Whoopi Goldberg wants to host ‘Wheel of Fortune’ after Pat Sajak exit
In the wake of Pat Sajak’s announcement of his departure from the iconic game show, “Wheel of Fortune,” Whoopi Goldberg is ready to take over as the new host. The 67-year-old actress expressed her interest in the job during Tuesday’s broadcast of “The View” while discussing the topic with “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings. “I want that job,” Goldberg said. “I think it would be lots of fun.” Her co-host, Joy Behar, jokingly chimed in, “And you know what? Sara [Haines] and I could be Vanna White. We’ll take turns walking back and forth!” Prior to Goldberg’s admission, Jennings praised Sajak for his lengthy television tenure, saying, “Pat’s a legend. I mean, over 40 years and the price of a vowel has not gone up one penny. Like, nobody controlled inflation like Pat Sajak.” Following four decades on air, Sajak announced his retirement in a Twitter post on Monday night. “Well, the time has come,” he wrote. “I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.”
Whoopi Goldberg is ready to take over as host of “Wheel of Fortune” host on the heels of Pat Sajak announcing his departure from the iconic game show.
Goldberg, 67, said as much on Tuesday’s broadcast of “The View” during a discussion with “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings.
“I want that job,” the “Sister Act” actress said. “I think it would be lots of fun.”
Goldberg’s co-host Joy Behar then jokingly chimed in, “And you now what? Sara [Haines] and I could be Vanna White. We’ll take turns walking back and forth!”
Prior to Goldberg’s admission, Jennings, 49 — who assumed the “Jeopardy!” hosting gig alongside actress Mayim Bialik in July 2022 following the November 2020 death of Alex Trebek — lauded Sajak, 76, for his lengthy television tenure.
“Well, Pat’s a legend. I mean, over 40 years and the price of a vowel has not gone up one penny. Like, nobody controlled inflation like Pat Sajak,” he said facetiously.
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“I mean, ‘Jeopardy’ had its own succession crisis,” Jennings added. “Hopefully, ‘Wheel’s’ got an envelope saying what happens when Pat packs it in.”
Following four decades on air, Sajak announced his retirement in a Monday night tweet.
“Well, the time has come,” he wrote. “I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.”
“It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months,” he elaborated. “Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
Last year, Sajak teased to “Entertainment Tonight” that the “end [was] near” for him on “Wheel of Fortune.”
“Years go by fast. We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time],” he continued. “We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years,” he told the outlet.
“It’s an honor to have been in people’s living rooms for that long. People were out there welcoming us. We’re happy and proud.”
