Wheel of Fortune fans threaten to boycott show over ‘disappointing’ change after Ryan Seacrest’s rocky start as host

WHEEL of Fortune has received more backlash after Ryan Seacrest’s shaky start this week.

Fans of the game show pointed out the set on an Instagram post and said they might boycott the show because of it.

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Ryan Seacrest is seen hosting Wheel of FortuneCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

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Ryan Seacrest and the three Wheel of Fortune players on the new setCredit: Wheel of Fortune
On Tuesday, a video was posted to Wheel of Fortune’s official page.

It showed host Ryan, 49, giving a winner a trip to the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which he will also host.

As Ryan stood on set, a bright blue and yellow background was behind him, which is brand new this season.

Fans think that the set is too distracting and they can’t watch Wheel anymore because of it.

“Ryan is doing very well. However, the set is horribly distracting. It’s too hard to focus on the puzzle. I believe I’ve just watched my last WOF,” one Instagram user said.

“Way too bright!” said another.

“I really dislike the new set,” added a third.

“Still love the show…but the set is absolutely horrible!!! It makes me not want to watch the show!” a social media user said.

“I can NOT with the set!!! Such a disappointment. I changed it to Game Show Network to watch reruns,” wrote another.

“The new set is awful,” commented a fan.

Wheel of Fortune behind-the-scenes secrets revealed as fans point out massive taping edit in Ryan Seacrest’s second show
“I love the new set, but the colors are a bit bright,” said a follower.

HAVE TO SEA IT

This is not the first time fans have complained about the new set.

On the Season 42 premiere episode on September 9, Ryan and hostess Vanna White walked onto the stage, which included sliding doors center stage.

The screen showed all three contestants on their own panels as they solved puzzles.

Wheel of Fortune must-know staff

Wheel of Fortune’s universe is more vast than fans realize. Here’s a look at the key staffmembers of America’s most iconic puzzle-based game show:

Ryan Seacrest: host, 2024-present

Vanna White: co-host, 1982-present

Maggie Sajak: social media correspondent, 2021-present

Jim Thornton: announcer, 2011-present

Pat Sajak: host from 1981-2024, the newly-retired Pat still hosts Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and is now a supervising producer

Bellamie Blackstone: executive producer, 2021-present

Steve Schwartz, supervising producer of over 30 years and now co-executive producer

Jimmy McGuire: Stage Manager and Jeopardy! Clue Crew alum (also Jeopardy!’s stage manager)

Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! famously share a studio lot and use the others’ set next door for practice games before players take the stage.

Learn more about who keeps Wheel of Fortune spinning here.

Along with the bright walls, the shiny board is shiny and distracting.

Fans said they were “not impressed” and that it “hurt their eyes.”

Another new change to the set was that the letter board is digital and Vanna, 67, barely has to touch it.

HE’S NOT PAT

Ryan took over for Pat Sajak this season after the long-time host retired after 41 seasons.

Fans had mixed reactions to Ryan’s debut and many said that “he’s not Pat.”

“Ryan Seacrest is boring,” one critic said.

However, others said that they were impressed that Ryan was hosting with notecards.

“I gotta say…I don’t understand the hate – Ryan Seacrest isn’t that bad as host,” said an X user.

Wheel of Fortune airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ABC.

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The Wheel players split into three screens under the shiny new puzzle boardCredit: NBC

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Ryan Seacrest on a recent episode of Wheel of FortuneCredit: Instagram/wheeloffortune

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Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest waving on the set of WheelCredit: Wheel of Fortune