With Ryan Seacrest set to make his debut as host of Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White had the chance to tell Pat Sajak exactly 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 pair were photographed together outside of work, following Sajak’s departure from the show earlier this year.
Seacrest’s debut is set to air Monday, but it was taped weeks ago so White, 67, could say clearly how well he thinks the 49-year-old is doing.
White, 67, looked stunning in a flowing 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 close friends.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White, the iconic duo behind the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune, enjoyed a casual lunch together.
This was the first time the pair were photographed together outside of work, following Sajak’s departure from the show earlier this year.
Sajak stopped hosting Wheel of Fortune after more than 40 years.
His departure marked the end of an era for the popular game show, which has been on the air since 1975. Ryan Seacrest took over as host.
Although Sajak is no longer on-screen, he has agreed to remain as a consultant on the show for three years.
Her daughter, Maggie, 29, has also maintained her position as the show’s social correspondent.
In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, White revealed that she was a little worried about whether she would have the same “chemistry” with Seacrest that she developed over the years with Sajak.
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 flowing pink dress and silver sandals, while Sajak, 77, wore a casual blue shirt, chinos and sneakers.
“I’ve known Ryan for probably 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 as well, so I think our chemistry is good,” White said.
When asked if she was “nervous” about the kind of relationship she would have with Seacrest, she agreed.
“That’s so true. I had no idea what to expect.
“When I got used to a person for so long, I was very scared, but he’s doing a great job,” she said.
Seacrest himself added: “This is such an incredible and special franchise that it’s more than just a TV show, it’s something that means something to people and when I found out this was an opportunity for me, I didn’t think about it, I thought, ‘Absolutely, we’re going to figure it out. ‘”
More than 11 million viewers tuned in to Sajak’s final episode in June, the show’s largest audience in four years.
Despite Sajak’s departure from Wheel of Fortune, the two remain close friends.
As Sajak’s final season unfolded, it was unclear whether White herself would return, amid a contract dispute.
She has earned $3 million per year hosting the show… although that has been her exact salary for the past 18 years, with no raise, according to TMZ.
Meanwhile, Sajak was earning more than $15 million a year, and the report claimed White wanted to be paid at least half of what Sajak was making.
She has finally reached an agreement with Sony Pictures Television and will reportedly get a “significant” raise with her new contract, which will last for the next two seasons.
There was talk that White’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, was considering filing a gender pay disparity lawsuit against Sony Pictures TV, though that has yet to be confirmed.
Last month, Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked its new puzzle board while revealing a first look at Ryan Seacrest as host following Pat Sajak’s retirement.
As Sajak’s final season unfolded, it was unclear whether White herself would return, amid a contract dispute.
Sajak’s departure marked the end of an era for the popular game show, which has been on the air since 1975. Ryan Seacrest took over as host.
In a first look at the 49-year-old media mogul alongside White ahead of season 42, eagle-eyed social media users noticed the set received a bit of a makeover.
The puzzle board, which displays answers to contestants during the CBS game show, appeared larger and had a new gold tile border.
Previously, the board had a blue-green display. It is currently unknown whether the changes are just cosmetic or serve some additional purpose.
Viewers were divided over the new puzzle board, with one X user calling the tweaks “interesting, to say the least.”
