Vanna White admitted she was worried about whether she would have the same “chemistry” with new Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest.
The 67-year-old has co-hosted the program since 1982 and operated the puzzle board, with Seacrest taking over from retired host Pat Sajak.
During a new profile of Seacrest on CBS Sunday MorningOn set, White was asked about working with Seacrest.
‘I’ve known Ryan for about 20 years, but over the past few months we’ve… “We’ve traveled together a few times for the show and we’ve gotten to know each other a little bit better, so I think our chemistry is good,” White said.
When asked if she was “nervous” about the chemistry she would have with Seacrest, she replied in the affirmative.
Vanna White revealed she was a little worried about whether she would have the same ‘chemistry’ with new Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest
During a new profile of Seacrest on CBS Sunday Morning, White was asked on set about working with Seacrest
“That’s right, that’s so true, I had no idea what to expect. I was really scared being used to one person for so long, but he’s doing great,” she said.
Seacrest himself added, “This is such an incredible, special franchise. It’s more than a TV show. It’s something that really means something to people. When I found out this was an opportunity for me, I didn’t have to think about it. I thought, ‘Let’s just figure it out.'”
More than 11 million viewers watched Pat Sajak’s final episode in June, the highest number of viewers in four years.
While Sajak’s final season was underway, it was unclear whether White himself would return due to a contract dispute.
She’s made $3 million a year hosting the show… though that’s been the exact same salary for the past 18 years, with no raises, according to TMZ.
Meanwhile, Sajak was earning more than $15 million a year. According to the report, White wanted at least half of the salary Sajak was earning.
She eventually reached a deal with Sony Pictures Television and reportedly received a “significant” pay raise in her new contract, which would last the next two seasons.
There were rumors that White’s attorney Bryan Freedman was considering filing a lawsuit against Sony Pictures TV over gender pay disparity, but that has not yet been confirmed.
“That’s right, that’s so true, I had no idea what to expect. I was really scared being used to one person for so long, but he’s doing great,” she said.
Seacrest himself added, “This is such an incredibly special franchise, it’s more than a TV show, it’s something that means something to people and when I found out this was an opportunity for me, I didn’t have to think about it. It was like, let’s just figure it out.”
Last month, Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked their new puzzle board while giving a first look at Ryan Seacrest as host following Pat Sajak’s retirement
Last month, Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked their new puzzle board, while giving a first look at Ryan Seacrest as host following Pat Sajak’s retirement.
When they first spotted the media mogul 49 alongside Vanna White ahead of season 42 airing next month, observant social media users noticed the set had been given a little makeover.
The puzzle board, which featured contestants’ answers on the CBS game show, looked larger and had a new gold-tiled border.
Previously, the board had a blue-green screen. At this time, it is unknown if the changes are merely aesthetic or if they serve other purposes.
Visitors were divided over the new puzzle board. One X user called the changes “interesting to say the least.”