Naturally, viewers were delighted to catch a glimpse of the former host as one gushed: ‘
Wheel of Fortune fans were delighted after being treated to a special cameo from former host Pat Sajak as the long-running game show celebrates its 50th anniversary this week.
Back in June 2023, Sajak shocked fans with the announcement that he would be stepping down from the show after more than four decades, with Ryan Seacrest selected to take his place as host.
Despite his decision to leave the show, the TV icon made it clear that he is still very much part of the family as he made an unexpected appearance in a new video.
On Tuesday, a YouTube video of Seacrest giving a behind-the-scenes tour of the famous set was posted online.
The clip saw Seacrest introducing the world to several members of staff before he walked across the set and stopped in front of someone.
‘As we continue on. This is our former host… Hey Pat!’ he stated as the camera panned to Sajak standing off to the side while eating a sandwich.
Wheel of Fortune fans were treated to special cameo from former host Pat Sajak as the long-running game show celebrates its 50th anniversary this week
Sajak gave a quick wave before Vanna White interrupted to ask Seacrest if he was ‘ready for a great show.’
Good to see you again Pat!!’
Another wrote in the comments: ‘Pat Sajak’s cameo was a nice touch!’
‘Oh, my gosh Pat Sajak is back again!! Hahaha,’ a third wrote, while another commented: ‘It’s so cool to see Pat.’
One fan commented: ‘I KNEW I wasn’t seeing things! Nice to see Pat’s cameo!’
While another overwhelmed fan stated: ‘Y’all are not doing this to me. Y’ALL ARE NOT DOING THIS TO ME!!’
Some couldn’t help but chuckle at the way Sajak’s cameo was done as one wrote: ‘Good to see Pat again… Funny he was eating at the time lol.’
Others shared theories as to how the cameo provided clues for the star’s potential appearance on the actual show at some point this week.
On Tuesday, a YouTube video of Seacrest giving a behind-the-scenes tour of the famous set was posted online
The clip saw Seacrest introducing the world to several members of staff before he walked across the set and stopped to say hello Sajak
‘I guess Pat is about to make his special appearance at the end of an episode during this week,’ one fan mused. ‘I think it’s most likely the Friday episode.’
Another commented: ‘Pat is still doing the Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, so that was hilarious seeing him pop up.’
Last month, it was confirmed that Sajak would return to his hosting duties for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
The Emmy winner clued fans into his appearance on X, formerly Twitter, writing: ‘Apparently I’m back on TV tonight. I guess I’d better shave and shower.’
A holiday themed Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episode which aired in December was the only special appearance for Sajak in 2024.
The episode was pre-recorded along with several others to be aired in 2025, but the Christmas theme would have seemed out of place.
The release date for the remaining Celebrity episodes has not been announced.
Those are set to be the veteran host’s last on the show.
Back in June 2023, Sajak revealed his plans to retire and Ryan Seacrest was selected to take his place as host alongside Vanna White
As they always have, Sajak and co-host White, 67, walked on to the set together.
Elsewhere, though some diehard fans have been slow to warm to new host Ryan Seacrest, adding him to the game show has been good for ratings.
Wheel of Fortune averaged 7.99 million viewers during Seacrest’s first month, and during that time, the show was ‘the most-watched entertainment series across broadcast, cable, and syndication,’ according to Nielsen data per Newsweek.
It was recently revealed that Sajak will now head to Hawaii to reunite with his old friend Joe Moore, a broadcaster from KHON-TV in Hawaii, to star in an adaptation of the play Prescription: Murder, via Variety.
The play will run at Honolulu’s Hawaii Theatre, running from July 31, 2025 to August 10, 2025, with KHON-TV airing a commercial Friday announcing the news during Sajak’s final Wheel of Fortune episode.
Prescription: Murder was a 1962 play written by William Link and Richard Levinson, who, six years later in 1968, adapted it and turned it into the first pilot of what would become the TV series known as Colombo, which debuted on NBC in 1971.
In this regional theater version, Sajak plays Roy Flemming, played by Gene Barry in the original pilot, described as, ‘a brilliant psychiatrist, who hatches a plot with a perfect alibi to murder his neurotic and possessive wife.’
Moore will play Lt. Columbo, ‘he seemingly bumbling detective who engages the psychiatrist in a cat-and-mouse battle of wits right up to the play’s surprising climax.’
Last month, it was confirmed that Sajak would return to his hosting duties for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
The cast of the play also includes Moore’s son Bryce (also a KHON reporter) Therese Olival, Amy K. Sullivan and Aiko Chinen.
This will be the ninth play Sajak will star in alongside Moore, whose friendship dates back to 1968 when they served at the American Forces Vietnam Network in Saigon.
White – who has been a fixture on the beloved game show for more than four decades – chose to remain on the show after Sajak ended his 41-year run at the helm.
She will continue with her duties on the show at least through the 2025-2026 season after inking a contract extension last fall.
