Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak gives up hosting duties in extremely rare moment that left fans t
PAT Sajak has opted out of hosting during Wednesday's Wheel of Fortune episode.
The game show's host of 40 years left the stage during the bonus puzzle round in lieu of announcer Jim Thorton, leaving fans' heads spinning.
A contestant named Sarah revealed she "loved" announcer Jim Thornton- who became the voice of Wheel of Fortune in 2011, up top.
She announced: “I love Jim Thornton so much. And how could someone not? His voice is so soothing and energizing, he’s hilarious and just such a good person.
And when I dont hear his voice I worry about him.”
The camera cut to Jim's announcer booth where he joked: “I'll give you an hour to cut that out Sarah."
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However, in a rare moment, the game show granted Sarah her wish to get some bonus time with Jim as they had the announcer do Pat’s job for the final puzzle.
Sarah emerged with the highest score and chose “Place” as her bonus puzzle while still with Pat, 76.
When the show cut back from the commercial she was at the puzzle with Jim instead- in an occurrence that has never seemingly happened.
PAT SAJAK STEPS OUT
Jim told her she had done great so far as the prize-promising board was presented: “Let’s see if you can add to it, good luck!”
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He added to Sarah: “Give Vanna just a second to do that!” as her letters were displayed- then the additional letters "CMPA."
Sarah guessed “Giant family farm” for the 3-word puzzle and Jim didn’t hint at anything, it turned out to be “Quant family farm.”
“You were so close,” Jim assured, as she missed out on an extra $40,000.
She said “It’s ok” and Jim turned to the camera and said, “And I got to meet Sarah!”
Pat sweetly then could be seen having gone up to Jim's announcer booth - he said: "In case you missed it here's tonight's bonus puzzle!"
Pat then returned to the stage for the credits to ask Vanna “What’s up, did I miss anything?” She shaded: “not much just the bonus round.”
'AUDITIONING HIS REPLACEMENT?'
Viewers didn't know what to make of Pat's subbing out of hosting and prayed it was just a one-off game show gag- others just didn't know what was going on.
One person wrote: "Who was that host tonight and why isn't it always our beloved Pat!!??!?!?!?!?!"
"Did Pat Sajak get fired before the final question ?" asked another.
A third game show lover remarked: "A rare Wheel Of Fortune moment. Pat Sajak isn’t doing the Bonus Round but announcer Jim Thornton is. Sarah the contestant is a huge fan of his."
A fourth just wondered: "Where is Pat Sajak for the final puzzle?"
And a fifth: "Whaaa?! I must've missed this! Jim doing the bonus round?!"
"Y’all I done thought Pat Sajak straight died between takes" joked a sixth.
"What! @WheelofFortune! What is happening!!! What is this!!!"
"Can’t help thinking this is Jim’s soft audition for #WheelOfFortune @patsajak job. And YES…..we are their focus group. Let ur opinions be known. My Dad spotted it right away and gives Jim a [thumbs up]," wrote one more.
A sixth simply said it was a sweet one-off gesture: "Jim and Pat swapping places on @WheelofFortune was a beautiful surprise. I love that!" as a seventh called it "interesting."
THE END IS NEAR
The Chicago native has hosted the show since 1981, with his co-host Vanna White joining him the following year.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight in September, he admitted: "Years go by fast. We're getting near the end.
"In most television shows by this time, you would have said, 'That’s probably enough,' but this show will not die," he told the outlet.
"It appears I may go before the show," Pat added.
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"It's been a long [time]. We're not going to do this for another 40 years," he explained.
"Years go by fast. We're getting near the end. It's been a long [time]. We're not gonna do this for another 40 years." Pat explained.
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