Debate Surrounds Ryan Seacrest’s Hosting Style on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Since Ryan Seacrest took over as the host of «Wheel of Fortune» in September 2024, viewers have engaged in spirited discussions about his performance. Seacrest succeeded Pat Sajak, who retired after 41 years with the popular game show. While some fans have lauded Seacrest’s humorous and engaging style, others have expressed concerns about certain hosting habits.

Social media platforms have seen numerous discussions regarding Seacrest’s tendency not to verbalize the prize amounts during the show’s bonus rounds. One viewer questioned if Seacrest was «unable to read» after observing that he merely shows the envelope’s contents, rather than stating the prize amount aloud. “He just flips the gold envelope open, looks down at it, and then at the contestant. So, you can see that the puzzle was worth $40,000, but he never says the dollar amount of the prize out loud,” a fan commented.

Critics of Seacrest’s style were met with support from other viewers who defended him, noting that he can read numbers effectively, having done so repeatedly during other segments of the show. Additionally, they pointed out that Sajak had a similar style and did not always read the prize amounts aloud. “Ryan can read numbers. He reads them all the time off the wheel and when he reads everyone’s final winnings before the bonus round,” commented one viewer in defense of Seacrest.

Amid these discussions, Seacrest has managed to inject humor and create memorable moments on the show, much to the delight of audiences. In a particular episode, when contestant Vivian Tran narrowly missed out on a $1 million prize, Seacrest candidly expressed his sentiment, «You were so close to that million dollars.»

Seacrest, known for his stint on «American Idol» and «Live with Kelly and Ryan,» continues to bring his unique charm to the show. His interactions with contestants have been highlighted as a source of entertainment, such as a playful exchange with contestants Kayley and Caitlyn about attending Jonas Brothers and Ed Sheeran concerts.

Another humorous instance occurred during an early November episode when contestant Phoebe Huynh failed to solve the puzzle «Candied Fruit» correctly. Seacrest quipped in response to Huynh’s incorrect guesses, «It’s not a ‘Sun Dried Bird’; it is ‘Candied Fruit.'» His light-hearted retort, «Do you eat sun-dried birds?» added levity to the segment.

Seacrest’s lighthearted approach has found favor with many fans, while others still need time to adjust to the change from Pat Sajak’s many years at the helm. This transition marks a new era for «Wheel of Fortune,» and Seacrest’s role will likely continue to evolve as he grows more accustomed to the iconic TV program.