Expert: “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest will be successful as long as he remembers the “real star” of the show

Ryan Seacrest knows he has big shoes to fill when he steps onto the stage as the new host of one of America's most popular game shows.

Seacrest, who takes the helm of “Wheel of Fortune” starting Monday night in the premiere of season 42, learned how to captivate an audience after decades of successful on-air experience as a radio disc jockey in Southern California.

He became a well-known figure after landing the hosting job on “American Idol” in 2002 and went on to serve as co-host with Kelly Ripa on “Live With Kelly and Ryan” for several seasons before retiring from morning talk shows to pursue his dream of prime time after Pat Sajak announced his retirement in 2023.

Sajak hosted the wheel-spinning show for 40 years – making him the longest-serving game show host – and his exit from the production sparked speculation about who might carry on that legacy. Brand expert Eric Schiffer told Fox News Digital exclusively that “Wheel” viewers are in good hands with Seacrest and his media mastermind.

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“A lot of people wonder, 'Can he do it? Will he screw it up? Will he alienate the audience?'” Schiffer said. “Ryan has a sixth sense about how to make adjustments, and the adjustment here is to tone down the energy until he gains the audience's trust. Then I think he can use some of the techniques he learned on 'Idol' to increase engagement and grow the audience.”

“Compared to 'American Idol,' where there's a lot more interaction, it's a largely passive show. They have to focus on a younger audience.”

Ups and downs are inevitable, and over time Seacrest will find his own rhythm as he hosts the long-running game show alongside co-host Vanna White.

“Ryan has a sixth sense for making adjustments, and the adjustment here is to tone down the energy until he has gained the audience's trust.”

— Eric Schiffer

“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 the audience without losing the core fans. That will come with trust and his comfort level,” Schiffer said. “The star remains the game itself.”

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He added: “As long as the game and the players are the focus, it should continue to go well. I think Ryan can then continue to develop it.”

Seacrest joins longtime “Wheel” co-host Vanna White, who recently extended her contract through the 2025-26 season. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures / Sony Pictures Television)

Ryan Seacrest hosted an afternoon radio show before replacing Rick Dees as morning host at KIIS FM in Los Angeles in 2004. (Jeff Kravitz)

Although Seacrest has worked in front of varying crowd sizes and studio audiences over the years, including hosting “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve,” reporting from the red carpets of the Emmy and Oscar Awards and appearing at the Olympics several times, Schiffer believes the respected entertainer could alienate audiences if he brings “too much energy too early” to the nightly game show.

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He noted that Seacrest's downfall may be “trying to inject too much emotion or story or bring too much energy and momentum into the hosting in an environment where people are used to a low-key, comfortable and predictable Pat Sajack who doesn't try to distract attention from the real star, which is the board.”

Still, Schiffer pressed: “He knows how to do it. It takes some tact and you have to pay attention to the numbers, but it's doable. I think he can do it and meet the audience's expectations. It's much more accessible and relaxed, but he knows how to do it. He's an authentic guy.”

Former American Idol judge Randy Jackson introduced Ryan Seacrest to Kim Kardashian in 2006, marking the beginning of the reality TV series for the famous family. (Image: 2013) (Charley Gallay)

Seacrest, founder and executive producer of the hugely popular “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” recently said he wanted to host the show for 40 years, just like Sajak, to which Schiffer joked that Ryan could do that if he changed his lifestyle to a “plant-based diet.”

“He knows how to do it. It takes a bit of finesse and you have to pay attention to the numbers, but it's doable. I think he can do it and meet the audience's expectations.”

— Eric Schiffer

He added: “It's an ambitious goal for a man who has already found ways to embed his brand into those iconic slots that belonged to Dick Clark and now Pat Sajack. It's a brilliant move in his career to get to where he is now and then continue to progress and grow his empire.”

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“He has really built an ever-growing empire through smart moves and understanding his brand and finding ways to expand it. I believe this will be another jewel in the crown.”

Seacrest continues to host “American Idol,” now with judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Carrie Underwood was recently announced as the new judge, replacing Katy Perry. (Eric McCandless)

“I can't imagine how he could fail unless he can't get out of his own way, but he's not someone whose ego is out of control and who would crash and burn because he wants his personality to dominate over what was the recipe for success – this low-key, comfortable, predictable show dominated by no one other than the players in the game.”

“He has really built an ever-growing empire through smart moves and understanding his brand and finding ways to expand it. I believe this will be another jewel in the crown.”

— Eric Schiffer

Sajak's final episode aired on June 7, nearly a year after he announced he was leaving the game show on June 12, 2023. The legendary host will return to “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” on October 7 for his final farewell.

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