A new era is underway at the CBS game show

WHEEL of Fortune is getting a makeover ahead of Ryan Seacrest’s debut as host.

The series’ upcoming 42nd season will mark the beginning of a new era for Wheel of Fortune, after its longtime host Pat Sajak officially retired on June 7, 2024.

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Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked the new puzzle board in first poster of Ryan Seacrest and Vanna WhiteCredit: Wheel of Fortune

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The iconic Wheel of Fortune puzzleboard has had a few iterations over the yearsCredit: Wheel of Fortune

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It was most recently modified in 2022 ahead of the show’s 40th anniversaryCredit: CBS
Producers have promised that when the CBS show returns to screens next month, Wheel of Fortune’s now-iconic set will look drastically different to what fans may remember.

It has now been revealed that one of the biggest differences will be the appearance of the show’s puzzle board, after Wheel of Fortune accidentally leaked its new look on Wednesday, August 20.

The show’s central set piece looks bigger and better surrounded by a shiny new, gold tiled border, a seen in the first poster of Ryan and Vanna White as Wheel of Fortune’s new co-hosts.

Photos posted on BuzzerBlog’s X account showed the new puzzle board placed on stairs with round edges, in contrast to the earlier rectangular steps, in front of a brightly-lit teal blue screen.

It is as yet unclear whether the changes are purely aesthetic or include functional upgrades as well.

MIXED REACTIONS

Fans were divided over the puzzle board’s new design, with one X user writing, “It’s certainly… interesting, to say the least.”

Another comment read, “I miss the old one with Pat nothing to me will replace the original host.”

A third person disagreed, exclaiming, “I love it!”

“Judging by this and the previously leaked video, the new border looks like a mashup between the 70s and 80s ones.” a fourth fan noted.

The puzzle board, on which the Wheel of Fortune answers are displayed, has seen a few different iterations over the years.

Its most major modification was announced in 2022, on the occasion of Wheel of Fortune’s 40th anniversary, as creators controversially revealed the puzzle board would no longer be controlled by Vanna.

The single-screen LED centrepiece replaced the earlier board of individual TV monitors that revealed the right answer one letter at a time.

Instead of being activated by Vanna’s touch, the new puzzle board was controlled remotely by laser technology, the show’s executive producer Bellamie Blackstone revealed at the time.

“The technology behind how Vanna interacts with it is something used in self-driving cars. It’s used on the mars rover” – it’s called LIDAR.

“We can put up our logo or any graphics we want to, we can also change it [back] to the puzzle board,” she added.

The new, technologically advanced board drew mixed reactions from fans at the time, with one person writing, “It’s like a Wheel of Fortune version of an iPad.”

PUZZLING REMARKS

Prior to that, the puzzle board was last changed in 1997, when the physical turning-letters board was decommissioned.

The puzzle changed from turn to press which it had been for the next 15 years.

“This is the last night of this puzzle board. You will no longer be turning letters,” Pat addressed his co-host who had, until then, been turning the letters herself.

“The new board… it’s heat-activated if you will,” he continued, before making a controversial comment, “And if anyone can heat up a board, you can.”

From the 1970s until 1997, the puzzle board’s panels were physically flipped by Vanna.

RYAN’S ERA

Earlier this month, Wheel of Fortune fans got a sneak-peek at the show’s new set, including a brand new blue backdrop displaying the show’s logo.

When Pat Sajak co-hosted with Vanna, the background was brown instead of blue.

The new season of Wheel of Fortune will premiere on September 9.

Ryan said he was “truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak” in a statement following Pat’s retirement announcement last June.

“I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna (White) on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them,” the TV personality said.

“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition,” he added.

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Pat Sajak and Vanna White co-hosted Wheel of Fortune together for over 40 yearsCredit: Getty

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While Pat Sajak, 71, announced his retirement last June, Vanna White will continue with the show until 2026Credit: Getty

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Vanna White and new host Ryan Seacrest bond during a photoshoot for the new Wheel of Fortune posterCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune