It’s been greater than a yr since Pat Sajak’s stated farewell to followers for his remaining Wheel of Fortune episode (not counting the Movie star-infused spinoff), with Ryan Seacrest sliding in to take his place final fall. The latter has come a good distance in lower than a yr, nevertheless it’s protected to imagine there are some viewers who nonetheless haven’t fairly grown accustomed to anybody apart from Sajak heading up among the finest sport exhibits of all time, and wish him again.
Whereas it’s definitely doable that the longtime WoF host may return in small doses down the road, it’s extra probably that his interactions with contestants are a factor of the previous. If that’s certainly the case, one fan’s Reddit submit may function a quasi-totem reminding others of what Pat Sajak was truly like on the set, as shared by a few of the hopefuls who have been there.
Although Sajak has earned some ire through the years for his off-screen politics, in addition to his on-screen snarkiness in later years — bear in mind when he referred to as a contestant’s severed-toe anecdote essentially the most pointless story ever? — I’m glad that the tales shared right here represented the form of Wheel of Fortune expertise one would hope to have. Take this man, who rival-bonded with Pat over a love of hockey.
- Pat was nice with us on my taping day. He was cracking jokes throughout breaks with others. As for me personally, undoubtedly had a enjoyable time chatting hockey with me. We taped in 2016 and after spherical 1 he tells me, “I’m extra of a Capitals fan however, can’t forgive the Sharks after what they did to my Kings in spherical 1.” I went sorry! 😂 After I gained spherical 2, he was “is that (teal) shirt in honor of the Sharks? Sure after all.” As I’m headed to the bonus spherical he’s all “alright Mr. Teal, you probably did it… he’s going to the bonus spherical and I’ll go together with him, even when he’s a Sharks fan.”. . . Because the credit rolled, we talked about how the Sharks misplaced to the penguins for a bit, then I flip to Vanna for a hug as you by no means get to fulfill a star crush IRL, and because it ends Pat goes, “Will you two get a room??” 😂 He was incredible and want him nicely. – @puckguy14
No one may pull off a light-hearted ribbing like Par Sajak, even when a few of that ribbing sounded a bit extra curmudgeonly in later years. (He is 78 now.) I dare say his Chicago roots have been displaying when he referred to as the participant “Mr. Teal.”
In the meantime, one other former contestant shared an attention-grabbing expertise that TV viewers weren’t totally aware of. The poster’s remark began off saying instantly after declaring they needed to resolve the puzzle, they realized their preliminary guess wasn’t going to be right, which led to a second of panic.
- I froze up and did not say something for like 5 seconds. Pat stated “you may change your thoughts if you need to spin.” I didn’t understand that, exhaled, spun, and figured it out a letter or two later. This change was minimize from the taping when it aired. Between puzzles I went as much as him and stated a really honest “thanks” and he shook my hand and stated it was no drawback, that I used to be nicely inside the guidelines to alter my thoughts and spin. He stated “in the event you had even stated ‘Buh…’ and commenced saying the primary syllable, you’d have been compelled to resolve, however you did not do this, you did not make a sound. You have been completely effective.” Even when you recognize the principles nicely and browse via them fastidiously earlier than your taping (as I definitely did), you may undoubtedly have a deer-in-headlights second. Pat does nice serving to issues alongside however not overstepping, an ideal host. – @Salzano14
Despite the fact that I am positive I’ve seen a second play out like that previously, I do not know if I may say with confidence that I knew a contestant may change their thoughts after saying an intention to resolve the puzzle. Undoubtedly good to know, although. For what? I am undecided.
This is one other compliment-filled reply that factors out Pat’s penchant for sharing good suggestions with those that entered the sport with abilities intact.
- Pat was very good. Earlier than the bonus spherical, he stated I used to be a very good participant, that he was impressed with my gameplay, and he particularly referred to as out one factor I did. Then, once we began filming the spherical, he stated I used to be a very good participant, that he was impressed with my gameplay, and he particularly referred to as out one factor I did. Haha. However significantly, good expertise. He additionally made jokes between front-game rounds and was satisfying. (You realize, politics apart. We have been there to play a sport and become profitable!) – @micahwhite
Even when these private tales do not symbolize the whole thing of all previous Wheel of Fortune gamers, it is simply usually an excellent signal that they are all so optimistic, contemplating Reddit threads tend to skew damaging and hateful on a whim. This fan achieved the final word dream of getting each Sajak and the late, nice Alex Trebek as hosts.
- Form, skilled, extraordinarily good at his job. He made a pair digs at me that have been extraordinarily lighthearted and enjoyable, and I responded in sort, and we had a enjoyable time with it. Each him and Vanna did the little fly-by “hey, simply saying hello” of their avenue garments within the early morning when everyone seems to be taking their tour of the particular stage, which was very nice. Additionally had the privilege of showing on Jeopardy! throughout Trebek’s reign, and equally, good occasions. Felt like a pleasant bucket checklist merchandise to tick apparances with each of them as a contestant. – @disillusioned
Pat Sajak even received some love from a man who wasn’t ever a contestant, and simply attended a few of the tapings.
- I’m not a former contestant, however I did go to 2 separate tapings, about 10 years aside. At each, throughout commercials, he would work together with the viewers and he was hilarious and pleasant. – @BayouGuy25
Will Ryan Seacrest spark these sorts of sort reactions at any time when gamers are reflecting after his personal retirement? WIll Reddit nonetheless exist then? Will all our ideas be logged by robots? Ahem.
Wheel of Fortune will quickly be hitting its first massive break on the 2025 TV schedule, as Ryan Seacrest’s first official season involves a detailed, additionally incomes extra positivity than negativity by means of on-line reactions, even when criticisms are undoubtedly on the market.