1 week Ago By Meredith Nardino
Pat Sajak and Vanna White have always been the ultimate example of cohost chemistry — but their Wheel of Fortune destinies could have been very different. “I didn’t recommend Vanna, and Vanna knows this,” Sajak told CBS Sunday Morning in 2020 while reflecting on White’s audition nearly four decades prior. “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.” Sajak initially tried out for the game show gig in 1980 and was made host one year later. In 1982, White was one of the last women in the running for the letter turning role .
However, creator Merv Griffin was confident that White was the right choice, telling White at the time that she and Sajak “make a great brother-sister team. I see you guys together.'” You have successfully subscribed.
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News As their Wheel of Fortune careers continued, the twosome developed a strong bond both on and off screen. However, the pair’s relationship has always remained strictly professional — and platonic. Scroll down to relive Sajak and White’s best friendship moments: Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak and Vanna White's Friendship Through the Years Pat Sajak and Vanna White have always been the ultimate example of cohost chemistry — but their Wheel of Fortune destinies could have been very different.
"I didn't recommend Vanna, and Vanna knows this," Sajak told CBS Sunday Morning in 2020 while reflecting on White's audition nearly four decades prior. "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.
"Sajak initially tried out for the game show gig in 1980 and was made host one year later. In 1982, White was one of the last women in the running for the letter turning role .However, creator Merv Griffin was confident that White was the right choice, telling White at the time that she and Sajak "make a great brother-sister team.
I see you guys together.'"As their Wheel of Fortune careers continued, the twosome developed a strong bond both on and off screen. However, the pair's relationship has always remained strictly professional — and platonic.
Scroll down to relive Sajak and White's best friendship moments: Credit: Kobal/Shutterstock The Beginning Sajak auditioned for the hosting gig in 1980, with White joining him two years later. Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock Pulling Pranks “I remember, years and years ago, we did an April Fools' joke. I don’t know if we said we were married, but we said something about being together,” White recalled during a 2007 interview.
Her longtime pal joked about receiving one too many Crockpots, adding, “I don’t know how we would have done as a couple. We get along real well now, and there’s no point in pushing that.” Credit: Courtesy of ViacomCBS So Grateful The South Carolina native thanked Sajak for his support over the years while sharing behind-the-scenes secrets with Entertainment Weekly.
“I owe it all to you, Pat,” she gushed in 2017. Credit: Courtesy of ViacomCBS Best Effort Though they have decades under their belts, White didn’t see herself being on TV for more than five years. “I thought, ‘Well, this is gonna be fun, but I can’t imagine it lasting that long,’” she told USA Today in 2019 as she and Sajak celebrated 7,000 episodes.
“I remember sitting in the chair next to Pat saying, ‘I wonder where we’ll be in 10 years?’ ...
And here it’s been 36.” During the very special episode, the former weatherman was met with a round of applause. “This woman and I have been together a very long time,” Sajak said to the audience.
“It’s been a fabulous run, and we’ve got lots more in us, yes?” Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Filling His Shoes Sajak stepped away from the Wheel of Fortune stage to undergo emergency surgery, and White took over as a temporary host. “I’m excited and nervous! Stay tuned!” she tweeted ahead of her 2019 debut. When it came time for the episode’s final spin, she teased on camera, “That wheel is heavy!” Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Nearly Snubbed “I didn’t recommend Vanna, and Vanna knows this,” Sajak told CBS Sunday Morning in 2020 while reflecting on White’s 1982 audition.
“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.” Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless The Only Argument “We've been together all these years.
We've never had one argument — OK, we had one,” White teased during a 2021 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show . “It was over putting ketchup on a hot dog. .
.. Well, anyway, that's what he said.
'You do not put ketchup on your hot dog!'" Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless What's Next? When asked how much longer he and White planned to team up on TV, the former Pat Sajak Show host hinted that their chapter could be closed soon. “We're certainly closer to the end than the beginning,” he told ET in 2021. “I'd like to leave before people tune in and look at me and say, 'Ooh, what happened to him?’ .
.. I wouldn't bet on seeing us in, like, 10 years, I would say.
” White agreed with Sajak’s prediction, adding, “Probably, yes.” Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless Too Comfortable Fans were unhappy after an interaction between the cohosts during a 2022 episode of the game show. “Are you an opera buff at all?” Sajak asked White, who replied that she wouldn’t call herself a “buff,” though she enjoyed the performance art.
In response, Sajak said, “Have you ever watched opera in the buff? I’m just curious.” Credit: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images Pat's Retirement Announcement Sajak announced in June 2023 that he was saying goodbye to Wheel of Fortune after the then-upcoming season 41. “Well, the time has come.
I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he wrote via X. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.
” White commented on Sajak’s retirement via X, writing, “When we started @WheelofFotune who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later? I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!” Ryan Seacrest was later announced as Sajak’s replacement. In September 2023, White signed a two-year contract extension which takes her through the 2025-2026 season.
Credit: CBS Vanna Prepares to Say Goodbye Sajak and White continued to work side by side throughout season 41, which premiered in September 2023. Ahead of Sajak’s final episode at the helm, which came in June 2024, White gushed about their decades-long friendship . “When I first started, I was so green.
You made me so comfortable and made me so confident, Pat,” White said via a June 2024 Instagram video with tears in her eyes. “You made me who I am. You really did.
” She recalled their on and off screen dynamic, including 8,000 episodes and watching their families grow off camera. “We’ve laughed. We’ve cried.
We’ve celebrated,” White said. “Oh, gosh. What an incredible and unforgettable journey we’ve had.
And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it with you.” The hostess added: “You’re like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore. I love you, Pat.
” Credit: Disney/Eric McCandless Friends After 'Wheel' Although Ryan Seacrest is the current host of Wheel of Fortune , that doesn’t mean White’s friendship with Sajak is over. “I still see him!” White shared with TV Insider in April 2025. “We’re friends.
We have dinner! Yeah, he’s still in my life.” When the pair have the opportunity to reunite away from any cameras, it’s almost like no time has passed. “It’s like slipping into something very comfortable,” she added.
“I mean that in the best possible way. It’s just comfortable.” In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies.
