Ryan Seacrest’s first episode as the new host of “Wheel of Fortune” starts just like any other.
The audience chants the name of the long-running game show, the theme song plays and announcer Jim Thornton introduces the stars of the show. But this time, for the first time, the duo that enters arm in arm is Seacrest and “Wheel of Fortune” mainstay Vanna White.
Monday’s episode of “Wheel of Fortune,” which kicks off the syndicated show’s 42nd season, marks the beginning of Seacrest’s tenure as host of the nightly word puzzle series. He takes over for Pat Sajak, who quizzed wheel spinners for 40-plus years — the longest-running host of a nationally syndicated game show.
“Let’s have fun,” Seacrest said at the top of the show. Before introducing the contestants and getting the games started, the new host took some time to acknowledge what this new gig means to him.
“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 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 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.’ ”
Anybody worried that this new era of “Wheel” would bring big, jarring changes will be pleased to know that almost everything is just as you remember. The only noticeable changes are the look of the set and that Seacrest does not use index cards when introducing the contestants.
Seacrest appeared genuinely happy to be there. Or at least, as genuine as a game show host can appear to be anything. His long career as a television host on shows like “American Idol” and “Live With Kelly and Ryan” has helped him hone a perfectly inoffensive charm that allows him to interact with contestants without detracting from their enthusiasm and letting them shine.
Whereas Sajak occasionally let slip some cranky uncle-type comments, especially in his later years, Seacrest’s banter is still a bit on the stiff side. That’s not necessarily a bad thing and one episode is too small of a sample size to make any definitive judgment. Guests Corina, Terry and Cindy also made for a good group of first contestants for the new host. They were charming, did not say or do anything outlandish and — without giving too much away — each had good and bad spins, as well as good and bad guesses.
All that is to say, Seacrest’s first “Wheel of Fortune” was a perfectly fine episode. His tenure on the show is off to a smooth start.
Ryan Seacrest's Wheel of Fortune Debut - A New Era Begins
It was opening night for Ryan Seacrest on Monday’s episode of “Wheel of Fortune” — and so perhaps it was appropriate that the first puzzle out of the gate was “OPENING NIGHT,” based off the clue, “show biz.” “It feels that way over here!” Seacrest remarked after one of the show’s contestants solved the game.
Syndicated game show mainstay “Wheel of Fortune” returned on Monday for its Season 42 with some big changes, including a new set (which, Seacrest noted, came with a lot of lights) and, of course, the biggest change of them all: A new host. That was acknowledged up top, when announcer Jim Thornton opened the show: “And now together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”
After Seacrest thanked Thornton for the open, 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!” White responded.
With that, before introducing the night’s players, Seacrest gave a brief monologue to the audience. “I am your host, Ryan Seacrest. I still can’t believe my luck of 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.
“Thank you for the very 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 in Atlanta with my family. And I know how special it is that ‘Wheel’ has been in your living rooms for the pat 40 years. 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.’”
In the opener, Seacrest noticeably didn’t mention the person whose shoes he was replacing by name, however: Pat Sajak, who signed off from the show in June after more than 40 years as host. (Sajak and Seacrest, along with White, appeared in a promo together this summer, serving as more of an official pass-the-baton moment.) Sajak will still be seen this fall in ABC’s primetime edition of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which reps his last turn on the show.
Seacrest taped this first episode of the syndicated version in July; at the time, he shared a behind-the-scenes look at his first day hosting “Wheel of Fortune” via an Instagram video: “I’m still spinning with excitement!” he wrote on the post, that showed him entering the set for the first time. “I’m so excited, my heart’s pounding,” he said in the video. “The wheel’s maybe smaller than you think — as am I,” he joked spinning the wheel for the first time. “I could not sleep last night, I was so excited. I slept okay, but still very excited for the alarm to go off.”
As for night one, things went smoothly, including his first batch of contestants: Corina from Denver, Cindy from Lake Tahoe and big winner Terry from North Carolina; Terry ultimately went home with two trips and a total of $25,849 (although he missed on the $40,000 grand prize).
In the end, White asked Seacrest how he felt, with the first show under his belt. “I feel like we did one!” he said. “What was great was everyone got to walk away with some money. I was really hoping that would happen on my first night.”
As Variety noted in a recent profile of Seacrest, the host studied intently while taking over the gig. Per the story, he went through “Wheel’s” more than 8,000-episode archive, watching hundreds of shows and cherry-picking 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 around the country while Seacrest traveled for work.
“By the time Ryan walked on that set, he was so prepared that he could just do what he does best and connect to those contestants in a very authentic way,” Suzanne Prete, president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in that story. “He’s really fun. He over-delivered in that aspect. It’s just a whole new energy.”
The Legacy of 'Wheel of Fortune': Can Seacrest Fill the Shoes?
'Wheel of Fortune' is more than just a game show. It's a cultural touchstone, a staple of American living rooms for over four decades. While Seacrest has the charm and experience to hold his own, there's a sense that 'Wheel of Fortune' will be forever associated with Pat Sajak. Sajak’s presence and personality have become synonymous with the show, and it's a legacy that's difficult to replace.
Whether Seacrest can truly capture that same magic and establish his own distinct presence remains to be seen. Time will tell if he can bring the same level of warmth, wit, and genuine connection that Sajak provided to audiences over the years. As Seacrest takes the wheel, the audience will be watching to see if he can steer the show towards its own new era of success.
The Future of 'Wheel of Fortune': A New Host, A New Era
The future of 'Wheel of Fortune' is ripe with possibilities. Seacrest’s arrival marks a significant turning point for the show, offering a chance for a fresh start and new energy. With Seacrest’s experience in hosting and engaging audiences, he might bring a new dynamic to the show. He’s known for his easygoing style, which could translate well to the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ format.
The show’s producers are confident that Seacrest will seamlessly integrate into the 'Wheel of Fortune' family, and viewers will be watching to see how he adapts to the role. Whether he can win over the hearts of long-time fans and usher in a new era of success for the show, only time will tell.
