First episode of “Wheel of Fortune” host Ryan Seacrest: “Big shoes to fill”

It was the premiere of Ryan Seacrest's Monday episode of “Wheel of Fortune” — so perhaps it was fitting that the first puzzle was “OPENING NIGHT,” based on the clue “Showbiz.” “That's what it feels like here!” Seacrest remarked after one of the show's contestants solved the game.

The syndicated game show “Wheel of Fortune” returned for season 42 on Monday with some big changes, including a new set (which, Seacrest noted, featured lots of lights) and, of course, the biggest change of all: a new host. That was acknowledged right from the start, when announcer Jim Thornton opened the show: “And now, here for the first time are the stars of our show together, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”

After Seacrest thanked Thornton for the opening, White turned to her new colleague and welcomed him to the show. “So happy to be here,” Seacrest said to White. “So happy to have you here!” White replied.

Before introducing the evening's actors, Seacrest gave a short monologue to the audience. “I'm your host, Ryan Seacrest. I still can't believe my luck 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.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” he added. “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 now. And I'm so grateful to have been invited. I also know I have big shoes to fill. So let's do 'Wheel of Fortune.'”

In the inaugural broadcast, however, Seacrest conspicuously did not mention by name the person he was filling: Pat Sajak, who retired from the show in June after more than 40 years as host. (Sajak and Seacrest appeared alongside White in a commercial this summer that served more as an official passing moment.) Sajak will appear on the primetime edition of ABC's “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” this fall, which will mark his final appearance on the show.

Seacrest recorded this first episode of the syndicated version in July, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at his first day as host of “Wheel of Fortune” via an Instagram video. “I'm still spinning with excitement!” he wrote under the post, which shows him first entering the set. “I'm so excited, my heart is racing,” he said in the video. “The wheel might be smaller than you think – just like me,” he joked as he spun the wheel for the first time. “I couldn't sleep last night, I was so excited. I slept pretty well, but was still very excited for the alarm to go off.”

Everything went smoothly on the first night, including for the first group of participants: Corina from Denver, Cindy from Lake Tahoe, and big winner Terry from North Carolina. Terry ended up going home with two trips and total winnings of $25,849 (though he missed out on the $40,000 grand prize).

At the end, White asked Seacrest how he felt after the first show. “I feel like we put on a show!” he said. “The great thing was that everyone got to go home with some money. I was really hoping that would happen on my first night.”

As diversity A recent profile of Seacrest noted that the host studied hard while taking on the job. According to the story, he combed through “Wheels'” archive of more than 8,000 episodes, watched hundreds of shows and picked the best moments from each decade to learn the nuances of the game. Executive producer Bellamie Blackstone also built a miniature version of the wheel, and they practiced in conference rooms across the country while Seacrest was away for work.

“When Ryan walked on set, he was so prepared that he was able to just do what he does best and create a very authentic connection with the contestants,” Suzanne Prete, president of game shows for Sony Pictures Television, said in this story. “He's really fun. He's done more than expected in that regard. It's just a whole new energy.”