Ryan Seacrest debuts as new host of “Wheel of Fortune”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For the first time in nearly 8,000 episodes, “Wheel of Fortune” did not begin with a greeting from longtime host Pat Sajak.

Ryan Seacrest stepped into Sajak's shoes after 41 years as host of the famous game show, joining co-host and letter writer Vanna White. Seacrest, a well-known television and radio personality known as the host of “American Idol,” New Year's Eve programs and a long-running radio show, debuted as the series' new host on Monday night.

“I still can't believe my good fortune to be here with you tonight and to continue the legacy of this incredible show with all of you and of course my good friend Vanna White,” Seacrest said as he opened the show. “Thank you for the warm welcome.”

In a brief opening monologue before the game began, Seacrest acknowledged Sajak's importance as host and his retirement at the end of season 41. Sajak won his fourth Emmy for best game show host for his final season at the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday.

“Hosting 'Wheel of Fortune' is a dream job. I've been a fan of this show since I was a kid watching it with my family in Atlanta, and I know how special it is that 'Wheel' has been in your living rooms for 40 years,” he said. “I'm just so grateful to have been invited. I also know I have big shoes to fill, so let's do 'Wheel of Fortune.'”

In his first episode, Seacrest showed his energetic nature and his classic good-humored demeanor. Unlike his predecessor, he did not use cue cards to talk to the candidates Corina, Terry and Cindy about their backgrounds.

Beyond the obvious change brought about by Seacrest's replacement for Sajak, the season 42 premiere also made some aesthetic adjustments.

The colorful wheel and iconic puzzle board remain largely the same, although White has been upgraded to a motion sensor board in 2022 to celebrate Season 40. The stage has been updated to feature gold wheels and spokes in a more modern, sleeker design.

Seacrest asked White how she liked the new stage during the show's signature host-letter-turner chit-chat. White said there were “lots of lights, lots of action,” and Seacrest joked he hoped it would continue that way during his first week.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Seacrest said that when he first walked onto the set, he was “quite impressed by the size of the set.”

The shooting schedule is still as tight as ever. Seacrest says that while shooting multiple episodes a day can be labor-intensive, it helps him keep track of his busy schedule of other hosting duties.

Many of the show's familiar elements are the same as they were when Sajak left the series. White still wears an evening gown, Seacrest wears a suit and tie like Sajak, the recognizable sound effects and “devices” that the contestants use to play are the same. The culture behind the scenes also seems to have remained as friendly as the 30-minute episodes.

“I was also impressed by how close the family is that works on 'Wheel of Fortune,' the production team that puts it together. It's a lot of people,” Seacrest said in an interview at an event with White to promote the new season. “They really are a family and have a lot of respect for each and every person and what they do on the show, and that's special.”

White added that one staff member who started on the show at 18 now has children graduating from college. “We've been together for a long time,” she said.

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Producer Liam McEwan contributed to this report.