“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak will be off the show temporarily after a blocked intestine sent him into emergency surgery — but he’s leaving the show in able hands.
Co-host and puzzle model extraordinaire Vanna White will helm the show in Sajak’s absence as he recovers from his operation, the 37-year-strong game show announced Friday.
Sajak, who’s hosted the show since 1982, was hospitalized Thursday for the blocked intestine, but the 73-year-old is now resting and is expected to recover.
He’ll be out for two weeks, according to TMZ.
The show Tweeted a special message to him, spelling out “Get well soon Pat!” on the famous puzzle board. Fans responded with their well wishes too.
White, who’s been gracefully displaying items on the board since 1982, has never taken on hosting duties until now. But it’s about time. In 2013, during an episode where Sajak had to hurry backstage to re-watch a contestant’s tape that was too close to call onstage, White had a rare moment in the host role with the audience.
The crowd loved the chance to chat with the usually-silent White, according to the Washington Post.
“I try to entertain the audience. They don’t get to hear me talk too much, so I try to give them a little piece of who I am.”
Still, she’s been a loyal sidekick to Sajak all these years
“Our viewers are loyal,” she told the Washington Post. “They’ve seen Pat and me together for 30 years. It’s like Ken and Barbie. How do you break them up?”
Our taping on Thursday was canceled because host Pat Sajak underwent successful emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine. He is resting comfortably and looking forward to getting back to work. Taping resumed today as scheduled and Vanna White has stepped in as host. pic.twitter.com/09zYOCE4hL
— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) November 8, 2019
