The wheel keeps turning.

Legendary talk show host Pat Sajak, 77, left “Wheel of Fortune” after more than four decades – and now Ryan Seacrest has taken over, beginning his own hosting stint on the show without mentioning his predecessor’s name.

Seacrest, 49, hosted his first episode on Monday, September 9. He was joined by the show’s longtime co-host, Vanna White, 67, whose tenure on the show began in 1982.

His debut was acknowledged by announcer Jim Thornton during the opening of the show.

“And now here are the stars of our show, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White, together for the first time!” said Thornton.

“I’m your host, Ryan Seacrest. I still can’t believe my luck to be here with you tonight to continue the legacy of this incredible show with all of you. And, of course, my good friend Vanna White,” he said during his monologue.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” 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 with my family in Atlanta. And I know how special it is that ‘Wheel’ has been in your living rooms for 40 years now. And I’m so grateful to have been invited. I also know I have big shoes to fill. So let’s do ‘Wheel of Fortune.'”

It was hardly noticeable that Seacrest did not mention Sajak in the introduction, even though he hinted that he had big shoes to fill.

White recently spoke about her chemistry with Seacrest and her biggest fear about a new co-host.

“I’ve known Ryan for probably 20 years,” White said. “But in the last few months we’ve been traveling together for the show and getting to know each other a little better.”

She added that she liked their “chemistry,” but “I had no idea what to expect after being attached to one person for so long.”

“I was very scared,” she admitted, “but he does a great job.”

Last year, Sajak announced he was retiring from the show after 41 seasons. His final episode aired in June, in which he gave an emotional speech praising White.

“To my professional better half. We have experienced many changes in our lives over the years, but we have always been there for each other,” he said at the time. “Although I will miss working with her very much, I take comfort in the fact that we live about five miles apart, so we will see each other often.”

Following his exit, Sajak won his first Emmy in 26 years, taking home the trophy for outstanding game show host at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday.

At the time, Seacrest paid tribute to his predecessor on social media.

“Pat, congratulations on your incredible run on Wheel of Fortune!” he wrote on Instagram.

“Your dedication, charm and wit made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna was nothing short of iconic and together you gave viewers countless wonderful memories.”

Seacrest told “Good Morning America” that he “watched countless episodes” in preparation.

In addition, he played “mock ‘Wheel of Fortune’ games in many cities across America,” even “on conference tables, in meeting rooms” and with “months of improvised wheels and improvised participants” to get into the flow of the show.

“Pat and Vanna both told me when I first got here that the best part is that I get to meet three new people every night,” Seacrest recalls. “And they go home with cash!”

On September 5, White told Variety of her new co-host, “He has a tough job. He rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed and gave it his all to do a good job. And he did it.”

Seacrest told the network that hosting “Wheel of Fortune” brings him full circle since series creator Merv Griffin gave him one of his breakout roles in the ’90s when he cast him as host of the teen game show “Click.”

Seacrest recalled talking to Griffin about “Wheel of Fortune” at the time. “He told me it’s something that could last forever because it’s a simple show that people love to be on. You can have a busy, stressful, hectic day and sit down and forget about everything else. He said that was the key ingredient,” he said.

“During that conversation, I never believed that I would ever have the opportunity to host.”

Seacrest recalled that when Sajak stopped by the studio after taking the job to watch Sajak and White, he told him, “Vanna is the best show to work with. It’s the best show on television. You just push people through a game while they win money. There’s not much to think about.”

The former host of “Live with Kelly and Ryan” also promised not to make any drastic changes.

“Don’t change anything, don’t touch anything. This show works,” Seacrest said.

“I just have to keep pushing it and we have to have fun every night. If we can do that, I think this show will go on for a long time.”