Nobody thought Pat Sajak’s farewell tour would involve a pit stop in the middle of the football season. But here we are, with ABC gifting us a holiday-themed Celebrity Wheel of Fortune special on December 2, smack-dab in the heart of Monday Night Football’s reign. It’s a curious move, especially considering the rest of Sajak’s “final season” of the celebrity spin-off is parked on the sidelines until 2025.
This scheduling shuffle comes after ABC benched the entire Celebrity Wheel season, initially set for an October premiere, to make way for gridiron glory. So, why the sudden December cameo? One might speculate it’s less about festive cheer and more about the awkwardness of airing a Christmas episode in, say, February.
Regardless of the reasoning, it’s a fleeting glimpse of the soon-to-be-ex-host, with Vanna White by his side, as a trio of celebrity spinners – Chance the Rapper, Dionne Warwick, and Lil Jon – vie for charity cash. And yes, before you ask, Ryan Seacrest is still warming the regular Wheel host chair, having taken over from Sajak in Season 42.
The remainder of Sajak’s Celebrity Wheel swan song, featuring a roster of recognizable names including The Office, New Girl, and Veep alumni, remains on ice until next year. While the full lineup is still under wraps, we can only hope the scheduling shenanigans are sorted out by then.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is produced by Sony Pictures Television. Executive Producers are: Harry Friedman.