WHAT VIEWERS DIDN’T SEE Ryan Seacrest Under FIRE Over Behavior Backstage While Pat Sajak’s RETURN STUNS Everyone And A SURPRISE Celebrity WINNER Is Revealed

PAT Sajak made an epic return to telly screens last night – much to the delight of fans.

The former Wheel Of Fortune host was back at the helm for a celebrity version of the much-loved game.

4

Sam Richardson, Regina Hall, and Randall Park went up against each other in order to win a cash prize for their chosen charities

4

Vanna White and Pat Sajak have been reunited for the celebrity specialsCredit: Getty

4

Ryan Seacrest took over from Pat Sajak last SeptemberCredit: Wheel of Fortune
Comedian Sam Richardson was up against actress Regina Hall, and actor Randall Park in a bid to win a cash prize for their chosen charities.

In the end, Randall won an eye-watering $88,000, leaving viewers stunned and overjoyed in equal measure.

But it wasn’t the game that left some viewers up in arms – instead it was how the hosting skills of Pat, 78, differ from new host Ryan Seacrest.

Some even called for Ryan to be replaced by Pat despite him having retired from the main show last year.

“Watched it. Miss Pat Sajak so much, bring him back,” said one viewer on the show’s Facebook page.

Another then said: “Pat Sajak knows how to keep the contestants in line.”

RYAN’S HOSTING HABIT

One fan then went on to quickly point out an annoying habit Ryan has that was highlighted with his absence from the show.

They explained how when Ryan hosts and a contestant fails to get the million dollar envelope, he reaches for it.

The X user explained how this makes it difficult as a viewer to know where it was on the wheel.

They fumed over how Ryan does this and Pat doesn’t.

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune fans wish Pat Sajak ‘never retired’ in triumphant comeback after Ryan Seacrest took over gig

“Once again @RyanSeacrest, when someone doesn’t get the million dollar envelope do what Pat does here instead of just reaching for the envelope making it difficult to know where it was on the wheel,” they penned.

The same X user said something similar last week when they wrote: “@RyanSeacrest, when someone doesn’t get the million dollar envelope please turn the wheel and say where it was like Pat does here instead of just reaching over and taking it where it makes it difficult for the audience to know where it was.”

Meanwhile, after another recent celebrity special of the hit game show, one fan said Pat was “much better” than Ryan.

“Nice to see Pat and be reminded of how much better he is at this than Seacrest,” one viewer penned on X recently.

Wheel of Fortune’s big changes

The game show has undergone a major transformation now that Ryan Seacrest has taken over hosting duties for Pat Sajak.

-Ryan and Vanna White now host on a brand-new set, featuring a blue-toned stage, a green screen and art-deco wheel design.

-Ryan and Vanna make their big entrance from behind new sliding, brightly lit doors.

-Vanna turns – or now, touches – a modern, digital puzzle board controlled by lasers.

-Ryan brings a new hosting style, and has ditched Pat’s signature cue cards.

-The prizes have also been upgraded, and now include tickets to NFL games, and tickets to A-list concerts.

PAT’S RETIREMENT

Back in June 2024, Pat said goodbye to the wheel when he retired from his hosting duties after nearly 40 years at the helm of the show.

Ryan took over from Pat in September.

When Ryan was announced as the new host he said that he was “truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak”.

“Pat Sajak is such a legend. He makes it look so easy and smooth and seamless. He’s remarkable,” Ryan previously gushed.

Although Pat left the show, he recorded the celebrity specials before his departure, which is why he is still on these episodes currently.

It is expected that Ryan will take over in the future.

RYAN SLAMMED AGAIN

During a normal episode of Wheel of Fortune this week, Ryan was once again slammed for his hosting skills.

Taking to Reddit, one viewer noted how a contestant spun the wheel without Ryan ever reminding them that they could have given up the WC for another guess.

“Instead he landed on bankrupt,” the fan said, adding: “I know it would be nice if contestants remembered on their own, but it’s kind of a rare event to have a WC and land on a sparkly wedge that I think the host should remind them.

“I think Ryan has only reminded one person this whole season.”

4

Vanna and Ryan host the regular Wheel of Fortune episodes togetherCredit: Getty