When Ryan Seacrest was introduced to be the selection to succeed Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak when he retires subsequent 12 months, it appeared like the sport present was avoiding the messy internet hosting transition that befell Jeopardy! after Alex Trebek’s demise in 2020. Nonetheless, that is probably not the case. Amid rumors of friction between longtime co-host Vanna White and the present over her contract renegotiations, a brand new report paints a troubling image of how White thinks she’s seen by Wheel of Fortune’s producers.
There’s quite a bit occurring behind the scenes of Wheel of Fortune proper now, forward of Pat Sajak’s closing season. Following the host’s resolution to retire, Sony wasted no time hiring workhorse Ryan Seacrest as Sajak’s eventual substitute. Vanna White’s future, in the meantime, continues to be being determined amid reported contract disputes, and there’s probably much more pressure brewing. The Every day Mail studies she was sad that Seacrest was employed earlier than she was given a shot on the job or allowed to present any enter. An insider mentioned:
She was upset that they did not give her extra of an opportunity to take over Pat’s job, or that she wasn’t in a position to give her two cents on the substitute. She did not assume they might be making the announcement of his substitute so quickly.
Like Pat Sajak, Vanna White has been with Wheel of Fortune for greater than 40 years, so when he introduced he was hanging up his hat, questions instantly arose as as to if or not she would comply with swimsuit. Nonetheless, she needed to stick with the present, and it was reported that she’d “extremely take into account” taking up as host if given the prospect. If not, although, she allegedly needed to be a part of the choice course of, which it appears didn’t occur.
Whereas Vanna White reportedly hopes to proceed her duties till she leaves on her personal phrases, she has begun to assume the manufacturing sees her as replaceable, the supply mentioned:
[Vanna White has] nothing however respect for Ryan and might be comfortable to work with him, nevertheless it simply reveals a scarcity of respect in her eyes that they’ve for her. She needs to be with the present for so long as she needs to be on the present, on her phrases. She believes she deserves it. It’s a main uphill battle, particularly when cash is concerned and she or he sees the writing on the wall that they assume she is replaceable.
Cash undoubtedly appears to be a sticking level. Vanna White reportedly had not been given a correct elevate in 18 years, incomes a wage of $3 million — 5 occasions lower than Pat Sajak’s $15 million. She’s apparently lawyered up and is asking to extend her pay to $7.5 million, which is greater than double her present haul however nonetheless solely half of her colleague’s wage. She is reportedly ready to stroll away if not compensated, which might be a horrible method for her Wheel of Fortune profession to finish. The insider continued:
There might be plenty of negotiations, but when she will get changed and isn’t given a brand new contract, she might be past heartbroken. This has been her life, it might be simply as highly effective as a demise if she would not proceed with the present.
That’s a reasonably sturdy assertion — that being changed on Wheel of Fortune could be as heartbreaking as a demise for Vanna White, however the supply has a degree. Her identify (and Pat Sajak’s) has been synonymous with the sport present for 4 many years, so It will probably’t be overstated how massive part of her life it’s. To see her lifelong profession taken away on this method could be completely devastating.
Ryan Seacrest expressed pleasure for attending to work with Vanna White in his assertion following the large announcement, and hopefully the individuals at Sony can work issues out with the beloved letter-turner to make sure their clean transition stays on observe. Pat Sajak’s farewell season will premiere in September, with Seacrest taking up in Fall 2024. Verify your native listings to see the right way to watch Wheel of Fortune in your space.
