WHEEL of Fortune fans have slammed Ryan Seacrest after seeing him with Vanna White in a promo for the upcoming season.
Ryan, 49, and Vanna, 67, may not be working out as co-hosts, but the pair did get physical in a fitness-themed teaser for what’s to come this fall.
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The trailer, posted to Instagram, showed the American Idol host standing alongside Vanna on the Wheel of Fortune set.
“I can’t wait to get to work,” he exclaimed.
Vanna, holding a megaphone, shouted, “Let’s get you ready for fall.”
The camera then panned to the pair leaning over the wheel where a pile of bricks was sitting.
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“You weren’t kidding, this is great for the biceps,” Ryan shared with his co-star after giving the wheel a spin.
She smiled, lifting two brick in bicep curls as he turned to the camera making a funny face.
“Ryan’s building his Wheel-spinning muscles – one brick at a time,” the caption read.
Despite the video’s light and funny nature, fans couldn’t overcome their dissatisfaction with Ryan as Pat Sajak‘s successor.
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Pat, 77, appeared in his final episode of Wheel of Fortune on June 7.
“What a poor choice!” one person critiqued.
“I can’t believe I can never watch wheel of fortune again….,” a second complained.
“Seacrest is so bland,” a third person mocked.
“I won’t be watching,” someone else shared.
Wheel of Fortune Host Timeline
Although Pat and Vanna have been a staple on the game show for decades, there have been other hosts
Chuck Woolery was the host from 1975 to 1981
He co-hosted alongside Susan Stafford (1975 to 1982)
Vanna White then stepped in as hostess in 1982 and has been ever since
After a contract and salary dispute, the show got rid of Chuck and brought in Pat in 1982
Pat hosted with Susan for one season
He then left the game show in 1989 to host a late-night talk show for CBS
For five months, NFL player Rolf Benirschke took his place
In July 1989, Bob Goen hosted the show on CBS
He hosted for a year and a half until the show was canceled in 1991
The show was then moved to ABC with Pat and Vanna hosting for the foreseeable future
In 2023, Pat announced his retirement and Ryan Seacrest as quickly named as his replacement
“I can’t wait until I don’t watch you,” another unhappy Wheel of Fortune fan posted.
Not everyone was so negative about Ryan’s hosting gig.
“Soooooo can’t wait!” one supporter gushed.
“Let’s go Ryan!” another wrote.
“Pat Sajak left some huge shoes to fill, I wish Ryan Seacrest the best of luck in this new role! Y’all gotta remember, everyone is new at something at some point,” another wrote.
FEUD RUMORS
Ahead of the trailer’s release, several outlets reported that Vanna was considering leaving Wheel of Fortune amid chemistry woes with Ryan.
The pair have been filming episodes of the game show this summer to air in the fall.
On Tuesday, reports surfaced claiming that Vanna was considering retiring from the show, which she’s co-hosted since 1982.
According to the reports, producers were eyeing Kim Kardashian as a replacement.
An insider told Life & Style, “They’ve compiled a list of folks to replace Vanna, and Kim Kardashian is at the top.”
The source claimed that Ryan hopes to revamp Wheel of Fortune, making it “younger and sexier.”
Part of that, according to the reports, includes Vanna stepping aside in favor of someone younger viewers will recognize.
The same source said that Ryan and Vanna struggled to find the same groove she and Pat had on set.
“After Pat quit, Vanna was optimistic about working with Ryan, but they have zero chemistry and no vibe,” they said.
“Plus, she could be his mother.
Vanna appeared to squash feud rumors later that same day, releasing a photo of her and Ryan hanging out off-set.
In the pic, the pair were seated caddy-corner to one another at a restaurant.
They held up spoons, loaded with food, and smiled for the camera.
Vanna wore a black and brown sweater while Ryan donned a dapper suit with a white shirt.
“Friends on and off camera. Enjoying one of our favorites, Chicken and Dumplings!” the game show personality captioned her post.
FANS REACT
Despite the backlash over Ryan’s casting, fans in the comments were largely happy to see the TV and radio personality getting along with his new cohost.
“So great! The smiles say it all! Love you both,” one fan celebrated.
“It’s going to be fun!!! Cannot wait!!!!!” a second wrote.
“I’m so glad that you are friends already!” a third supporter exclaimed.
“Looking forward to this duo and the new set in the fall!” another person wrote.
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