Ryan Seacrest knows he has one job to do when he takes over hosting duties Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak’s retirement: Don’t mess with the formula. “With this game series, it’s such a success and has been for generations,” Seacrest, 48, told PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on Friday. “Don’t mess with it, just don’t mess with it. Just get out of the way, say ‘Good evening’ and let’s play.”
“I think so much adrenaline is running through my body. Excitement is the word because it’s such a phenomenal show,” he added. “I was a fan. I grew up watching the show. and I can’t wait to take over from the legendary Pat Sajak.”
Sajak, 76, will continue to host the show for one more season before Seacrest takes the reins. The gig comes after the departure of the radio host Living with Kelly and Ryan in April, the show he hosted for almost six years.
“It was a good time to go, and then luckily, a few weeks later, this other big opportunity came along,” he said, referring to Wheel of Fortune. “I’m a kid in a candy store.”
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Ryan Seacrest.
David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Pat Sajak is ‘looking forward’ to ‘Hand over the car keys’ to ‘Car of Fortune’ Ryan Seacrest
Wheel of FortuneThe current 41st season, which began earlier this month, will be Sajak’s last. In June, he announced that he would retire after the show’s 41st season and shared further xformerly known as Twitter, that it has had a “wonderful run”.
The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest as Sajak’s replacement.
Earlier this week, Seacrest said he was “very excited” to have Vanna White join him when he takes over Wheel of Fortune.
“This is such great news,” Seacrest said while taping an appearance for Sunday Today with Willie Geista short preview of which was broadcast onToday Wednesday. “Vanna was the main character in that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I was really excited to work with her, but now that it’s official, I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can not wait.’ “
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Vanna White, Pat Sajak.
Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images
Ryan Seacrest reacts to Vanna White’s contract for ‘Wheel of Fortune’: ‘I’m very happy to be able to work with her’
White is on Wheel of Fortune for more than 40 years, joining the show in 1982. A source familiar with White’s negotiations previously told PEOPLE that she is seeking a raise and equal pay with Sajak after making approximately $3 million a year for the past 18 years without any raises.
Continuing to speak with PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Seacrest spoke candidly about his relationship with White, 66.
“We’ve been corresponding recently and she’s the nicest person,” he said American Idol said the host. “We’ve known each other for a long time and I think we’re both excited about all of this.”
He added: “And also, just watching Pat and Vanna celebrate their last year together after 40-plus years of running that show together, that’s history in the making.”
Wheel of Fortune airs weekly in syndication (check local listings).
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Source: HIS Education