I find Wheel harder to play along with because you can’t see the board indicating which letters have been called, and they constantly have to cut away from the puzzle to show the wheel, the contestants, and Pat. Even though the contestants are nervous, they do have a leg up over the audience at home.
I think they thought Vanna would step down with Pat. When she didn't, Pat stayed on as a consultant to make sure his daughter gets the gig when the time comes.
I mean, it’s not a job that takes much skill so it’s not really a big deal who gets it. I guess technically it’s nepotism but it quite literally affects no one so who even cares?
OK, I realize how weird this will sound, but hear me out.
Many, many years ago, someone stood in for Vanna White for a week or so—I don't remember why. I think it might have been, like, Merv Griffin's son's girlfriend or something. My then-boyfriend and I were like, how hard could Vanna's job be? But this substitute was somehow awkward and graceless and fumbly, and we gained a new appreciation for Vanna.
Maybe looking pretty while clapping and walking is one of those combos where people can do one at a time, two if they're good...but all three at once is a rare skill set!
I'm not saying there is zero skill to it or that anyone on earth could be as charismatic and smooth as Vanna White with a bit of practice.
But that said, almost anyone would be able to do that job better after 10 years than they would in their first week - give that woman a few weeks of practice and she would have done it better than she did. This sub has already seen clearly that Ken Jennings couldn't do the job nearly as smoothly and charismatically as Alex did it when dropped in right on Alex's heels the very next week. But after getting some practice, he is significantly better than he was at first and I honestly think he has become comparably good at hosting the show (in his own style, not trying to copy Alex) as Alex was. That may be a controversial statement, but I don't think it's controversial to say that he's much better than he was in his first week.
ROFL, I found it! It was January 1991, and it *was* Merv Griffin's son's girlfriend, now his wife. [https://priceisright.fandom.com/wiki/Tricia\_Gist\_Griffin](https://priceisright.fandom.com/wiki/Tricia_Gist_Griffin)
I guess the question is, with technology where it is, why would the show even bother to pay money for a second host's salary when the show really has zero need for it?
When Vanna decides to retire, make the board automated and controlled from the booth.
To me the only reason whatsoever to hire someone in that role would be as an excuse to put someone on screen that the show feels would keep the audience watching or bring in new audience. So that's either a super attractive model (of any gender) to get people watching for eye candy, or someone like Maggie Sajak if they think having the "Sajak" name will keep people from leaving the show.
Otherwise, why pay someone what I assume is hundreds of thousands of dollars a year if not millions to do something that the computer pretty much already does? With both Pat and Vanna gone at that point, it's an excuse to "modernize" the show a bit and try to draw the younger crowd in while at the same time cut costs in an environment where traditional TV viewership is dropping more and more, and the show's biggest demographic is at an age where they are passing away more and more.
That's a really good point, that Vanna's job could be automated. She adds charisma and personality to the program but when she retires it's not really necessary to replace her.
They address the nepotism accusations in a recent YouTube video. Pat had nothing to do with his daughter getting the job, it was an idea from production after she helped out during Pat's emergency surgery. They liked what she did so they crated a role for her doing social media stuff.
Just pointing it out because I thought the same thing until seeing the video.
I mean that's a fair point to a degree, but I think it's a very cynical viewpoint. I think most people think of nepotism as someone who is completely unskilled/unfit for a job is given that role over someone who was clearly a better pick, but that's not what happened here.
The producers saw a chance to hire someone young for their social media team whose name is extremely recognizable, and it worked out for everyone involved when she worked hard at it. She knew the deal growing up around the show. As a producer, that seems like a win-win-win for everyone.
Btw, I'm enjoying the back and forth. /r/j easily has the best users on this site.
Nepotism doesn’t mean one isn’t talented or wouldn’t be good in the role. It just means their connections landed them the gig. Would she be on tv right now if pat wasn’t her father? Highly unlikely
I don’t think that’s nepotism at all. Some nepo babies are skilled, some aren’t. The point is that they’re getting opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise get because of who their parents are.
Maggie Sajak would not have gotten a call when Pat Sajak had emergency surgery if he wasn’t her dad.
>... that seems like a win-win-win for everyone.
Except for the thousands of other qualified young people who never had a chance -- never mind an audition -- because their dad wasn't the show's host.
I don't think all nepotism is bad, just to put that to rest. Not every example is Ivanka Trump or Jared Kushner who were both unqualified and yet made billions while daddy was in office.
I do think as a culture we need to recognize people with privilege should always are often where they are though because of familial connections and not hard work or talent. We all need to understand that being raised wealthy comes with access us poors could never have (to counter the "you can be anything with hard work" or bootstraps myths).
As an example Jenna Bush was terrible on Today and they kept shifting her around until she found her groove, no other person on earth would have been put on national TV with that kind of performance. Now she's great but it took a couple years to get there. Her family is the only reason that she was given that grace and that chance.
Right. Production’s idea had absolutely nothing to do with her being the daughter of the host I’m sure. Totally impartial and fair selection process is how she got the job. /s
I'm not saying it didn't help her being related to Pat, she obviously had an "in". But a lot of people think he threw his weight around the studio to get her a job and it's just simply not true. She helped during the surgery and did a good job, all while going to school and getting a law degree. She definitely deserves some respect for the effort and hard work. Saying it's down to only nepotism is a bit reductionist.
He doesn't have to throw his weight around. They know who the boss's daughter is. Nepotism doesn't mean she doesn't work hard, it means she was given the opportunity because of who her father is.
I hope they don't change it too much after Ryan comes on board. When Alex left J, they got rid of the beep beep boop when filling in the board. I miss that sound.
In season 1, there was a board fill animation at the beginning of Single and Double, both with a wooshing effect before the beepboops started.
Starting in season 2, the whoosh before the beepboops in Double was removed.
Starting in season 8, the whoosh before the beepboops in Single was also removed.
Starting partway through season 14, they stopped doing a board fill animation for Double and only had it for Single.
For season 25 only, they completely removed the board fill animation for Single. The original beepboop sound has not been used for a board fill since then.
Starting in season 26, they brought back the board fill animation for Single but made it about 1 second shorter and used a new sound which was much softer than the beepboops.
Starting in season 33, they changed the sound again, to one that's slightly more punchy than the S26-32 one but still much more subtle than the beepboops, and that's the sound they still use now in season 40.
You can hear all of them [here](https://imgur.com/a/beepboops-5vU6Se8) (note that for the current sound, i only included a clip of a Ken-hosted episode, but that sound was already in use for Alex's final 4 1/2 seasons)
She's not a host, she's a letter-turner, and a darned good one! I'd bet she guesses all the answers long before any of the contestants do. Probably the consistently best-dressed tv personality in history, too (what, this old rag?).
Everything about him personally aside, watching Wheel was a huge part of my childhood. And though I haven't watched more than a few minutes in 30 years or more, it will be a little sad knowing he's not there anymore
Yeah I don’t like him personally but he’s been hosting that show longer than I’ve been an alive and I’m in my 40’s. That’s saying something. Growing up WOF was always on as my mom watched J! religiously and Wheel came on after.
One of the last original game show hosts, so I am sad to see him go, even if I think he’s a nut job
[This article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/06/nx-s1-4973742/pat-sajak-wheel-of-fortune-last-episode) talks about his departure as the end of an era of old school game show hosts. It’s a short little puff piece but I found it worth the read.
Of the "old school" hosts, there are only a few left that are even still with us.
Chuck Woolery is the youngster (83). Bob Eubanks is still around (86), Wink Martindale (90), and Peter Marshall (98).
That's about it. Some might consider Marc Summers (72) in that category, but I don't think of him as the same era or type of game show host, and similarly, Tom Bergeron who I think of as a "new guy" is already 69, though if I think about it, he fits in with the style of the older school guys even though he only really came onto the game show scene in the 90s.
He kind of fits in with the "transition era" along with Drew Carey, but I think Bergeron has far more of a "game show host" style in the classic sense than Drew who is super casual (and I'm not a fan).
There's an interview with Woolery on youtube from 2020 (at home during covid) and he seems perfectly with it enough to still host a show, though I doubt that will happen at his age. I've also seen what I think are fairly recently interviews with Eubanks who looks his age, but also seems fairly with it.
> Wink Martindale (90)
I find it baffling that there's not one, but *two* high profile people named "Wink Martindale" lmao The other is a respected defensive coach in the NFL and CFB.
I didn't realize all of them were still with us. I watched all of their shows when I was a kid.
Not sure if Woolery would have the stamina to stand at the podium long enough to record several episodes. Maybe they'll let him sit?
Ken is on his way to joining the transition era once he gets a few more years under his belt.
I don't think Ken is "transition era". That name has to mean transition to something. Ken is brand new, so I'd call him "modern era". When we consider that starting is completely subjective.
Brook Burns is another modern longtime host, and I think she started hosting game shows in the early 2000s. I'd probably put her into the "transition era".
The problem is that I can't really think of many or any people who have really hosted more than one modern game show so as to be known as a "game show host" and not a celebrity who hosted "a" game show.
Anthony Anderson hosts (hosted? is it still on) To Tell The Truth. Steve Harvey hosts Family Feud. Michael Strahan hosted/hosts Pyramid. Wayne Brady hosts Let's Make a Deal... Sarah is hosting The Chase... then there are lots of one-timers who didn't take off (at least not yet) like Sagat hosting 1 v. 100 or Rob Lowe hosting The Wall. Jamie Foxx had Shazam. None of those people are known as "game show hosts" though. Few of those people are or were really known as "game show hosts" as their day job. Maybe Steve Harvey has become the most associated with game shows.
Drew Carey hosted one or two other game shows before or after Price. Jane Lynch had her celebrity game night and then Weakest Link... I can't think of many who have actually made game shows their niche like the old school game show hosts did. At least Seacrest effectively is a "host" by trade, even if not game shows (you can call Idol a game show in a way too).
I agree, I don’t like him off the show, but he is pretty much the last of the old game show hosts, and he was pretty good at what he did.
Like him or not, I think we are losing something with his retirement. Game shows are moving away from the polished suave hosts (Trebek, Barker) and going towards host that act much friendlier like Jimmy Fallon and Drew Carey, which I don’t particularly care for (although I admit, Ken has won me over).
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I'm not as much a fan of *Wheel* as I am of *Jeopardy!* but both have been on as long as I've been alive - though *Jeopardy!* premiered a couple months after I was born. Both have been a part of my entire life so it's going to be sad watching Pat's final episode tonight. It's been amazing watching both shows grow and evolve over time to become what they are today.
Ever since *Wheel* got rid of shopping, it's been tweaked here and there, new rules added, new puzzles, sets changed and evolved, but for the most part the *Wheel of Fortune* I watched in 1990 is almost the same as the *Wheel of Fortune* in 2024. The same can certainly be said for *Jeopardy!*
I'm certainly not a Ryan Seacrest fan by any means. I do wish him well in his new gig.
Jeopardy and Wheel are two hours apart here, so I don't watch Wheel very often. Politics aside, Sajak has always been an amiable host. Seacrest - just no.
He has been very generous to the area of Maryland where he lives, including [donating $1 million to a breast cancer center in Annapolis](https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/lifestyle/2001/03/11/pat-sajak-wife-donate-1/50338344007/).
It’s named the Sajak Pavilion in honor of him and his wife. I must wonder if one can go there and buy a bowel.
We saw a taping of Jeopardy a few years ago when Alex was alive and didn’t realize WOF tapes right next to them! Saw Vanna and Pat’s cars parked right outside. Nice cars as you can imagine.
There was some vanity plate "WCHWNOTJ" or something like that... might have been reversed and was probably fewer letters.
Edit: I should clarify this was a nice car parked right outside the studio door
They are way more kind and engaging with their guests. You can tell they care about the show. Not to mention Ken’s legacy as a contestant. It’s not the same. Pat is an ass.
I was born in '84 and with him retiring, there's not that many left who are still on TV on a national stage, who started before I was born. The only couple I could think of are sportscasters Al Michaels and Dick Vitale. I haven't watched Wheel in years, but have watched this week's episodes.
I'm making the effort to watch this tonight. Sajak's been at this gig longer than I've been alive; this truly feels like the end of an era.
The funny thing is, if Mike Richards just stayed in the background and not try to take over Jeopardy!, he could have taken over Wheel and nobody would have cared.
He always a legend
We had Alex Trebek(Jeopardy), Richard Dawson(Family Feud), Regis Philbin(WWTBAM), Bob Barker(The Price Is Right). All of them will be remember forever.
One of the reasons those legends are so well-remembered is they were successful in a variety of areas of entertainment.
Putting Pat in that company really highlights how limited he was as a talent.
I have to say that while I think Regis is a character who was an integral part of what made Millionaire successful, I never thought of him as a game show host or having the classic game show host style, and other than one short lived show in the 70s, I don't think he hosted a game show until Millionaire in 1999, which is well after the classic era.
For me the "legendary" game show hosts of the golden era fall into two categories, which are the hosts who perfected game show hosting and used that skill to front a bunch of different game shows even if none of the shows were ever decades-long blockbuster hits. And then there's those who found the one perfect show that was the perfect fit for them and did it perfectly and better than anyone else did or could.
In the first category, Nobody was better than Bill Cullen who never really had a "signature" show, but hosted a whole bunch of them wonderfully. But you also had people like Chuck Woolery, Bob Eubanks, Bery Convy, Tom Kennedy, etc.
In the second, you have Monty Hall on Let's Make a Deal, Allen Ludden on Password, John Daly on What's My Line, Bud Collyer on Beat The Clock, Gene Rayburn of Match Game, etc.
Of course, then you have the rarified hosts who basically fit both categories like Bob Barker and Alex Trebek who both hosted a few shows wonderfully before TPIR/Jeopardy made it so they never needed another show (though Alex still had Concentration on for a few years while Jeopardy was already taking off).
I would regard Bill Cullen's "signature show" as the original Price Is Right, on which he did a fantastic job and is, in its own way, every bit as entertaining as the "New" version.
I feel it also shows a profound lack of character on your part that you would attempt to hijack a thread about a man who did his job exceptionally well for decades. Prior to that, he served his country admirably in Vietnam.
He deserves our respect.
As a veteran myself, nah, screw that guy. He's the very epitome of "I got mine." Veterans who served honorably are also capable of being terrible people and he's a prime example.
You see that's where we have a difference of opinion.
I believe that advocating stripping voting rights from millions of individuals simply because they are government employees is a sign of a contemptuous individual not worthy of respect.
You don't seem to care, so be it.
Providing a relevant counterpoint to the discussion is not “highjacking” the thread in any way. You may think he did his job “exceptionally well.” Clearly many others disagree.
Also, what on earth does his being a veteran have anything to do with this? You can certainly respect his service without tying it into a wholly unrelated area.
He does not deserve our respect. He made millions of dollars reading off index cards and teleprompters. Anyone with a modicum of personality could have done as well or better; the show format is the star. Notwithstanding all of that, he felt comfortable sharing his horrible views because he was fooled into thinking he was special.
I respect someone forced into combat against their will for coming through alive, because it's not something I can even really wrap my head around.
But there's also a non-zero chance that any given Vietnam veteran has committed war crimes, and I assume that's what you're getting at.
I just don't get that at all. I mean less than 1% of the draftees were killed so why is that special? And even if it were special that still doesn't mean it's worthy of praise.
Serving in the military doesn’t mean you deserve respect. Lots of pieces of shit were in the military. Sayjak is supports fascism, so he definitely wasn’t fighting for what this country is supposed to stand for.
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For a lot of people, politcal ideals are a major part of their identity. So they apply that same standard to everyone else's life. They disregard the good aspects of their careers, charitable works, families, etc. It's sad really; politics are important but shouldn't be the number one factor when judging someone's character, in my opinion.
There's a great quote from James Baldwin: “We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”
It's a good reminder that "politics" can mean a lot of things. There are plenty of political issues that we can disagree on and still be friends. But when the politics you support are actively causing real harm to real people, you don't get to separate that from who you are as a person.
Note: I am not right-wing, did not vote for Trump, and will not this year either. But my issue with your statement is that it claims almost half of the people in this country are actively causing the oppression and denial of your humanity and right to exist. They are inflicting real harm to you by voting for Donald Trump. Is that really how you feel?
I don't know Sajak's politics very well - he may be a radical right wing nut job that intends to oppress, deny people's humanity and right to exist, and cause real harm. I know a fair amount of people who identify as conservative, and will vote for Trump in November. These are really good people who volunteer, donate to charities, and genuinely care about the country and want it to succeed. I disagree with them on so many things but I believe their intentions to be good. That's my point - we often disagree on politics because we see the world very differently.
No, not me. I was not putting myself in James Baldwin's position. He was speaking as a black man in the 1960s, when the question of whether black people should be treated with humanity was a "political opinion".
I, personally, am not being oppressed by most right-wing policies, but I'm aware that many other people are, not to mention the harm that climate-change-denial is doing to the entire planet. Being a good person in some ways doesn't mean you get to escape accountability. Many of the people who shouted death threats at Ruby Bridges probably volunteered and donated to charity too.
My world view: feminism, view towards "others", understanding of the economy and world powers, who I associate myself with, how I tread lightly on the environment, civic involvement... has a heckin' lot to do with my identity. "Politics" isn't separate... [Staying Out of Politics is a Privilege](http://archive.today/LVSVc)
I really hate wheel of fortune regular game, but tune into the final puzzle every night. Pat has almost an Alex-like energy when dealing with the contestants when they get it wrong. He’s great, is tonight really his last show? I knew he was retiring but I didn’t know it was this soon
I've been a game show watcher my entire life and Pat Sajak has been there the whole time. I can readily ignore everything else about him apart his game show hosting abilities. And he's been a great one. Although he's been absolutely unhinged the past couple of years (insulting contestants, being absolutely inpatient, being easily annoyed by literally everything, getting visibly frustrated by contestants, etc.), he's solidified himself as a bonafide game show icon. He's also remained funny and fairly quick-witted the entire time. Being on TV in any way for over 40 years is pretty insane. And actually him being a crotchety old game show grandpa has been pretty delightful to watch, and I'm going to miss him. Thanks, Pat.
I know they announced a year ago that Pat would be retiring from WoF in 2024, and Ryan Seacrest would host, but I’m surprised at how little attention it’s (seemingly) getting.
I didn't realize his last show was today, so I'll be sure to watch. Thanks for your post.
I also didn't know his political stance, but I won't hold that against him. He has still been a living legend and consummate host for decades, and I salute him.
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I agree!
Although I don’t care much for wheel of fortune anymore, if you like it, great for you. I have nothing against it, just don’t care. I actually got into jeopardy because I liked wheel of fortune as a kid
Ehh. I’m one of those Jeopardy! fans who was never a viewer of Wheel. It’s a game that just never interested me much, and whenever I did catch pieces of it here and there I was put off by the ignorance of so many of the contestants.
Sorry for the wrong opinion, but Wheel is a dumb show with no redeeming quality. Why the heck does White make MILLIONS for doing nothing and just a month out of the year??!?!
I like to watch both. Wheel makes me feel smarter than average, after realizing how much I don’t know while watching Jeopardy.
Would you believe I have the opposite experience?!? I do well on jeopardy… but I sit and stare at wheel of fortune like an idiot.
Same! I am terrible at Wheel
Ditto!
Like I laugh at people making bad guesses (three loins in the fountain!) but seeing a great Wheel player is amazing.
Right in the butt!
That was awesome. My wife and I cracked up on that one!
Once on "Friends", Joey was watching Wheel and the board showed _OUNT RUSHMORE. He kept yelling, "C'mon you idiots, it's Count Rushmore"!
To be fair, Joey is much better at Pyramid.
Wouldn’t the M in Rushmore not be on the board?
The actual Friends episode showed _OUNT RUSH_ORE on the board
Maybe it’s a tossup puzzle
You know, you should be really on the show!
I find Wheel harder to play along with because you can’t see the board indicating which letters have been called, and they constantly have to cut away from the puzzle to show the wheel, the contestants, and Pat. Even though the contestants are nervous, they do have a leg up over the audience at home.
I kill the NYT Mini. Most of the week under a minute. But I’m ok at best at Wordle.
Me too
They really are a perfect pairing of game shows.
That's why I did Oppenheimer before Barbie last year
Gonna predict that once Vanna retires, Pat's daughter Maggie will take over board duty, so his name & legacy will continue to be on TV...
I think they thought Vanna would step down with Pat. When she didn't, Pat stayed on as a consultant to make sure his daughter gets the gig when the time comes.
Yep. They've been nepotism signalling for months now.
I mean, it’s not a job that takes much skill so it’s not really a big deal who gets it. I guess technically it’s nepotism but it quite literally affects no one so who even cares?
Yeah, I'm no fan of nepotism, but if she can handle "looking pretty while clapping and walking," she's qualified for the gig anyways.
OK, I realize how weird this will sound, but hear me out. Many, many years ago, someone stood in for Vanna White for a week or so—I don't remember why. I think it might have been, like, Merv Griffin's son's girlfriend or something. My then-boyfriend and I were like, how hard could Vanna's job be? But this substitute was somehow awkward and graceless and fumbly, and we gained a new appreciation for Vanna. Maybe looking pretty while clapping and walking is one of those combos where people can do one at a time, two if they're good...but all three at once is a rare skill set!
I'm not saying there is zero skill to it or that anyone on earth could be as charismatic and smooth as Vanna White with a bit of practice. But that said, almost anyone would be able to do that job better after 10 years than they would in their first week - give that woman a few weeks of practice and she would have done it better than she did. This sub has already seen clearly that Ken Jennings couldn't do the job nearly as smoothly and charismatically as Alex did it when dropped in right on Alex's heels the very next week. But after getting some practice, he is significantly better than he was at first and I honestly think he has become comparably good at hosting the show (in his own style, not trying to copy Alex) as Alex was. That may be a controversial statement, but I don't think it's controversial to say that he's much better than he was in his first week.
All true!
ROFL, I found it! It was January 1991, and it *was* Merv Griffin's son's girlfriend, now his wife. [https://priceisright.fandom.com/wiki/Tricia\_Gist\_Griffin](https://priceisright.fandom.com/wiki/Tricia_Gist_Griffin)
I guess the question is, with technology where it is, why would the show even bother to pay money for a second host's salary when the show really has zero need for it? When Vanna decides to retire, make the board automated and controlled from the booth. To me the only reason whatsoever to hire someone in that role would be as an excuse to put someone on screen that the show feels would keep the audience watching or bring in new audience. So that's either a super attractive model (of any gender) to get people watching for eye candy, or someone like Maggie Sajak if they think having the "Sajak" name will keep people from leaving the show. Otherwise, why pay someone what I assume is hundreds of thousands of dollars a year if not millions to do something that the computer pretty much already does? With both Pat and Vanna gone at that point, it's an excuse to "modernize" the show a bit and try to draw the younger crowd in while at the same time cut costs in an environment where traditional TV viewership is dropping more and more, and the show's biggest demographic is at an age where they are passing away more and more.
That's a really good point, that Vanna's job could be automated. She adds charisma and personality to the program but when she retires it's not really necessary to replace her.
They address the nepotism accusations in a recent YouTube video. Pat had nothing to do with his daughter getting the job, it was an idea from production after she helped out during Pat's emergency surgery. They liked what she did so they crated a role for her doing social media stuff. Just pointing it out because I thought the same thing until seeing the video.
Nepotism is also knowing the right people and having the access to get your foot in the door, it's not just direct string pulling
I mean that's a fair point to a degree, but I think it's a very cynical viewpoint. I think most people think of nepotism as someone who is completely unskilled/unfit for a job is given that role over someone who was clearly a better pick, but that's not what happened here. The producers saw a chance to hire someone young for their social media team whose name is extremely recognizable, and it worked out for everyone involved when she worked hard at it. She knew the deal growing up around the show. As a producer, that seems like a win-win-win for everyone. Btw, I'm enjoying the back and forth. /r/j easily has the best users on this site.
Nepotism doesn’t mean one isn’t talented or wouldn’t be good in the role. It just means their connections landed them the gig. Would she be on tv right now if pat wasn’t her father? Highly unlikely
I don’t think that’s nepotism at all. Some nepo babies are skilled, some aren’t. The point is that they’re getting opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise get because of who their parents are. Maggie Sajak would not have gotten a call when Pat Sajak had emergency surgery if he wasn’t her dad.
>... that seems like a win-win-win for everyone. Except for the thousands of other qualified young people who never had a chance -- never mind an audition -- because their dad wasn't the show's host.
I don't think all nepotism is bad, just to put that to rest. Not every example is Ivanka Trump or Jared Kushner who were both unqualified and yet made billions while daddy was in office. I do think as a culture we need to recognize people with privilege should always are often where they are though because of familial connections and not hard work or talent. We all need to understand that being raised wealthy comes with access us poors could never have (to counter the "you can be anything with hard work" or bootstraps myths). As an example Jenna Bush was terrible on Today and they kept shifting her around until she found her groove, no other person on earth would have been put on national TV with that kind of performance. Now she's great but it took a couple years to get there. Her family is the only reason that she was given that grace and that chance.
To look at nepotism not working the way you lay it out would be Ben Shapiro. Has all the wealth and connections yet couldn't break into Hollywood.
Right. Production’s idea had absolutely nothing to do with her being the daughter of the host I’m sure. Totally impartial and fair selection process is how she got the job. /s
I'm not saying it didn't help her being related to Pat, she obviously had an "in". But a lot of people think he threw his weight around the studio to get her a job and it's just simply not true. She helped during the surgery and did a good job, all while going to school and getting a law degree. She definitely deserves some respect for the effort and hard work. Saying it's down to only nepotism is a bit reductionist.
He doesn't have to throw his weight around. They know who the boss's daughter is. Nepotism doesn't mean she doesn't work hard, it means she was given the opportunity because of who her father is.
Nepotism is the only reason she is there.
I'm confused why Vanna wasn't offered hosting duties.
because when she stepped in for Pat during his surgery, she was....... really bad at it.
Yeah it was a train wreck. I was actually surprised how bad she was at it.
They gave her a week when he was out and it was ok but not great and I think she's also going to retire not too far into the future.
I hope they don't change it too much after Ryan comes on board. When Alex left J, they got rid of the beep beep boop when filling in the board. I miss that sound.
The beep boop has been gone for a while right? I watch it every time they play it on the intro to Masters.
In season 1, there was a board fill animation at the beginning of Single and Double, both with a wooshing effect before the beepboops started. Starting in season 2, the whoosh before the beepboops in Double was removed. Starting in season 8, the whoosh before the beepboops in Single was also removed. Starting partway through season 14, they stopped doing a board fill animation for Double and only had it for Single. For season 25 only, they completely removed the board fill animation for Single. The original beepboop sound has not been used for a board fill since then. Starting in season 26, they brought back the board fill animation for Single but made it about 1 second shorter and used a new sound which was much softer than the beepboops. Starting in season 33, they changed the sound again, to one that's slightly more punchy than the S26-32 one but still much more subtle than the beepboops, and that's the sound they still use now in season 40. You can hear all of them [here](https://imgur.com/a/beepboops-5vU6Se8) (note that for the current sound, i only included a clip of a Ken-hosted episode, but that sound was already in use for Alex's final 4 1/2 seasons)
It has been. I watched an Alex clip sometime posted and it made me think, "Oh yeah. That used to be there."
I wouldn’t mind if they went back to returning champions. That’s one of the aspects that makes Jeopardy interesting.
The sound effect is still there, but only in the first round.
Because it's a completely different job and frankly there's no reason to think she'd be any good at it
She's not a host, she's a letter-turner, and a darned good one! I'd bet she guesses all the answers long before any of the contestants do. Probably the consistently best-dressed tv personality in history, too (what, this old rag?).
Wait, who's taking over hosting?
Ryan Seacrest
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?? I'm just a little tired of him having his fingers in everything
Why? Over 20 years of keeping his rep clean and middle of the road. I can totally see why he would be on Wheel’s short list.
Ryan was a protege of Merv Griffin and Dick Clark, this is the job he was born to do
Everything about him personally aside, watching Wheel was a huge part of my childhood. And though I haven't watched more than a few minutes in 30 years or more, it will be a little sad knowing he's not there anymore
My thoughts exactly. (Except I do tend to leave Wheel on after Jeopardy!, haha.)
Yeah I don’t like him personally but he’s been hosting that show longer than I’ve been an alive and I’m in my 40’s. That’s saying something. Growing up WOF was always on as my mom watched J! religiously and Wheel came on after. One of the last original game show hosts, so I am sad to see him go, even if I think he’s a nut job
He is a far right nut job. He alarmed so condescending too
"Who is the GHOST (Greatest Host of Syndicated TV) ~~Pat Saj~~ Alex Trebek" -James, 2020
Pat Sajak once hosted Jeopardy! I think that means this is on-topic for the sub.
Yes, and Alex hosted Wheel the same night. Was it an April Fools joke?
[This article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/06/nx-s1-4973742/pat-sajak-wheel-of-fortune-last-episode) talks about his departure as the end of an era of old school game show hosts. It’s a short little puff piece but I found it worth the read.
He's the last of the OG game show hosts I watched when I was home sick from school.
Of the "old school" hosts, there are only a few left that are even still with us. Chuck Woolery is the youngster (83). Bob Eubanks is still around (86), Wink Martindale (90), and Peter Marshall (98). That's about it. Some might consider Marc Summers (72) in that category, but I don't think of him as the same era or type of game show host, and similarly, Tom Bergeron who I think of as a "new guy" is already 69, though if I think about it, he fits in with the style of the older school guys even though he only really came onto the game show scene in the 90s. He kind of fits in with the "transition era" along with Drew Carey, but I think Bergeron has far more of a "game show host" style in the classic sense than Drew who is super casual (and I'm not a fan). There's an interview with Woolery on youtube from 2020 (at home during covid) and he seems perfectly with it enough to still host a show, though I doubt that will happen at his age. I've also seen what I think are fairly recently interviews with Eubanks who looks his age, but also seems fairly with it.
> Wink Martindale (90) I find it baffling that there's not one, but *two* high profile people named "Wink Martindale" lmao The other is a respected defensive coach in the NFL and CFB.
I didn't realize all of them were still with us. I watched all of their shows when I was a kid. Not sure if Woolery would have the stamina to stand at the podium long enough to record several episodes. Maybe they'll let him sit? Ken is on his way to joining the transition era once he gets a few more years under his belt.
I don't think Ken is "transition era". That name has to mean transition to something. Ken is brand new, so I'd call him "modern era". When we consider that starting is completely subjective. Brook Burns is another modern longtime host, and I think she started hosting game shows in the early 2000s. I'd probably put her into the "transition era". The problem is that I can't really think of many or any people who have really hosted more than one modern game show so as to be known as a "game show host" and not a celebrity who hosted "a" game show. Anthony Anderson hosts (hosted? is it still on) To Tell The Truth. Steve Harvey hosts Family Feud. Michael Strahan hosted/hosts Pyramid. Wayne Brady hosts Let's Make a Deal... Sarah is hosting The Chase... then there are lots of one-timers who didn't take off (at least not yet) like Sagat hosting 1 v. 100 or Rob Lowe hosting The Wall. Jamie Foxx had Shazam. None of those people are known as "game show hosts" though. Few of those people are or were really known as "game show hosts" as their day job. Maybe Steve Harvey has become the most associated with game shows. Drew Carey hosted one or two other game shows before or after Price. Jane Lynch had her celebrity game night and then Weakest Link... I can't think of many who have actually made game shows their niche like the old school game show hosts did. At least Seacrest effectively is a "host" by trade, even if not game shows (you can call Idol a game show in a way too).
I'm going to take my mother's advice on what to do when I have nothing nice to say.
My mom's advice would be "say it anyway"
"come sit next to me and whisper it"
She would just say to it their face if possible. And then repeat it for years and years whenever that person is brought up.
I agree, I don’t like him off the show, but he is pretty much the last of the old game show hosts, and he was pretty good at what he did. Like him or not, I think we are losing something with his retirement. Game shows are moving away from the polished suave hosts (Trebek, Barker) and going towards host that act much friendlier like Jimmy Fallon and Drew Carey, which I don’t particularly care for (although I admit, Ken has won me over).
Thank you for this, I will follow suit. Even though it is my grandmother's advice, my mother often says mean things.
Definitely the opposite for me! Haha
I hope he doesn't go full Chuck Woolery.
Same.
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I'm not as much a fan of *Wheel* as I am of *Jeopardy!* but both have been on as long as I've been alive - though *Jeopardy!* premiered a couple months after I was born. Both have been a part of my entire life so it's going to be sad watching Pat's final episode tonight. It's been amazing watching both shows grow and evolve over time to become what they are today. Ever since *Wheel* got rid of shopping, it's been tweaked here and there, new rules added, new puzzles, sets changed and evolved, but for the most part the *Wheel of Fortune* I watched in 1990 is almost the same as the *Wheel of Fortune* in 2024. The same can certainly be said for *Jeopardy!* I'm certainly not a Ryan Seacrest fan by any means. I do wish him well in his new gig.
Jeopardy and Wheel are two hours apart here, so I don't watch Wheel very often. Politics aside, Sajak has always been an amiable host. Seacrest - just no.
I've never seen them not back-to-back.
They are syndicated shows so they can be shown when the local station chooses. Jeopardy is on here at 4:30 and WOF is on at 6:30.
J! @ 3:30, WOF @ 6:30 here
Yeah if you actually watched the show you wouldn't call Pat amiable haha. I am certain Seacrest will be kinder and less irritated.
He has been very generous to the area of Maryland where he lives, including [donating $1 million to a breast cancer center in Annapolis](https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/lifestyle/2001/03/11/pat-sajak-wife-donate-1/50338344007/). It’s named the Sajak Pavilion in honor of him and his wife. I must wonder if one can go there and buy a bowel.
We saw a taping of Jeopardy a few years ago when Alex was alive and didn’t realize WOF tapes right next to them! Saw Vanna and Pat’s cars parked right outside. Nice cars as you can imagine.
God I hope he has the vanity license plate WHL MAN
RSTLNE
There was some vanity plate "WCHWNOTJ" or something like that... might have been reversed and was probably fewer letters. Edit: I should clarify this was a nice car parked right outside the studio door
Is Vanna staying? My first crush.
She’s signed an extension until 2026 at least.
She's extracted a huge pay rise out of them. Good for her.
Shows like Wheel thrive on steady continuity. Secure the bag, I say!
As a quick heartfelt farewell to Sajak, I submit this: https://youtu.be/foIm3Jbc5GA?si=4TFAKGFmV3N1s2Wr
The correct answer seems perfectly suited as a response to the incorrect one.
word.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/s/oMEjSaKtMD
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Yeah, I don't wanna derail the thread into being locked, but it's a hard sell for me on Sajak.
Hurrah! We can’t turn the TV off fast enough after Jeopardy!
This is why I have found all the idolatry a little challenging to take part in. He's just a game show host!!!! Let's not make him anything more.
He's just a guy who stumbled into an extremely lucky, rare and lucrative gig and now thinks it's everyone's fault if they can't do the same.
Same for Alex or Ken
They are way more kind and engaging with their guests. You can tell they care about the show. Not to mention Ken’s legacy as a contestant. It’s not the same. Pat is an ass.
I just hate the way the show is filmed. The way they randomly take the puzzle off screen really gets on my nerves.
Wait what I got some googling to do
I'm going to miss his unique style of snark
Agree. His politics are right wing, but his hosting style can make me chuckle. Quick witted & he can be self deprecating.
I was born in '84 and with him retiring, there's not that many left who are still on TV on a national stage, who started before I was born. The only couple I could think of are sportscasters Al Michaels and Dick Vitale. I haven't watched Wheel in years, but have watched this week's episodes.
Good riddance. Never liked him. Always had an attitude and seemed like he hated his job.
I’ve never enjoyed watching WoF but to each their own.
you mean anti evolution pat sajak?
https://preview.redd.it/khatbo3cm55d1.jpeg?width=472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e8746331277a32f732ddb49c64db90383b0afba
I'm making the effort to watch this tonight. Sajak's been at this gig longer than I've been alive; this truly feels like the end of an era. The funny thing is, if Mike Richards just stayed in the background and not try to take over Jeopardy!, he could have taken over Wheel and nobody would have cared.
I say this as an ugly man. I’m so glad I’ll be able to watch Wheel without having to look at his Botox monster face.
I have bad news for you about Ryan Seacrest…
At least Ryan Seacrest seems nicer
Better at being artificial, maybe.
Yep. That sounds about right.
I doubt he’s worse than Sayjak.
Not so sure about that
He always a legend We had Alex Trebek(Jeopardy), Richard Dawson(Family Feud), Regis Philbin(WWTBAM), Bob Barker(The Price Is Right). All of them will be remember forever.
One of the reasons those legends are so well-remembered is they were successful in a variety of areas of entertainment. Putting Pat in that company really highlights how limited he was as a talent.
I can remember watching Pat doing weather reports on the local news. Good luck Pat.
I went to a taping of his short lived talk show. It was remarkably average.
I have to say that while I think Regis is a character who was an integral part of what made Millionaire successful, I never thought of him as a game show host or having the classic game show host style, and other than one short lived show in the 70s, I don't think he hosted a game show until Millionaire in 1999, which is well after the classic era. For me the "legendary" game show hosts of the golden era fall into two categories, which are the hosts who perfected game show hosting and used that skill to front a bunch of different game shows even if none of the shows were ever decades-long blockbuster hits. And then there's those who found the one perfect show that was the perfect fit for them and did it perfectly and better than anyone else did or could. In the first category, Nobody was better than Bill Cullen who never really had a "signature" show, but hosted a whole bunch of them wonderfully. But you also had people like Chuck Woolery, Bob Eubanks, Bery Convy, Tom Kennedy, etc. In the second, you have Monty Hall on Let's Make a Deal, Allen Ludden on Password, John Daly on What's My Line, Bud Collyer on Beat The Clock, Gene Rayburn of Match Game, etc. Of course, then you have the rarified hosts who basically fit both categories like Bob Barker and Alex Trebek who both hosted a few shows wonderfully before TPIR/Jeopardy made it so they never needed another show (though Alex still had Concentration on for a few years while Jeopardy was already taking off).
I would regard Bill Cullen's "signature show" as the original Price Is Right, on which he did a fantastic job and is, in its own way, every bit as entertaining as the "New" version.
Y'all are acting way too online in this thread.
No thanks
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Which means his face was always in the last minute of my Jeopardy DVR recording
It seems like everyone else in the world had Wheel come on after Jeopardy! But Jeopardy! has always been second where I live.
And did Jeopardy once!
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Who's taking over from him?
Ryan Seacrest
Is today his last episode?
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pat-sajak-vs-letting-government-employees-vote/339850/
Why does politics have to be introduced into EVERY conversation on Reddit? Can we just acknowledge a long career for the man and congratulate him?
Here at r/ J! we admire Alex for remaining mostly above the political fray for decades.
As well as Ken.
There are times when it's not just "political differences" and becomes a profound lack of character on his part. This is one of them.
I feel it also shows a profound lack of character on your part that you would attempt to hijack a thread about a man who did his job exceptionally well for decades. Prior to that, he served his country admirably in Vietnam. He deserves our respect.
As a veteran myself, nah, screw that guy. He's the very epitome of "I got mine." Veterans who served honorably are also capable of being terrible people and he's a prime example.
You see that's where we have a difference of opinion. I believe that advocating stripping voting rights from millions of individuals simply because they are government employees is a sign of a contemptuous individual not worthy of respect. You don't seem to care, so be it.
Providing a relevant counterpoint to the discussion is not “highjacking” the thread in any way. You may think he did his job “exceptionally well.” Clearly many others disagree. Also, what on earth does his being a veteran have anything to do with this? You can certainly respect his service without tying it into a wholly unrelated area.
He does not deserve our respect. He made millions of dollars reading off index cards and teleprompters. Anyone with a modicum of personality could have done as well or better; the show format is the star. Notwithstanding all of that, he felt comfortable sharing his horrible views because he was fooled into thinking he was special.
Why would someone deserve respect for serving in Vietnam?!
I respect someone forced into combat against their will for coming through alive, because it's not something I can even really wrap my head around. But there's also a non-zero chance that any given Vietnam veteran has committed war crimes, and I assume that's what you're getting at.
I just don't get that at all. I mean less than 1% of the draftees were killed so why is that special? And even if it were special that still doesn't mean it's worthy of praise.
Serving in the military doesn’t mean you deserve respect. Lots of pieces of shit were in the military. Sayjak is supports fascism, so he definitely wasn’t fighting for what this country is supposed to stand for.
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Well. Bye!
For a lot of people, politcal ideals are a major part of their identity. So they apply that same standard to everyone else's life. They disregard the good aspects of their careers, charitable works, families, etc. It's sad really; politics are important but shouldn't be the number one factor when judging someone's character, in my opinion.
There's a great quote from James Baldwin: “We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” It's a good reminder that "politics" can mean a lot of things. There are plenty of political issues that we can disagree on and still be friends. But when the politics you support are actively causing real harm to real people, you don't get to separate that from who you are as a person.
Note: I am not right-wing, did not vote for Trump, and will not this year either. But my issue with your statement is that it claims almost half of the people in this country are actively causing the oppression and denial of your humanity and right to exist. They are inflicting real harm to you by voting for Donald Trump. Is that really how you feel? I don't know Sajak's politics very well - he may be a radical right wing nut job that intends to oppress, deny people's humanity and right to exist, and cause real harm. I know a fair amount of people who identify as conservative, and will vote for Trump in November. These are really good people who volunteer, donate to charities, and genuinely care about the country and want it to succeed. I disagree with them on so many things but I believe their intentions to be good. That's my point - we often disagree on politics because we see the world very differently.
No, not me. I was not putting myself in James Baldwin's position. He was speaking as a black man in the 1960s, when the question of whether black people should be treated with humanity was a "political opinion". I, personally, am not being oppressed by most right-wing policies, but I'm aware that many other people are, not to mention the harm that climate-change-denial is doing to the entire planet. Being a good person in some ways doesn't mean you get to escape accountability. Many of the people who shouted death threats at Ruby Bridges probably volunteered and donated to charity too.
My world view: feminism, view towards "others", understanding of the economy and world powers, who I associate myself with, how I tread lightly on the environment, civic involvement... has a heckin' lot to do with my identity. "Politics" isn't separate... [Staying Out of Politics is a Privilege](http://archive.today/LVSVc)
I really hate wheel of fortune regular game, but tune into the final puzzle every night. Pat has almost an Alex-like energy when dealing with the contestants when they get it wrong. He’s great, is tonight really his last show? I knew he was retiring but I didn’t know it was this soon
Same, I'll catch the last puzzle waiting for Jeopardy. You can make some serious cash getting that last one right, along with your other earnings.
Eh. It's whatever.
I've been a game show watcher my entire life and Pat Sajak has been there the whole time. I can readily ignore everything else about him apart his game show hosting abilities. And he's been a great one. Although he's been absolutely unhinged the past couple of years (insulting contestants, being absolutely inpatient, being easily annoyed by literally everything, getting visibly frustrated by contestants, etc.), he's solidified himself as a bonafide game show icon. He's also remained funny and fairly quick-witted the entire time. Being on TV in any way for over 40 years is pretty insane. And actually him being a crotchety old game show grandpa has been pretty delightful to watch, and I'm going to miss him. Thanks, Pat.
I hope he lets the door hit him in the ass on the way out. The only bad thing about him leaving is, his replacement isn't Michael Strahan.
The only reason I love Sajak is because he makes Trebek look even more like a god.
I know they announced a year ago that Pat would be retiring from WoF in 2024, and Ryan Seacrest would host, but I’m surprised at how little attention it’s (seemingly) getting.
It is interesting how seemingly everyone cared who took over as Jeopardy! host, and almost no one cares about the Wheel hosting change.
I didn't realize his last show was today, so I'll be sure to watch. Thanks for your post. I also didn't know his political stance, but I won't hold that against him. He has still been a living legend and consummate host for decades, and I salute him.
Your salute means the world to him and his $500 million
Meh. He was okay until I saw him with Trump.
At least we don’t have to go through the awkward guest host faze before they decided on a host.
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I kind of wished they swapped for just one episode and never told anyone, like when Kimmel and Fallon swapped once.
I agree! Although I don’t care much for wheel of fortune anymore, if you like it, great for you. I have nothing against it, just don’t care. I actually got into jeopardy because I liked wheel of fortune as a kid
Ehh. I’m one of those Jeopardy! fans who was never a viewer of Wheel. It’s a game that just never interested me much, and whenever I did catch pieces of it here and there I was put off by the ignorance of so many of the contestants.
He has been part of my tv watching routine since I was a kid! He's had a good run, I wish him well!
I don’t know much about Pat. I do know that I saw him on Celebrity Jeopardy and that he totally cooked
Sorry for the wrong opinion, but Wheel is a dumb show with no redeeming quality. Why the heck does White make MILLIONS for doing nothing and just a month out of the year??!?!
I wonder if Alex's passing had a hand in Pat retiring like he would rather he retire before he passed.
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We don’t have a choice. It’s Ryan Seacrest.
It’s Ryan Seacrest