The Story of Pat Sajak & Wheel of Fortune
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- čas přidán 15. 08. 2024
- www.connro.com/
(Note: In the years since this video, I’ve realized that some of what I say here about Pat’s achievements and his legacy is a little ridiculous, so I’m going to blame it on quarantine. I do still think it’s an interesting story, though!)
Every weeknight across the nation, millions of Americans tune into Wheel of Fortune, an overgrown version of hangman that has proven remarkably resilient since its 1975 debut, and especially so since its current host took over all the way back in 1981. In this documentary, we take a look at the man who has made an exceptional career for himself over the past 40 years mostly by selling vowels and officiating these festivities...among other things. This is the story of Pat Sajak and Wheel of Fortune.
Corrections can be found on my website (www.connro.com/corrections)
0:00 Intro
0:51 Early Life
1:45 Early Radio Career
2:53 Vietnam Radio
5:03 WNBS-AM (Murray, Kentucky)
5:49 WSM-TV (Nashville, Tennessee)
7:33 KNBC-TV (Los Angeles, California)
8:52 Merv Griffin
10:13 The Conception of the Wheel
13:47 The Chuck Woolery Years
16:50 Pat Takes the Wheel
20:01 Vanna White
21:31 Wheel's Ratings Surge
24:38 The Pat Sajak Show
36:15 The Wheel Without Pat
37:03 Pat's Other Endeavors
37:30 The Wheel's Impact
40:10 2019 Surgery
40:58 Final Thoughts
Music used in order of appearance (Song Title - Artist):
1. Retrosoul from bensound.com
2. Hip Jazz from bensound.com
3. "Half Mystery"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
4. See #1.
5. "Danse Morialta"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
6. "Celebration"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons...
7. Althat from bensound.com
8. Tender Heart - Moments (used with license from Soundstripe)
9. Street Talk - Ghost Beatz (used with license from Soundstripe)
10. Alley Cat - Soul Shifters (used with license from Soundstripe)
11. See #8.
12. People - Laurent Dury
All media used falls under Fair Use protections for educational content. I hope. (Please don't give me a copyright strike.)
Thanks to Ryan Vickers for providing some footage I was having trouble hunting down. Thanks to Mark Malkoff for allowing me to use some of his fantastic podcast (The Carson Podcast) in this video. - Zábava
Ever since losing Alex, I definately appreciate having Pat around that much more.
Me too
Do you still stick by that claim?
@@EpicToySeries Yes, but with great trepidation.
@@JimmySand9pat will retire in 2024.
@@EpicToySeriesWhy would he not?
Local TV veteran of 30 years here, you've perfectly explained how TV syndication works (especially from the local station side of things). Sadly, syndication has become mostly judge shows and a handful of talk shows. At least we still have the stalwarts of Wheel, Jeopardy, and Feud.
I still don’t understand it and I watch a lot of tv lol
Pat is a real legend. A television icon. A familiar face of fun and wit. I will miss him being on television immensely now that he has left as host of Wheel, the last classic game show host, but the memories and over 8,000 episodes will remain forever.
Pat's puckish sense of humor and never taking it too seriously are a part of his charm. He's not Bob Barker, but I think for a show like Wheel, it fits perfectly.
I like Chuck as a host, but this is now Pat's show and has been for a long time.
But did Pat spar with Chuck Norris?? 😁
I lost my grandma in June 2019. I remember sitting down to eat and watch Wheel of Fortune with her. Then later around 10pm she would flip the TV to Hallmark and watch The Golden Girls. To this day I find myself trying to solve the puzzles on Wheel of Fortune and then tuning into Hallmark at 10pm to watch the Golden Girls. I miss her so much! ❤️❤️❤️
Pat Sajak’s final time hosting Wheel of Fortune took place today (June 7, 2024). It’ll be weird seeing the game show without him going forward.
Pat and Vanna are both sweet people with similar family backgrounds and personalities. Their humble attitudes destined them for success. Nice Video, I'm sure Pat appreciates your sentiments.
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My son watched Wheel every day and he moved out to get married and I still watch it because it makes me feel everything is “normal “still .
Awwww
I grew up watching Wheel of Fortune with my mom and dad in the 80s but just my mom and I would watch Jeopardy together, dad didn't get into it. To this day I still watch Jeopardy with my mom any time I go over there to visit. They live 5 hours away so I don't get to do this as often as I'd like, and with Alex Trebek gone it's not quite the same. Nothing against Ken and Miriam but nobody can ever replace Alex. We will watch the current episodes and then pull up old episodes on CZcams. Really takes me back watching episodes from the late 80s/early 90s, reminds me of when I was a kid and would look forward every day after school to watching it.
watch some animal planet or something, nothing's normal anymore...
I mean they're making movies about dung beetles or maybe that's just WB's latest flop, the mouse is dying, stocks are down, [what ones? / yes], and bad juju all around....
the ABC warriors are powering up, we have cannibals outside our borders..."the walls will hold" they keep telling me....they bloody good goddamn better! and we've disposed of all the gay beer in the city, SJW's aren't welcome in Megashitty Juan
@judgedrekk2981 Yep and they're trying to brace us for another lock down, shits stupid. COVID ain't going anywhere, lock down ain't gonna do anything except mess the economy up worse than it already is. If you scared, wear a mask, get your 265 booster shots and let the rest of us live our lives
Nothing wrong with missing your son. I hope he’s doing well!
Watching this video on Dec. 28th 2021, 40 years to the DAY that Pat Sajak took over as Wheel's host, and except for a brief illness where Vanna had to fill in for him, and the April 1st 1997 episode where Alex Trebek hosted wheel, with Pat hosting Jeopardy, Pat's been at the helm every day. Congrats on what to many would seem to be an unreachable milestone.
How'd the switch end up? was either bad at the other show? I don't watch TV so i never saw that, haven't had cable since 1999, well the hall of justice don't want us judges getting our minds warped....yolk's on them my minds warped six ways to Sunday, dont tell them pfft lolz
One thing Wheel of Fortune has going for it it never has given into relying on any kind of crude off color humor as time goes on. It's always remained a highly reliable family friendly show. And Pat has a sharp wit when bantering with the contestants.
I'm British and been to America on holiday twice and watched your Wheel of Fortune. It's infectiously Positive!
Still to this day i can almost guarantee that if i go to my grandma's house around 7pm, Wheel will be on her TV. Wheel of Fortune will always feel like home
Its always on in my house. They've been there my whole life
Pat is like a cousin or close neighbor, visiting for a little, each day! We were fortunate to have him drop by so often40 years ago, I was 32 and just changing careers. Worked with the public in fashion and retail, then went back to school to study in the medical field; quite the change! In the evening after dinner, there was Pat Sajak and Wheel, along with Vanna! A good break from the days happenings, I think. Challenge for mind to figure out puzzle! Thanks for the memories, Pat, Vanna and all who came to play!! 🙏🧡🙏🧡🙏
Wheel of Fortune helped me learn the alphabet, or so my mother tells me. She said I picked up what the letters looked like, what they were called, the consonants and vowels, and which letters are popular. I'm sure that story is not unique to me, and that shows how much of a positive impact it has had.
i can definitely agree that this show helped me learn which letters were the most commonly used in english.
I didnt even realize how long this video was. I got 30 mins in and couldnt believe how captivated I am. Well done bro
Who's Watching it after Pat Sajak's Last Episode of Wheel of Fortune?
This is extremely entertaining, thank you for putting your time and effort into this!
I never knew how much i appreciated Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy as a kid, watching it with my grandparents and mom...lawd these shows are CLASSICS!
Good video. Wheel of Fortune has been a big part of my growing up watching it a lot as shown by photos of me at 2 years old pointing to the TV with the show on. I think what draws me and so many people to Wheel of Fortune is how accessible it is for a game show. There's no trivia or high drama on the show. It's just people having fun playing hangman for money and prizes while still challenging enough to keep you engaged which is also true of game shows like Price is Right and Family Feud. I know for me watching Wheel of Fortune always felt like something you could be good at all the time especially coming after Jeopardy which is also fun but as a kid, not something you're going to connect to with all the trivia. It's also never strayed away from its format even as they've done away with the shopping and added new elements like the million-dollar prize, higher wheel amounts, and new categories. And I think the chemistry between Pat and Vanna is also what makes the show what it is. It's hard for me and anyone who's grown up with the show to imagine anyone other than those two being there and it'll be a weird feeling once they're gone.
Wait, did Pat Sajak invent Mystery Science Theatre 3000? That part with him making fun of a movie with his head in the corner sounds just like it.
With Pat retiring after season 41, its goin to feel weird not havin Alex or Pat on our tv’s anymore
Being in my late 30s, Pat Sajak and Vanna White have been lifelong TV companions. Your exhaustive research and great presentation just filled in a *ton* of history I never knew I was missing!
Clarification on the scheduling of David Letterman. Letterman being cut to 60 minutes was not the reason Wheel was saved. While correct that the decision to cancel Wheel of Fortune was reversed, Hollywood Squares ended up becoming the third casualty to make room for Letterman on the schedule. High Rollers, Chain Reaction and Squares aired their final episodes on June 20, 1980. Once Letterman was cut to 60 minutes (and Another World cut from 90 minutes to 60), the schedule was shifted and a new hourlong soap opera called "Texas" premiered in the mid-afternoon.
I’m proud of you, Connor. You’ve always been so organized and filled with ambition. You’re still wise beyond your years.
I'm a game show fan and producer from the UK and I learned a lot. Very balanced and well written. Thanks!
WOW! This was fantastic! So many things I didn't know about Pat Sajak or the show, and that's unusual because I am a certified gameshow junkie! Your presentation was so professionally done and so much fun to watch! Thanks!
I'm writing that when Pat Sajak retires from hosting Wheel of Fortune in May 2024 then Ryan Seacrest will take over as host of Wheel of Fortune starting in September 2024. Vanna White isn't leaving and she'll be sticking around for another two years with Ryan Seacrest.
My Aunt and Uncle still watch Wheel of Fortune every night as my grandparents watched it. Plus Wheel of Fortune has been a mainstay on WPVI in Philadelphia at 7:30 pm since 1983.
Everybody ‘gangsta till Connor uploads after 2 years.
I remember as a little kid in the 70s watching Chuck Woolery host Wheel. In our local market, Wheel and Jeopardy became a powerhouse in the 7 and 7:30 time slots in 1987, right after the 6 o-clock news. By then I was 15. They were the perfect lead-ins to the prime-time shows.
Something special needs to be done when he and Vanna Celebrate their 40th Anniversary of the show.
Hey that's a good idea.
Not just the December 13, 1982 episode on NBC, but also the first syndicated episode that aired September 19, 1983.
Pat is such a perfect match for Wheel of Fortune. It's just kind of a nice low-key show with an affable low-key host. I love that he's very nonchalant about how this really iconic show is... just hangman. Never seen an old episode with Chuck Woolery, but I'll bet he was a good match too.
Chuck was great, too-the format of the show was closer to the "Shopper's Bazaar" pilot-but Chuck loved the show in his own way
If you would've told me an hour ago that I'd gladly watch a 40 minute long video about Pat Sajak and Wheel of Fortune I would've laughed in your face. I watched every minute, in rapt attention. That was very well done. The story of the person, the show, the industry, and the tastes of the audience and society were all weaved together very very well. Young people should watch this to understand that a successful career most often times requires sustained effort, nimble maneuvering, good interpersonal connections, and a bit of luck.
Late to the party, but thank you so much for this video. I've been a fan of the show since I was 4. I founded the fandom wiki for it, and I was a contestant in 2017. (I won.) I think you did a great amount of research and presented the show in a very positive light.
That was an amazing, informative, and very well-produced documentary. I'm glad I found this video completely by chance very close to its release day.
Consider me a new subscriber!
This was very good. Thank you for posting this wonderful history of Pat Sajak and Wheel of Fortune. Great Story ! ..... 📺💥
I can definitely respect the fact that Pat was a Broadcaster and Host for the sport of it. He truly loved what he did and stands today as one of the industry’s archetypical host. Never heard any racism or sexual rumours or any bad press at all bout the man. Salute to him! 🫡✅
This channel deserves far more attention than it has! It’s one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time. I really do hope for more
Vanna stepping in as host in 2019 really remind me of the Wheel video games for the PC and PlayStation published by Hasbro Interactive/Infogrames/Atari and developed by Artech Studios. Pat wasn't in those games!
Pat Sajak is one of the funniest people you could follow on Twitter. He should've been a comic.
L
I'll be sad to see Pat retire come June, but what a run it's been!
Yay a new upload from you!!!!! I love your UPN videos I’m so happy to see you’re doing more! Do you still plan on doing that WB video by the way? Doesn’t matter either way I’m just happy you’re back!
I can't make any concrete promises, but I can tell you that I'm working on it.
I have sad news alex trebek died
This was well put together, good job! This relaxed me through some minor stress. Thank you!
According to my husband's grandfather, Merv Griffin was a slime Ball. Hubs grandpa worked at NBC in NYC as a security / night watchman dude back back in the day. Merv treated everyone like dirt, rude...
Great job! Would love to see one on Vanna too! She’s got an amazing life story. 💗
This is one of the best pieces I've seen in a long, long time. This retired radio guy thanks you!
And several months ago Pat announced that he would retire at the end of 2023. Ryan Seacrest will be replacing him.
This was such a nice, friendly video. Thank you
Pat Sajak Wheel Of Fortune Host From 1981 - 2024 For 4 Decades So Thank You So Much Pat Sajak!
What a marvelous documentary you've put together! I loved this! Thank you so much for honoring Pat and Vanna. I agree with Pat that television has gotten so "dark" over the years and many of us want a half hour (well actually an hour when including Jeopardy!) of relaxation and family fun. :)
When is the history of The WB television network video coming?
Be patient. It'll come.
Probably one year later...
Wow this is an amazing video, dude! Super detailed and I learned a lot of the history of Pat Sajak and Wheel of Fortune. Can you do the same type of video for Alex Trebek and Jeopardy?
"So Griffin came up with this idea, a sort of bastard child of roulette and hangman..." But damn, it worked!
Love this...Thanks for putting this video together..I learned alot...love Wheel of Fortune!!!❤
No matter what! Pat Sajak is awesome! And we’re from the same town, Chicago, Illinois! And he gets to hang around my crush(Vanna White) all day
This has to be the best biographical video I have watched. Also, the only one I was able to watch to the end without wanting to barf because of the overblown and redundant mis-characterizations of the subject. Thank you.
Excellent video. Been watching since I was a kid In the 80s.
This channel is amazing
I loved Pat's talk show. They should've left it alone.
Pat later renewed for 2 more years after this video, extending his contract to 2024.
Learned a good bit about the show my Grandma and Mom watched when I was very little. Never watched it on my own, but what Pat said at the end of the video is right; people had shared family experiences with it and it made memories.
This is a fantastic documentary. Your videos are phenomenal!
I just found you today and I really enjoy your videos. I hope you’re still making content. Very well done!
I didn’t think I would be interested in this channel, but now I think I’m going to go watch the rest of your videos!
It's been apart of my fifty year life, True Legend
This is extremely well made and very informative, great work!
Great video. a well deserved tribute to one of the few remaining figures of traditional television.
Very well done. I would never have guessed Pat's story would be so enjoyable
He uploads once every year oh boy can’t wait for the next upload
Excellent biographical synopsis. This deserves well more than 69k views.
OMG, my whole 20 years was, we cant let you go, you are doing so well here. I had to get my self fired (transferred) to just get the same next time.
He was a representative of publishers clearing house in Rugrats
I'm going to miss Pat hosting Wheel.
What a ride those two have had.Amazing!!!
My Nana and I still watch wheel together when i spend the night with her (shes going to be 90 this year).
Edit to add that its 2023 and Pat is still the host of Wheel.
This is the game show I could really follow as a kid. Jeopardy I barely ever watched because they don’t ask kid questions, they ask very smart adult questions. As a kid, I also thought it unfair you would lose money if you got the question wrong in jeopardy. If you got something wrong in wheel of fortune you would just lose your turn.
Your channel is incredible homie- can't believe you don't have more subs/views
It's 2023 and Pat (& Vanna) are still hosting! It's great to still see them on. Pat and Vanna's contract goes through end of next season (41), I wonder if that'll be their last season
It does appear that Pat Sajak is stepping down at the end of this season but I have not heard any news about Vanna following suit.
Dam... no wonder why you barely upload... this is great quality! =D
Do the story of Alex Trebek and Jeopardy next perhaps?
You my friend are severely underrated
Many props for using the chimp channel as your 2nd example 😂 . 2010 judge judy must have been something else
38:08 I'm surprised how long it took for me to realize that was Tom Hanks playing Pat Sajak.
Every time I remember rush limbaugh is dead I get an instant smile
Connor, this is awesome. Could you do a video about Craig Ferguson? Great comedian and a great game show host!
CBS at one time (Probably early 1980s) aired NBA games on Tape delay. Also I'd like to see the storys of Sale of The Century (1980s version), Press Your Luck.
Yeah I'll definitely agree, this was one of those shows that was ALWAYS on somewhere all the time. I swear there wasn't a time I could flip through the channels and not find Wheel on lol. I never got into it myself, but like you said, it was somehow comforting to know it was there. I miss TV as a whole and not a huge fan of the Netflix style of sites taking over media...sure they're a ton more convenient but you lose the charm. Ah well, this is just an old man speaking who misses the past for what it was...
I used to watch it with my Grandparents every night along with Jeopardy!, I remember how funny he was and the basic wholesomeness of Pat and Vanna.
This... I found this link on the toasted noodle discord... I was not expecting such an amazing educational video. Connor, you’ve earned a new subscriber.
Wow that, along with your upn videos, were incredibly truly top notch quality videos. I only wish you had more on your channel. Here's hoping you keep the uploads coming. You've got great talent that shouldn't go to waste.
I have literally never seen an entire episode of WoF, at most I think I've seen half. But if it were to get cancelled, I would be upset; WoF provides the security of a pretty good show to watch if nothing else is on that I don't think any other show possibly could.
20:54 that's exactly what happened when Vanna took over hosting for several weeks when Pat was out. She was extremely nervous during the tapings of the shows.
Vanna knew one of Merv's business pals...that is how she was selected. I worked at NBC when both Vanna and Pat were hired.
Merv's wife created the WOF
These videos are amazing, I can tell that you put a lot of effort into them, and they are really interesting
Pat Sajak is officially retiring after (soon to be) 41 seasons of WHEEL OF FORTUNE.
Ryan Seacrest will take the wheel in season 42 (2024).
Connor, please do a video on Alex Trebek. Maybe one on Drew Carey because I see him as a great broadcaster also.
This was awesomely researched and presented!
I liked the first-ever host on the pilot of wheel of fortune. He was very handsome and energetic. I don't know what happened to him
His politics is one of the more interesting and respectable aspects of him. Because he's so private, when I saw him in the line to pay respects to the family at Ronald Reagan's funeral, my respect for him increased immensely.
Hello Connor. I would love to tell you that I am your 1,000th subscriber. I’m happy that you can keep on growing