Ryan Seacrest is finishing up his first week hosting the beloved game show Wheel of Fortune tonight.
Unfortunately for him, however, many fans are missing Pat Sajak, who left the show at the end of last season after hosting it for 43 years. Sources are saying that Seacrest is eager to take the show in a “new direction” now that Sajak is gone, but so far, it looks like some fans don’t like the “new” Wheel of Fortune.
Seacrest Explains Sajak Snub
Seacrest, 49, got off to a bad start with fans when he failed to mention Sajak once during his first episode hosting Wheel of Fortune on Monday. This enraged fans, who felt that Seacrest was intentionally snubbing Sajak.
A source close to Seacrest has since spoken out to reveal why he never mentioned Sajak by name.
“Ryan is not used to taking over as a host for anything,” the insider told Daily Mail. “He is used to starting ventures so for him to do this is new.”
“He has spent months and months honoring Pat,” the source continued. “But Pat is gone, and Ryan is taking the show and the audience in a new direction. Pat didn’t wish him luck publicly.”
After walking out with Vanna White on Monday night, Seacrest only said that he had “very big shoes to fill.” However, he noticeably did not mention Sajak by name.
“Welcome to Wheel of Fortune,” Seacrest said at the start of the show. “I am your host, Ryan Seacrest.”
“I still can’t believe my luck being here with you tonight to continue this legacy of this incredible show with all of you,” he added. “And, of course my good friend, Vanna White.”
Check out Seacrest’s controversial introduction below.
‘New Direction’ For Wheel Of Fortune
The source went on to say that while Seacrest had considered giving Sajak a shoutout at the end of the first episode, he ultimately decided against it.
‘”Ryan was contemplating jokingly saying ‘Sajak out’ on the episode, but he decided against it. This is now his show with his viewers,” the source explained. “Pat knows he is grateful for this opportunity. But even so, Pat was not the one who hired Ryan.”
“Wheel of Fortune is spinning in a new direction and there was simply no need,” the insider concluded.
Related: Pat Sajak Went Out With A Bang As Ratings For His Final ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Episode Are Revealed
Fans Blast Seacrest
Unfortunately for Seacrest, things didn’t get much better for him after this rough start. Social media users are making it known that they don’t like the “new direction” that Seacrest is taking this beloved game show in.
“Does anyone besides me feel like the entire new WoF is just over the top?” one social media user commented. “From the set, to the contestants outfits, and even the contestants behavior. Especially the male contestant tonight. To me, it’s almost like they are actors. It feels unnaturally ‘extra.'”
Another former fan was quick to agree that Wheel of Fortune simply isn’t the same under Seacrest.
“Yes for sure,” this user wrote. “I was afraid this would happen after Pat retired. Wheel of Fortune is following the trend of overproduction and fake emotion.”
A third user commented that with Seacrest hosting Wheel of Fortune, “It seems like a fake game show. It’s like an episode of Black Mirror. I’m not going to continue watching of it keeps like this.”
There’s an old saying that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That appears to be the case here.
Millions of fans feel that Sajak hosted Wheel of Fortune perfectly during his 43 years on the show. While it’s understandable that Seacrest would be eager to put his own stamp on the game show, a “new direction” simply was not needed here.
Only time will tell if Seacrest is able to win fans of Wheel of Fortune back over. As he begins his second week of episodes, however, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to throw in a shoutout for Sajak!
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