Published: January 7, 2025

The new WHEEL OF FORTUNE host wants to give away $1 million this year

By Movieguide® staff

Ryan Seacrest, host of WHEEL OF FORTUNE and longtime lover of the show, has a big goal for 2025.

The AMERICAN IDOL host wants to give away $1 million this year.

“I’m always humbled and grateful for what the show meant to me before I even started working there and what it means to so many people and generations across the country,” he said at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on June 6 . December.

“I love giving money away. I get so excited when people win the money, and a lot of money. I hope to give away a million dollars in 2025,” he shared.

Former WOF host Pat Sajak announced he would be leaving the show in June 2023. The following week, he said Seacrest would be his successor.

“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with WHEEL OF FORTUNE,” Seacrest shared on social media. “Your commitment, charm and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades.”

“Your partnership with Vanna was nothing short of iconic and together you created countless wonderful memories for viewers,” he continued. They have set the standard for hosts around the world and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!”

When it was time for Sajak to say goodbye, he first thanked the show’s viewers.

He said: “Before I go I would like to say a few thanks and thanks and firstly I would like to reach out to everyone who is paying attention out there. It was an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade. I’ve always felt that privilege comes with the responsibility of making this daily half hour a safe place for family fun.

“No social problems, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope, just a game,” Sajak continued. “But little by little it became more. A place where children learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families with friends and neighbors and entire generations came together.”

“What an honor to play even a small role in all of this,” Sajak concluded. “Thank you for letting me into your life.”

READ MORE: THIS SHOW JUST REACHED A 3-YEAR VIEWER HIGHLIGHT

Brand expert Eric Schiffer previously assured viewers that Seacrest would be an ideal replacement for Sajak.

“A lot of people ask, ‘Can he do it?’ Will he tank it? Is he going to turn off the audience?’” Schiffer said. “Ryan has a sixth sense for how to make adjustments, and the adjustment here is to tone down the energy until he builds the trust of the audience. Then I believe he can use some of the techniques he mastered at IDOL to increase engagement and grow the audience.”

“I think Ryan’s challenge will be to build enough trust in the early stages so that he can bring all his magic to grow the brand and audience without losing old fans and that will come with trust and that he is “Feels good,” Schiffer concluded. “The star remains the game itself.”

Last month, Seacrest made a rare joke about his personal life when one of the attendees shared that she had traveled to Disneyland for her 10th wedding anniversary.

“Is this the key to a successful marriage?” Seacrest asked her.

She replied with a smile and said, “I think so.”

“I’ll make a note of it if it ever happens,” Seacrest joked to the camera.

After hosting for four months now, Seacrest is good friends with his co-host Vanna White.

“She’s so super generous and sweet and kind,” Seacrest told PEOPLE.

“She even brought me – because I said I drink very strong black coffee and my teeth, you can see that sometimes – she gave me white streaks,” Seacrest noted. “She brought me white stripes. The next day she went to the store. She brought me white stripes.” This didn’t offend Seacrest, who saw it as a generous gesture.

READ MORE: WHEEL OF FORTUNE CELEBRATES HIGHEST RATING SINCE 2015