Ryan Seacrest reveals what “Wheel of Fortune” icons Pat Sajak and Vanna White told him on his first day as host
Seacrest said the longtime stars told him what the "best part" of hosting the show is as he prepared to replace Sajak.
The hand of fate brought Ryan Seacrest to his new gig as Wheel of Fortune host and now the TV personality has revealed what the long-running game show's iconic stars Pat Sajak and Vanna White told him on his first day on the job.
In a new interview that aired Tuesday morning on Good Morning America, Seacrest — who replaced Sajak on Wheel of Fortune, after holding prior hosting roles on American Idol and Live With Kelly and Ryan — noted that he's "watched countless episodes" to prepare. He's even "played mock Wheel of Fortune games in many cities across America," even "on conference tables, in meeting rooms," and with "makeshift wheels and makeshift contestants for months" to get into the flow of the show.
The 49-year-old's preparation led to the moment he stepped on the show's brand new set, where he said Sajak, 77, and White, 67, greeted him with a sweet, grounding message on his first day as host.
Phillip Faraone/Getty; Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty
Ryan Seacrest, Vanna White and Pat Sajak"Pat and Vanna both said to me when I first got here, the best part is you're going to meet three new people every night," Seacrest recalled during the interview, while seated next to White. "And they walk away with cash!"
Seacrest also promised that he won't try to fix what isn't broken as he takes over for season 42.
"Don't make any changes, don't touch it. This show works," Seacrest said. "All I need to do is keep it moving, and all we need to do is have fun every night. If that's what happens, I think this show continues for a long time."
Related: Ryan Seacrest celebrates first day at Wheel of Fortune
Seacrest previously honored Sajak's 41-year run on the syndicated evening edition of the show in June, amid the game show staple's final day on the job.
“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune!” Seacrest wrote on Instagram at the time. “Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna [White] has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers."
Sajak also gave an emotional speech on his last day on the show, in which he specifically highlighted his cohost, White, for her decades of dedication to the program.
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"Like me, she takes the show very seriously, but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role," Sajak said. "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."
Seacrest makes his Wheel of Fortune debut as host on Monday, Sept. 9. Check local listings for showtimes in your area.
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