(WJW) – The Ryan Seacrest era of “Wheel of Fortune” begins Monday night.
Seacrest replaced Pat Sajak on the show after 41 years.
He will join co-host Vanna White, who extended her contract ahead of Sajak’s final season, and is signed on through at least 2025-2026.
In their cross-country tour promoting the new season with Seacrest, the two shared that their relationship goes back decades.
“Oddly enough, Merv Griffin, who is the creator of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ who chose me — God bless you, Merv — Ryan Seacrest was also one of Merv’s people that he [discovered],” White told PEOPLE. “We actually sat next to each other at Merv’s Funeral. That’s where we met.”
Griffin died in 2007.
White shared more about working with Seacrest on the show.
“He’s professional, he’s kind, he’s hard-working. We’ve known each other for 20 years, so I think he’s a good fit,” she said.
“Spinning with excitement!” Seacrest captioned his first social media post from the Wheel set.
Seacrest has also been heaping praise on White.
“It’s not ‘Wheel of Fortune’ without Vanna White,” he told TODAY.
He described their time together as “magical” on the set.
Another change, besides the host, includes updates to the set.
“We have a new set that we just built, and we’ll premiere with this new era,” Seacrest told TODAY.
Seacrest’s hosting career dates to 1993, with major gigs like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, LIVE With Kelly and Ryan and E! News. White was a model before joining Wheel of Fortune in 1982.
The 42nd season of “Wheel of Fortune” premieres Monday, Sept. 9.
