Ryan Seacrest’s Electrifying First Day on ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Ryan Seacrest shared a behind-the-scenes look at his first day on the set of “Wheel of Fortune.”
Seacrest, 49, took over for Pat Sajak, who hosted the iconic game show for over four decades.
In a whirlwind of excitement, Seacrest exclaimed, “A glimpse of my first day at @wheeloffortune, and I’m still spinning with excitement!” as he posted a vibrant video on his social media.
(Ryan Seacrest Instagram)
His enthusiasm was palpable. “My heart’s pounding. I’m so excited,” Seacrest admitted, a blend of nerves and joy woven into his words. He shared, “You know, I could not sleep last night, I was so excited. I slept OK but still very excited for the alarm to go off.”
Seacrest playfully remarked, “The wheel is actually smaller than you think,” adding with a grin, “as am I.” This light-hearted humor, a hallmark of his personality, filled the studio with warmth.
At one amusing moment, he stood beside a cardboard cutout of Sajak and quipped, “Who’s taller?” With a chuckle, he answered, “He is. Shocker.”
(ABC)
Seacrest officially stepped into his role last June, when Sajak, a beloved figure in the television landscape, transferred the hosting baton with heartfelt sincerity. “Well, this is it, Ryan,” Sajak expressed in a promotional video for the show. “I think what you’re going to enjoy most is meeting the players and getting to know the audience at home,” he encouraged Seacrest, forging a bond of continuity in their shared journey.
(Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)
(Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank)
“Wheel of Fortune” announced Seacrest’s appointment as host earlier in June 2023, a pivotal moment for the franchise. He reflected, “Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this new chapter.”
(Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)
In an introspective moment, Seacrest shared that this hosting gig felt like a “full circle moment.” He explained how he once hosted a relatively unknown game show called “Click” for Merv Griffin 25 years ago, highlighting the journey of his career. “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White,” he expressed earnestly.
(Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)
Sajak’s last episode as host aired on June 7, a poignant farewell that marked the end of an era. He is set to make a return on “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” on October 7 for one final goodbye. As he ventures into his next role in the play “Prescription: Murder,” Sajak will portray a psychiatrist entwined in a twist of fate, while Joe Moore, a local news anchor, takes on the role of a relentless LAPD lieutenant. This new path not only reveals the versatility of Sajak’s talent but also invites a fresh narrative, one that contrasts distinctly with his long-standing television tenure.
As viewers tune into “Wheel of Fortune,” they embrace this evolution, eagerly watching Seacrest take the reins and wondering how the beloved game-show experience will continue to unfold.
