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The Wheel of Fortune got off to a pretty strong start with Ryan Seacrest as the new host for season 42 on Monday, September 9.
According to DeadlineThe episode earned a 4.62 rating in households according to early data. That’s a 57 percent increase over last year’s premiere, which earned a 2.94 rating in the same TV markets.
The 49-year-old host’s debut on the game show follows the retirement of Pat Sajak in June, ending his 41-year hosting stint. Sajak announced his retirement a year earlier, and Seacrest was confirmed as the new host shortly after.
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Upon his debut, Seacrest expressed his thanks and enthusiasm to the audience, saying, “Thank you for the very warm welcome. The Wheel of Fortune “This is a dream job. I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a kid, watching it in Atlanta with my family.” He continued to talk about the significance of the gig, noting, “I know how special it is that Wheel “I have been in your salons for 40 years. I am so grateful to have been invited. I also know that I have very great responsibilities to fulfill.”
While many fans on social media gave positive reviews of the TV personality, others were quick to criticize Seacrest, particularly for not fully explaining the consequences of a contestant’s actions on the Tuesday, September 10, episode.
After Airica Boyle of Taylor, Michigan, landed the million-dollar wedge in her first round of play, Wheel X fans (formerly Twitter) criticized Seacrest for not adequately explaining the potential consequences of Boyle’s choices.
“Pat always reminded the contestants that if they bet less than $10,000, they risked losing their share of a million dollars. Ryan must do that too…” one said, while another agreed: “Yes, they know the rules. But Pat always added extra details.”
Regardless, these early ratings are a positive sign for the show’s future. Deadline Detailed notes for the first week will be available next week.
