Wheel of Fortune kicked off Season 42 with quite a bang on September 9, marking Ryan Seacrest’s first appearance as host.
According to Deadline, the premiere scored an impressive 4.62 in household ratings, reflecting a remarkable 57% rise over last year’s debut, which earned a 2.94 rating in the same markets.
Seacrest’s hosting debut comes after Pat Sajak’s retirement in June, concluding his 41-year run. Sajak had shared his plans to step down a year prior, with Seacrest stepping into the spotlight shortly after.
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During his first show, Seacrest expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for the very warm welcome. Hosting Wheel of Fortune is a dream job. I grew up watching this show with my family in Atlanta.” He emphasized the show’s significance, acknowledging he has “big shoes to fill.”
While many viewers praised Seacrest on social media, some critics pointed out that he didn’t clearly explain the stakes during the September 10 episode, leading to frustration among fans.
After contestant Airica Boyle from Taylor, Michigan, landed the coveted $1 million wedge, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to note that Seacrest failed to highlight the potential risks of her decisions, a nuance Sajak often included. “Pat would always remind contestants about the $1 million wedge. Ryan should do this too,” one viewer remarked.
Despite the mixed feedback, the high ratings provide a hopeful outlook for the show’s future, although Deadline indicated that full ratings data for the week should be expected soon.