HOUSTON – Since its debut in 1975, “Wheel of Fortune” has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences across generations.

Created by Merv Griffin, “Wheel of Fortune” began as a daytime television show but quickly rose to fame in prime time.

KHOU 11 News was given an exclusive tour during Wheels’ golden anniversary taping where we were able to see the new set for ourselves.

Ryan Seacrest, who joined the show as host in 2024, described the secret to its success.

“The simplicity of the show. It is what it is, and that’s why it works. And that’s what Merv, who created the show, said. As you walk past the room, you have to stop and try to solve the puzzle,” Seacrest said.

Seacrest replaced Pat Sajak, who stepped down after more than 40 years.

The series’ 50th anniversary episodes will honor Griffin’s legacy.

“We will honor Merv because without him none of us would be here. He started my career and he started your career,” White said.

A new set was introduced to mark the anniversary with updated LED lighting, interactive screens and immersive images.

“All we have out here is upgraded LED lighting, LED on the floor and a huge screen that we can do so much with. You not only see the themes, but also the beautiful places we send people to,” said a production employee.

Despite the modern touches, some elements remain unchanged.

“It’s the same wheel as on the field,” Seacrest said. “You can’t touch the old, iconic “Wheel of Fortune” and the sound. You can hear the click, click, click from the other room and know it’s time.”

Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, has spearheaded efforts to attract younger viewers through platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

“We have so much fun creating the social media for the show. I think it’s really special because people know the show, it’s a really important part of their day, their life. But giving them an insider view that they may never have had before is really amazing,” she said.

As Wheel of Fortune looks to the future, Seacrest hopes to continue the series’ legacy.

“We celebrate people’s milestones. We look forward to so much that will happen in the coming years. I have a lot of energy and I want to bring 50 years more of that energy and also some fun, new ideas,” he said.