May the Force be with “Wheel of Fortune” contestants as the popular franchise, “Star Wars,” is coming soon to the long-running game show.
“Wheel of Fortune” first began its run as a daytime series on NBC, debuting in 1975, but six years later, in 1981, “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak stepped in alongside Vanna White to replace former host Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford. Today, the two still host the game show as it airs on ABC.
Sajek and White have been hosting the show together ever since, going on 39 years now, as millions of contestants have come on to try and solve enough word puzzles to get to the bonus round and spin the wheel. And soon, the two will be hosting an entire week of “Star Wars” themed puzzles as contestants try to decipher word puzzles relating to the franchise.
“Star Wars” Takes Over “Wheel of Fortune”
The “Star Wars” franchise is arguably one of the most popular franchises in the world, consisting of 11 live-action films, including:
- “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)
- “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)
- “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983)
- “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999)
- “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002)
- “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005)
- “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015)
- “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (2017)
- “Star Wars: Episode IX” (2019)
- “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)
- “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (2018)
Producers of the game show are now looking for “Star Wars” superfans as they get ready to bring the popular franchise to “Wheel of Fortune.”
Per the official website, “Are you a Star Wars super fan? In a galaxy not too far away, Star Wars is coming to Wheel of Fortune—and you’re our only hope puzzle-solvers! Apply now to be a contestant during a special week of Wheel for your chance to spin and win cash, Disney vacations, and restore order (to the alphabet.)”
Pat Sajak Says The End Is Near
Last year, “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak sat down with Entertainment Tonight and admitted the end is near.
“We’re certainly closer to the end than the beginning,” Sajak said. “I’d like to leave before people tune in and look at me and say, ‘Ooh, what happened to him?’”
“I wouldn’t bet on seeing us in, like, 10 years, I would say,” Sajak continued, to which Vanna White agreed.
At this time, there is no word on when Pat Sajak or Vanna White will retire, or who would replace the iconic duo. In the meantime, fans of the game show can tune into ABC every weeknight at 7:30 PM ET to watch contestants solve word puzzles and make it to the bonus round to spin the wheel.
Vanna White Opens Up About “Wheel of Fortune”
Vanna White also opened up about her time on “Wheel of Fortune” alongside Pat Sajak, however, when thinking about the end of their “Wheel of Fortune” run, White admits it is “depressing.”
“I don’t even want to think about that. I mean, we’re a team,” White said. “That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it.”
Continuing on, the 79-year-old said, “I can’t imagine. Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We’re like Ken and Barbie, you know? We’ve been in everybody’s homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters.”
