Ryan Seacrest is excited to be the new host of Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak ended a four-decade run as host.
Seacrest chronicled his first day of filming the game show and showed how he got familiar with the set.
“My heart’s pounding,” Seacrest says in the video he posted on Instagram. “I’m so excited.”
Once inside the studio, Seacrest spotted the wheel and said he found it to be “smaller than you think.” The American Idol host gave the wheel a spin to hear the “iconic” sound as it went round and round.
“You know, I could not sleep last night, I was so excited,” Seacrest said. “I slept OK, but still very excited for the alarm to go off.”
As Sajak was saying farewell to the game show back in June, Seacrest shared a message on social media honoring the host.
“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” Seacrest captioned the Instagram post. “Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!”
On his final day as host, Sajak expressed his gratitude for the support from viewers throughout his tenure.
“I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there,” Sajak said on the show. “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.”
The Wheel of Fortune episodes starring Seacrest will start airing in September 2024, and Vanna White will continue to co-host the game show.