Up for debate. After Pat Sajak Vanna WhiteAn episode of Wheel of Fortune with their usual banter — viewers are questioning a joke made by the longtime host.
Sajak, a 75-year-old, and White, 65 years old, had a brief conversation during an episode of the game program that aired Wednesday, April 13. An earlier episode of the game featured professional opera singers. Ashely FabianThe bonus puzzle was won and $67,410 in cash and prizes.
The Illinois native asked White, “Are you an opera buff at all?” His cohost, for her part, answered, “Yes, I’m not a buff, but I like opera.”
In response, Sajak said, “Have you ever watched opera in the buff? I’m just curious.”
Vanna white and Pat Sajak YouTube
Viewers took it to social media to voice their concerns about the casual nature of the on-screen conversation. One fan tweeted, “I feel like I just witnessed a #metoo moment on @WheelofFortune?”
A second commentator shared an excerpt from an episode from 1980s of Wheel of Fortune, writing, “I was tired of Pat’s s–t then, and I’m tired of Pat’s s–t now.” In the video, Sajak made a joke after reading a letter from a viewer who recalled solving a puzzle while in labor.
Others in the audience felt that the back and forth banter among coworkers was perfectly acceptable. “People love shows and sitcoms with filthy language and violence then want to jump on Pat Sajak for everything he says. I’m sure his intent was a play on words from Vanna’s I’m not an opera buff. I don’t think he was trying to insinuate anything inappropriate,” a viewer tweeted on Wednesday.
Another fan called the conversation “a joke” between friends, adding, “[They]We have been together for more than 30 years and we love each other. If she was offended about the joke then she would have came out and said so.”
Wheel of Fortune has been hosted by Sajak since 1981 — with White joining the competition series one year later. After working together for several decades, White opened up about her “very close” working relationship with Sajak.
“We’re like a brother and sister after 37 years,” she exclusively told Us WeeklyDecember 2019. “I think the two of us have been together longer than anyone else, as far as having spouses or children or whatever. We have been together for a very long time. I can just look at him and tell what kind of a mood he’s in.”
White also discussed her future with Sajak Wheel of Fortune, saying, “I love my job and I can’t imagine not doing it. … So we’ll just take one day at a time and see what happens.”
Wheel of FortuneWeeknights air on NBC. Check out local listings.
