Just one week after Mike Richards was fired as executive producer of both “Wheel Of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!”, “Wheel” is back for a new season and the beloved game show has announced some big changes involving host Pat Sajak and more that might surprise some fans.
Backstory: Mike Richards Fired As ‘Jeopardy!’ Producer Days After Stepping Down As Host
Save the date: Wheel is back with a NEW SEASON on Monday, September 13! ✨🎉 pic.twitter.com/OWZeClDfcg
— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) September 7, 2021
New Season Holds Big Changes For Pat Sajak And ‘Wheel Of Fortune’
Today reports that a deal has been struck in which Pat Sajak will be signing on as a consulting producer for “Wheel Of Fortune” on top of his regular hosting duties.
More importantly, Sajak and his cohost Vanna White have signed on to continue with the popular game show through at least the 2023-2024 TV season.
The famous duo have hosted the nightly game show together since 1983!
In addition, “Wheel of Fortune” will become a family affair, as Sajak’s daughter Maggie Sajak is set to take over the show’s digital presence as its social correspondent.
She will serve as an online host who gives fans a behind-the-scenes look complete with interviews of the hosts, contestants, crew, staffers, and more!
I promised a dressing room tour, and here it is! Check it out!! @WheelofFortune https://t.co/B5xSdtJZ2O
— Maggie Sajak (@MaggieSajak) September 2, 2021
No More ‘Final Spin’ By Host Pat Sajak
“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton, who has been with the show for a decade, will now be featured at a new podium on stage as he introduces Sajak and White before every episode.
In another shocking change, Sajak will no longer do the “Final Spin” of the game himself.
Instead, whichever contestant who is in control of the wheel will spin to determine the amount that consonants are worth in the final speed round.
“If you think about it, by doing the “final spin” I, as host, had an impact on the outcome of the game and that has always bothered me because it just didn’t feel right,” Sajak said.
“With this change, only the contestants determine the outcome of the game and the host does not impose themself in any way.”
Related: Pat Sajak Hammers The Elitist Hypocrites Telling Working Class Americans To Stay Home
‘Wheel Of Fortune’ And ‘Jeopardy!’ Fire Producer Mike Richards
Richards was fired as executive producer of “Wheel Of Fortune” last week after past comments he had made in a podcast about women, Jews, and Asians resurfaced.
The past remarks also cost Richards his hosting gig on “Jeopardy!” before it even began.
“I’m writing to let you know that Mike will no longer be serving as EP of ‘Wheel’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ effective immediately,” Suzanne Prete, EVP, business and strategy, wrote in a letter to staffers, according to Fox News.
“We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at ‘Jeopardy!’ it would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks. That clearly has not happened.”
These changes for the new season of “Wheel of Fortune” certainly are exciting!
It will be fun to have Pat Sajak’s daughter on board for the show, and the other changes are seemingly sure to make the game show more enjoyable as well.
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