Fans of Wheel of Fortune were surprised when longtime host Pat Sajak stepped away before the bonus round in a recent episode, leaving many puzzled about his absence and its impact on his 42-year tenure.
The April 26 episode saw announcer Jim Thornton temporarily take over hosting duties during the bonus round. Earlier hints in the episode, such as contestant Sarah praising Thornton, suggested the switch was planned. When the show returned from a commercial break, Sajak remained absent, and Thornton hosted the bonus round, during which Sarah won an additional $40,000.
Sajak reappeared during the credits, sharing a light-hearted moment with Vanna White and jokingly asking if he had missed anything. The planned switch added a playful twist to the long-running show, keeping fans intrigued.
