Ryan Seacrest is finally answering one of the biggest questions longtime “Wheel of Fortune” viewers have wondered for years — and it turns out former host Pat Sajak used the same trick.
During a recent Q&A session with the studio audience for “Wheel of Fortune,” Seacrest was asked a question many fans have likely thought about while watching from home: How does the host instantly know how many of each letter appears in a puzzle?
As it turns out, there is preparation involved — but also a little behind-the-scenes help.
Dearest Reveals ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Secrets
“Last night I memorized all of the puzzles, and I do my exercises in the morning to remind me,” Seacrest explained to the audience, revealing that he studies before filming to stay sharp.
Still, he admitted there is another tool that helps him move quickly during gameplay.
In fact, it was the same mystery he always wondered about while watching Sajak host the beloved game show growing up.
“It’s funny, that’s all I wanted to know when Pat hosted this show, I’m like, ‘How does he know?’” Seacrest said. “Growing up I wondered that, and then I got to find out.”
Then came the reveal fans had been waiting for.
“The secret is there’s a little monitor down there and it flashes quickly, the number,” Seacrest shared. “If I miss it, then I don’t say it. If I see it, I say it.”
Fans Couldn’t Get Enough of the Revelation
The confession quickly sparked reactions from viewers online, many of whom said they had spent years wondering about the same thing.
“This has been my biggest Wheel question for so many years,” one fan wrote. Another added, “I LOVE RYAN.”
Others admitted they had their own theories about how hosts kept track of letters so quickly.
“I assumed they had an earpiece and someone told them. Hmmmm. Interesting,” one person commented.
Another viewer joked that they had once noticed Sajak glance downward during gameplay but were too focused on the puzzle to think much of it at the time.
“Ryan doesn’t miss too much but now I will know his secret of how he keeps tracks of the letters,” another fan shared.
He Joined the Show in 2024
The longtime “American Idol” host officially stepped into the hosting role in September 2024 following Sajak’s retirement after an impressive 40-year run on the iconic game show.
While Sajak said goodbye to the longtime position, co-host Vanna White remained part of the show and continues appearing alongside Seacrest.
When Seacrest was first announced as Sajak’s replacement, he spoke warmly about taking over such an iconic role and expressed deep admiration for the longtime host.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement at the time, per People. “It’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years.”
He added, “I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition,” making it clear that Sajak’s influence would remain part of the show’s next chapter.
