Wheel of Fortune viewers beg Maggie Sajak to take over hosting gig for dad Pat instead of ‘bland’ Ryan Seacrest

WHEEL of Fortune fans have called for Pat Sajak’s daughter, Maggie, to take over for him following his retirement.

Longtime viewers have been openly skeptical about Ryan Seacrest’s ability to fill the prolific game show host’s shoes.

Wheel of Fortune fans aren't ready to say goodbye to Pat Sajak
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Wheel of Fortune fans aren’t ready to say goodbye to Pat SajakCredit: Wheel Of Fortune

Some have been drafting up ideas for his replacement, despite it being set in stone
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Some have been drafting up ideas for his replacement, despite it being set in stoneCredit: Wheel Of Fortune
With Pat’s final episode looming and his replacement selected, Wheel of Fortune fans are still trying to come up with alternative outcomes.

The most popular suggestion being Maggie, 29, taking over for her 77-year-old father instead of Ryan, 49.

On Thursday, before the tenured host’s final episode aired, Wheel of Fortune shared a video of Pat and his daughter chatting about his time on Wheel of Fortune and his plans for retirement.

“BRB, fighting back tears. Today concluded the final Part 4 of our exclusive miniseries, Thanks For The Memories. Maggie joins her dad to talk about his upcoming plans after the show,” the Instagram caption read.

In the comments, several fans suggested an alternative to Ryan as host.

“Your daughter should take over the show why does it have to be a male!” one fan wrote.

Game show fans made similar comments after Pat posted a clip of him and Maggie talking about Ryan on Instagram earlier this week.

“Maggie should be the host!! Idk who thought Seacrest was a good fit,” one fan complained.

“You are so loved. I think Maggie and Vanna should run the show. That would be awesome,” someone else suggested.

“Definitely do not feel they chose the right host if they wanted to keep the show on the air. Very disappointing,” a third commenter lamented.

Many aren't keen to see Ryan Seacrest take over Wheel of Fortune, favoring Maggie Sajak instead
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Many aren’t keen to see Ryan Seacrest take over Wheel of Fortune, favoring Maggie Sajak insteadCredit: ABC 7

NON-COMMITAL?

The comments came after Wheel of Fortune fans expressed worry about Ryan’s ability to commit to the show.

In a Reddit thread, other viewers expressed their dissatisfaction with his casting, calling him “generic.”

“Yes, I’m not a fan. Born in the 90s it was [Alex] Trebek, Pat, and Bob Barker my entire childhood. And I feel like Ken [Jennings] and Drew [Carey] are in it for the long haul. I wouldn’t be surprised if Seacrest is out in like 5 years. I want some commitment damn it!” they said.

“Of course Seacrest will be out, that’s his catchphrase. Seacrest! Out!!!” a second viewer mocked.

HIGH STAKES

Whether fans like it or not, Ryan will take the stage as Wheel of Fortune host in the Fall.

His appearance comes with high stakes, not just for him but for his co-star Vanna White.

It’s been reported that the pair have already started taping their first episodes together and are set to continue to do so into the summer.

Ryan and Vanna’s Season 42 premier date is yet to be announced, but fans will get to see them take the stage after the show’s annual summer break.

Ryan and Vanna will work together on Wheel of Fortune for at least two years.

When Pat announced he was retiring, Vanna fought hard for a two-year contract extension.

Whether or not she stays on the show depends on whether she and Ryan hit it off.

“Pat put zero pressure on Vanna to end her run on the show simultaneously to his own retirement,” the source said.

“Pat just wants Vanna to be happy and fulfilled, and right now was simply not the time for Vanna to quit.”

The insider added that Vanna will only want to stay on if she and Ryan hit it off.

“If she and Ryan have a good time together and things work out, I am sure Vanna will re-up to stay on the show even longer,” the source shared.

The insider said that the same can be said on the production side of things.

“But a lot hinges on how well things work out between Ryan and Vanna over the next few months.

“And, of course, what happens with the ratings when their first episodes start airing in the fall.”

Ryan will appear on the show in the fall
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Ryan will appear on the show in the fallCredit: Getty

He will star alongside Vanna White
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He will star alongside Vanna WhiteCredit: ABC 7

The pair are set to appear for two years with their chemistry deciding how much farther they'll go
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The pair are set to appear for two years with their chemistry deciding how much farther they’ll goCredit: Instagram/ officialvannawhite