In the midst of the 50th anniversary celebration for “Wheel of Fortune,” Pat Sajak, the former host, made an unexpected cameo. The surprise visit occurred halfway through a sandwich while current host Ryan Seacrest was giving a behind-the-scenes tour.
The incident happened on the episode aired on January 7th when Seacrest guided the audience on an exclusive backstage tour. He introduced the hardworking crew members responsible for making the renowned game show happen. As he moved from audience coordinators to camera operators and the production team, he stumbled upon his predecessor, Sajak, in an unplanned encounter.
“This is our former host… hi, Pat,” Seacrest stated, as Sajak, in the middle of a sandwich off-stage, came into view. The much-loved former host gave a quick wave before Vanna White joined the scene, asking Seacrest if he was “ready for a great show.”
The reappearance of the legendary host prompted fans to share their excitement on social media platforms. “When I saw Pat, I thought I was being pranked. And I also thought that it was a stunt double Pat Sajak. But I guess I wasn’t being pranked. I love Pat!” one viewer enthusiastically wrote.
After more than four decades on the show, Sajak announced his retirement in 2023 and left the hosting duties to Seacrest starting from the 42nd season. His last episode was aired on June 8, 2024.
Despite his departure from the syndicated show, Sajak’s association with the “Wheel of Fortune” franchise is not entirely over. He is scheduled to host the final season of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” initially set to air in October 2024. However, ABC pushed the premiere to early 2025, citing the need to focus on “Monday Night Football” programming.
The delay coincides with the game show’s historic anniversary, as “Wheel of Fortune” first aired on January 6, 1975. Over five decades, the show has evolved significantly, starting with original co-hosts Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford before Sajak and White took over in the early 1980s.
The upcoming season of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” already recorded, boasts a star-studded lineup including Rainn Wilson, Ellie Kemper, Josh Gad, and Tiffany Haddish. They will compete for $1 million in charitable prizes. The show is slated to air on ABC on Monday nights once it premieres in 2025.
Following his departure from the main show, Sajak, 77, has remained active with various ventures. He continues to serve as the chairman of the Board of Trustees for Hillsdale College, a private conservative Christian institution. Additionally, he is set to appear in a play titled “Prescription: Murder” at the Hawaii Theatre Center in July-August 2025.
