Following Pat Sajak’s retirement from Wheel of Fortune, his daughter Maggie has revealed part of the show’s new set will honor her father. The design is especially meant for fans who were introduced to the show during her father’s early years on the show. That said, there are also plans to bring the series into new directions.
The New Puzzle Board Has A Familiar Golden Border
During a clip on Inside Edition, Maggie Sajak revealed the show’s new puzzle board. Despite the new look, some details are meant to honor the show’s past.
Notably, the board uses a golden border, which pays homage to the 1980s board. As Maggie explained, “It’s kind of an homage to the set of the 80s which is where people got introduced to the show. So I think there’s something really nostalgic but a lot of really modern, fresh elements.”
Maggie herself has also worn many hats for Wheel of Fortune over the years. She has occasionally filled in for Vanna White. This first time was in 2020, when White filled in for Pat who was undergoing surgery. Maggie also filled in for White when she was a contestant for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. She has also worked on the show as a social media correspondent. Notably, many fans had suspected Maggie would be a potential new host for the series following her father’s departure.
Pat Sajak, who has hosted the series for 8,000 episodes, retired from the series in 2024, with his late episode taping in April and airing the following June. Media personality Ryan Seacrest will take on Pat’s role in the series. Sajak first hosted the series in 1981, having succeeded the role from the original host, Chuck Woolery.
Ryan Seacrest Is Set To Host The Series Into The 2030s
According to Daily Express US, the show’s production team is hoping Seacrest can help to modernize the series. In particular, it is hoped his involvement can help move the series into streaming in upcoming years.
According to The New York Times, Seacrest is already under contract to host the series well into the early 2030s.
Sony chairman Tony Vinciquerra was also quoted as saying, “We want to have the continuity of the host, someone who is well known, and who will travel with the show through that transition, I can’t think of a better person to do that with than Ryan.”
It was noted that Sony’s chairman hopes that Seacrest will “help the show transition to the streaming world.”
On Instagram, Seacrest also paid homage to his predecessor, writing that he “set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era.”
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