Vanna White hosted her first-ever edition of Wheel of Fortune on Monday after more than 37 years as the show’s letter-turning co-host.
The show hyped up the change in role for White with a tweet Monday, revealing that Minnie Mouse would be taking over Vanna’s duties on the holiday-themed edition of the long-running TV game show.
‘For the first time in show history, @TheVannaWhite steps in as host at the Wheel, while our friend Minnie Mouse helps out at the puzzleboard!’ the show said on its Twitter account. ‘You won’t want to miss this week, as the Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway has officially begun!’
In charge! Vanna White, 62, hosted her first-ever edition of Wheel of Fortune on Monday after more than 37 years as the show’s letter-turning co-host
White, 62, was filling in for longtime host Pat Sajak, who’s on a leave of absence for three weeks following an emergency intestinal surgery last month.
White, who previously hosted a segment of the show in 1996 when Sajak was sidelined by laryngitis, told the New York Times this week she was caught off-guard when producers offered her the opportunity to fill in for her longtime colleague.
‘I’ve never even thought of that in 37 years, and to be asked almost on the spot, “How do you feel about hosting the show?” Like, what?!’ the South Carolina native told the paper.
White told the paper she ‘was very nervous’ in the temporary change of role.
Stepping in: White was filling in for longtime host Pat Sajak, who’s on a leave of absence for three weeks following an emergency intestinal surgery last month
Winter cheer: White hosted a holiday-themed edition of the show
Big night: The TV personality took to Twitter to inform fans of her hosting stint
‘Normally I just stand there and I turn my letters, and I’m just happy as can be not having to worry about anything else,’ she said. ‘But here I am controlling the game. So logistically, it was much harder. But I know every aspect of the game, which helped so much.’
Sajak took to Twitter Saturday to explain the order in which the shows would air, alternating between himself and White hosting.
‘It’s a bit confusing, but here’s the deal: Vanna will be hosting this coming week and the next,’ he said. ‘Then two weeks of shows I taped before my surgery. Then Vanna again the week of Jan. 6 with a special guest at the puzzle board. Then the planets will realign, and it’s back to normal.’
Update: Sajak, 73, took to Twitter this week to explain the order in which the shows would air, alternating between himself and White hosting
Excited: White said she ‘was very nervous’ in the temporary change of role
Prepared: Vanna said her experience paid off, adding, ‘I know every aspect of the game, which helped so much’
The veteran game show host last month said that ‘the worst has passed’ after he underwent emergency surgery for a blocked intestine.
‘I’m so grateful for all the good wishes during my recent illness,’ the Chicago native wrote last month, later alluding to co-host White handling hosting duties amid his recovery. ‘Happy to say that the worst has passed, and I’ll be out of the hospital in a day of two, then back to work (unless @TheVannaWhite has completely taken over!).’
White responded on Twitter with an image of herself and Pat, who she’s appeared with on the show since the early 1980s.
‘Wheel of Fortune without @patsajak is like a word without vowels,’ White said. ‘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.)’
She spoke with People in October about her 37 years on the show, saying that the cast and crew is ‘one big family,’ adding, ‘It’s wonderful.’
Update: The TV personality took to Twitter with kind words for his followers and news on his health after an emergency procedure
Dynamic duo: Sajak and White have hosted the daytime series since the early 80s. They were snapped in NYC in 2017
The South Carolina native said that longtime fans of the series have rallied to her side, noting the tragic death of her fiance Young and the Restless actor John Gibson, 37, in a May 17, 1986 plane crash near the Van Nuys Airport.
‘I heard from so many people who had shared the same experience of losing someone instantly in an accident, and that really helped me,’ White said. ‘I didn’t feel like I was alone. Because when something like that happens, you immediately think you’re the only one.’
In the chat with the magazine, White also opened up about her Christian faith, saying she ‘grew up religious,’ ‘was baptized a Baptist,’ and has ‘always had [her] own personal relationship with God.’
She added: ‘I pray every day … I don’t preach, because everyone’s entitled to their own beliefs. I don’t judge anyone for whatever religion they are. This is my religion and I speak openly about it, but again, I would never preach.’