After the upcoming 41st season of Wheel of Fortune, longtime host Pat Sajak will retire and give up the reigns to the emcee for the next generation of viewers.
Sajak has been hosting Wheel for so long that most folks don’t remember that the show existed prior to his tenure. The show began in 1975 with Chuck Woolery calling the action and Susan Stafford turning the letters.
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 (@PatOnWheel) June 12, 2023
Sajak took over hosting duties in 1981, and the show exploded in popularity following the addition of Vanna White in 1982. The pairing of Sajak and White has become a staple on American television sets over the past 42 years, and rumors are now swirling about who the new host will be after Pat departs the set for the last time.
Entertainment betting sites have created Wheel of Fortune odds for the next host, and Ryan Seacrest is in the lead at two of our top sportsbooks.
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Wheel of Fortune Odds For Next Host |
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BetUS.com.pa |
BetOnline.AG |
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Seacrest is currently the host of American Idol and a nationally syndicated radio show. Both entertainment sportsbooks are paying out at 2-to-1 on Seacrest becoming the next Wheel of Fortune host.
While hosting a gameshow may seem like a step down for Seacrest, consider this. Filming is done over the course of four days each month, and Sajak currently earns in excess of $15 million per year.
That’s not bad for a 48-day annual work schedule, and Seacrest can likely retain his other gigs while adding WoF to his agenda.
Syndicated talk show host Sherri Shepherd has also been mentioned as a likely replacement for Sajak, but only one of the above entertainment prop bets features her as an option.
Vanna White is at the top of the boards in both lines, with odds that range from +400 to +600.
Producers of the show and even Sajak himself are eager to name a replacement sooner than later. They prefer a smoother transition than when Jeopardy recently replaced Alex Trebek.
That said, these Wheel of Fortune prop bets could payout sooner than later, well before Sajak’s final episode airs in 2024.
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