Why Kelly Ripa Is 'Concerned' About Ryan Seacrest Hosting 'Wheel of Fortune'

Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa is feeling a little nervous about pal Ryan Seacrest's new gig.

After Seacrest, 48, was named as the official replacement for longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, his former co-anchor has one major concern about his ability to succeed at the job.

According to Ripa, 53, the American Idol host has a weak spot when it comes to spelling, which isn't exactly ideal considering his new job.

"Ryan Seacrest is the only person I know, besides myself, and I say 'besides myself,' but he may actually be worse than me… he is a terrible speller,” Ripa candidly stated during the newest episode of Justin Long's Life Is Short podcast that aired on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

"He doesn't read things in a grid properly often," the Live with Kelly and Mark star went on to explain "I'm actually concerned. And this is the first time I’ve ever been concerned for Ryan Seacrest where I go, 'Is he gonna be able to understand this foundationally?'"

"He seems so capable in every capacity, and that’s funny that his one weakness is spelling," Long added of the TV personality, who is known to be one of the best in the business when it comes to hosting duties.

But the WoF might be different than some of his other jobs, considering that spelling is pretty important when it comes to solving puzzles.

"Spelling counts on that show," Ripa stated, as Long chimed in, "It's all it is!"

Seacrest has already addressed the potential road block ahead of his new role, telling Ripa during a recent episode of her Let's Talk Off Camera podcast, where he called his spelling weakness a "great irony."

"The biggest test for me will be to try and spell the puzzles correctly," he admitted, while expressing his hope that he will be able to see the answers ahead of time to makeup for his lapse in spelling skills.

Seacrest is expected to take over for Sajak at the start of Season 42, set to air next year with veteran Vanna White staying on as his co-host.

Next: 'Wheel of Fortune' Makes Embarrassing Spelling Error Amid Teachers' Week