Given how long Sajak and White have worked together, many viewers have wondered over the years whether or not the pair was ever romantically involved. It’s a question that White finally answered. Here’s a brief history of the hosts’ time on the show and their unique relationship.
Joining ‘Wheel of Fortune’
Pat Sajak joined Wheel of Fortune in December of 1981. A year later, Vanna White was also made part of the cast. She made it to the final round of casting over more than 200 other women who hoped to become the future letter flipper. Ultimately, White won out over Summer Bartholomew and Vicki McCarty, the other top choices for the role of hostess.
After testing each of the women on real episodes of the show, the producer decided that White was the one who activated the letters best of all the candidates. She quickly became very popular among viewers, particularly young adults. Many of her fans were interested in her dazzling show wardrobe. The phenomenon, known as “Vannamania,” swept through the United States, earning the new star numerous additional jobs outside of Wheel of Fortune.
Nearly 40 years together
For the next 40 years, White and Sajak would work intimately together as host and hostess of Wheel of Fortune. While they generally stuck to the same roles throughout this time, there were a few instances where they would swap, most notably in November 1996 when Sajak had laryngitis.
Despite their many years together, in 2020 Sajak admitted that he initially didn’t want White to be cast as the hostess. He said, “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.”
White obviously proved him wrong and has done a wonderful job. It helped that the pair seems to have such incredible chemistry together. It’s this very chemistry which has caused many fans to question just what kind of relationship White and Sajak had outside of filming.
Friends or more?
It is well known that White and Sajak get along well – extremely well, in fact. According to White herself, they rarely disagree on anything except whether ketchup should be put on a hot dog. Yet despite their closeness, White has emphasized that they really are just best friends and there is nothing romantic going on between them. The closest the two have come to being involved was when they played a prank on their audience.
“Years and years ago, we did an April Fool’s joke,” White recalled. “I don’t know that we said we were married, but we said something about being together, and we received toasters…” Sajak added later that it took years for people to stop sending the “married couple” Crockpots.
So although the renowned Wheel of Fortune stars have been together, in a work sense, for longer than most couples, they are not, and have never been, in a romantic relationship.
Nearly 20 years without a raise?
Soon after Sajak announced his retirement, fans were stunned to learn that Vanna White has not gotten a pay raise in 18 years. This surprising revelation comes from Puck reporter Matthew Belloni, who says that White, 66, has hired an aggressive lawyer to negotiate a raise as her current deal concludes at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Puck’s report states that White currently earns $3 million annually, while Sajak earns five times more than that. While some argue that Sajak is the host while White is a co-host responsible only for revealing letters on the board, Puck asserts that White engages in significantly more publicity for the show than Sajak. Sony, the show’s production company, declined to comment on Puck’s findings.
Whoopi Goldberg from The View expressed interest in taking over Sajak’s role, and several other notable names, including Ryan Seacrest and Sajak’s daughter Maggie, were mentioned as potential candidates.
Seacrest was named the new host of ‘Wheel’
The New York Times and other media outlets reported on June 27 that Ryan Seacrest will take over as the host of Wheel of Fortune. The news comes just two weeks after Sajak’s announcement. Seacrest, 48, is a talk show veteran himself, having hosted and produced many other programs including American Idol and Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”
Seacrest will also act as a consulting producer on the show.
The Scene Where Archie Bunker Defends The National Anthem Is Going Viral 50 Years Later
Archie Bunker most certainly was a memorable television character. For years, he appeared as a star of “All in the Family” and struck a chord with millions of Americans who felt they could relate to Bunker’s views on being an American.The show described Bunker as a hard-working American man who previously served in the armed forces, which explains why he was unwilling to stand by and let another man belittle the Star-Spangled Banner and be disrespectful toward it and all it stood for.
Bunker loved being patriotic and never worried about his political incorrectness. Although some of his comments have not aged well considering the “woke” revolution overtaking America these days, Bunker’s stance in favor of the national anthem continues to speak to millions of Americans who continue to put their pride in America before all else.During this clip, Bunker was watching television with his son-in-law, Meathead. While the national anthem was being played ahead of a sports event, Meathead complained about the anthem and said that it was not a very good song because it glorified the horrors of war.
Although modern-day critics of the national anthem claim it is racist against Black, brown, and indigenous people of color, Meathead was taking a stance against the anthem because it was written during the War of 1812 between the fledgling United States of America and Great Britain.
While Meathead shared his criticism of the anthem, Archie Bunker quickly came to its defense.
“That is one terrible song,” Meathead complains to his father-in-law. Bunker cannot believe his ears and lets his son-in-law know as much. He turns his gaze to Meathead with his eyes popping out of his head in shock at what he just heard come out of his son-in-law’s mouth.Don’t start up nothing with me, Meathead. I’m watching the game. That’s a beautiful song, and shut your face.” Bunker’s blunt attack gets Meathead riled up. He shifts in his chair and prepares to counter Bunker’s statement with one of his own invention.
“Huh? The song glorifies war, and even as a song, it stinks. Nobody can remember the words.”
“You’re going to ruin this game for me?” Bunker lashed back.
“Can you remember the words?”
“Certainly I can!” Bunker shouts.
Meathead then challenges the patriotic Archie Bunker to sing the first few lines of the national anthem. What happens next will have you rolling on the floor with laughter. Meathead doubles down and refuses to put the game back on until Bunker recites the words of the anthem. Although he recites his lines with gusto, Meathead is the one who gets the pleasure of telling Bunker he is “wrong!” Dozens of people commented on this delightfully funny clip from All in the Family on the YouTube video included below.
“Talk about picking battles. Mike just couldn’t shut up and let Archie enjoy his football game, including the national anthem. Go, Archie!”
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