How Wheel of Fortune's Vanna White First Reacted to Ryan Seacrest Replacing Pat Sajak
If anyone has what it takes to replace Pat Sajak, it's Ryan Seacrest.
Just ask longtime Wheel of Fortune letter-turner Vanna White.
"He's doing an incredible job," White exclusively told E! News in a joint interview with her new co-worker. "It's not easy. He makes it look easy." (Watch E! News tonight, Sept. 4, at 11 p.m. to hear more scoop from White and Seacrest.)
And White had full confidence in the American Idol host from the second he signed on earlier this year.
"Pat decided to retire after 41 years and god bless him," she added. "He was happy and they said Ryan's gonna be the next one and I said, 'Great.' Because he's so talented, he's so professional, he's so good at what he does. I'm so thankful."
For Seacrest, who began filming the long running game show just a few weeks ago, it was a no-brainer when he was offered the hosting gig.
"If Wheel of Fortune is offered to you," he told E!, "you just don't say no. You'll have bad karma for the rest of your TV life."
Plus, getting to work with White sealed the deal, Seacrest gushed, "It's not Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White."
In fact, he reminisced with his co-host about the sweet moment he realized his dream to work with his longtime pal had come to fruition.
"I remember the message I sent to you with huge hopes that we'd get to do this together," Seacrest noted. "We've known each other for a long time. We've had a friendly relationship for two decades, which America may not know."
"This is not a job," he added. "This is such a part of American culture. I think this show has so much meaning to people who watch it on a regular basis."
Having idolized Sajak since he was young, Seacrest hopes to leave his own mark on the Wheel of Fortune legacy.
"I grew up watching Wheel of Fortune," the 49-year-old explained. "I loved playing the game. I remember meeting [creator] Merv Griffin. Him explaining how the game was created. It's a fun game. People can play along to and it's family fun and that's why I love it."
See Seacrest make his hosting debut when Wheel of Fortune returns Monday, Sept. 9. Check your local listings.
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.