2024-09-10 12:30:02
RY_N SE_CREST officially took over on “Wheel of Fortune” Sept. 9, ushering in a new era of the iconic game show.
We’re talking, of course, about Ryan Seacrest, who had enormous shoes to fill, as he joined Vanna White as the show’s co-host, following Pat Sajak’s exit from the program this past June.
In his opening remarks as the game show’s new host, Seacrest kicked of his first episode with a special message for longtime viewers.
“Welcome to ‘Wheel of Fortune.’ I am your host, Ryan Seacrest. I still can’t believe my luck being here with you tonight to continue this legacy of this incredible show with all of you, and of course, my good friend Vanna White,” Seacrest said. “Thank you for the very warm welcome. Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is a dream job.”
“I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid, watching it in Atlanta with my family, and I know how special it is that ‘Wheel’ has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years,” he continued. “And I’m just so grateful to be invited in. I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill. So let’s play ‘Wheel of Fortune.’”
This season marks the 42nd for “Wheel of Fortune,” and while the sight of Seacrest instead of Sajak will be the most noticeable and scrutinized change, the show promises tons of fun to keep viewers glued to their TV sets.
Seacrest is thrilled to become part of a show that is an institution in living rooms across the country, taking over for Sajak, who won his first Emmy Award on Sept. 8, for hosting the show.
“If ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is offered to you, you just don’t say no. You just don’t say no. You’ll have bad karma for the rest of your TV life, I promise you,” he told E! News earlier this month.
“This is such a part of American culture. I think this show has so much meaning to people who watch it on a regular basis,” he added.
In July, Seacrest peeled back the curtain to show fans how his new gig was going when he posted a video on Instagram from his first day on “Wheel of Fortune.”
“A glimpse of my first day at @wheeloffortune, and I’m still spinning with excitement!” he captioned the clip.
Sajak will continue to host prime–time’s “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” after he announced in June 2023 that this past season would be his last on “Wheel of Fortune.” That same month, Seacrest was tapped as his replacement, and he has been complimentary about his predecessor.
“Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” he wrote, in part, on Instagram. “Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era.”
The season premiere of “Wheel of Fortune” aired Sept. 9. Check local listings.
