Wheel of Fortune, created by Merv Griffin, has been a television staple since it first aired in January 1975, with Pat Sajak and Vanna White serving as the iconic duo behind the show’s success. Over the years, Sajak has hinted at the possibility of stepping down, particularly as the show approached the end of Season 40. Meanwhile, Vanna White has expressed her desire to continue hosting alongside him, making their on-screen partnership difficult to imagine without either of them.
The unexpected change occurred during the April 26 episode when Sajak passed off his hosting duties for the bonus round. To the surprise of the audience, the show’s announcer, Jim Thornton, took over as host. This sudden switch sparked speculation among viewers, with some wondering if Sajak was unwell or had been let go from the show. However, clues earlier in the episode suggested this was a planned moment. Contestant Sarah had praised Jim Thornton at the start of the show, to which Jim playfully responded, possibly foreshadowing his temporary hosting role later on.
When the show returned from a commercial break for the bonus round, Pat Sajak remained absent, and Jim Thornton continued as the host. Though Sarah couldn’t solve the bonus puzzle, she walked away with an additional $40,000 and had the chance to meet Jim. Pat Sajak eventually returned during the credits, sharing a light-hearted moment with Vanna White by jokingly asking if he had missed anything.
While the unexpected switch left fans buzzing with curiosity, it was clear that the change was planned, adding a fun twist to the long-running game show.
