Vanna White To Host Wheel Of Fortune Solo Starting Dec. 9, After Pat Sajak's Surgery
(CBS) – For the first time in the show's 37-year history, Vanna White will be hosting Wheel of Fortune on her own for the next couple weeks.
Longtime host Pat Sajak, 73, was sidelined last month to undergo emergency surgery for a blocked intestine. The show took one day off from taping, then resumed with White as host. Those episodes begin airing on Monday, December 9.
Our taping on Thursday was canceled because host Pat Sajak underwent successful emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine. He is resting comfortably and looking forward to getting back to work. Taping resumed today as scheduled and Vanna White has stepped in as host. pic.twitter.com/09zYOCE4hL
— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) November 8, 2019
Disney characters will join White on set during the two week Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway. Don't be surprised if you see them taking turns at the puzzleboard.
As for Sajak's health, he spent a couple days in the hospital before moving his recovery home.
"Recovery will be complete and relatively fast," he said in a statement released by the show. "For better or worse, doctors tell me they did not remove my sense of humor."
White said that hosting without Sajak was "like a word without vowels." Promising to "fill in the blanks" until his return. The pair has co-hosted the long-running game show since the early 80s.
Wheel of Fortune without @patsajak is like a word without vowels. I'll fill in the blanks until you return. Rest up and we'll be solving puzzles in no time. (Don't worry, your job is safe! Well, pretty safe.) pic.twitter.com/pqUG3J3peH
— Vanna White (@TheVannaWhite) November 12, 2019
Sajak returned to the Wheel set on December 5, after missing about four weeks of work. Expect to see those episodes in early 2020.
Wheel of Fortune airs at 7 p.m on WBZ-TV, Monday through Saturday.