Could Whoopi Goldberg Replace Pat Sajak as Host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
Pat Sajak has announced that he will retire from hosting “Wheel of Fortune” after 41 seasons – and Whoopi Goldberg
Ivy Griffith
Pat Sajak has announced that he will retire from hosting “Wheel of Fortune” after 41 seasons – and Whoopi Goldberg is eyeing the empty chair left behind.
Sajak announced his retirement on Monday, writing on Twitter, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!).”
During Tuesday’s episode of “The View,” Goldberg suggested that she could take over Sajak’s storied role. The suggestion came less than 24 hours after Sajak announced that he was out at the beloved game show.
People reports, “Goldberg’s secret ambition came up during a panel segment on her daily round table show. Alyssa Farah Griffin mentioned, ‘Another legendary game show host, Pat Sajak, just announced that he’s going to be retiring from Wheel of Fortune at the end of next season.’
Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) June 12, 2023
She then asked Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings, ‘What’s your reaction to the news? And any ideas on who should replace him?’
But before Jennings answered, the 67-year-old Sister Act star chimed in: ‘I want that job! I think it’d be lots of fun.'”
Co-host Joy Behar then joked that she could take over the role of Vanna White, who is tenured as the tile-turning model on the show alongside Sajak.
And honestly, there’s a possibility it could happen.
Goldberg already works with ABC, the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” and appeared as the center square on “Hollywood Squares” from 1998 to 2004.
That means she has ample game show experience.
But Goldberg has a little wait if she hopes to step into Sajak’s shoes.
Sajak will stay on through Season 41, which will premiere in September.
And once he retires from hosting the show, he will still serve as consultant behind the scenes for the next three years.
That will ensure that whoever takes over for Sajak – Goldberg or not – will have a smooth transition and fans won’t feel left out to twist in the wind.
It’s hard to imagine Sajak’s time at the wheel coming to an end, but he deserves retirement after so long.
Goldberg might be a controversial pick for a replacement host, with her ample history of being politically charged – but she might also be a smart choice.
As an experienced, likeable, funny Black woman, she brings something to the show that they haven’t had a chance to explore yet – we’re talking about her past as a “Star Trek” actor, of course.
While we’ll miss Sajak, it’s exciting to see what’s next for the long-lived game show series and to watch it evolve into whatever’s next.