By Molly Goddard
4:30pm PST, Mar 7, 2025
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Ryan Seacrest's
Wheel of Fortune ratings are reportedly dwindling.
When the media mogul first took over for host
Pat Sajak in September 2024, CBS saw sky-high viewership. However, in recent months, America seemingly lost interest in watching Seacrest at the helm.
Join us to learn how executives at the show may be rethinking the
American Idol star's role…
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"You're starting to see what a secret weapon Pat Sajak's understated sense of humor was for that show," a source told
Closer Weekly about what people loved about Pat Sajak's 41 seasons on
Wheel of Fortune.
Per the insider,
Ryan Seacrest's buttoned-up comedy isn't speaking to audiences. "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," the source noted.
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According to the Neilson ratings,
Jeopardy! gained more viewers than
Wheel of Fortune in recent months. Despite
executives putting their complete confidence in
Ryan Seacrest when they first hired him, recent data allegedly made them rethink their choice to fill Pat Sajak's role.
"Ryan should hire joke writers that can calibrate his on-air persona a little closer to Pat's," the insider explained to the outlet. "But only if he intends to do this job for another twenty years."
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Ryan Seacrest's fate at
Wheel of Fortune could also depend on veteran co-host
Vanna White and if she intends to extend her contract through 2026.
"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," the source claimed.
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Another issue between producers and
Ryan Seacrest is how
many jobs he's been juggling at once with
American Idol and
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, leaving little time for the A-lister to focus on
Wheel of Fortune.
"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," the insider alleged. "Ryan as the future, but Ryan's not the kind of guy to lock in and sign here. He wants freedom and control and refuses to be pigeon-holed, and his obstinate stance is driving bosses crazy."
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People behind-the-scenes are also not enthralled with the lack of on-air chemistry between
Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. "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 insider added.
"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," they noted.
