wheel of Fortune," the hosting gig was passed to Ryan Seacrest, who made his debut on the show in September 2024.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' returns: How to watch Pat Sajak's 'final spin'
"Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" is back Wednesday night, and we have all the details. The season 5 premiere for the spinoff of the hit game show "Wheel of Fortune" returns with three new stars, who will compete to win money for charity. This season also marks Pat Sajak's "final spin" as co-host. Pat Sajak is a dad of 2: What to know about his family Here's everything you need to know. You can watch "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" Wednesday night on ABC and the next day on Hulu. The new season of "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" will air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. This season of "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" marks the final set of episodes that Sajak will host following the end of his decadeslong "Wheel of Fortune" hosting gig in June 2024. Sajak will host "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" with his longtime "Wheel of Fortune" co-host and letter-turner, Vanna White. Here's how Pat Sajak signed off his final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode Tiffany Haddish, Joe Manganiello and Matt Walsh will spin to win for charity on Wednesday night. See which charities each is playing for below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (@celebritywheeloffortune) Other stars who will compete this season are Rainn Wilson, Ellie Kemper, Oscar Nuñez, Justin Long, Cameron Brink, Regina Hall, Katharine McPhee, Randall Park, Andrew Rannells and Sam Richardson. After Sajak said farewell to "Wheel of Fortune," the hosting gig was passed to Ryan Seacrest, who made his debut on the show in September 2024. 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' returns: How to watch Pat Sajak's 'final spin' originally appeared on
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak makes huge career change at 78
It's been a year since Pat Sajak retired from hosting the game show Wheel of Fortune after 41 years. Now, he's set to for a major career change as he goes back to acting. Sajak will star in a play at the Hawaii Theater called Prescription: Murder with his long time friend KHON-TV Hawaii newscaster Joe Moore. According to the theater's website, Sajak, 78, plays a psychiatrist named Dr. Roy Flemming, who has 'carried out an ingenious plan to murder his wife, and established a perfect alibi.' Moore, 78, stars alongside him as Lt. Columbo, a disheveled and seemingly bumbling detective who's investigating the crime. The show runs for a limited time from July 31 through Aug. 10, is directed by Rob Duval and also stars Bryce Moore, Therese Olival, Amy K. Sullivan and Aiko Chinen. Sajak and Moore collectively said the new play will 'likely be our final time on stage together.' The duo have appeared in several plays together over the years after first starring in The Odd Couple together in 2001. Sajack and Moore met while they were both serving in the Vietnam war and in 2018, starred together in Dial M for Murder. Gregory D. Dunn, President and CEO of Hawaii Theatre Center has nothing but praise for Sajak's acting ability. 'It's really exciting as someone [who] has grown up with Wheel of Fortune,' he said via People. 'I used to sit and watch the show with my grandmother when we were children. 'To be able to engage with him and recognize that he is the authentic and kind person you see on the show — that's his true personality, and the way he interacts with people and his fellow actors and with the cast and crew,' Dunn explained. 'He is really a talented actor that brings an immense amount of craft to the stage.' 'Our audiences every year are delighted when they're able to enjoy his performances on stage,' he added' 'We couldn't be happier to welcome Pat back, and it really is something that we look forward to every couple of years.' Prescription: Murder is the original Columbo mystery thriller that was the inspiration for the long-running Colombo TV series starring Peter Falk. Sajak ended his run on Wheel of Fortune in June 2004, at the end of the show's 41st season. In his final message, Sajak shared an emotional message to his longtime fans that aired on June 7, 2024. 'It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,' he said. 'And I've always felt that the privilege came with a responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game.' The Chicago native concluded by sharing, 'What an honor to have played even a small part in all that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.' Wheel of Fortune's beloved letter-turner Vanna White, 68, recently opened up about her relationship with the show's former host. While Sajak and White still host ABC's primetime version of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, she revealed him leaving the flagship show was a 'sad' time for her. 'It was sad for me in a way because [at the time] I didn't know what the future held. It was ending an unbelievable era!' she said at the Hulu Gets Real event (via TV Insider). When asked if they stay in touch, Vanna said, 'I still see him! We're friends. We have dinner! Yeah, he's still in my life.' She added that when they get back together, 'It's like slipping into something very comfortable. I mean that in the best possible way. It's just comfortable.'
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Vanna White reveals where she stands with ex Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak after his retirement
Wheel of Fortune's beloved letter-turner Vann White is opening up about her relationship with the show's former host, Pat Sajak. The 78-year-old Sajak hosted Wheel of Fortune from 1981 until his retirement in 2024, with Ryan Seacrest taking over. While Sajak and White still host ABC's primetime version of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, she revealed him leaving the flagship show was a 'sad' time for her. 'It was sad for me in a way because [at the time] I didn't know what the future held. It was ending an unbelievable era!' she said at the Hulu Gets Real event (via TV Insider). When asked if they stay in touch, Vanna said, 'I still see him! We're friends. We have dinner! Yeah, he's still in my life.' She added that when they get back together, 'It's like slipping into something very comfortable. I mean that in the best possible way. It's just comfortable.' Now White shares the stage with new Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest, who she also praised. 'Ryan did his homework. He rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed,' White said, before reassuring her he was not trying to replace Sajak. 'He also said to me, "I am not replacing Pat Sajak because no one could – ever. I am just stepping in,"' she revealed. 'That made me feel good because, as Ryan said, he's just stepping in – he's not trying to prove anything,' she added. White and Sajak will be returning for the new season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which debuts Wednesday, April 30, which will be Pat's 'final spin' on the show. An assortment of actors, athletes, singers and comedians will be on hand to compete and help celebrate his final moments helming the popular game show. The all-star lineup for Sajak's last appearances include WNBA star Cameron Brink, Josh Gad, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Rachael Harris, Ellie Kemper, Justin Long, Joe Manganiello, Katharine McPhee, Oscar Nuñez, Randall Park, Andrew Rannells, Sam Richardson, Matt Walsh and Rainn Wilson. Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune welcomes celebrity contestants to spin the world's most famous wheel and solve puzzles for a chance to win $1 million for the charity of their choice. Wheel of Fortune, produced by Sony Pictures Television and executive produced by Bellamie Blackstone, is one of the most successful syndicated programs in the history of television. White had extended her contract for additional two years to continue as co-host through the 2025–26 season. In his final message, Sajak shared an emotional message to his longtime fans that aired on June 7, 2024. 'It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,' he said, in part, before adding, 'And I've always felt that the privilege came with a responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game.' The Chicago native concluded by sharing, 'What an honor to have played even a small part in all that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.'
