Sam Amico
For Pat Sajak, hosting Wheel of Fortune has seemingly been a lifelong endeavor. He’s actually worked on the show since 1983.
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But Sajak, 75, hinted that his run as host may be in its final days.
“In most television shows by this time, you would have said, ‘That’s probably enough,’ but this show will not die,” he said, via The Blast. “It appears I may go before the show.”
Sajak’s name was first floated as possible host of the show by Merv Griffin, the daytime talk-show host who created Wheel of Fortune. Initially, the idea of Sajak as host was rejected, by NBC president and CEO Fred Silverman. But Silverman was dismissed shortly thereafter and Sajak got the gig.
That was a long time ago, though.
“Years go by fast,” Sajak said, via The Blast. “We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time]. We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years. The end is near.”
A little known fact — when Sajak returned to Wheel of Fortune in 2018-19, it marked his 36th season, making him the longest-tenured game show host in history. In the process, he surpassed Bob Barker of The Price is Right fame (1972-2007).
Sajak was honored his run by the Guinness Book of World Records with the episode that aired in May 8, 2019, or two days before the show’s 7,0000th episode.
“It’s an honor to have been in people’s living rooms for that long,” he said, via The Blast. “People were out there welcoming us. We’re happy and proud.”
Was it the 70,000 episode?
“ two days before the show’s 7,0000th episode.”
What about Vanna?
Pat is a devout Christian and fully expects to be cancelled.