Ryan Seacrest's 'Wheel of Fortune' Debut: Pat Sajak's Name Mysteriously Missing

There was just a single moment of tension as Ryan Seacrest made his highly anticipated debut as the new host of Wheel of Fortune this past Monday night. In a glaring oversight, Seacrest, 49, kicked off the show without mentioning the name of the beloved longtime host, Pat Sajak. Although he acknowledged that he was stepping into a major role, the absence of Sajak's name during his introduction was noted by many viewers.

As the iconic announcer Jim Thornton said, "And now together for the first time, here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White!" the excitement in the studio was palpable. Seacrest joins Vanna White, who has recently secured her place on the show through the 2025-26 season, creating quite the dynamic duo.

Post-introduction, Seacrest had heartfelt words to share with the audience. He opened up about his excitement, stating, "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." His sincerity shone through as he expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm.

“Thank you for the very warm welcome,” continued Seacrest. “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. 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.’”

It was clear that although Seacrest mentioned the "big shoes to fill" aspect of stepping into this role, Pat Sajak's name was surprisingly absent from his introduction. This moment sparked conversations among fans and loyal viewers alike.

The timing of Seacrest’s debut was noteworthy, especially since former host Sajak