With the beloved game show going on its 42nd year, it’s unsurprising that a show with such a long-running history has a dedicated fan base. Ryan Seacrest took over the reins after longtime host Pat Sajak retired. The Emmy-winning show’s longtime co-host, Vanna White, remains at her post.
Ryan Seacrest Has Big Shoes to Fill
While Ryan Seacrest is no stranger to the entertainment world, fans of the show were quick to criticize his mistakes during his debut appearance. He made the faux pas of not mentioning or giving the nod to the former host, Pat Sajak. This alone rubbed fans the wrong way, as did a few other mistakes. Also, many fans were not generally fond of the changes to Wheel of Fortune and took to social media to voice their opinions.
Divided Opinions Among Fans
Seacrest made a few mistakes out of the starting gate. One that caught many viewers’ attention was the host failing to correct a contestant who mispronounced the word “ripened” while solving a puzzle. (instead of saying vine-ripened tomatoes, the Contestant said “vine riping tomatoes.” While this mistake was minor, it should be pointed out that small details like these can make a difference between winning or losing the game.
A major mistake was made when Ryan Seacrest failed to explain the game’s rules to another contestant. The contestant landed on a mystery wedge. Seacrest did not remind her that if she took the chance to look under the wedge, she could lose the $1 million wedge she already had. Historically, Sajak always reminded a contestant of this rule, whereas Seacrest failed to do so. Opinions are divided as to whether or not Seacrest is responsible.
Significant Changes to the Wheel of Fortune
The new host isn’t the only change that has upset fans. According to Nielson ratings, the show attracts 7.9 million viewers an episode, making it one of the most popular shows in television history. For years, Vanna White flipped letters to reveal puzzles. This changed to digital letter screens when she touched her fingers to reveal it. Now, White doesn’t have to contact the puzzle board at all. The only item that’s the same is the wheel.
Opinions remain divided about the show, as many fans aren’t embracing the changes. Still, some appreciate the updated look and feel. Another recent change is that contestants are shown along with the puzzle on the television screen. Many feel that the new screen set-up is distracting, stating they want to see only the puzzle board without the additions. At the same time, Vanna White is still the co-host. At 67, she has no plans of leaving anytime soon.
Ryan Seacrest “Snubs” Pat Sajak
What seemed to upset longtime fans of the show the most was the lack of recognition of former host Pat Sajak. While it may not have been intentional, according to the New York Post, Ryan Seacrest’s opening words to the audience were: “And I know Wheel has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years. I also know I have some very big shoes to fill,” without a mention of the former host’s name. “So let’s play Wheel of Fortune.”
Wrapping Up
Pat Sajak’s final episode aired on June 7th, 2024, with an emotional farewell. Fans also criticized Seacrest’s lack of chemistry with his co-host, White. In contrast, Sajak and White were celebrated as longtime coworkers. Perhaps time will tell if the chemistry will form, with Seacrest being so new to the show. One thing is sure: Change is inevitable, and fans will either accept or reject it.
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