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    • ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Returns With Ryan Seacrest at the Helm
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    ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Returns With Ryan Seacrest at the Helm

    Vaseline Posted on

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    For the first time in 41 years, “Wheel of Fortune” fans tuning in to the show’s 42nd season on Monday will hear the show’s host say, “Ladies and gentlemen, these are the stars of our show…” but Pat Sajak won’t be listed among the names.

    Instead, viewers of “America’s Game” will see the long-awaited debut of veteran television and radio host Ryan Seacrest, who took over the coveted role from Sajak, 77, who retired in June after four decades on the iconic game show.

    When is Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’ debut?

    Seacrest will be joined by co-host and longtime letter-turner Vanna White when the syndicated Hangman-style show makes its national debut Monday. The show will air at 7:30 p.m. EST on ABC 7 New York, following the Season 41 premiere of the Ken Jennings-hosted quiz show Jeopardy!

    Big changes to ‘Wheel of Fortune’, but not at big

    According to USA TODAY, which spoke with Seacrest and White, the studio audience went wild when the show first taped in August, revealing a new gold-laminate set adorned with 264 LED screens.

    “It’s like remodeling your house after 40 years,” said White, who added that it was “just a little bit fixed up.”

    Fear not, old-school ‘Wheel’ fans. Seacrest says he has no plans to change the way the show is presented, and that he wanted the show to have a seamless transition that is “not jarring.”

    “Nothing has to change. Just me standing there with my voice and my mannerisms, that’s different enough,” Seacrest told USA TODAY. He told the outlet that he spent months practicing with mock games and candidates.

    Many other key elements of the classic TV show remain the same: Jim Thornton is still the “Wheel” announcer, vowels still cost $250, and the multi-colored wheel spun by the contestants remains unchanged after 20 years, with the clicking sound still intact.

    White extended her contract for two years in 2023 following Sajak’s retirement announcement, but there were rumors she had considered leaving. She admitted to USA TODAY that she had a “tough decision” to make when Sajak left, and debated whether to go with him, but ultimately decided she “wasn’t ready to retire.”

    White got a raise and had several inches of foam rubber discreetly placed under the puzzle board so her feet would have less protection when she wore high heels. She also has a beautiful new puzzle board.

    White told Good Morning America in a segment that aired on September 3 that she “doesn’t even have to touch anyone’s letter” on the puzzle board.

    “This is a blank screen with a video on it, right? There are lasers up there. So when I touch a letter, it picks up the motion of my hand and lights up. Isn’t that crazy?” she told ABC News’ Ginger Zee.

    Another small change? Sajak and White used to enter arm in arm from the side stage; Seacrest and White will now get a “grand” entrance behind sliding doors in the center of the stage, according to USA TODAY.

    Pat Sajak posts on social media for the first time since leaving ‘Wheel of Fortune’

    Sajak let his fans know for the first time since his retirement in June via X (formerly Twitter) that he is ready for “whatever is to come”.

    “This is the last night of summer reruns, even though cable and streaming services mean you never have to say goodbye,” Sajak posted Friday afternoon. “Looking forward to season 5 of @celebritywof (Celebrity Wheel of Fortune) on @ABCNetwork this fall, and whatever comes next.”

    Sajak, as he said in his post Friday, isn’t done spinning the wheel. He’s signed on to host “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which is set to premiere Oct. 14, according to ABC’s fall 2024-2025 Primetime TV Schedule released Aug. 30. The celebrity edition of the show will air in the 8 p.m. ET time slot, with the Elizabeth Banks-hosted game show “Press Your Luck” following right behind it.

    Email: [email protected]; X (formerly Twitter): @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.

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