I want to solve the puzzle: Wheel of Fortune has a new host!

Ryan Seacrest made his debut as the new host of the classic TV game show on the Monday, September 9 episode, after longtime host Pat Sajak announced his retirement in June 2023. But the first words spoken on ABC’s revamped version Wheel came from co-host Vanna White, who has been with the show since 1982. “Welcome to the show!” she announced. Seacrest responded, “So happy to be here.”

Seacrest then delivered a heartfelt speech celebrating the new era for the show: “I still can’t believe how lucky I am to be here with you tonight, to continue the legacy of this incredible show with all of you, and of course with my dear friend Vanna White,” he said.

He continued: “Host Wheel of Fortune is a dream job. I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid watching it with my family in Atlanta. And I know how special it is that Wheel has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years, and I am so grateful to have been invited. I also know that I have some very big shoes to fill — so let’s play.”

The first puzzle of the night was a fitting sign of the beginning of the Seacrest era. Clue: “Show Biz.” Two words, 12 letters. “Opening Night,” one contestant said as he solved the puzzle. “It sure feels that way here,” Seacrest joked.

The subsequent puzzles referred to the historic evening, such as ‘I am unstoppable’ and ‘There is a first time for everything’.

Seacrest’s banter with White and announcer Jim Thornton, who has been with the show since 2010, was effortless. That’s not surprising from a TV and radio personality as experienced as Seacrest. He has American Idol since the first season in 2002, along with the shows American Top 40, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Evesince 2005, and On the radio with Ryan Seacrest, the program he has presented on KIIS-FM since 2004.

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ABC also debuted a sparkling new set for the game show, with Seacrest announcing at the top of the main game that they would be “bringing fun surprises all week long, not only for our contestants, but for you at home as well.” Monday’s contestants competed for a special NFL wedge that would earn the lucky player tickets to a game of their choice. The eventual winner of the episode, Terry Watson, won trips to both Mexico and Italy.

Watson won $25,489 in the bonus round, but failed to solve the “Digital Footprint” puzzle, losing out on an additional $40,000 in prize money.

“What a great game,” White told Seacrest at the end of the episode, asking, “How are you feeling?”

Seacrest responded, “I think we did a good job. We got one under our belt, you know, a really fun night… What was great was that everybody went home with some money. I was hoping that would happen on my first night.”

“What do you think of the new set?” Seacrest asked White.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she replied.

“Lots of lights… let’s hope it stays on all week,” Seacrest joked, a nod to one of the show’s main sponsors, LG, who “gave” Watson an extra letter during the bonus round, making the classic five-letter spread rst-LG-ne.

Seacrest’s energy on his opening night was infectious, but Sajak’s absence was palpable.

Sajak’s retirement marked the end of an era, not only for Wheel of Fortunebut TV itself. He hosted the show since 1983 and took over the crown from The price is right‘s Bob Barker as the longest-tenured game show host. He won his final Emmy for the series last weekend, after winning three times in 1993, 1997 and 1998.

In his final episode, Sajak dedicated his final episode to White, his co-host of over 40 years.

“Like me, she takes the show very seriously, but not herself,” he said. “I shudder to think what those 40-plus years would have been like if they had brought in someone who was completely herself and played the role of prima donna. Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems. We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other.”

Wheel of Fortune airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ABC.