Photo:Christopher Willard/ABC via GettyEven someone as glamorous asVanna Whiteneeds a sick day occasionally.DuringWheel of Fortune’s 2023 Teacher’s Week, which was filmed in August but is airing this week, the co-host, 66, had to step away from the show’s iconic big letter board while she recovered fromCOVID-19.HostPat Sajakaddressed her absence at the start of Monday’s episode.“You’ll notice Vanna is not here, and I have to say that Ms. White has tested positive for COVID. That’s the bad news,” Sajak, 76, told the audience. “The good news is I talked to her just a little while ago and she feels fine. She has a little sniffle. But she tested positive and that’s the way it goes, so she will not be with us here this week.“According toEntertainment Weekly, the Teacher’s Week episodes couldn’t be rescheduled because the teachers had already arrived in Los Angeles to film over the summer when White got sick. However, production paused filming of regular episodes the following to allow White time to recuperate.Last month, Whitereached a deal withWheel of Fortuneto extend her contract for two additional years, meaning she will continue on the syndicated game show through the 2025–26 season. As a result, White will work alongsideRyan Seacrestwhen he takes over hosting duties from Sajak next fall.Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via GettySajak, who started on the show in 1982,announcedin June that the current 41st season ofWheel of Fortunewill be his last. The next month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest, 48, asSajak’s replacementbeginning in the fall of 2024.Seacrest toldWillie Geistin September that hefelt “very excited”to work with White.“This is such great news,” Seacrest said on theTodayshow’s “Sunday Sitdown” segment of White reaching a deal withWheel. “Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I have been very excited to work with her, but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can’t wait.'”Ryan Seacrest on a May episode of ‘American Idol.'.Eric McCandless/ABC via GettyWhile speaking to PEOPLE the same month, Seacrest admitted he had some concerns about stepping into Sajak’s role next year.“I’m sure I will get nervous jitters,” theAmerican Idolhosttold PEOPLEin September. “The show has been a staple for people and myself and my family forever. And so you just want to walk out there and do what’s been happening for so many years and not screw it up.”Despite all the changes going on at the show, White toldPEOPLEin December she wasn’t ready to leaveWheel of Fortunebehind.“I don’t even want to think about that,” she said, adding, “I mean, [Pat and I] we’re a team.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wheel of Fortuneairs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
Photo:Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty
Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty
Even someone as glamorous asVanna Whiteneeds a sick day occasionally.DuringWheel of Fortune’s 2023 Teacher’s Week, which was filmed in August but is airing this week, the co-host, 66, had to step away from the show’s iconic big letter board while she recovered fromCOVID-19.HostPat Sajakaddressed her absence at the start of Monday’s episode.“You’ll notice Vanna is not here, and I have to say that Ms. White has tested positive for COVID. That’s the bad news,” Sajak, 76, told the audience. “The good news is I talked to her just a little while ago and she feels fine. She has a little sniffle. But she tested positive and that’s the way it goes, so she will not be with us here this week.“According toEntertainment Weekly, the Teacher’s Week episodes couldn’t be rescheduled because the teachers had already arrived in Los Angeles to film over the summer when White got sick. However, production paused filming of regular episodes the following to allow White time to recuperate.Last month, Whitereached a deal withWheel of Fortuneto extend her contract for two additional years, meaning she will continue on the syndicated game show through the 2025–26 season. As a result, White will work alongsideRyan Seacrestwhen he takes over hosting duties from Sajak next fall.Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via GettySajak, who started on the show in 1982,announcedin June that the current 41st season ofWheel of Fortunewill be his last. The next month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest, 48, asSajak’s replacementbeginning in the fall of 2024.Seacrest toldWillie Geistin September that hefelt “very excited”to work with White.“This is such great news,” Seacrest said on theTodayshow’s “Sunday Sitdown” segment of White reaching a deal withWheel. “Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I have been very excited to work with her, but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can’t wait.'”Ryan Seacrest on a May episode of ‘American Idol.'.Eric McCandless/ABC via GettyWhile speaking to PEOPLE the same month, Seacrest admitted he had some concerns about stepping into Sajak’s role next year.“I’m sure I will get nervous jitters,” theAmerican Idolhosttold PEOPLEin September. “The show has been a staple for people and myself and my family forever. And so you just want to walk out there and do what’s been happening for so many years and not screw it up.”Despite all the changes going on at the show, White toldPEOPLEin December she wasn’t ready to leaveWheel of Fortunebehind.“I don’t even want to think about that,” she said, adding, “I mean, [Pat and I] we’re a team.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wheel of Fortuneairs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
Even someone as glamorous asVanna Whiteneeds a sick day occasionally.
DuringWheel of Fortune’s 2023 Teacher’s Week, which was filmed in August but is airing this week, the co-host, 66, had to step away from the show’s iconic big letter board while she recovered fromCOVID-19.
HostPat Sajakaddressed her absence at the start of Monday’s episode.
“You’ll notice Vanna is not here, and I have to say that Ms. White has tested positive for COVID. That’s the bad news,” Sajak, 76, told the audience. “The good news is I talked to her just a little while ago and she feels fine. She has a little sniffle. But she tested positive and that’s the way it goes, so she will not be with us here this week.”
According toEntertainment Weekly, the Teacher’s Week episodes couldn’t be rescheduled because the teachers had already arrived in Los Angeles to film over the summer when White got sick. However, production paused filming of regular episodes the following to allow White time to recuperate.
Last month, Whitereached a deal withWheel of Fortuneto extend her contract for two additional years, meaning she will continue on the syndicated game show through the 2025–26 season. As a result, White will work alongsideRyan Seacrestwhen he takes over hosting duties from Sajak next fall.
Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty
Sajak, who started on the show in 1982,announcedin June that the current 41st season ofWheel of Fortunewill be his last. The next month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest, 48, asSajak’s replacementbeginning in the fall of 2024.
Seacrest toldWillie Geistin September that hefelt “very excited”to work with White.
“This is such great news,” Seacrest said on theTodayshow’s “Sunday Sitdown” segment of White reaching a deal withWheel. “Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I have been very excited to work with her, but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can’t wait.'”
Ryan Seacrest on a May episode of ‘American Idol.'.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty
While speaking to PEOPLE the same month, Seacrest admitted he had some concerns about stepping into Sajak’s role next year.
“I’m sure I will get nervous jitters,” theAmerican Idolhosttold PEOPLEin September. “The show has been a staple for people and myself and my family forever. And so you just want to walk out there and do what’s been happening for so many years and not screw it up.”
Despite all the changes going on at the show, White toldPEOPLEin December she wasn’t ready to leaveWheel of Fortunebehind.
“I don’t even want to think about that,” she said, adding, “I mean, [Pat and I] we’re a team.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Wheel of Fortuneairs weekdays at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
