[Music] I'd like to solve the puzzle will of Fortune has a new host Ryan CEST made his debut as the new host of the classic television game show on Monday September 9's episode after long time host Pat sagic announced his retirement in June 2023 but the first words spoken on ABC's revamped version of wheel came from co-host Vanna White who's been with the show since 1982 welcome to the show she announced CEST replied so happy to be here CEST then jumped into a heartfelt speech as a way of commemorating the new era for the show I still can't believe my luck in 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 he said he continued 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 and I know how special it is that will has been in your living rooms for the past 40 years and I'm so grateful to be invited in I also know I've got some very big shoes to fill so let's play the first puzzle of the evening was a fitting marker of the start of the seest era clue show biz two words 12 letters opening night said one contestant solving the puzzle certainly feels that way over here cist joked subsequent puzzles alluded to the historic evening I'm Unstoppable and there's a first time for everything followed CEST Banner with white and announcer Jim Thornton who's been with the show since 2010 was effortless it isn't surprising from a TV and radio personality as seasoned as seest he's hosted American Idol since its first season in 2002 along with the show's American Top 40 Dick Clark's New Year's rocking eve since 2005 and on air with Ryan CEST the syndicated kissfm show he's hosted since 200 for to ABC also debuted a sparkling new set for the game show and CEST announced at the top of the main game that they'd be bringing fun surprises all week not only for our contestants but for you at home as well Monday's contestants competed for a special NFL wedge that won the lucky player tickets to a game of their choice the episode's eventual winner Terry Watson won trips to both Mexico and Italy Watson took $255,400 but couldn't solve the puzzle digital footprint losing him $40,000 in additional prize money what a great game white said to CEST at episode's end and asked how do you feel CEST replied I feel like we did well we got one on her out belt you know really a fun night what was great was everyone got to walk away with some money I was hoping that would happen on my first night what do you think of the new set seest asked white beautiful isn't it she replied lots of light let's hope it continues to work all week CEST joked a nod to one of the show's primary sponsors LG who gifted Watson an extra letter during the bonus round making the classic felet spread rsdl g& CEST energy during his opening night was infectious but sag's absence was felt sag's retirement marked the end of an era not just for Wheel of Fortune but TV itself he'd hosted the show since 1983 taking the crown in 2018 from the prices writes Bob Barker as the longest serving host of any game show he won his last Emmy for the series over the weekend having won three times previously in in 1993 1997 and 1998 in his final episode sagic dedicated his last episode to White his co-host of over 40 years like me she takes the show very seriously but not herself he said I shter to think what these 40 plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves playing the Primadonna role Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems we've seen a lot of changes in each other's lives over the years but we've always been there for each other Wheel of Fortune airs week nights at 7:30 p.m. on ABC