Longtime viewers of "Wheel of Fortune" were taken aback when Pat Sajak unexpectedly left before the bonus round during a recent episode. Fans were left wondering about his sudden departure and the future of his 42-year tenure on the show.
"Wheel of Fortune," created by Merv Griffin, has been a television staple since January 1975, with Pat Sajak and Vanna White as its beloved hosts. Sajak had hinted at the possibility of retiring at the end of Season 40, while Vanna expressed her desire to continue hosting alongside him. Their partnership is iconic, making it hard for fans to imagine the show without them.
During the April 26 episode, Pat Sajak handed over the hosting duties for the bonus round to the show's announcer, Jim Thornton. This unexpected change left viewers speculating about Sajak's absence, with concerns ranging from illness to being fired.
However, it soon became evident that this was a planned switch. At the beginning of the show, contestant Sarah expressed her admiration for Jim Thornton, who jokingly responded to her praise. This set the stage for his surprising hosting role later on.
When the show returned from a commercial break for the bonus round, Jim Thornton continued hosting in Sajak's absence. Although Sarah didn't solve the bonus puzzle, she won an additional $40,000 and had the chance to meet Jim. Sajak briefly reappeared during the credits, jokingly asking Vanna if he had missed anything important.
The specifics of Pat Sajak's absence during this episode remain undisclosed. Some fans speculate that it might have been an opportunity for Jim Thornton to demonstrate his hosting abilities as a potential future replacement for Sajak. With Sajak's potential departure at the end of Season 40, Jim Thornton might get more chances to host "Wheel of Fortune."
For now, the show continues to air weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, and fans eagerly await more updates on the future of the beloved game show and its hosts.