It’s not the end of the world, it’s a temporary glitch in the matrix: Vanna White has stepped away from the puzzle board to spin the wheel on “Wheel of Fortune.”
Her hosting duties on NBC’s long-running game show are temporary. White stepped in for Pat Sajak for three weeks when he underwent emergency surgery for a blocked intestine in November.
White’s three weeks in charge began airing Monday night, with a Minnie Mouse character turning the letters. One of her challenges — giving the heavy wheel a good spin.
NBC promises more surprise guests during White’s tenure.
Minnie isn’t the only surprise guest stepping in at the puzzleboard this week. Can you guess who is assisting us in tonight’s episode?
#WheelOfFortune pic.twitter.com/OhUnjn4pvZ— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) December 10, 2019
White told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that Sajak felt ill before a scheduled taping of “Wheel” in November, and was in surgery just hours later. When the producer asked her to step in as host, she said, “What? No! You’re kidding, right?”
White said her only previous experience in Sajak’s spot came in 1996, when Sajak lost his voice at the end of a show and she took over for the bonus round. The pair have been doing the show together for 37 years.
She said she never coveted Sajak’s job.
“I can’t imagine doing the show without him, and I hope he feels the same about me,” she told GMA.
Sajak explained the situation to fans via Twitter:
It’s a bit confusing, but here’s the deal: Vanna will be hosting this coming week and the next. Then two weeks of shows I taped before my surgery. Then Vanna again the week of Jan. 6 with a special guest at the puzzle board. Then the planets will realign, and it’s back to normal.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) December 7, 2019
He assured fans that things will be back to normal soon. And Vanna’s good with that.
Even though the shows I missed haven’t started airing (they begin next week), I’m happy to say that I’m back in the studio taping today. It’s been four weeks since my “episode,” but it feels longer. Nice to be back.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) December 5, 2019
Wheel of Fortune without @patsajak is like a word without vowels. I’ll fill in the blanks until you return. Rest up and we’ll be solving puzzles in no time. (Don’t worry, your job is safe! Well, pretty safe.) pic.twitter.com/pqUG3J3peH
— Vanna White (@TheVannaWhite) November 12, 2019
