American Idol, Wheel of Fortune, more
Seacrest out — or should we say, in? Again.
Ryan Seacrest, 48, was named the new host of “Wheel of Fortune” on Tuesday. He will succeed Pat Sajak, who recently announced he’s retiring next year.
This is not Seacrest’s first game show, nor, of course, his first TV hosting gig.
The Georgia native left the University of Georgia when he was just 19 years old to pursue a broadcasting career — which has been prolific.
Let’s look back on Seacrest’s life on air.
The early days, 1990s
In 1993, Seacrest started his career as the host of “Radical Outdoor Challenge” on ESPN, according to US Weekly.
The adventure-themed program featured kids competing against each other in challenges at Camp Thunder in Georgia.
A year later, the young Seacrest landed yet another hosting role, this time as the co-host of the kids’ show “Gladiators 2000,” a spinoff of “American Gladiators.”
Radio beginnings, mid-1990s
The star got a big break when he scored a slot as a DJ on Los Angeles radio station KYSR-FM in 1995, per US Weekly.
He left his post there briefly for a job in San Francisco, according to The Los Angeles Times, but returned in 1997 to co-host a popular afternoon radio show with Lisa Foxx.
“People have asked me, ‘Why do you still want to do radio if you have an opportunity to do [more] TV?’ ” Seacrest told the LA Times in 2002. “I respond, ‘Why would you ask that question?’ Radio has been my first love since I was a little boy. Radio certainly laid the foundation for my comfort on television. Radio has become an extension of me. I’ve always wanted to do both radio and TV.”
More gameshows, 1997
In 1997, Seacrest hosted the short-lived Y2K-friendly game show “Click,” which ran for two seasons.
Teenagers answered questions about the internet as they competed for a cash prize.
‘American Idol,’ 2002
Seacrest truly became a household name in 2002, when he was tasked with co-hosting the now-hit singing competition show “American Idol.”
For the show’s first season, he co-hosted with comedian Brian Dunkleman, as singers auditioned for a group of judges — at the time, it was music exec Simon Cowell, singer and choreographer Paula Abdul, and record producer Randy Jackson. Fans called a hotline to vote them in or out.
That first season, Kelly Clarkson was crowned the winner, but before Season 2 got underway, Dunkleman left the show in “protest” over how the contestants were treated.
Seacrest shined during the second season of “American Idol,” taking on hosting duties all by himself — a role that he still has today, as the show approaches its 22nd season.
He said last month that he was initially considered to be a judge on “American Idol.”
“I guess Simon [Cowell] was already on board, and I don’t know who else at that point,” he shared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” “And I was like, ‘Well, wait a minute. I would love to audition to be the host.’ And so I auditioned eventually to be the host. And I got the job. So I’m happy to still have the job.”
Seacrest’s big break in radio, 2004
In 2004, he launched his syndicated radio show “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” which is another gig he still has going today, as well as “American Top 40.”
In fact, Seacrest re-upped his deal with iHeartMedia in September 2021, signing a contract that will keep him on the air until 2025, Variety reported.
‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ special , 2005
In 2005, he expanded his hosting resume by joining legend Dick Clark on New Year’s Eve for his “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” special, ringing in the holiday with performances, jokes, and more.
The two continued to host together until Clark passed the baton to Seacrest in 2012, something that meant a lot to Seacrest, as he grew up watching the program on TV.
“I’m so grateful that I stepped into this role because it was a tradition for me growing up and my family,” he shared during a 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly. “We would order pizza and watch the show. I think the idea for us is just to create a big party for people who don’t want to go anywhere, who want to just relax, be in their homes, be with their families, order pizza, order buffalo wings, whatever it is.”
He continued, “We can bring the excitement, the energy and the new year to them. That’s what Dick told me all along. He goes, ‘We’re talking to people who are at home, but we bring the excitement to them through our show.’”
‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ and E!, 2006
In 2006, he signed a deal with E! to host and produce various programs on the channel, including the now infamous “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” The series premiered in 2007.
“I love them. I love that family,” Seacrest said about the Kardashians during a 2018 interview with Jimmy Fallon, per ABC. “They have tackled some unbelievable things on that show. … They are as close and tight as any family I have ever met. There’s always something going on.”
Throughout the years, he also produced Kylie Jenner’s spinoff show “Life of Kylie” and Rob Kardashian’s spinoff with Blac Chyna, “Rob & Chyna.”
When the mothership series moved to Hulu in 2022, Seacrest remained an executive producer.
‘Live With Kelly and Ryan,’ 2017
It’s a good thing Seacrest was so familiar with NYC from his New Year’s Eve broadcasts, because in 2017, he relocated to the Big Apple to become Kelly Ripa’s co-host on her daytime show, which was aptly re-named “Live With Kelly and Ryan.”
He and Ripa made a great pair until 2023, when he announced he would be stepping down. His last live show aired April 14.
“This has been without question the best six years of my life, and although we have been friends for decades, I feel like I’ve gained through this process a younger brother slash oldest son — that’s how I feel about you, it’s the weirdest thing,” Ripa said during his last episode, as she held back tears.
Seacrest said his main reason for leaving was a desire to relocate back to LA.
With his exit, Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, took over the role.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ replacement, 2023
Now, in the latest development, Seacrest will be stepping up to host “Wheel of Fortune” as Sajak retires after this coming season 41, which is set to premiere in September.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement.
“I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”
He praised Sajak and added that he is looking forward to working with longtime letter-turner Vanna White.
“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease,” the statement continued. “I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
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