WHEEL of Fortune has given fans a glimpse at the new puzzle board ahead of the upcoming season of the show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Former host Pat Sajak‘s daughter, Maggie Sajak, revealed that the set piece holds special meaning because of her father’s tenure on the game show.
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The puzzle wall was revealed in an Inside Edition clip hosted by Maggie.
She caught up with Ryan, 49, and co-host Vanna White during an event at the Santa Monica piece in California.
During the segment, Inside Edition unveiled the new puzzle board for the first time.
The new puzzle board features some old details, which Maggie claimed was a tribute to her dad.
There is a flashy golden border around the puzzle board, as there was in the 1980s.
“It’s kind of an homage to the set of the 80s which is where people got introduced to the show. So I think there’s something really nostalgic but a lot of really modern, fresh elements,” she explained.
It has been widely reported that incoming host Ryan intends to bring an err of freshness and modernity to the show, which fans are split about.
ALL ABOUT THE WALL
Vanna, 67, showed off changes to the Wheel of Fortune puzzle board on Tuesday.
Good Morning America host Ginger Zee talked to Vanna and Ryan about their “sleek new set” during a segment for the morning show.
“I don’t even have to touch the letter anymore,” Vanna shared, pointing toward the digital board.
“This is a blank screen with a video on it, right?”
“There are lasers up there,” she revealed, pointing toward the top of the screen.
“There are lasers up there,” she said, pointing to the top of the screen.
“So, when I go to touch the letter, it catches the movement of my hand, so it lights up.”
Wheel of Fortune Host Timeline
Although Pat and Vanna have been a staple on the game show for decades, there have been other hosts
Chuck Woolery was the host from 1975 to 1981
He co-hosted alongside Susan Stafford (1975 to 1982)
Vanna White then stepped in as hostess in 1982 and has been ever since
After a contract and salary dispute, the show got rid of Chuck and brought in Pat in 1982
Pat hosted with Susan for one season
He then left the game show in 1989 to host a late-night talk show for CBS
For five months, NFL player Rolf Benirschke took his place
In July 1989, Bob Goen hosted the show on CBS
He hosted for a year and a half until the show was canceled in 1991
The show was then moved to ABC with Pat and Vanna hosting for the foreseeable future
In 2023, Pat announced his retirement and Ryan Seacrest as quickly named as his replacement
“Isn’t that crazy?” Vanna questioned as Ginger nodded in agreement.
The GMA meteorologist inquired about what’s behind the wall.
Vanna revealed that she would go back there to see her puzzles, which are placed on a graph.
FEELING GOOD
Vanna and Ryan sat down with Ginger to talk about the upcoming season of the show.
Vanna said that Ryan is “already full of smiles” ahead of the premiere.
“It’s Wheel of Fortune, how can you not be happy?” he asked.
Vanna also said that the game show is “energetic, positive, and fun.”
“I’m so excited,” she added.
Ryan, for his part, said that taking over as host feels like an “out of body” experience for him.
“It is a very special thing that just doesn’t exist anywhere else,” he said of the game show.
In preparation for the new role, the American Idol host said that he has been catching up on old episodes of Wheel of Fortune with Vanna and Pat, 77, as the hosts.
He has also played a few mock games with fake contestants.
“Hopefully, it all pays off,” Ryan said.
MAJOR REFRESH
With Ryan is coming a new set, which the show has given small glimpses at in the lead up to the new season.
The set features bold colors, palm trees, and a massive wheel.
The set has a blue tint that the original set didn’t have.
Fans are split about the new look, with some claiming it was “cheap and tacky” looking.
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