Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked its new puzzle board while featuring a first look at Ryan Seacrest as host following Pat Sajak’s retirement.
In a first look at the 49-year-old media mogul alongside Vanna White ahead of season 42, which airs next month, eagle-eyed social media users noticed the set received a bit of a makeover.
The puzzle board, which displays answers to contestants during the CBS game show, appeared larger and had a new gold tile border.
Previously, the board had a blue-green display. It is currently unknown whether the changes are just cosmetic or serve some additional purpose.
Viewers were divided over the new puzzle board, with one X user calling the tweaks “interesting, to say the least.”
Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked its new puzzle board while revealing a first look at Ryan Seacrest as host following Pat Sajak’s retirement
“I miss the old one with Pat, nothing for me will ever replace the original host,” said another.
A third wrote: I love it!
Others said the new license plate looked “like a mix between the 70s and 80s” and “so retro!!!”
The latest change comes amid reports that Sajak, who retired from hosting Wheel of Fortune after four decades last month, is reportedly treating his replacement “coldly.”
Though he initially appeared happy to hand over the reins to Seacrest, sources claimed the 77-year-old Chicago native was actually ousted by the network.
Following his “forced” exit, the TV personality is said to be “resentful of the way he was treated and then kicked off the show” and has no interest in giving Seacrest, 49, any advice or guidance.
“Ryan can approach Pat if he wants, but asking is not enough. Pat will always be busy, or he will dismiss Ryan with a neutral ‘You can handle this’. When Ryan takes over, Pat will be watching and enjoying seeing how he gets on in a difficult situation, which is full of challenges and not as easy as he might think,” a source recently told The Mirror newspaper.
Seacrest, whose first episode of Wheel of Fortune is set to air in September 2024, reportedly “knows he has some big shoes to fill in being a worthy replacement for Pat.”
In the first look of the 49-year-old media mogul alongside Vanna White ahead of season 42, which airs next month, eagle-eyed social media users noticed the set has received a drastic makeover.
The puzzle board, which displays answers to contestants during the CBS game show, appeared larger and had a new gold tile border.
To smooth the transition, the source said Seacrest has been “in full Mr. Nice Guy mode, deploying his charm, lavishing Vanna (White) and everyone else on the show with his home-cooked food and bringing in treats.”
The publication also claimed that the media mogul has been “making a big effort with Vanna and trying to win her favor by taking her out to dinner and trying to overcome any lingering tension they have.”
Despite his efforts, he has reportedly had difficulty “building a connection” with White, who worked with Sajak on Wheel of Fortune for more than 40 years.
The veteran television host began hosting the iconic game show in 1981, replacing outgoing host Chuck Woolery.
The latest change comes amid reports that Sajak, who retired from hosting Wheel of Fortune after four decades last month, is allegedly treating his replacement with “indifference.”
Between 1981 and 2024, Sajak hosted more than 8,000 episodes over 41 seasons.
Last month, White broke her silence on rumors that she “doesn’t click” with Seacrest when she posted a photo of them having dinner together.
“Friends in front of and behind the camera. Enjoying one of our favorite dishes: chicken and dumplings!” she wrote alongside the photo.
Her post came weeks after a source told DailyMail.com that Vanna was considering leaving the show before her two-year contract expires.
“Vanna will be leaving the show when her contract is up, but there’s a part of her that wants to get away sooner,” a source from the show said.
“It’s very difficult to do this without Pat. She just doesn’t get along with Ryan like she did with Pat, and no one expected her to. There’s no way she could do it,” the source explained.
Though it initially seemed like he was happy to hand over the reins to Ryan Seacrest, sources now claim the 77-year-old Chicago native was actually ousted by the network (seen in 2020)
“Vanna feels like she’s put her time into it. She’s dedicated her entire life to this show and has had an incredible run and made a fortune,” the source added.
“She knows the show needs to go in a different direction and appeal to a younger audience. She wants the show to continue. To do that, she’ll need a younger host, someone who can be to Ryan what she was to Pat.”
In an emotional video posted the night before Pat’s final episode aired, Vanna tearfully commented: “I can’t believe tomorrow is our last show together.”
The South Carolina native continued: “I don’t know how to put into words what these last 41 years have meant to me, but I’m going to try.”
She fondly recalls: “As the years have gone by, we have grown on television, but we have also shared a lot more behind the scenes.”
Vanna noted that “as much fun as we have in front of the camera, those memories, milestones and life events we share with our families outside of the studio are my favorites.”
Following his “forced” exit, the TV personality is said to be “resentful of the way he was treated and then kicked off the show” and has no interest in giving Seacrest, 49, any advice or guidance.
When Pat’s final episode aired in early June, he responded with a touching tribute to Vanna and their decades of working together.
“Finally, I want to congratulate my professional soulmate, my dear Vanna. Like me, she takes the show very seriously, but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years would have been like if they had brought in someone who was very proud of herself and played the role of the prima donna. Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as they come,” said Pat.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in our lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other. I want to thank her for her lovely farewell on yesterday’s show and while I will miss working with her very much, I take comfort in the fact that we live about five miles apart so we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
However, she confessed that she would “miss our late night closings and her laughter and her good nature. She is a very special woman. And I know everyone is happy to know that she will be back next season.”
At the end of the episode, Vanna walked across the stage to Pat and wrapped him in a hug, sharing a private chat with him that was drowned out by the exit music.
Pat announced in June 2023 that his “wonderful ride” on Wheel Of Fortune would come to an end this year after its 41st season.
“I’d rather leave a couple of years too early than a couple of years too late,” he later told his daughter Maggie on Good Morning America.
Last month, White broke her silence on rumors that she “doesn’t click” with Seacrest when she posted a photo of them having dinner together.
Following his departure, Pat will remain attached to the show for another three years as a consultant, according to Sony Pictures Television executive vice president of game shows Suzanne Prete.
She will also be returning to host another season of Celerity Wheel Of Fortune.
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