An American TV Icon Reaches the End of the Alphabet

Background: After 40 years of charming millions of viewers, Pat Sajak has bid adieu to "Wheel of Fortune." Sajak, who began hosting the show in 1981, became a staple of American television, guiding contestants through the highs and lows of vowel-buying and consonant-spinning. His departure marks a significant moment in TV history, prompting fans to reminisce about the countless memories he’s created.

The importance of Sajak's final episode lies not just in his retirement but in what it symbolizes: the end of a TV dynasty. Sajak's steady presence and witty banter have been a constant in a rapidly changing media landscape.

America’s Game: Wheel of Fortune has become a touchstone of American culture. It’s long been one of the most watched syndicated shows, drawing more than 40 million viewers daily during its high points.

Buy A Vowel: The only thing safe from inflation. After all these years, it’ll still only cost you $250, one of the best deals in town.

Clap: Back in 2015, Guinness World Record claimed that Vanna White was the world’s most frequent clapper. Their estimations had her at 3,721,446 claps during 32 seasons.

Drop A Letter: Sajak dropped the letter D from his birth name, Sajdak.

Emmy: Sajak has 3 Emmys for outstanding game show host as well as a Lifetime achievement Emmy.

Fortune: Over $250 million in cash and prizes have been awarded to Wheel of Fortune contestants during Pat’s run.

Good Morning Vietnam: Sajak was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. There, he served as a disc jockey for the American Forces Vietnam Network, hosting the same radio show as Adrian Cronauer (the inspiration for Robin Williams’ character).

Hockey: Sajak is a long time fan of the Washington Capitals. In 2019, the Capitals honored Sajak with a personalized jersey.

Introduction: Sajak’s been responsible for introducing 3 contestants per show for forty years. That’s a lot of “tell me about yourself” and “it’s nice to meet yous.”

Jeopardy!: Wheel’s sister show is perhaps a bit more studious. But the pair are the perfect 1-2 punch for game show fans. Each show has benefited from long time hosts and loyal fans. The two shows often appear in the same hour block on ABC syndication. On April 1, 1997, Sajak hosted that day's Jeopardy episode for April Fool's Day, while Alex Trebek went to host Wheel of Fortune.

Kids: Sajak has two kids. His son Patrick is a Doctor, and his daughter Maggie is a social correspondent for Wheel of Fortune.

Late Night: In 1989, Pat Sajak ventured into the realm of late-night television with "The Pat Sajak Show." The show maintained a conventional late-night format, beginning with an opening monologue where Sajak would deliver jokes and commentary on current events. This was followed by celebrity interviews, comedy sketches and musical performances. The show ended on April 13, 1990, after just 15 months on the air.

Million: The show added a Million Dollar wedge in 2008, greatly upping the ante for potential winners. The show’s biggest winner, Autumn Erhard, won $1,030,340 after solving TOUGH WORKOUT in the bonus round.

Next: Sajak will star in a theater production of Prescription: Murder, the play that originally led to the TV series Columbo.

Owner: Sajak’s love for baseball is well-known and in 2005, he became a part-owner of the Golden Baseball League (GBL), an independent professional baseball league that aimed to provide opportunities for aspiring players who were not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) teams.

Puzzle: Pat’s presided over 50,000 puzzles (give or take a couple) while host of the show.

Quip: Pat’s playful banter and quick witted quips have become a hallmark of the show.

Republican: Sajak has been vocal about his political beliefs. He has contributed articles to conservative publications and served on the board of trustees for Hillsdale College, a private conservative college in Michigan.

Spin: Sajak used to spin the wheel to determine the monetary amount for each correct letter in the speed round. When asked how he’s managed to spin so many times without landing on a Bankrupt, Sajak explained that he’s done that many times, but you’ve never seen it since it’s edited out of the show.

Tour: Sajak and White frequently toured the U.S. on to promote Wheel of Fortune.

Unsure: In 1981, Merv Griffin tapped Pat Sajak to host the daytime version of "Wheel of Fortune," despite initial resistance from NBC executives who were unsure about him. Merv held firm and the rest is history.

Vanna White: We can’t imagine Pat without Vanna and vice versa. Their TV partnership spans four decades, showcasing an extraordinary level of consistency and teamwork. Vanna has her own line of yarn called "Vanna’s Choice," reflecting her passion for crocheting and knitting, and she actively promotes the craft through various charitable endeavors.

Weatherman: Before hosting Wheel of Fortune, Sajak was a weatherman for stations in Nashville and Los Angeles.

XL: (No guessing on this puzzle!) The XL Wedge debuted in 2022 to honor the show's 40th season. If contestants landed on it they could earn extra money during regular play, and up to $40,000 additional if it was taken to the Bonus Round.

Youth: Sajak was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 26, 1946, and attended Farragut high school.

Zeitgeist: We started with America’s Game, and we end with a similar notion. With Sajak at the helm, Wheel of Fortune has become a mainstay in the cultural zeitgeist. Just recently we had one of the best wrong answers ever make its way through social media. We’re sure the show will remain a staple, and we wish Ryan Seacrest the best as he takes over for a legend. How long can the Wheel keep spinning?

Sources for this issue include the following
LA Times, NY Times, Wheel Wiki, Television Academy, AARP