The Massive ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Change That Has Fans Scratching Their Heads

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Wheel of Fortune viewers no longer know what to expect when they turn on their TV screens.

After unveiling a new set (and new host) during the season 42 premiere on Monday, September 9, many people expressed disappointment with the design. However, as the Girlfriend Getaways special aired this week, viewers noticed that the old set is back in its original glory.

Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their confusion and try to make sense of the situation.

“I threw Wheel of Fortune on again and it seems Sony Pictures has completely undone the new set??? Was that set just temporary for the premiere week? Or did they film a bunch of new episodes with Seacrest on the old set before they switched to that premiere week set?,” one person posted on the app.

“Pretty interesting how WOF is going back and forth from the new set and the old. #WheelofFortune,” a second person noted.

One longtime viewer was thrilled with the set rewind, as they tore apart the new look.

“@WheelofFortune it seems like you listened and have made the set a little better. When Ryan said he wouldn’t change anything he should have included the set deco cuz the new season deco is atrocious, cold, uninviting totally lacking the warmth it always had. I had stopped tuning in but thought I’d give it another chance and was surprised you changed it. Now just change it back further. This was, with Pat Sayjac must see tv after dinner, when I saw the new season sets I knew I wasn’t going to watch anymore. Thank you for at least attempting to soften it,” the individual wrote.

However, another fan cleared up the confusion by explaining that the episodes do not always air in order, and that Girlfriend Getaways must have been filmed prior to the set change.

“Not sure if you’ve heard about this, but the previous set was used during Ryan’s first four weeks of filming, until the overhaul came in the fifth. The new set’s here to stay, in spite of what Sony’s done with the taping order,” the fan explained.

After beloved TV Personality Pat Sajak, who had served as host since 1981, announced his retirement in June 2023, Ryan Seacrest was named his replacement.

Seacrest, 49, spoke to CBS Sunday Mornings in September about his new gig. “This is such an incredible special franchise. It’s more than a TV show. It is something that means something to people, and when I found out that this was an opportunity for me, there was no thought to this. It was like, absolutely, let’s figure it out, and let’s get started,” the LIVE with Kelly and Ryan alum stated.