"Wheel of Fortune" May Lose Dynamic Duo Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Stars Hint at Retirement
Change is hard.
Ask viewers of Jeopardy if they’ve adjusted yet to life without Alex Trebek.
Most of us haven’t quite gotten over that loss and now, we may be faced with losing not only Pat Sajak, but Vanna White as well.
According to ET Online, Pat Sajak, beloved Wheel of Fortune star, is the “longest serving games show host in TV history.”
When ET’s Kevin Frazier asked them to reflect on the future and asked if retirement was in view, this was Pat’s response.
“‘We’re certainly closer to the end than the beginning,’ Sajak, 74, candidly shared. ‘I’d like to leave before people tune in and look at me and say, ‘Ooh, what happened to him?'”
“‘I wouldn’t bet on seeing us in, like, 10 years, I would say,’ Sajak added, before asking White, ‘Is that fair [to say]?'”
“‘Probably, yes,’ White, 64, concurred with a smile.”
The two have been together on the popular game show for over 4 decades.
The show premiered in 1975 with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford as co-hosts. Sajak took over in 1981 and Vanna joined the following year. It was Merv Griffin who saw the potential of their pairing.
Vanna says Griffin noticed their “brother and sister” type chemistry that has made the show such a success with fans.
When People asked her what it will be like for her if Sajak retires, she replied, “‘I don’t even want to think about that. I mean, we’re a team,” she says. “That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it.”
Vanna White Opens Up About Her ‘Brother and Sister’ Bond with Pat Sajak: ‘We Speak Each Other’s Language’ https://t.co/tvtIMGL0TL
— People (@people) December 7, 2022
Vanna really does love her work.
“‘It’s incredible. I cannot believe it’s been 40 years. Honestly, I’ve loved every minute of it,’ she says. ‘Who still says they love their job after 40 years? Me! I really do. It’s a fun show. Everybody watches and enjoys it and it changes people’s lives and it makes people happy. So it’s a great job.'”
Fans don’t need to worry just yet about doing without either of the stars. GMA reports they’ve signed contracts to host Wheel of Fortune through 2024.
Can you spell relief? I’ll bet Vanna has all the letters!
