Ryan Seacrest Makes Debut As ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Host But Doesn’t Say Pat Sajak’s Name

Ryan Seacrest made his hosting debut on “Wheel of Fortune” Monday night and referenced longtime former host Pat Sajak but did not say his name.

“So happy to be here,” Seacrest said to co-host Vanna White after being introduced by announcer Jim Thornton at the start of the show, per Variety. 

“So happy to have you!” White replied.

“I am your host, Ryan Seacrest. I still can’t believe my luck of 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,” the radio host and TV personality said. 

“Thank you for the very warm welcome,” Seacrest went on. “Hosting ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is a dream job. I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid watching it in Atlanta with my family. And I know how special it is that ‘Wheel’ has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years. And I’m just so grateful to be invited in. I also know I’ve got some very big shoes to fill. So, let’s play ‘Wheel of Fortune.’”

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Before Seacrest took over, Sajak hosted the popular game show for more than four decades. The former host discussed his decision to step down during filming in June. 

“I’ve always said this to you, you’ve heard me say this dozens of times, I’d rather leave a couple of years too early than a couple of years too late,” Sajak told his daughter Maggie Sajak during a Good Morning America interview.

“Could I still do it? Yeah, I think I could for a while,” he went on. “There’s also some other things in life that we’d like to do, and I’m enjoying this last year. It’s been a great 40 years, and I’m looking forward to whatever’s ahead.”

Seacrest previously gushed about taping “Wheel of Fortune” after being on set in July. “I’m still spinning with excitement!” he wrote in an Instagram post caption at the time. 

“I’m so excited, my heart’s pounding,” he said in the video. “The wheel’s maybe smaller than you think — as am I,” Seacrest added. “I could not sleep last night, I was so excited. I slept okay, but still very excited for the alarm to go off.”