Who will host “Wheel of Fortune” when Pat Sajak retires subsequent 12 months?
The 76-year-old longtime face of the beloved sport present introduced Monday that the upcoming season will probably be his closing spin.
“Well, the time has come. I’ve determined that our forty first season, which begins in September, will probably be my final,” he tweeted.
“It’s been an exquisite experience, and I’ll have extra to say within the coming months. Many due to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll maintain the clickbait websites busy!),” he added.
Fans have began to weigh in on who’s worthy sufficient to fill Sajak’s footwear — with many believing the highest contenders are already a part of the franchise.
While Sony Pictures Television, the manufacturing and distribution studio that owns the present, has not revealed succession plans, some stars have already raised their fingers.
Vanna White
The pure subsequent step for “Wheel” can be to advertise longtime letter-turner Vanna White.
White, 66, joined this system a 12 months after Sajak, in 1982. She crammed in for him in 2019 whereas he recovered from emergency surgical procedure for a blocked gut.
Despite her expertise, an unidentified supply claimed to the Daily Mail that White is nervous she will probably be fired as soon as Sajak retires.
Maggie Sajak
Pat Sajak’s daughter, Maggie, would even be a logical alternative.
The 28-year-old regulation scholar joined “Wheel” in 2021 as its social media correspondent, and her skilled father even deemed her “a very good host” when she led a trivia section final Christmas.
Maggie additionally crammed in for White because the letter-turner in May whereas she competed on “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” as a contestant.
Ryan Seacrest
What do you give the hardest-working man in present enterprise? Apparently his personal shot on the “Fortune” internet hosting gig.
An unidentified insider informed TMZ this week that Seacrest, 48, has been in contact with Sony in regards to the job.
He was good mates with the late “Wheel” creator Merv Griffin, because the media mogul gave Seacrest his massive break because the host of the short-lived sport present “Click” within the mid-’90s.
Seacrest grew to become a family title in 2002 because the host of “American Idol” — a job he nonetheless holds to at the present time.
His resume consists of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve With Ryan Seacrest”; his syndicated radio present, “On Air With Ryan Seacrest”; and practically six years as Kelly Ripa’s sidekick on “Live With Kelly and Ryan.”
The Post has contacted reps for Seacrest and Sony for remark.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg has additionally expressed curiosity in taking the reins.
While discussing Sajak’s retirement Tuesday on “The View,” Goldberg, 67, famous, “I need that job,” including that it might be “plenty of enjoyable.”
The EGOT winner has co-hosted the ABC daytime speak present since 2007. She’s additionally hosted the Oscars 4 occasions.
The Post has contacted a rep for Goldberg for remark.
Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith additionally has the “Wheel” gig in his sights.
The 55-year-old NBA analyst revealed on his “Stephen A. Smith Show” podcast Thursday that he and his mom are avid followers of the sport present.
“I wanna throw my title within the hat,” he proclaimed.
A supply near Smith confirmed to The Post that he actually is “open” to the internet hosting alternative.
“No conversations have been had but and he would by no means hand over his day job, however he would gladly host if a number of exhibits might be taped over a number of weeks, that may run all year long,” the supply claimed.
The Post has contacted a rep for Smith for remark.
