'Wheel Of Fortune' Fans Are Split On Ryan Seacrest's Pronunciation Pivot
The honeymoon appears to be over for Ryan Seacrest as his ‘Wheel of Fortune’ hosting gig has hit a rough patch, which has resulted in ‘Wheel’ fans arguing with each other.
On one side, you have Pat Sajak loyalists who believe Seacrest is ruining the gameshow over pivots away from the Sajak era, which includes accepting mispronunciations of words.
On the other side, there are Seacrest fans who believe it's time to loosen Sajak's grip on the show that ran from 1981-2024. Acceptance of mispronounced words seems to be just fine to the Seacrest supporters
Which side do you fall on? Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com
- Mike M. in Biloxi, Mississippi emails:
It's already past time to get rid of "Whine C-Quest" and get Maggie Sajak in as Host of Wheel of Fortune.
Whine C-Quest is such a Drama Queen 👸 🙄
I've started watching the local news instead of Wheel now that Whine C-Quest is there.
Ryan Seacrest made his Wheel of Fortune debut on September 9. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures / Sony Pictures Television)
- Lynn O. seems to be mad over this headline: "Wheel Of Fortune' Fans Notice A Disturbing Trend With 'Moron' Ryan Seacrest"
Try looking up the meaning of a word before you start labeling people. Nothing is more irritating than a stupid headline.
Kinsey:
I didn't label Seacrest a moron. That's what ‘Wheel’ watchers are calling him.
- PCA in StP, Minnesota writes:
- Ryan Seacrest isn't Pat Sajak (who was an annoying neurotic control freak-especially in the final 10 years of his run)
- Seacrest (rightfully) is judging knowledge and intent when interpreting the contestants answer and pronunciations.
Ryan Seacrest is one of the hardest working and most respected and versatile show hosts in the entertainment industry over the past 25 years. He is a far better entertainer and host who conducts these games in the manner for which Wheel of Fortune was intended- which is more light-hearted and fun-spirited rather than a more rigid test of wits with stricter delineations such as Jeopardy.
- Michelle weighs in:
Pronunciation is important. I believe it should matter. Seacrest needs to notice misspronunciation.
- Sharon K. doesn't want the ‘Wheel’ to turn into a free for all:
To say Seacrest is no Sajak is such an insult to Sajak! Seacrest has tried to "pretty boy" himself into the role. He is that nice looking and certainly is no boy. As a mature adult he needs to use the judgment of a mature adult. The rules say correct pronunciation and that's what it should be. If you allow "sounds like" to be "good enough" then it's a free for all.
I rarely watch since Seacrest has taken over. It just isn't worth that much of my time. Poor Vanna.
CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - "Kel Mitchell, Kim Fields and Penn Jillette" - Celebrity contestants go head-to-head for charity with Kel Mitchell (Boys & Girls Club of America), Kim Fields (Back On My Feet) and Penn Jillette (The University of Rochester). Pat Sajak and Vanna White host. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)VANNA WHITE, PAT SAJAK
Do ‘Wheel of Fortune’ fans have a problem with contestants mispronouncing names of cities like Lubbock, Texas?
- Dorton seems to be pro-Seacrest:
People need to get over themselves. I am sure there are many towns they would mispronounce. Seacrest is now the host so get over it or watch something else already.
How are the ratings for ‘Wheel of Fortune’ with Ryan Seacrest?
The first month of Seacrest's ‘Wheel’ run couldn't have gone better for the show. Ratings were up 12% annually and the 25-54 demo was up 3%. The show even jumped Jeopardy! as the most-watched entertainment show.
9.6 million viewers watched Seacrest's debut.
"The numbers for this show are immense and the popularity is still great. We still have a brand that people really relate to. If we can get it in front of people who maybe don’t have linear TV and continue to grow that viewership, there’s a lot of exciting change that’s happening," Executive Producer Bellamie Blackstone told Deadline in October.