NEED TO KNOW
- Vanna White is sharing why she believes comparing Pat Sajak to Ryan Seacrest is like “comparing apples to oranges”
- The Wheel of Fortune host told Entertainment Weekly that “everybody has their own style” of hosting the show
- “I, of course, have enjoyed working with both of them,” she said
Vanna White is explaining why she isn’t in the business of comparing her Wheel of Fortune co-hosts.
The game-show host, 69, shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that comparing Pat Sajak with Ryan Seacrest — who took over hosting duties for Sajak following his retirement in 2024 — is like “comparing apples to oranges.”
“They’re both great. Everybody has their own style, and people watching the show can see their personality,” White said.
“You’ve watched Pat for years and you see how he is, and you watch Ryan and you see how he is. They’re both incredible to work with and easy to work with,” she added. “And I, of course, have enjoyed working with both of them.”
One thing Sajak, 79, and Seacrest, 51, do have in common, however, is they’ve both received handmade crochet gifts from White. “I make blankets and give them away to all my friends,” she told EW. “I made Ryan one, I made Pat one, and I made them for all my friends that have had babies.”
Sajak led Wheel of Fortune for over four decades, succeeding host Chuck Woolery in 1981 and eventually announcing his retirement in June 2023. His final episode aired on June 7, 2024. As for White, she joined in 1982.
During his final episode on June 7, 2024, Sajak offered a heartfelt speech about how “time has come to say goodbye.”
“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,” he said. “And I’ve always felt that the privilege came with a responsibility to keep this daily half hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game.”
Before he began taking over for Sajak’s role, Seacrest told PEOPLE in April 2024 that “no one can ever do what Pat has done.”
“He has made that show just something so very special for so long, and he has done such a seamless, remarkable job, so no one can be him,” he said. “So do I feel pressure? Sure. People love watching him. I want them to keep love watching it, and I hope to do a great job as well.”
Seacrest added that he’d been “watching the show all my life,” and that he was aware Wheel “means so much to a lot of people.”
“It’s a part of their lives, they like to get together at the end of the day and try and solve the puzzles,” Seacrest said. “And for me, it’s a chance to give away cash and prizes and work with the legendary Vanna White.”
Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights and is available to stream on Peacock and Hulu.