Watch Ryan Seacrest Make Hosting Debut on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Ryan Seacrest has officially taken over as host of Wheel of Fortune . Last night marked Seacrest’s debut as host alongside Vanna White after the former co-host of Live! with Kelly and Ryan took over for Pat Sajak after 41 seasons.

Ryan Seacrest 'Spinning With Excitement' After Officially Taking Over 'Wheel of Fortune'

The episode opened with the announcer intoning, “And now, together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!” Seacrest stood arm-in-arm with White as she welcomed him to the show. He told her, “So happy to be here with you,” adding, “Let’s have fun!”

After taking his place on the set, which has been revamped for the new season, Seacrest addressed the audience, saying, “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. I’m just so grateful to be invited in. I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill.”

Sajak said farewell to Wheel of Fortune in June during his last episode of the show. “Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak told the audience. “I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues. No politics. Nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game. But gradually, it became more than that.”

Pat Sajak's 'Wheel of Fortune' Farewell Reached 11 Million Viewers, Biggest Audience in Four Years

The 77-year-old Sajak first started hosting Wheel of Fortune back in 1981. In June 2023, he revealed on social media that the then-upcoming 41st season of the game show would be his last. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all,” he said at the time.

Soon after announcing Sajak’s retirement from Wheel , it was announced that Seacrest would take over the reins of the show, with White sticking around to reveal letters through at least the 2025-26 season.

I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement at the time. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them. 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 transition.”

Pat Sajak Says Goodbye to 'Wheel of Fortune': 'Thank You for Allowing Me Into Your Lives'