Fans of the TV game show, Wheel of Fortune, were surprised to learn that the long-time host, Pat Sajak, would be retiring soon. Sajak, who has been working on the show for over four decades, announced via a tweet that season 41 would be his final show.
“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,” the tweet read. “If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!” Sajak cheekily added. Here are some unforgettable moments with Sajak on the game show”
Failed Pranks
Sajak makes contestants feel at home and spice up the show with his playful side, but there were times he went a little overboard. In an episode, a contestant named Ashley admitted she had a phobia of fish, and Sajak decided to use her fear against her.
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Ashley won the round, and Sajak decided to pull off the prank while congratulating her. “I have to go congratulate Ashley. Can you do me a favor? I don’t want her to see this, just hold onto this,” he said, and then handed a fake fish.
“You’ll forgive me for that, won’t you?” Sajak said after Ashley groaned but then laughed it off. Fans did not find the prank amusing, and he was scolded on social media, with one critic calling him “shady” for it.
Fan encounters
In March, Sajak joked about “body slamming” a contestant named Fred, who revealed that he was a professional wrestler. While Fred was hugging his father to celebrate his win in the first round, Sajak ran over and tackled him into a headlock. For Fred, he found the move amusing as he took home over $75,000.
In another episode, Sajak made Santa jokes about a contestant with a full beard and similar looks to the Christmas mascot. “Now, Santa Claus needs help during the holidays. He needs helpers, and I understand you fill that role,” Sajak joked. He proceeded to give Greg’s beard a tug with permission after asking if children do the same; this action also earned him some backlash from netizens.
Pat Sajak’s tricks
Fans of the show have also blamed Sajak for sometimes steering contestants off the correct answers. Last month, a certain Neetu Varshney lost the game after her first answer— which was correct, got rejected by Sajak.
Sajak faced backlash for “robbing” Neetu of her prize money. Neetu eventually took home $1000 as consolation prize money after winning nothing on the show.