- Fans have noticed that Ryan Seacrest does not read out the final prize card aloud on Wheel of Fortune, instead only showing it to the camera and contestant.
- Viewers on Reddit have suggested themed episodes for the upcoming Season 44 of Wheel of Fortune, including Vanna White Appreciation Week and Retro Week.
- Some fans have praised Ryan Seacrest for his hosting on Wheel of Fortune, while others miss Pat Sajak’s humor and express concerns about potential nepotism in Vanna White’s replacement.
Wheel of Fortune fans are pointing out one of Ryan Seacrest’s on-air habits
Seacrest was no stranger to hosting TV shows when he took over for longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak in 2024, having led series and specials such as American Idol, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Live With Kelly and Ryan, and more over the years. Now two years into his role on Wheel of Fortune, viewers have picked up on one of Seacrest’s most common hosting tendencies
In a Monday, August 10, Reddit thread titled “Read it, Ryan,” one user wrote, “I’m blind. He just shows the card at the end and I never know what it says.” The user’s statement referred to Seacrest’s habit of not saying what’s on the final prize card aloud, instead only flashing it to the camera and to the episode’s final contestant
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In response to the observation, another Reddit user wrote, “I thought someone here said the announcer is supposed to say it, not Ryan.” Another added, “Ever since he started hosting the show, whenever the bonus round is won or lost, he still doesn’t read out the bonus envelopes out loud. Maybe he doesn’t know numbers pretty much apparently.”
The Reddit discussion comes a few months before Wheel of Fortune is expected to return for Season 44 in September. In another recent Reddit thread, fans weighed in on what themed episodes they would like to see in the new season. This past season’s themes included NASCAR, military, back-to-school, Christmas, and a Coca-Cola week to celebrate America250, among others
In the Thursday, August 6, thread, one person suggested, “Vanna White Appreciation Week. Have a special $1957 wedge and let her write the puzzles.” Another said, “Hopefully they take the show (Along with Jeopardy) back on the road again.” Someone else shared, “Retro week, PLEASE.”
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Other requests included a “College Week” and a week celebrating Sajak. Offering a different opinion, a different person posted, “NONE. I despise couples week, Teachers week, Best Friends week, ALL of them. Just play the game.”
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Wheel of Fortune fans frequently share their thoughts on the show online. Back in June, one Reddit user declared Season 43 as the “best season ever.” They explained, “We had a million dollar winner, an interesting bonus round change up in October, a month similar to Jeopardy where people can come back and compete and a corvette giveaway. This season had so many exciting moments and new additions to make the game feel fun to watch and I think Ryan is doing an amazing job even tho I did like Pat better a little.”
In response to the post, one fan said, “The transition from Pat to Ryan was seamless. It’s like the show runners of Wheel looked at what happened to Jeopardy! after Alex [Trebek]‘s death, and said ‘hey, let’s not do that.'” Another stated, “Ryan exceeded all my expectations. He’s done an excellent job and has made the role his own while respecting the game. He has a great time with the contestants and seems to genuinely enjoy what he’s doing.”
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A separate user commented, “I don’t know about that. I miss Pat’s more dry sense of humor. I’m not loving all the strange categories.” Somebody else noted, “Hated the return winners week, ryan is still settling in to the job and lets be honest it’s time for Vanna to retire. We are in a transition phase not close to the greatest season. I just hope it’s not pats daughter [Maggie Sajak] that takes vanna’s spot- nepotism for that big of a job would be whack and she has no swag.”
Wheel of Fortune, Season 44 Premiere, September 2026, Weekdays, Check Local Listings
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