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RYAN Seacrest is getting luxury treatment as the new Wheel of Fortune host, including a VIP parking spot for his $400k Aston Martin just steps from the stage, The U.S. Sun can reveal.
The television icon has only taken over Pat Sajak’s coveted role for two months but already appears to be feeling right at home with his new work family.
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Ryan, 49, lives the life of luxury when taping Wheel of Fortune episodes at the Sony Studios lot in Los Angeles, CA – which only films 36 days out of the year as multiple games are recorded daily.
A few steps outside the Stage 11 doors where WoF films, there are just four parking spots for those at the top of the call sheet.
All other crew members must park in the garage on the other side of the 45-acre lot – and either make the far walk or use bicycles to get around the expansive area.
Lucky for the American Idol host, he is able to park his custom matte black Aston Martin, which would retail for close to $400k with all the bells and whistles, just outside the door, a source told The U.S. Sun.
Though Ryan gets the best spot in the house, game show icon Vanna White, 67, is only a few steps farther – getting to park her red Porsche SUV beside her new co-star.
In addition to Ryan and Vanna’s well-earned VIP spot, the hosts also get to arrive later to set than other crew members.
Throughout the show, Ryan and Vanna are the only two who get to sneak away backstage for a break while the remainder of the staffers continue their roles.
Vanna also frequently steps behind the letter board and revealed that she does so in order to know what the next puzzle is going to be.
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In between games, as the crew films anywhere from three to six episodes a day, Ryan and Vanna head backstage to get an entire new wardrobe so it appears to the at-home viewer that the game was filmed on a different day.
Vanna, who has become famous for her stunning array of evening gowns, does not get to keep her dresses as they often go back to the designer after she is done filming.
In between takes, a makeup-artist will frequently come out to powder Ryan’s nose or fix Vanna’s lipstick – as well as to make sure each strand of hair is in perfect place.
A fresh water bottle with a straw, presumably to not ruin the make-up, is also brought out to the on-camera talent during each break.
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Ryan was a natural at his new role, getting a huge roar of applause from the moment he stepped on stage and keeping the audience’s attention captivated every minute that followed.
He got along well with the crew members and even earned high praise from the show’s famed announcer, Jim Thornton.
“It’d take a special kind of person to step in for Pat but no one is better than Ryan,” Jim gushed.
Ryan moved back to Los Angeles from New York City earlier this year after announcing he was leaving his Live With Kelly and Ryan gig to host WoF’s season 42.
Last month, a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun that Ryan was willing to put in the work to earn a place “out of” Pat’s shadow.
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.
“You have to feel for Ryan Seacrest because he’s willing to work in Pat’s shadow for longer than he expected he would have to when he signed up to take over Wheel.
“If Ryan negotiates a longer-term contract this year, which is expected since he’s only under a two-year deal at the moment, he’s going to have to stake a very strong claim on the primetime specials and celebrity editions.
“And why shouldn’t he? Ryan has endless experience as a primetime host, his Wheel ratings so far are amazing, and he is more experienced than Pat when it comes to bantering with celebrities on camera.
“Ryan is respectful of Pat and his legacy, but everybody involved with the show expects him to take a lot more ownership of the franchise once Pat has truly left the building once and for all,” the insider said.
Though Ryan has had a rocky start and trouble adjusting to his role as host during the first few episodes to his debut season, ratings don’t reflect his struggles.
The U.S. Sun previously reported 8,310,000 viewers watched Wheel of Fortune for the premiere week of September 9 to September 15.
As for rival game show Jeopardy!, which is hosted by Ken Jennings, 7,113,000 viewers tuned in for the episodes.
Wheel of Fortune taking over the top spot is a shock, as Jeopardy! brought in more viewers overall last season.
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