When Ryan Seacrest takes over as host of Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White will be joining him, and Ryan Seacrest is “very excited” about this.
Tuesday saw the announcement of White’s contract, which will keep the game show stable on the syndication series past the departure of longtime host Pat Sajak through the 2025–26 season.
That coincided with Seacrest, Sajak’s replacement, pre-taping a segment for Sunday Today With Willie Geist, so the NBC program saw the broadcaster’s initial response.
In the “Sunday Sitdown” program, which included Geist, 48, Seacrest, 48, said, “This is such great news,” in the sneak peek that aired on Today on Wednesday. “Vanna has occupied our living rooms and been a mainstay of that show for so long. I’ve been eager to collaborate with her, and now that it’s official, I can congratulate her. I’m impatient.
The American Idol host continued by saying that he believes White is “super important” to have on the show. White will begin her Wheel of Fortune duties in the fall of next year.
She is adored by both viewers and this nation, and I find it impossible to imagine being able to say, “Okay, let’s get to it,” while standing next to her on the set. It’s fantastic news,” he said. “I’m overjoyed to hear it and overjoyed to be able to work with her,” I said.
Seacrest quipped, “Vanna, please tell me what to do!” and added that as the new man he will also be able to ask White for advice.
“How does this work? I can ask. Now, where do we go? Next, what? Okay, understood,” he replied.
Since joining the game show in 1982, White has worked on Wheel of Fortune for more than 40 years.
Prior to the negotiations, a person with knowledge of White’s demands told PEOPLE that she was seeking a pay raise and parity with Sajak, 76, after earning almost $3 million annually for the previous 18 years without any increases.
Sajak will leave the show after the current 41st season, which debuted last week. He said in June that he would leave the show after its 41st season and said on X that it had been a “wonderful ride.”
The next month, Sony Pictures Television announced that Seacrest, 48, would take over for Sajak and provided a statement from the actor.
I’m genuinely humbled to be following in the famous Pat Sajak’s shoes, he stated. I can speak for every one of America when I say that it has been an honor and a pure joy to watch Pat & Vanna on our television screens for an extraordinary 40 years, bringing us joy every night and making us feel at home with them.
“Pat, I adore how you’ve always praised the competitors and put the spectators at home at ease. I’m eager to absorb all the knowledge I can from you during this shift.
Many people may not be aware of this, but 25 years ago, one of my first gigs was hosting a brief game show called Click for Merv Griffin. For this reason, he continued, “I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity. I’m eager to carry on the wheel-spinning legacy and collaborate with the legendary Vanna White.
White admitted to PEOPLE in December that she wasn’t prepared to leave Wheel of Fortune.
She said, “I don’t even want to think about that,” adding that it was difficult to picture a scenario in which neither she nor Sajak would be hosting the show.
In syndication, Wheel of Fortune airs on weeknights (check local listings).