Ryan Seacrest Debuts As ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host: “I’ve Got Some Very Big Shoes To Fill”

“And now, together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!”

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With that introduction, Seacrest on Sept. 9 started a new TV chapter as host of Wheel of Fortune . Dressed in a dark charcoal suit, the former co-host of Live! with Kelly and Ryan stood arm-in-arm with White as he told her “I’m so happy to be here” before taking his place on the revamped set. (Gone is the Wheel of Fortune logo that previously appeared behind the contestants; now there are gold, deco-like renderings of the giant wheel).

“Thank you for the very warm welcome,” he said while looking into the camera. “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. I’m just so grateful to be invited in. I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill.”

Then, he kicked off the game — just like Pat Sajak did for 41 seasons.

In addition to hosting, Seacrest will also serve as a consulting producer on the show. Sajak, who on Saturday took home a hosting Emmy for his final season on Wheel, has agreed to stay on as a consultant on the show for the next three years.

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But judging by the first episode, Seacrest doesn’t seem to need any help. Along with breezing through the requisite dialogue like “let’s win you some money” and “you can get a D,” he chatted up the three contestants with ease and even gave the losing one a big hug before sending her home with only $4,500.

Seacrest ended the show with White by saying “we got one [a show] under our belt” and how he was happy that “everybody got to walk away with some money. I was really hoping that would happen on my first night, and it did.”

Bellamie Blackstone serves as exec producer of the game show.

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