Pat Sajak Leaving Wheel of Fortune? Host Says the 'End Is Near'

[KeithE4]

We make up fake internet headlines that will pop up the next day. Example: "Pat storms off set, threatens to quit. Announcer forced to fill in for bonus round".

You forgot "Here's why." 😁

 

[genius]

Funny enough the 4/28/23 episode generated yet another tabloid headline lol but this time in a more positive light I guess?

Wheel of Fortune brings back contestant 'treated unfairly' in rare gesture

WHEEL of Fortune has brought back a contestant whom they determined they slighted and deserved a second chance in an extremely rare gesture. Pat Sajak openly apologized to Darcy for being “tr…

www.the-sun.com

 

[vchimpanzee]

Funny enough the 4/28/23 episode generated yet another tabloid headline lol but this time in a more positive light I guess?

Wheel of Fortune brings back contestant 'treated unfairly' in rare gesture

WHEEL of Fortune has brought back a contestant whom they determined they slighted and deserved a second chance in an extremely rare gesture. Pat Sajak openly apologized to Darcy for being “tr…

www.the-sun.com

"Jeopardy" has done this when something wasn't fair.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Finally going to happen: Pat Sajak Leaving Wheel of Fortune After 41 Seasons — Read the Host’s Full Statement

 

[crainbebo]

The end of an era for one of America's most-loved game shows. Pat deserves retirement after all the hard work he and Vanna have done. Young and old alike have enjoyed the game from the shopping era to the million-dollar and celebrity era. Wishing him all the best - and hopefully, he can celebrate one last $1,000,000 win in season 41!

 

[Mikey Radio]

In my opinion, Sajak will be easier to replace on Wheel than Trebek was on Jeopardy...And as Drew Carey proved when he took over TPIR from long-time host Bob Barker, it's not always a situation where a host who's been the face of a particular game show for decades leaves and the incoming guy is never quite accepted and is short-lived.

 

[Larry]

In my opinion, Sajak will be easier to replace on Wheel than Trebek was on Jeopardy

I think it depends on how the show handles it. If they decide to do a year of rotating guest hosts under the guise of trying out different hosts then do an internal promotion it might not be easier.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I think it depends on how the show handles it. If they decide to do a year of rotating guest hosts under the guise of trying out different hosts then do an internal promotion it might not be easier.

It certainly won't be Vanna.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

I think it depends on how the show handles it. If they decide to do a year of rotating guest hosts under the guise of trying out different hosts then do an internal promotion it might not be easier.

But we all know the various circumstances that led to that. And it wasn’t a year.

 

[Cool_guy81]

There were different hosts in the daytime versions of wheel of fortune before Pat Sajeck started and during his syndicated run as well so if they handle it well it should be a better adjustment than how they handled Jeopardy.

 

[danderson6500]

In my opinion, Sajak will be easier to replace on Wheel than Trebek was on Jeopardy...And as Drew Carey proved when he took over TPIR from long-time host Bob Barker, it's not always a situation where a host who's been the face of a particular game show for decades leaves and the incoming guy is never quite accepted and is short-lived.

Whoever takes over is going to have try not to be Pat. I mean, Drew Carey isn't trying to be Bob Barker on Price, or Wayne Brady isn't trying to be Monty Hall on LMAD. That's something that worries me.

 

[Cool_guy81]

Whoever takes over is going to have try not to be Pat. I mean, Drew Carey isn't trying to be Bob Barker on Price, or Wayne Brady isn't trying to be Monty Hall on LMAD. That's something that worries me.

And Mariym and Ken is definitely no Alex Trebek

 

[bmasters1981]

And as Drew Carey proved when he took over TPIR from long-time host Bob Barker, it's not always a situation where a host who's been the face of a particular game show for decades leaves and the incoming guy is never quite accepted and is short-lived.

True-- however, on Tic Tac Dough, when Wink Martindale left for other things in '85, Jim Caldwell came in for one more year, and only lasted that one more year (1985-86) with a new pastel-colored set replacing the woodgrain that Martindale's set was known for (that's, however, longer than Patrick Wayne was on in 1990 [he didn't even last the season, as I recall, because of not just him, but the whole mess of changes-- 15-game limit, pots erased due to ties, the Rappin' Dragon and Dragonslayer, you name it]).

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

There were different hosts in the daytime versions of wheel of fortune before Pat Sajeck started and during his syndicated run as well so if they handle it well it should be a better adjustment than how they handled Jeopardy.

Those things have no bearing on each other. Daytime Wheel hasn’t been a thing for several decades.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

True-- however, on Tic Tac Dough, when Wink Martindale left for other things in '85, Jim Caldwell came in for one more year, and only lasted that one more year (1985-86) with a new pastel-colored set replacing the woodgrain that Martindale's set was known for (that's, however, longer than Patrick Wayne was on in 1990 [he didn't even last the season, as I recall, because of not just him, but the whole mess of changes-- 15-game limit, pots erased due to ties, the Rappin' Dragon and Dragonslayer, you name it]).

The Barry & Enright shows were on their last legs. Wink could have stuck around, the show had reached the end of its shelf life.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Yesterday on NPR's "Wait! Wait!" several comments were made about this. What will Pat do when he retires? Like most retired people he will watch "Wheel". And how hard will he be to replace? It's hangman. How hard can that be?

 

[bmasters1981]

What will Pat do when he retires? Like most retired people he will watch "Wheel".

OT-- the late Charles Kuralt said a similar thing when he left Sunday Morning in 1994; he said "I aim to do some traveling and reading and writing, and to watch this program the civilized way for a change-- in my bathrobe while having breakfast."

Here's the last segment of his last broadcast from 1994:

 

[Mikey Radio]

Vanna White in Talks to Continue on 'Wheel of Fortune' — with a Raise! – After Pat Sajak Retires​

Vanna White in Talks to Continue on 'Wheel of Fortune' — with a Raise! – After Pat Sajak Retires

Vanna White is in talks to negotiate a deal to continue on 'Wheel of Fortune' following Pat Sajak's retirement, along with a pay raise

people.com

Vanna White is looking to stay in the game!
The Wheel of Fortune co-host, 66, is in negotiations to renew her contract and stay on the long-standing game show following Pat Sajak’s retirement.

Per Puck, who first reported the news about White's plans, she is looking for a pay raise in her new deal. Her last pay increase reportedly came 18 years ago, though she’s gotten a few bonuses during her time. She makes $3 million a year while Sajak makes five times her salary, the outlet reported.
Reps at Sony Pictures Television declined to comment.

 

[Weiserguy]

Vanna White in Talks to Continue on 'Wheel of Fortune' — with a Raise! – After Pat Sajak Retires​

Vanna White in Talks to Continue on 'Wheel of Fortune' — with a Raise! – After Pat Sajak Retires

Vanna White is in talks to negotiate a deal to continue on 'Wheel of Fortune' following Pat Sajak's retirement, along with a pay raise

people.com

I'd think she got a substantial bonus after Sajak was hospitalized suddenly and Vanna had to step into the host role with almost no notice. And did pretty well at it.

Wheel could do worse than transitioning Vanna into host to finish out her career there, bringing someone else in as letter-turner, and then being the transitional figure between Sajak and a completely new host. It would minimize the risk of an abrupt transition, with the audience rejecting the unfamiliar new host. You'd think the producers would have learned that lesson after the Mike White debacle on Jeopardy!

 

[vchimpanzee]

I'd think she got a substantial bonus after Sajak was hospitalized suddenly and Vanna had to step into the host role with almost no notice. And did pretty well at it.

Wheel could do worse than transitioning Vanna into host to finish out her career there, bringing someone else in as letter-turner, and then being the transitional figure between Sajak and a completely new host. It would minimize the risk of an abrupt transition, with the audience rejecting the unfamiliar new host. You'd think the producers would have learned that lesson after the Mike White debacle on Jeopardy!

I thought people didn't think she did a good job. I saw at least one of her episodes and she wasn't that good.