Ryan Seacrest Addresses 'Pressure' He's Facing as Pat Sajak's Successor
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Months ago, it was announced that Ryan Seacrest would be taking over as host of Wheel of Fortune following longtime host Pat Sajak's departure. And now, we finally know how the TV personality feels about his new gig.
To put it simply, the 48-year-old couldn't be more excited, though he acknowledges he has quite a pair of shoes to fill.
While speaking with ET Online, Seacrest admitted that, while "there's no one better than Pat Sajak," he's looking forward to being passed the torch by the living legend.
"He is so smooth and seamless. He's beloved by the country. So I feel a lot of pressure," he shared. "[But] I'm really excited. I can't wait to just give away a bunch of money to people every night."
"He is a legend. I've looked up to him forever. He's so good at that job, which, you know, is a little bit of pressure here. But he just said, 'You're going to have a great time. It's so much fun. What's better than giving away money and doing that every single night?’" Seacrest also told the outlet, "I can't wait to meet the contestants and do it."
Seacrest, who previously co-hosted Live! with Kelly Ripa, emceed American Idol and has served as the long-running voice of the hit radio program American Top 40, among others, went on to say that another part of the job he's looking forward to is sharing the stage with "the legendary Vanna White."
"I'm so excited! She's beloved, by this nation, she is just such an important part of the show. She has been for so many years," Seacrest said of working with his soon-to-be co-host. "I'm honored to be on stage with her soon," he said, echoing comments he made in June, when the news was first announced.
Ahead of his takeover, which is officially happening in season 42, the future colleagues have already gotten to know each other, with Seacrest saying she's sent him "just the most pleasant texts."
"She's super, sweet and super nice and it's just going to be surreal for me to be on that set," he confessed.
That said, they haven't even begun talking about next year's programming. "[Sajak's] enjoying his last season," Seacrest said. "I start next year. I think it's a big celebratory season for him and the show."
And while Sajak won't be seen on-screen past season 41, he'll still be involved with the series for at least three more years, serving as a consultant per the outlet–or as Seacrest joked, "he'll be bossing me around."
Wheel of Fortune airs weekdays on ABC.
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