For years, avid Wheel watchers would turn on CBS at 6:30 p.m. to watch “America’s Game.” Billions of viewers, over 80,000 puzzles, and more than 8,000 episodes have aired with Pat Sajak at the center of it all. Sajak made his hosting debut in 1981 when he hosted the daytime version of Wheel of Fortune. He remained the host through the switch to the modern nighttime version we all know and love, making him the longest-running game show host in television history.
To put it simply, Sajak is the best game show host this country—no, this world—has ever seen. He added a special touch that most game shows don’t have. Current game show hosts seem too scared to poke fun at their contestants and instead revert to agreeing with everything they do, even if it is arguably idiotic. It was nice to watch a show with a witty, quick-thinking host rather than an emotionless robot.
However, Sajak was not only there to call people out. He was also there to help. Countless people would be out thousands of dollars if it wasn’t for Sajak’s quickness to blurt out helpful tips throughout the game. These helpful tips came from the kindness of his heart. He didn’t get paid more to help, and the production crew certainly would not have minded saving a couple of thousand dollars, but Sajak wanted the best for everyone. He just wanted to have some fun doing it.
This is one trait that I fear Ryan Seacrest, Sajak’s replacement, will never be able to replicate. Seacrest made his Wheel of Fortune debut on Sept. 9 of this year. Most well-known for hosting American Idol, Seacrest is undoubtedly an experienced host. But he is no Pat Sajak.
When I watch the show now, I am left talking alone when I yell out the standard phrases I used to say along with Sajak. Every time it happens, I am reminded that the Wheel is forever changed. 35 episodes later and I still can’t seem to come to terms with this new reality.
Although I do not believe Seacrest is fully to blame, the 42nd season of Wheel of Fortune feels like the Temu version of a show I used to love. After learning of Sajak’s retirement last June, I knew the new host had some enormous shoes to fill. Quite frankly, I knew from the start that it would never be the same. Wheel of Fortune has been hosted by Sajak for generations. It’s unreasonable to think you can throw a new host in there and expect the show to feel the same way. Although Seacrest was not the worst option, no one will ever be able to replace Pat Sajak in my eyes.