Pick a letter, a vowel, and spin that wheel! For 40 years, “Wheel of Fortune” has greeted us in the early evening with the host duo of Pat Sajak and Vanna White. There was some speculation last year as to whether Pat would leave. But this coming season will be Sajak’s last.
“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months,” Sajak posted. “Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!).”
It’s hard to imagine “Wheel of Fortune” without Pat Sajak. He and Vanna White have been some of the longest-standing hosts of any gameshow series. Sajak has been host of “Wheel” since its syndication in ’83. And he and Vanna took to a daytime edition on NBC from ’81 to ’89. Pat and Vanna have been the faces of the show for such a long time, it’s bizarre to think they’d stop. It’s a similar bittersweet feeling to Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks retiring as hosts of the Rose Parade. Familiar faces we’re sad to see go.
“As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years,” Suzanne Prete, Executive VP Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, said. “We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season.”
There’s no word on who will take up Sajak’s position. But some of us wonder if Vanna White might leave the word wall and host. It would add a new spin while still preserving that sense of familiarity. But we’ll be sure to let you know when the new host is announced. Stay tuned!
