Ryan Seacrest had a dream start as the host of Wheel of Fortune, but his numbers have dipped of late, as shown in new ratings data, and a source exclusively tells Closer the pressure’s now on to turn things around as quickly as possible.
“You’re starting to see what a secret weapon Pat Sajak‘s understated sense of humor was for that show,” the insider says. “Ryan is fast on his feet, but not necessarily when it comes to jokes, but that stuff came naturally to Pat and got woven into the fabric of Wheel over the many decades he was on.”
In the Neilson category for game show viewership, Jeopardy! edged out Wheel of Fortune ever so slightly, but notably enough to have execs worried about the painful trend. Ryan, 50, is no stranger to hosting duties, but the source notes his personality may not be the fit bosses were looking for when they first hired him for the big job in September 2024.
As Closer previously reported, the honeymoon period between the American Idol host and Wheel of Fortune showrunners has clearly come to an end. When he first started, ratings for the show hit their highest in five years, with fans praising Ryan’s aloof attitude and likeable banter with the guests, though it’s become clear he’s no Pat Sajak.
“Ryan should hire joke writers that can calibrate his on-air persona a little closer to Pat’s,” the source suggests, “but only if he intends to do this job for another twenty years.”
“Just a few months ago it seemed like that was the track he was on, but as Sony and CBS continue to fight over the financial future of the franchise, Ryan has yet to sign for more seasons beyond his two year deal and everything around Wheel of Fortune feels very ‘wait-and-see’ right now, especially because Vanna White‘s future, and eventual retirement timetable has yet to become clear either.”
A second source previously told Closer that network execs weren’t happy with the superhost dividing his attention between so many gigs, including Idol and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
“The powers that be over at Wheel of Fortune don’t want him stretched to the limit and want his full and undivided attention on the show,” that source said. At one point bosses saw “Ryan as the future, but Ryan’s not the kind of guy to lock in and sign here,” the source added. “He wants freedom and control and refuses to be pigeon-holed, and his obstinate stance is driving bosses crazy.”
While long-time cohost Vanna, 68, has a contract locking her in to 2026, her future with the show beyond that remains to be seen — creating another point of uncertainty for Ryan’s role, too.
“Essentially, the Ryan and Vanna team was always going to be a temporary relationship, and not the permanent configuration of the show for the next two or three decades,” the first insider says. “With the ratings heat from last fall cooling down, everybody involved with the franchise is wondering if more sudden changes could be in the cards.”
“The bosses at Sony TV aren’t afraid to make hard pivots away from on-air talent, and if you don’t believe me, just ask Mayim Bialik.”
