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Pat Sajak will stop turning the wheel after 41 years.


Here is Pat Sajak on KNBC back in 1979. Prior to joining Wheel of Fortune Pat Sajak was the weather person for KNBC. This is prior to Kevin O'Connell and Fritz Coleman taking Pat's KNBC Spot.

 
Kelly A said:
It's one thing to read a cue card with extra large writing plus multiple takes. Quite another having to follow game rules and be able to vamp on occasion.
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Sure, and I commented in jest, but it just goes to further prove how amazing Bob Barker really was as a host, having done that exact thing up to the age of 84. Having worked directly with TPIR, Kelly, are you aware of any truth to the story that there is an original Plinko chip buried in some time capsule at Television City? I've heard that is the case, over the years, and wondered if it was actually true.
 
Larry said:
You might be right but I would think producer would ask her to stay on one more year through transition period so audience doesn’t have to accept too much change at once
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I'm not so sure. It may be best to say goodbye to both Pat and Vanna, then make a firm break and start fresh with all new staff and any other changes they wish to make (announcer, theme music, game rules or play, etc.). Having Pat leave, then Vanna go after another several months, then phasing things out or making other changes over time may cause viewers to tune out.

I know it's not the same thing by any means, but consider the NPR radio program A Prairie Home Companion. When Garrison Kiellor retired it was supposed to remain basically the same show, but with a new host that Keillor himself had hand-picked and that's more or less what listeners were told. In reality, over time, it transitioned to being a more music-centric show. Then the original APHC acting company and other on-air contributors departed little by little. Then they stopped using the theater in Minneapolis and started broadcasting almost exclusively from New York City. Then after Keillor's harassment claims, they changed the name of the show. Eventually it was cancelled. Many felt that listeners left because they were promised it was going to remain "the same" and over time it became less and less the same and transformed. Had they just made a clean break and then brought in a new host, new name, taken it in a different direction and had set no expectations, they may have been better off.
 
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Whereas I think the show has been successful in its format, a change of rules and set might be too much when Pat leaves. I do believe Vanna should be replaced though. She is identified with Pat and they do have good chemistry. However when a new host is picked it will probably be a young male and Vanna, next to the young male will be an OLD woman. She will not do well with the new host in my opinion. For those who speculate that Vanna could take over as host, forget it. She was thrust into that capacity when Pat underwent surgery. If you look at it objectively, she wasn't very good. Honest. It's on you tube. And for those who will say that she was thrust in with no chance to learn the job....well, she's be on the game for thirty some years. So she's not going to host and I think she probably would rather not stay with the whole new operation. As far as changing the format a great deal, if it ain't broke, don't fix it as the Prairie Home Companion folks demonstrated.
 
Ken hosting Wheel? Not in a million years.
I wouldn't be surprised if they go the diversity route and look for a Black host, like with Feud and many of the primetime game shows. Once he recovers fully from his health problems...I'm throwing a dart blindfolded...Jamie and Corinne? Nah, can't happen.

What about Todd Newton, or Mark L. Walberg (formerly of Russian Roulette and The Moment of Truth)? Do they have as much charisma as Seacrest?
 
crainbebo said:
Ken hosting Wheel? Not in a million years.
I wouldn't be surprised if they go the diversity route and look for a Black host, like with Feud and many of the primetime game shows. Once he recovers fully from his health problems...I'm throwing a dart blindfolded...Jamie and Corinne? Nah, can't happen.

What about Todd Newton, or Mark L. Walberg (formerly of Russian Roulette and The Moment of Truth)? Do they have as much charisma as Seacrest?
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The what route? Seriously?

How about the good host route. The idea someone Black got one of those gigs simply for “the diversity route” is inane. They got the jobs on their merits.
 
I don't think I meant my comment the way I did. I have no problems with a Black host who has the experience and merit to host the show. I know that it seems to be a trend with the networks, not that it has any negativities. I am happy that they are given more chances to emcee these shows.
I am hoping that they find a good host in 2024 who keeps the show going and has great chemistry with the contestants. Whoever gets this job will have some massive shoes to fill.
 
KentBrockman said:
I'm thinking Ryan Seacrest will be the new host. I wouldn't put it past Vanna to make a retirement announcement soon too and Maggie Sajak taking over for her.
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It's now reported that Ryan Seacrest is one of the people being discussed:

www.insideradio.com

Report: Ryan Seacrest In The Running To Replace Pat Sajak On ‘Wheel Of Fortune.’

With Pat Sajak announcing his retirement from “Wheel of Fortune,” a familiar name in the radio industry has surfaced as a possible front-runner as his replacement. Ryan Seacrest, who recently
www.insideradio.com www.insideradio.com
 
It’s almost like his publicity team might plant stories with favorable writers. Maybe Sony ultimately chooses him…but this also smells a bit like work by TeamSeacrest.
 
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