Why Vanna White Will Be Missing From 'Wheel of Fortune' Soon
Prepare yourselves: Vanna White is set to disappear from your screens later this fall.
This will mark only her fourth absence in her nearly 41-year run as co-host of Wheel of Fortune, having taken a brief leave following the death of her boyfriend in 1986, for her honeymoon in 1991, and after coming down with a cold later that same year.
Unfortunately, the well-dressed letter-turner reportedly came down with Covid at the end of July, forcing her to take an incredibly rare break from her duties.
TV Line credits Puck News with the revelation. She apparently contracted the virus while filming "Teachers Week” earlier this summer, with California-based “Teacher of the Year” Bridgette Donald-Blue filling in for the week's episodes, which are planned for October.
It's certainly poor timing, as White fights for a raise for the first time in almost two decades and rumors have swirled that the network may cut her role altogether when Ryan Seacrest steps in as the new host following Pat Sajak's retirement next year.
According to TV Line, Puck News’ Matthew Belloni said that, while Donald-Blue's replacement may be a "smart producing move," it could be "a veiled message sent to White’s aggressive lawyers: Go ahead, push us harder.”
While she has yet to be confirmed for next season, she's made it clear she'd like to stick around. Seacrest also made note of the same after news of his casting broke, saying, "I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White."
Next: 'Jeopardy!' Champ James Holzhauer Criticizes Show After New Changes Are Announced