Ryan Seacrest Says He's Got 'Very Big Shoes to Fill' in Hosting Debut forWheel of Fortune: 'A Dream Job'

Mar. 15, 2025

Vanna White (left) and Ryan Seacrest.Photo:Wheel Of Fortune/instagram

Wheel Of Fortune/instagram

The wait is over!Ryan Seacresthas made his hosting debut onWheel of Fortune.On Monday, Sept. 9, the television personality, 49, hosted his first episode of the game show alongsideVanna Whiteafter taking over forPat Sajakfollowing his retirement.“Welcome toWheel of Fortune. I am your host, Ryan Seacrest,” he began. “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.“As he thanked the live audience for their “very warm welcome,” Seacrest went on to admit that “hostingWheel of Fortuneis 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 thatWheelhas been in your living rooms for the past 40 years, and I’m just so grateful to be invited in,” he gushed. “I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill, so let’s playWheel of Fortune!“Eventually, contestant Terry stole the show and ended up winning $25,849 in cash and prizes. Before throwing to commercial break, Seacrest thanked Terry for “being here on my first night” and being a “pleasure to hangout with” during the historic taping.From left: Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest on “Wheel of Fortune”.ric McCandless/Sony Pictures TelevisionEarlier this month, Seacrest — who was announced asthe new hostofWheel of Fortunein July 2023 — opened up to PEOPLE about howhe prepared in a number of waysto host the game show.“Since I got the job, I’ve studied the rule book, I’ve watched Pat’s episodes,” he explained at the time. “I’ve rehearsed in conference rooms all over the country, depending on where I am doing work. We travel with a little wheel that we homemade to play, and I feel ready.“Seacrest also shared he was looking forward to working alongsideVanna White, the show’s iconic letter-turner.“I can’t imagineWheel of Fortunewithout Vanna White. It doesn’t seem right, especially if there’s going to be a new host,” Seacrest shares. So far, he says they’ve been having “a magical time together.“Pat Sajak on “Wheel of Fortune”.Christopher Willard/DISNEY via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.After 40 years, Sajakconcluded hisWheel of Fortunerunduring an episode that aired in June. Addressing his exit in a monologue, he thanked fans as he passed the torch to Seacrest.“What an honor to play even a small part in all that,” Sajak said about bringing families together who viewed the show every night. “Thank you for allowing me into your lives, every time we taped a show I met three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who rooted for each other, who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets.“He concluded, “In the end, they were the real stars of the show. I genuinely like these people and I’ll miss the chance to meet more of them.”

The wait is over!Ryan Seacresthas made his hosting debut onWheel of Fortune.

On Monday, Sept. 9, the television personality, 49, hosted his first episode of the game show alongsideVanna Whiteafter taking over forPat Sajakfollowing his retirement.

“Welcome toWheel of Fortune. I am your host, Ryan Seacrest,” he began. “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.”

As he thanked the live audience for their “very warm welcome,” Seacrest went on to admit that “hostingWheel of Fortuneis 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 thatWheelhas been in your living rooms for the past 40 years, and I’m just so grateful to be invited in,” he gushed. “I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill, so let’s playWheel of Fortune!”

Eventually, contestant Terry stole the show and ended up winning $25,849 in cash and prizes. Before throwing to commercial break, Seacrest thanked Terry for “being here on my first night” and being a “pleasure to hangout with” during the historic taping.

From left: Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest on “Wheel of Fortune”.ric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

ric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

Earlier this month, Seacrest — who was announced asthe new hostofWheel of Fortunein July 2023 — opened up to PEOPLE about howhe prepared in a number of waysto host the game show.

“Since I got the job, I’ve studied the rule book, I’ve watched Pat’s episodes,” he explained at the time. “I’ve rehearsed in conference rooms all over the country, depending on where I am doing work. We travel with a little wheel that we homemade to play, and I feel ready.”

Seacrest also shared he was looking forward to working alongsideVanna White, the show’s iconic letter-turner.

“I can’t imagineWheel of Fortunewithout Vanna White. It doesn’t seem right, especially if there’s going to be a new host,” Seacrest shares. So far, he says they’ve been having “a magical time together.”

Pat Sajak on “Wheel of Fortune”.Christopher Willard/DISNEY via Getty

Christopher Willard/DISNEY via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

After 40 years, Sajakconcluded hisWheel of Fortunerunduring an episode that aired in June. Addressing his exit in a monologue, he thanked fans as he passed the torch to Seacrest.

“What an honor to play even a small part in all that,” Sajak said about bringing families together who viewed the show every night. “Thank you for allowing me into your lives, every time we taped a show I met three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who rooted for each other, who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets.”

He concluded, “In the end, they were the real stars of the show. I genuinely like these people and I’ll miss the chance to meet more of them.”

source: people.com