Whoopi Goldberg has thrown her hat into the ring for the new host of Wheel of Fortune following the upcoming retirement of Pat Sajak.
Sajak made the announcement on Monday, June 12, revealing that he will retire at the end of the upcoming season 41. That means the search for a new host is on, with names like Ryan Seacrest and Maggie Sajak (Pat’s daughter) already being floated as potential successors.
Goldberg made his intentions clear on Tuesday’s (June 13) episode. The viewWhen Danger! host Ken Jennings joined the panel to share his thoughts on Wheel of Fortune situation.
“Another legendary game show host, Pat Sajak, just announced his retirement Wheel of Fortune at the end of next season. What’s your reaction to the news and any thoughts on who should replace him?” Alyssa Farah Griffin asked Jennings.
“Well, Pat is a legend. Over 40 years and the price of a vowel hasn’t gone up a penny. Nobody controls inflation like Pat Sajak Danger! joked the GOAT.
“But that’s an interesting question,” he continued. “Danger had its own succession crisis. Hopefully, the wheel he has an envelope somewhere that says, “What to do when Pat packs it.”
As Jennings answered, Goldberg could be heard in the background saying, “I want the job.”
“Whoopi wants that job,” Joy Behar told Jennings, with Goldberg herself confirming, saying, “I want that job. I think that would be a lot of fun.”
Jennings seemed on board with the idea, joking, “Well, there we go.”
Behar then took things a step further, suggesting, “Sara (Haines) and I could be Vanna White. We’ll take turns walking back and forth and pointing at the letters.”
As Jennings mentioned, he’s familiar with the struggles of an iconic game show looking for a new host. Following the death of legendary host Alex Trebek in 2020, Danger! he went on a long journey to find his replacement. Year 2020-2021 Danger! season saw a rotating lineup of guest hosts, with show producer Mike Richards (who also served as executive producer the wheel) finally arriving at the concert.
However, Richards was dropped after a week when sexist comments he had made on a 2013 podcast came to light. He was also fired as executive producer of both Danger! and the wheel.
Finally, Jennings and The Big Bang TheoryMayim Bialik’s has been announced as permanent Danger! hosts in 2022.
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