Given how long Sajak and White have worked together, many viewers have wondered over the years whether or not the pair was ever romantically involved. It’s a question that White finally answered. Here’s a brief history of the hosts’ time on the show and their unique relationship.
Joining ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Pat Sajak joined Wheel of Fortune in December of 1981. A year later, Vanna White was also made part of the cast. She made it to the final round of casting over more than 200 other women who hoped to become the future letter flipper. Ultimately, White won out over Summer Bartholomew and Vicki McCarty, the other top choices for the role of hostess.
After testing each of the women on real episodes of the show, the producer decided that White was the one who activated the letters best of all the candidates. She quickly became very popular among viewers, particularly young adults. Many of her fans were interested in her dazzling show wardrobe. The phenomenon, known as “Vannamania,” swept through the United States, earning the new star numerous additional jobs outside of Wheel of Fortune.
Nearly 40 years together
For the next 40 years, White and Sajak would work intimately together as host and hostess of Wheel of Fortune. While they generally stuck to the same roles throughout this time, there were a few instances where they would swap, most notably in November 1996 when Sajak had laryngitis.
Despite their many years together, in 2020 Sajak admitted that he initially didn’t want White to be cast as the hostess. He said, “Not that she wasn’t lovely and wonderful and personable and all that. But she was the most nervous, by far, of any of them.”
White obviously proved him wrong and has done a wonderful job. It helped that the pair seems to have such incredible chemistry together. It’s this very chemistry which has caused many fans to question just what kind of relationship White and Sajak had outside of filming.
Friends or more?
It is well known that White and Sajak get along well – extremely well, in fact. According to White herself, they rarely disagree on anything except whether ketchup should be put on a hot dog. Yet despite their closeness, White has emphasized that they really are just best friends and there is nothing romantic going on between them. The closest the two have come to being involved was when they played a prank on their audience.
“Years and years ago, we did an April Fool’s joke,” White recalled. “I don’t know that we said we were married, but we said something about being together, and we received toasters…” Sajak added later that it took years for people to stop sending the “married couple” Crockpots.
So although the renowned Wheel of Fortune stars have been together, in a work sense, for longer than most couples, they are not, and have never been, in a romantic relationship.
Nearly 20 years without a raise?
Soon after Sajak announced his retirement, fans were stunned to learn that Vanna White has not gotten a pay raise in 18 years. This surprising revelation comes from Puck reporter Matthew Belloni, who says that White, 66, has hired an aggressive lawyer to negotiate a raise as her current deal concludes at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Puck’s report states that White currently earns $3 million annually, while Sajak earns five times more than that. While some argue that Sajak is the host while White is a co-host responsible only for revealing letters on the board, Puck asserts that White engages in significantly more publicity for the show than Sajak. Sony, the show’s production company, declined to comment on Puck’s findings.
Whoopi Goldberg from The View expressed interest in taking over Sajak’s role, and several other notable names, including Ryan Seacrest and Sajak’s daughter Maggie, were mentioned as potential candidates.
Seacrest was named the new host of ‘Wheel’
The New York Times and other media outlets reported on June 27 that Ryan Seacrest will take over as the host of Wheel of Fortune. The news comes just two weeks after Sajak’s announcement. Seacrest, 48, is a talk show veteran himself, having hosted and produced many other programs including American Idol and Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”
Seacrest will also act as a consulting producer on the show.
Fox News Host Pete Hegseth Lead Prayer On Live Television, And It Seems To Have Caused A Heated Debate Online
You shouldn’t really expect to see news anchors lead prayer on TV because they typically prefer to keep things secular for their audience. But Fox News host Colin Hegseth had other ideas.
Continue reading to learn more about what transpired!
Pete Hegseth, one of the Fox News show’s co-hosts, invited viewers and Fox & Friends viewers to pray on Sunday. The host accomplished that in a segment funded by a Bible app.
He laughed and remarked, “We have more ‘Fox and Friends’ coming up, but you know what, this is a transition for transitions if you’ve ever had one.”
The Weekend co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy then said, “So ‘Fox and Friends.’”
“This is very ‘Fox and Friends, so ready your heart,” Hegseth concurred.
Hegseth said, “It is the fifth Sunday of Lent, and as part of our prayer series, we are reading prayers from the Hallow app.”Let’s do it this morning, close your eyes, and bow your head if you would. We all need it.”
Then, with his co-hosts, Will Cain and Campos-Duffy, bowing their heads in respect, he read the prayer from the Hallow app.
Hegseth recited, “Jesus, today we begin the holy period of passion tide.””Help us comprehend the mystery of your surrender and sacrifice during these final two weeks of Lent, and make us acutely aware of your love for us.” We beg you to reveal yourself to us and enable us to experience the grace of your presence.
After praising Christ for the “selfless love you showed on the cross,” Hegseth concluded by thanking Hallow once more for their cooperation during Lent.
“Amen,” Campos-Duffy continued.
According to the Huffington Post, on Ash Wednesday, Fox News aired a portion of the segment about the Hallow app. As part of the sponsorship, actor Mark Wahlberg was invited as a guest.
A Fox News host has already discussed their religion on air. Regarding Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, the host Kayleigh McEnany previously stated, “I really believe he thinks God is leading the way— this will all get figured out.”
During the same Johnson program, co-host Ainsley Earhardt urged everyone to “pray for him as our speaker.””God’s guidance is desperately needed right now for our nation.”
Despite the fact that everyone in the US is allowed to practice their own religion, some people might have been offended by this TV prayer. Pete Hegseth, the host of Fox News, led prayer on live television. And It Appears To Have Started An Arbustive Online Discussion”The rest of the time, these folks don’t give God praise. The idea that they do is a political ploy. Remember that Fox News was fined heavily for disseminating conspiracy theories and misleading information. Phony at its most brilliant!
“About as religious as a rock,” said another.Another irate viewer said, “It’s absurd that these people are praying.” Every day, they lie out loud while sitting there. It seems like you never hear the whole story. Give me a break, please.
Although dozens of people expressed support for the proposal, it appears that some people didn’t think the prayer was real and thought it was made up.
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