Ryan Seacrest Films First ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Episodes After Pat Sajak’s Retirement, Posts Video From Set: ‘I’m Still Spinning With Excitement’

variety.com:

Selome Hailu Ryan Seacrest has shared a behind-the-scenes look at his first day hosting “Wheel of Fortune” after Pat Sajak‘s retirement. “I’m still spinning with excitement!” he wrote under an Instagram video that showed him entering the set for the first time. “I’m so excited, my heart’s pounding,” he says in the video. “The wheel’s maybe smaller than you think — as am I,” he jokes, before spinning the wheel for the first time. “I could not sleep last night, I was so excited,” he continues. “I slept okay, but still very excited for the alarm to go off.” Walking further through the studio, he points out a screen playing an old scene of Sajak and co-host Vanna White smashing pies in each other’s faces and a display case containing one of White’s old dresses, two Emmys trophies and other show memorabilia.

In a promo for the Seacrest era of “Wheel of Fortune,” Sajak told him, “I think what you’re going to enjoy most is meeting the players and getting to know the audience at home.

People love this show. They go and see us every day and spend a half-hour with us and watch with the whole family.” “You’re never going to find a better job, and you’re never going to find a better co-host,” Sajak continued, speaking about White.

Seacrest was announced as Sajak’s replacement in June 2023. Sajak’s final episode of “Wheel of Fortune” aired on June 7, reaching 11 million viewers, though he will host “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” for one last season premiering on ABC this fall.