,

Black Stars Who Should be the New Host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’

As Pat Sajak says a final goodbye to the long-running TV institution, we have suggestions for stars who would have been great successors.

(L to R): Dulcé Sloan, Marlon Wayans and Janelle James Photo: Getty Images Marleen Moise, Noam Galai, Dia Dipasupil

With Pat Sajal saying a tearful goodbye to “Wheel of Fortune,” we need to talk about the future of your grandmother’s favorite TV show. Yes, we know Ryan Seacrest has already been tapped as the new host of “Wheel of Fortune,” with his episodes set to begin airing in September. However, between “American Idol,” “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and his various radio shows, there may be times when his schedule gets a little crowded. To that end, we have some thoughts on Black stars who should be the new “Wheel of Fortune” host.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Nick Cannon

Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett Photo: Getty Images Leon Bennett

He’s been the business forever and knows all the ins and outs of the hosting game. Since he already hosts “The Masked Singer,” seeing Cannon on “Wheel” would be an easier transition for older viewers.

Dulcé Sloan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmdpvK3fOXg

“The Daily Show” correspondent is funny, charming, quick witted and endlessly likable. All the qualities you want from a “Wheel” host. If she can’t host the popular game show, let’s hope she’s at the top of the list for the Comedy Central hit.

Marlon Wayans

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai

If you want someone who is prepared for anything and will brilliantly use humor to put contestants at ease, the “White Chicks” star is the best choice.

Sherri Shepherd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjaLD3USVy4

The talk show has an infectious energy that the audience loves. She brings a positivity that will keep contestants engaged and having fun.

Snoop Dogg

Photo: Getty Images Jerod Harris Photo: Getty Images Jerod Harris

Come on, you know Snoop would be hilarious as the new host. If you’re looking to shake things up and appeal to a new audience, no one would get people talking more than him.

Michelle Buteau

Photo: Getty Images Roy Rochlin Photo: Getty Images Roy Rochlin

The comedian/actress would add a joyful, fun energy to the show. She’s the kind of host who we’d tune in for every night, because we have to know what she’s going to say.

Trevor Noah

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

Look, I’m sure Trevor Noah has more lucrative offers, but I need him back on my TV and he needs a job, so this seems like a win-win for everyone.

Kenan Thompson

Photo: Getty Images Roy Rochlin Photo: Getty Images Roy Rochlin

Kenan has been SNL’s fake game show host for years, so he totally has the experience to take over a real one. I’d love to see him bring some of the absurdity of his SNL characters to Wheel. And I’m gonna need Kel Mitchell to occasionally sub in for Vanna White.

Natasha Rothwell

Photo: Getty Images David Livingston Photo: Getty Images David Livingston

There’s a familiar routine involved in Wheel of Fortune that makes it so comfortable to watch. But longtime fans know it’s at its best when it’s unpredictable. No one does unpredictable better like Natasha Rothwell.

Whoopi Goldberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm4tZDvtQa4

EGOT-winner and entertainment legend Whoopi Goldberg has already let the world know she wants the job. Given her comedy roots and name recognition, Whoopi would be a great choice to lead the show moving forward.

Anthony Anderson

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff

Anthony Anderson is an experienced host, popular actor and veteran comedian. Honestly, he’s the most qualified person on our list.

Yvonne Orji

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

While most fans know Yvonne Orji from Insecure, she’s also a hilarious comedian whose personality is made for a show like Wheel of Fortune. Imagine how great she’ll be in those awkward moments where someone gives a wildly ridiculous guess.

Terry Crews

Photo: Getty Images JC Olivera Photo: Getty Images JC Olivera

As the host of America’s Got Talent, Terry Crews is overflowing with personality but never lets it overshadow the contestants. Also, mainstream audiences really love him.

Carla Hall

Photo: Getty Images Bryan Bedder Photo: Getty Images Bryan Bedder

If you’ve ever seen Chef Carla Hall on a cooking show, you know how utterly likable she is. With Carla, you never feel like a TV personality is putting on a show. It’s more like hanging out with an old friend.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy

Now that Black-ish has wrapped, Tracee Ellis Ross is making some very cool career choices. She would be such a fun host and I feel like she and Vanna White would be an interesting team.

Leslie Jones

Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

On Saturday Night Live and Supermarket Sweep we saw what Leslie Jones can do when she’s allowed to just let go and be herself. You know she would be absolutely hilarious on Wheel of Fortune, and would also encourage the contestants to loosen up.

Ryan Clark

Photo: Getty Images Chris Graythen Photo: Getty Images Chris Graythen

ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark has such a positive presence, he would be a calming influence on especially nervous contestants.

Janelle James

Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison

The Final Straw may not have worked as a game show, but Janelle James was entertaining as a host. She would bring an electric energy to the sometimes routine feel of a long-running show like Wheel.

Al Roker

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

We want to take care of Al Roker at all costs, so maybe it’s time for him to trade in Today for the more laid-back job of hosting Wheel of Fortune. We already know America loves Al.

LeVar Burton

Photo: Getty Images Jesse Grant Photo: Getty Images Jesse Grant

I know LeVar Burton has been announced for a Trivial Pursuit game show, but is there a more perfect project for the man who has devoted his life to championing literacy?

Yvette Nicole Brown

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

Yvette Nicole Brown is that friend who is always excited for your success. She would be the cheerleader the contestants need when they mess up or hit Bankrupt.

Dwyane Wade

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris

On his TBS series The Cube, D-Wade brings his competitive nature to an otherwise normal show. He would definitely make Wheel of Fortune feel like it’s a big deal. Especially when someone walks away with a huge jackpot.

Austin Creed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3964XlszAlw

WWE superstar Xavier Woods is known in his everyday life as Austin Creed. The man’s enthusiasm for gaming, competition and life is infectious. Plus, he absolutely killed it during his appearance on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. If you want to go in a different direction with someone completely new, he is a fresh, unique choice.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Steve Harvey's Gorgeous $15 Million Once Owned by Tyler Perry

Steve Harvey’s Gorgeous $15 Million Once Owned by Tyler Perry

With a 70,000 gallon infinity pool to a home theater and wine cellar, Steve Harvey's mansion is one of the most expensive properties in Atlanta, Ga ...
The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

From Brian Tyree Henry getting down and dirty to David Oyelowo searching for a fresh start: we've got what you need to watch! ...

How Tina Knowles Schooled Folks Hating on Beyoncé For Singing the National Anthem on Tour

How Tina Knowles Schooled Folks Hating on Beyoncé For Singing the National Anthem on Tour

Clips of Beyonce performing the song has gone viral, prompting folks to question why she'd choose to sing it in the first place. But Miss Tina has had enough! ...
What's Happening to Diddy's Fortune? Here's What We Know

What’s Happening to Diddy’s Fortune? Here’s What We Know

He was once on the way to billionaire status. Now, Diddy's net worth and his reputation has taken a drop ...
Gary Coleman's Ex-Wife Finally Takes Lie Detector Test About His Death, and the Results Are Spooky

Gary Coleman’s Ex-Wife Finally Takes Lie Detector Test About His Death, and the Results Are Spooky

Coleman married Shannon Price in 2007 and divorced one year later. Two years after that, he suffered a fatal fall and Price was the only witness ...
How Tyler Perry's Name Was Dropped in Yet Another Sexual Misconduct Claim By One of His Actors

How Tyler Perry’s Name Was Dropped in Yet Another Sexual Misconduct Claim By One of His Actors

Braxton Wells accused the studios' senior vice president of scripted programming of grooming and rape...but that's not all ...
Here's Why Y'all Need to Stop Calling Beyoncé 'Old'

Here’s Why Y’all Need to Stop Calling Beyoncé ‘Old’

Beyoncé is many things. But too old to perform is not one of them....especially in a musical market with many aging men ...
Is NeNe Leakes Plotting the Ultimate 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Comeback? Here's the Pipin' Hot Tea...

Is NeNe Leakes Plotting the Ultimate ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Comeback? Here’s the Pipin’ Hot Tea…

The veteran peach-holder spoke about returning to the Atlanta reality show after leaving in 2020 ...
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Went Up Against 90 Homeland Security Soldiers, Here's What Happened Next

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Went Up Against 90 Homeland Security Soldiers, Here’s What Happened Next

As soon as footage of National Guard troops got back to Mayor Bass, she went down there to personally handle the situation ...
DeMarco Morgan Is Leaving 'GMA3,' and Here's Why We Should've Seen it Coming

DeMarco Morgan Is Leaving ‘GMA3,’ and Here’s Why We Should’ve Seen it Coming

While his departure may be upsetting to some fans, there may have been hints that his time on the show was winding down ...
Confederate Group Takes This Drastic Action to Shut Down a Georgia Park's Planned Slavery Exhibit

Confederate Group Takes This Drastic Action to Shut Down a Georgia Park’s Planned Slavery Exhibit

Stone Mountain Park is home of the biggest Confederate monument in America, and one group wants to keep it that way forever ...
Kidnapper Grabs Young Black Boy Before This Brazen Act of Courage Happened— And it Was All Caught on Video

Kidnapper Grabs Young Black Boy Before This Brazen Act of Courage Happened— And it Was All Caught on Video

Rah'Shem Gantt was enjoying a Coney Island outing with his family until things took a frightening turn ...
The Late Ananda Lewis' Son's Father, Who Shares a Special Connection to Will Smith, Just Shared a Touching Tribute

The Late Ananda Lewis’ Son’s Father, Who Shares a Special Connection to Will Smith, Just Shared a Touching Tribute

Harry Lewis, the father of Ananda Lewis' 14-year-old son Langston, called Lewis "the most attentive and loving mother" on Instagram ...
Tina Knowles Gives Halle Bailey Relationship Advice With Just This One Word

Tina Knowles Gives Halle Bailey Relationship Advice With Just This One Word

It's been said that the best way to get over someone is with someone else. And in case you haven't been paying attention, it looks like Halle Bailey is doing just that. Last week, we told you that photographers caught the singer-actress getting up close and personal with producer Scott ...
Hakeem Jeffries Goes Viral For Allegedly Photoshopping This Instagram Photo, But Did He Really...?

Hakeem Jeffries Goes Viral For Allegedly Photoshopping This Instagram Photo, But Did He Really…?

The House Minority Leader made headlines again following an epic speech against Trump's Big Beautiful Bill ...
OutKast's Big Boi Mourns The Death of His Uncle "Moonie" In Tragic Shooting

OutKast’s Big Boi Mourns The Death of His Uncle “Moonie” In Tragic Shooting

In a statement with WSB-TV, Big Boi shared how the death has affected his family: ...
All About Mel B's Stunning Lookalike Little Sister

All About Mel B’s Stunning Lookalike Little Sister

While there were a handful of famous faces in attendance, the main face that's slowly becoming the talk of the town is Mel B's little sister, Danielle Brown. And you've got to see why! ...
Tupac Associate Young Noble's Death Illuminates Alarming Fact About Suicide Rates Among Black Men

Tupac Associate Young Noble’s Death Illuminates Alarming Fact About Suicide Rates Among Black Men

On July 4, 2025, emcee Young Noble-- member of Outlawz and Tupac affiliate-- died of an apparent suicide ...
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Recent Dissent Proves She's Unafraid to Challenge Her Colleagues—Unlike Clarence Thomas

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Recent Dissent Proves She’s Unafraid to Challenge Her Colleagues—Unlike Clarence Thomas

Compared to Thomas, Jackson is a breath of fresh air. As one of the youngest members on the court, she often uses her platform to connect with all Americans ...
After Three Open-Heart Surgeries, This Black Father Discovered an Unusual Cure

After Three Open-Heart Surgeries, This Black Father Discovered an Unusual Cure

Donnie Seals, Sr. and his son, Eric share a transformational trip in a PBS documentary they hope will help other Black people ...