For many American households, a nightly tradition is watching the beloved game show Wheel of Fortune. Part of this show’s enduring charm is its hosts, Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Pat and Vanna have been with the show since 1983, when it received nightly syndication. They are synonymous with the word game show.
This is why many fans will be distraught to learn that retirement is looming for the pair. It makes sense, considering the show is in its 40th season. While there is no official retirement timeline, both Pat and Vanna have commented on the fact that it is coming sooner rather than later.
Pat spoke to Entertainment Tonight in September 2022. “We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time]. We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years,” he began.
“The end is near. It’s an honor to have been in people’s living rooms for that long. We’re happy and proud,” he cryptically concluded. This caused many fans to worry.
One woman lamented on Vanna’s Instagram feed. “I hope you or Pat don’t retire anytime soon. I think if one or both of you would retire that would be the end of the show,” she said.
Pat does not agree with this statement, believing instead that the show will go on. “In most television shows by this time, you would have said, ‘That’s probably enough,’ but this show will not die. It appears I may go before the show,” he stated.
Vanna is not so sure about it. "I can't imagine. Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We're like Ken and Barbie, you know?" she told People magazine. "We've been in everybody's homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters."
Vanna cannot even imagine working on the show without Pat. "I mean, we're a team," she went on to say. "That's depressing. I don't even want to think about it. I just visualize us just being there. I can't think beyond that."
Vanna gives credit to series creator Merv Griffin for his excellent casting instincts. "I think when Merv Griffin chose both of us, 40 and 41 years ago, he saw something between us," she said. "He saw that we would be able to get along, and we do. We are like a brother and sister team."
Thankfully, this team is not going anywhere just yet. In January of this year, Deadline reported that ABC had renewed the series for another five years. This would bring the series through the 2027-2028 season and give it a historic 45th season.
