Ryan Seacrest is making his official “Wheel of Fortune” debut, but co-host Vana White admits he was a little nervous at first.
White, who has worked with host Pat Sajak for more than 40 years, said he “had no idea what to expect” with Seacrest taking over the role.
“It was pretty scary because I'm used to one person for so long, but he's done a great job,” White said this weekend. “CBS Sunday Morning“
'Wheel of Fortune' Host Ryan Seacrest on 'Wild' First Day of Filming: 'My Heart Was Racing'
Vana White admitted she was “very scared” about her chemistry with Ryan Seacrest on “Wheel of Fortune.” (Getty Images)
“I've known Ryan for probably 20 years, but over the last few months we've traveled together for the show and gotten to know each other a little better, so I think we're a good fit,” she said.
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This will likely come as a relief to fans, as rumors circulated back in June that White was considering leaving the organization.Wheel of FortuneDespite signing a contract to return to the show for the 2025-2026 season in the fall, she left the show due to awkwardness with Seacrest, but the 67-year-old appeared to try to dispel speculation of a rift in an Instagram post in July.
“Friends in front of and behind the camera. Enjoying our favorite food, Chicken & Dumplings!” White captioned an Instagram photo of her and her new costar dining out.
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Ryan Seacrest, left, took over from longtime host Pat Sajak after he retired last year. (Ryan Seacrest Instagram)
Speaking on “CBS Sunday Morning,” Seacrest said he jumped at the chance to host such a beloved show.
“This is such an amazing, special series. It's more than just a TV show. It means something to people and when I realized this was my opportunity, I just, without a second thought, I was like, let's just go for it.”
But the 49-year-old confessed there was a learning curve and he had to work hard to get it right.
“Everywhere I've worked, producers would come in every now and then and bring the contestants in and do 'Wheel of Fortune' in the hotel, just so they could get used to the rules and the scenarios and what could happen, so at some point it becomes second nature,” Seacrest said.
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Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest attend the WOF S42 – Pier Wheel Launch at Santa Monica Pier on August 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Philip Faraone/Getty Images, courtesy of CBS Media Ventures/Sony Pictures Television)
Sajak announced last year that he would be retiring as host of the hit show after 41 seasons, after which the show announced shortly after that that Seacrest would replace the TV legend.
In July, Seacrest shared a behind-the-scenes look at the first day of filming for Wheel of Fortune in an Instagram post.
“A glimpse into my first day at @wheeloffortune and I'm still spinning with excitement!” he captioned the video.
Vanna White and Pat Sajak hosted “Wheel of Fortune” together from 1982 to 2024. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
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“My heart is beating fast. I'm so excited,” Seacrest admitted. Later in the video, he revealed, “I was so excited last night I couldn't sleep. I slept OK, but I was still so excited for my alarm to go off.”
Seacrest, who also hosts “American Idol,” said on “CBS Sunday Morning” that he doesn't know if he's reached “Peak Ryan Seacrest,” but that for now, it's “totally occupying me.”
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“I don't think I need to take on another job right now. I want this job to be good. I want all the other jobs to be good. But this is a new job, and I want it to be something that people can go, 'Oh, I get it. I get it. I get it.'”
“Wheel of Fortune” will be hosted by Seacrest and will premiere on September 9th.
