Ryan Seacrest Says Seeing Updated “Wheel of Fortune” Set for 'New Era' as Host Was 'Magical' (Exclusive)

“The set is a big, Hollywood shiny floor game show set,” Seacrest tells PEOPLE

Ryan Seacrest is remembering his first time on the Wheel of Fortune set ahead of his newest hosting gig.

Speaking with PEOPLE in this week's issue, Seacrest, 49, reveals his reaction to seeing the newly renovated set. He explains that his first day there was in May, right after he finished filming American Idol.

“It was magical to see the set,” Seacrest says. “I remember growing up as a kid, you would see things about the backlot at Universal Studios, and you would see how movies were made. And then the first time I came to L.A., I went to the back lots and I saw some of that stuff that you'd only seen on TV, and it's a little bit of an awestruck moment. It's the same with this Wheel of Fortune set that's so iconic.”

“The wheel, the sound of the wheel, then at the board, the letters, the puzzle board — it's just something that's so embedded in your memory as a visual from watching on TV,” he continues. “So to see it in person was very exciting.”

Related: Why Vanna White Felt 'Very Scared' to Co-Host Wheel of Fortune with Ryan Seacrest: 'I Had No Idea What to Expect'

He jokes that the wheel was heavier than he expected, adding that it was “jaw-dropping” to see it up close.

To usher in the new era as Seacrest takes the reigns from longtime host Pat Sajak, the show received a slight makeover. “We have a new set that we just built and we'll premiere with this new era," Seacrest says, describing it as "a big, Hollywood shiny floor game show set."

Seacrest also says he was looking forward to working alongside Vanna White, the shows's iconic letter-turner.

"I can't imagine Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White. It doesn't seem right, especially if there's going to be a new host," Seacrest shares. So far, he says they've been having "a magical time together."

White also spoke to PEOPLE and said "Ryan was a great choice."

Adding, "He's professional, he's kind, he's hard-working. We've known each other for 20 years, so I think he's a good fit."

Stepping in as host to a show that has been on air for nearly 50 years, Seacrest says he doesn’t feel nervous — especially with 20 years of hosting experience under his belt — but excited.

“I think as a host and as someone that cares about that role, you want people to be happy," he explains. "That's your job. You want them to feel like they're comfortable and they're enjoying themselves, and I do look at that with a pretty serious lens.”

Related: Pat Sajak on the 'Incredible Privilege' and 'Responsibility' He's Had to Viewers on Final Wheel of Fortune Episode

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After 40 years, Sajak retired from Wheel of Fortune with his final episode airing in June. In a monologue at his exit, he thanked fans as he passed the torch to Seacrest.

"What an honor to play even a small part in all that," Sajak said about bringing families together who viewed the show every night. "Thank you for allowing me into your lives, every time we taped a show I met three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who rooted for each other, who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets."

He concluded, "In the end, they were the real stars of the show. I genuinely like these people and I'll miss the chance to meet more of them."

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