With just days to go before Ryan Seacrest makes his debut as host of Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White got the chance to tell Pat Sajak what she thinks of his replacement.
Sajak and White, the faces of the popular game show for four decades, enjoyed a casual lunch together in Los Angeles
The outing to California Pizza Kitchen in Encino marked the first time the couple has been photographed together outside of work since Sajak retired earlier this year.
Seacrest’s debut airs Monday, but it was recorded weeks ago, so White (67) can already reveal how well she thinks the 49-year-old is doing.
White, 67, looked stunning in a pink dress and silver sandals, while Sajak, 77, wore a casual blue shirt, chinos and sneakers.
Despite Sajak’s departure from Wheel of Fortune, the two remain good friends.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White, the iconic duo behind the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune, enjoyed a casual lunch together.
It was the first time the couple had been photographed together outside of work since Sajak quit the show earlier this year.
Sajak stopped presenting Wheel of Fortune after more than 40 years.
His departure marked the end of an era for the popular game show, which had been on television since 1975. Ryan Seacrest has taken over as host.
Although Sajak is no longer seen, he has agreed to continue working on the series as an advisor for three more years.
His daughter Maggie, 29, still serves as the show’s social reporter.
In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, White expressed concern about whether she would have the same “chemistry” with Seacrest that she had developed with Sajak over the years.
The couple, who worked together for more than four decades, were spotted dining at California Pizza Kitchen in Encino, California
White, 67, looked stunning in a pink dress and silver sandals, while Sajak, 77, wore a casual blue shirt, chinos and sneakers.
“I’ve known Ryan for about 20 years, but over the last few months we’ve been traveling together for the show and getting to know each other a little bit better. I think our chemistry is good,” White said.
When asked if she was “nervous” about what kind of relationship she would have with Seacrest, she replied in the affirmative.
‘That’s so true, I had no idea what to expect.
“I was very scared being used to one person for so long, but he’s doing great,” she said.
Seacrest himself added, “This is such an incredible, special franchise. It’s more than a TV show. It’s something that really means something to people. When I found out this was an opportunity for me, I didn’t have to think about it. I thought, ‘Let’s just figure it out.’”
More than 11 million viewers watched the final episode of Sajak in June, the highest number of viewers in four years.
Despite Sajak’s departure from Wheel of Fortune, the two have remained good friends
While Sajak’s final season was underway, it was unclear whether White himself would return due to a contract dispute.
She makes $3 million a year as the show’s host… though according to TMZ, that salary has been the same for 18 years, with no raises.
Meanwhile, Sajak was earning more than $15 million a year. According to the report, White wanted at least half of the salary Sajak was earning.
She eventually signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television and reportedly received a “significant” pay raise in her new contract, which would last the next two seasons.
There were rumors that White’s attorney Bryan Freedman was considering filing a lawsuit against Sony Pictures TV over gender pay disparity, but that has not yet been confirmed.
Last month, Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked their new puzzle board, while giving a first look at Ryan Seacrest as host following Pat Sajak’s retirement.
While Sajak’s final season was underway, it was unclear whether White himself would return at all, amid a contract dispute
Sajak’s departure marked the end of an era for the popular game show, which had been on television since 1975. Ryan Seacrest has taken over as host
When they first saw the media mogul 49 with White ahead of season 42, observant social media users noticed the set had gotten a little makeover.
The puzzle board, which featured contestants’ answers on the CBS game show, looked larger and had a new gold-tiled border.
Previously, the board had a blue-green screen. At this time, it is unknown whether the changes are merely aesthetic or if they serve other purposes.
Visitors were divided over the new puzzle board. One X user called the changes “interesting to say the least.”