RYAN Seacrest has responded to the news that Vanna White isn’t going anywhere when he takes over Wheel of Fortune.
Ryan, 48, learned Vanna’s contract was extended through the 2025-2026 season while mid-interview on Today.
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Ryan Seacrest shared: ‘This is such great news. Vanna please tell me what to do!’Credit: NBC
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Ryan learned about Vanna’s contract extension after a months-long pay raise battle while with Willie WeistCredit: NBC
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Pat Sajak will retire from Wheel of Fortune in June 2024Credit: Getty
Vanna, 66, will stay at the puzzle board after Pat Sajak retires, as announced on Tuesday.
Her contract runs through the 2026 season and will see her continue on the beloved game show for at least two years with Ryan.
Ryan will take over for Pat, 76, after his astounding 40 years of hosting at the end of the currently airing season.
Coincidentally, Ryan, Pat’s successor, was pre-taping an appearance for Sunday Today With Willie Geist – so the NBC show got the TV star’s immediate reaction.
Willie shared with Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dryer that he was interviewing Ryan when the news broke, so they rushed to do a second interview.
RYAN’S REACTION
Ryan shared on the Sunday Sitdown segment, a sneak peek of which aired on Today on Wednesday: “This is such great news.”
“Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years.
“I have been very excited to work with her.
“But now that it’s official I can say congratulations Vanna! I can’t wait.
“It’s super important to have Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune.
“She’s beloved by this country and by the viewers.
“I can’t even imagine standing next to her on that set and saying ‘OK lets get to it,” he gushed.
“It’s great news I’m very happy to hear it and get to work with her.”
Ryan agreed it’s nice as the new guy to be able to ask “How does this work? Where do we go now? What’s next? OK got it.'”
“She can definitely- ‘Vanna please tell me what to do!'”
Ryan also told Geist that he doesnt want the show to make major show changes when he’s host.
Geist relayed to the anchors that Ryan said he’s “just the caretaker of Wheel.”
VANNA’S BIG WIN
Vanna – at the puzzle board for 40 years herself – finally got execs to extend her contract.
According to TMZ, White got a “substantial pay increase” with the deal, though the exact figure is undisclosed.
Vanna —-who makes $3million a season – had reportedly been seeking a raise from the show’s producers, claiming that she only received bonuses for the last 18 years.
She reportedly lawyered up and was asking for half of current host Pat Sajak’s $15 million a year salary.
“After 41 years as a model employee and more the face of that show than [Pat], asking for 50% of what he makes seems like a no-brainer,” a source close to White told TMZ.
‘I LOVE MY JOB’
Vanna’s news is welcome to fans as she expressed no interest in retiring like Pat, and her contract was going to run out in 2024 when he retires.
Vanna called the idea of retiring depressing in an interview before Pat’s major news.
“That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it,” she said last year to People.
“It’s incredible. I cannot believe it’s been 40 years. Honestly, I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said.
“Who still says they love their job after 40 years? Me!”
Ryan ended his run on Live with Kelly and Ryan after six seasons in April.
Kelly Ripa’s husband, frequent guest host Mark Consuelos, replaced him behind the table.
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‘Vanna has been such a staple on that show and our living rooms’Credit: NBC
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Vanna White has renewed her contract with the show through 2026
