Ryan Seacrest’s ‘spinning’ debut as Wheel of Fortune host

Ryan Seacrest is thrilled to be the new host of Wheel of Fortune, taking over from the legendary Pat Sajak, whose tenure spanned four decades. Seacrest’s excitement is palpable as filming for the show has commenced.

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Seacrest shared a behind-the-scenes clip of his first day on Instagram. In the video, he is seen exploring the set, meeting the crew, and expressing his enthusiasm. “A glimpse of my first day at @wheeloffortune, and I’m still spinning with excitement!” he captioned the post.

In the clip, Seacrest is seen holding and spinning the iconic game wheel. He comments on its enduring charm, saying, “Listen to the sound of this wheel. Right? Iconic.” As the wheel comes to a stop, he adds, “I find it soothing.”

The video transitions to Seacrest heading into Sony studios, where he excitedly greets show employees. As he walks past a giant banner featuring Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Seacrest further immerses himself in the Wheel of Fortune world by giving the wheel a test spin.

Seacrest shares that he was so eager about the new role that sleep didn’t come easy. “I could not sleep last night. I was so excited,” he reveals. “I slept okay, but still very excited for the alarm to go off.”

As he strolls through areas of the studio showcasing show highlights and memorabilia, Seacrest’s enthusiasm for his new position is clear. He appears genuinely delighted to be a part of the long-running game show.

The new host also spoke with PEOPLE in April, discussing the immense pressure of stepping into Sajak’s shoes. “Well, no one can ever do what Pat has done. He is incredible,” Seacrest said. “He has made that show just something so very special for so long, and he has done such a seamless, remarkable job so no one can be him.”

Addressing the pressure, Seacrest admitted, “So, do I feel pressure? Sure. People love watching him. I want them to keep loving watching it, and I hope to do a great job as well.”

Despite the pressure, Seacrest feels prepared because of his lifelong affection for the game show. “I’ve been watching the show all my life, and I’ve been watching it as much as I can as an adult and as a child.”

He reflected on the significance of the show, stating, “I think that this is a show that means so much to a lot of people. It’s a part of their lives, they like to get together at the end of the day and try and solve the puzzles. And for me, it’s a chance to give away cash and prizes and work with the legendary Vanna White.”

Seacrest is no stranger to hosting iconic shows. He has been the face of American Idol since 2002 and was also a co-host on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Additionally, he currently hosts the radio program On Air with Ryan Seacrest.

Taking on the role of Wheel of Fortune host marks a new chapter in Seacrest’s illustrious career, and fans are eager to see his fresh take on the beloved game show.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, PEOPLE