“American Idol” is in need of immediate help.
Ratings so far this season are down 12% in total viewers, and 25% in the key age demo average from last year.
So what to do? A little stunt casting always helps. Host Ryan Seacrest announced on “Good Morning America” that Vanna White will be co-hosting with him tonight.
White, of course, has been the letter turner on “Wheel of Fortune” for the last 42 — yes, 42 — years. Next fall, she will be joined by Seacrest, who’s taking over for Pat Sajak as host. Sajak’s last show is this June 7th.
There was a lot of controversy about whether White would continue with Seacrest, or if she was leaving, too. What exactly she does besides turn the letters on “Wheel” is a mystery to me. I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard her speak more than three or four words at a time. But I guess tonight she will.
For ABC, the whole thing is a marketing crossover, and a good signal for next fall on “Wheel.” Of course, all of this means Seacrest will be on TV from September to June every year, and on double duty in the spring come 2025 — for better or worse.
Will you watch tonight? Maybe Vanna sings!
