Pat Sajak will come out of short-lived retirement for ‘Celebrity Wheel of Fortune’

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As a long-time fan of Wheel of Fortune and a devoted viewer of game shows, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of excitement and nostalgia when I heard that Pat Sajak is coming out of retirement to host the prime-time version of the show once again. The image of him standing confidently behind the wheel, with Vanna White gracefully turning letters beside him, is one that has been etched into my mind since childhood.

Pat Sajak is returning to host “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” on ABC for its fifth season, coming out of his recent brief retirement.

As a movie reviewer, I’m thrilled to share that on Wednesday, the network officially announced its fall premiere lineup, where I’ll be hosting yet another game show. I’m excited for this new gig! This intriguing roster also brings back fan-favorites like “Abbott Elementary,” and the long-running tradition of “Monday Night Football.” Additionally, we have a fresh addition to our lineup with the debut of “The Golden Bachelorette.” Can’t wait for you all to tune in!

I, Pat Sajak, three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner and long-time host of “Wheel of Fortune,” wrapped up my 41-year hosting journey with the final episode in early June. But don’t count me out just yet! I’ll be back on ABC starting October 7 for the Season 5 premiere of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.” This isn’t a repeat of my regular hosting gig on the syndicated series; this is my role as host of the celebrity version. And trust me, I’ve spun that wheel plenty of times before!

I can confirm that Sajak’s first episode for “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” hasn’t been recorded yet, but he is set to host the entire season. This exciting new show will air on ABC every Monday when there isn’t a “Monday Night Football” game taking place. Furthermore, it will act as an excellent precursor to “Press Your Luck,” which is hosted by Elizabeth Banks.

In June 2023, I made the decision to retire from the beloved game show, without disclosing much information about my reasons at first. However, as my last episode approached during the summer months, I felt it was important for me to leave on my own accord.

“He expressed his preference for retiring a few years earlier than necessary during an interview with his daughter. He also shared his excitement for what the future holds.”

In a popular primetime television show that debuted in 2021, “Whatever” brings out the competitive side of famous faces as they go head-to-head to support their preferred charities. Sajak has been the show’s emcee throughout this series.

On Thursdays, a representative for Sajak spoke with The Times and shared that the host is “thrilled with his retirement” and “deferring all inquiries” for comments.

Starting in September 2023, mega-producer Ryan Seacrest will replace Sajak as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” after signing a multiyear deal with Sony Pictures Television. Vanna White, the show’s beloved letter-turner and co-host, shared a photo of them enjoying a meal together, captioning it as “Friends both on and off camera.”

Back in 1982, during the seventh season of “America’s Game” which was broadcasted on daytime TV, Sajak took over from Chuck Woolery as the host. Producer Merv Griffin brought Sajak and White on board, establishing their enduring presence on the show. In 2019, Sajak earned a place in the Guinness World Records for having the longest-running hosting career in the same game show. With nearly 8,000 episodes under his belt, he retired from hosting.

Sajak expressed his gratitude in his final episode for being welcomed into millions of homes every night for decades. He considered it a significant honor and believed that this position came with the obligation to maintain an enjoyable and family-friendly half-hour program, free from controversial topics or awkward moments.

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2024-07-18 19:25