Ryan Seacrest Debuts as ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host Alongside Vanna White

The Ryan Seacrest Era has officially begun on “Wheel of Fortune.” The new host, aged 49, quickly dove into the spinning action on a brilliantly-lit and redesigned “Wheel” set during his first episode on Monday. This debut followed the retirement of “Wheel” legend Pat Sajak, who stepped down after an impressive tenure of more than four decades, during which he hosted over 8,000 episodes.

Seacrest made a memorable entrance through grand, brightly lit sliding doors, walking arm-in-arm with his long-time co-host Vanna White. After a brief exchange of greetings, and with White’s enthusiastic “Welcome to the show!” Seacrest took his position behind the iconic wheel.

“I still can’t believe my luck being here with you tonight to continue the legacy of this incredible show,” Seacrest shared, reflecting on his childhood in Atlanta, where he enjoyed watching “Wheel” with his family. He acknowledged the show’s significant presence in viewers’ homes for the past 40 years and expressed gratitude for the opportunity: “I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill.”

As Seacrest engaged with the contestants, the show quickly moved to the heart of the game, featuring moments that paid tribute to the pivotal history of this beloved Hangman-inspired game show. The first puzzle was solved with the phrase “Opening Night,” followed by “There’s A First Time For Everything.”

During the game, each of the three contestants walked away with cash prizes. One standout was Terry Watson from Browns Summit, North Carolina, who not only secured a cash total of $25,893 but also won trips to Italy and Mexico. Despite his accomplishments, Watson expressed disappointment after missing out on an additional $40,000 in the bonus round, leading him to let out a frustrated groan.

However, Seacrest was quick to highlight the positives: “No grunting,” he reassured Watson, while patting him on the back. “You’ve got over $25,000 in cash and prizes and great trips. Thank you for being here on my first night.”

Following the game, an excited Seacrest and White took a moment to discuss their experience with the new set.

“I feel like we did one. We got one under our belt,” Seacrest remarked, taking in the dazzling lights surrounding them. White chimed in with praise, stating, “It’s beautiful.”

Seacrest continued, “A lot of lights. Let’s hope it continues to work all week.” With that, the duo waved goodbye for the evening, with Seacrest promising, “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

After the premiere, Seacrest shared a light-hearted moment on his Instagram account, posting a video that highlighted his struggles to navigate the sleek new set.

“I can’t tell where the steps are,” he joked, as he comically found his footing. In his caption, he expressed excitement for the season ahead, saying, “If you’re having half as much fun watching as I am hosting, we’re in for an amazing season.”

Ryan Seacrest’s debut as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” marks a new chapter for the iconic game show, one filled with nostalgia and the promise of fresh entertainment.

Source: USA Today