LOS ANGELES (AP) — For the primary time in virtually 8,000 episodes, “Wheel of Fortune” didn’t open with a whats up from longtime host Pat Sajak.

Ryan Seacrest stepped into Sajak’s footwear after his 41-year tenure as host of the famed sport present, becoming a member of co-host and letter turner Vanna White. Seacrest, a well-known tv and radio presence recognized for internet hosting “American Idol,” New Yr’s Eve programming and a long-running radio present, debuted because the sequence’ new host Monday night time.

“I nonetheless can’t imagine my luck being right here with you tonight to proceed this legacy of this unimaginable present with all of you, and, in fact, my good buddy Vanna White,” Seacrest stated as he opened the present. “Thanks for the very heat welcome.”

In a short opening monologue earlier than the gameplay started, Seacrest acknowledged Sajak’s influence as host and his retirement on the finish of the forty first season. Sajak received his fourth Emmy Award for greatest sport present host for his closing season Saturday on the Inventive Arts Emmys.

“Internet hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is a dream job. I’ve been a fan of this present since I used to be a child watching it in Atlanta with my household, and I understand how particular it’s that ‘Wheel’ has been in your residing rooms for the previous 40 years,” he stated. “I’m simply so grateful to be invited in. I additionally know I’ve bought some very huge footwear to fill, so let’s play ‘Wheel of Fortune.’”

In his first episode, Seacrest introduced an lively spirit and his traditional good-humored nature. In a departure from his predecessor, he didn’t use cue playing cards to talk with contestants Corina, Terry and Cindy about their backgrounds.

Past the apparent change of Seacrest taking up for Sajak, the premiere of the forty second season additionally showcased some aesthetic changes.

The colourful wheel and the enduring puzzle board stay largely the identical, though White did get upgraded to a movement sensor board in 2022 to have a good time the fortieth season. The stage has been up to date and now options golden wheels and spokes in a extra trendy, modern design.

Seacrest requested White how she favored the brand new stage through the hallmark banter the host and letter turner share to shut the present. White stated there have been “a whole lot of lights, a whole lot of motion,” and Seacrest quipped that he hoped it could proceed working by means of his first week.

Seacrest advised The Related Press in a latest interview “the dimensions of the set was fairly spectacular” to him when he first stepped on set.

The capturing schedule remains to be as fast-paced as ever, with Seacrest saying that whereas it could be busy to shoot a number of episodes per day, it makes it handy for his packed schedule of different internet hosting duties.

Lots of the acquainted parts of the present are simply as they had been when Sajak left the sequence. White nonetheless wears a proper robe, Seacrest sported a go well with and tie like Sajak did, the recognizable sound results and “gadgets” contestants use to play are the identical. The tradition behind the scenes additionally appears to have remained as genial because the 30-minute episodes.

“I’ve even have been impressed with how shut the household is that works on ’Wheel of Fortune,’ the manufacturing group that places it collectively. It’s lots of people,” Seacrest stated in an interview at an occasion with White selling the brand new season. “They’re actually a household and so they have a whole lot of respect for each single individual, what they do on the present, and that’s particular.”

White added that one workers member who began on the present when she was 18 now has children who’re graduating from faculty. “We’ve been collectively a very long time,” she stated.

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Producer Liam McEwan contributed to this report.