Pat Sajak posts and deletes angry rant calling fans ‘lazy’ as Vanna White inks major deal
PAT Sajak has posted and deleted a scathing social media take accusing people of becoming too lazy.
He took it down just before Wheel of Fortune announced Vanna White settled her salary demands and will remain co-host when he retires.
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Pat Sajak’s post was met with backlash from surprised fansCredit: ABC
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He called people ‘too lazy to learn’ the old-fashioned way before deciding to delete itCredit: X/patsajak
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A day later, it was announced that Vanna White settled her Wheel of Fortune pay raise demandsCredit: Getty
Pat, 76, posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday: “Alexa…what was I too lazy to learn and will forget anyway in less than a minute after you answer?”
The scathing post about reliance on the Amazon device was not met well by game show fans.
One fan replied: “Pat…” with an eyeball-looking emoji.
Another follower argued: “Even pre-Alexa, people would Google things instead of looking them up.
Pat then deleted the post a day later, perhaps because he didn’t want it to seem like he was shading Vanna’s big news.
VANNA’S BIG WIN
On Tuesday, it was announced that Vanna, 66, had settled her pay raise demands.
After months of tense contract negotiations, Vanna struck a deal and will stay at the puzzle board after Pat retires to make way for Ryan Seacrest.
Her contract will run for an additional two years and will see her continue through the 2025-2026 season, Deadline reported.
The news comes as the show just kicked off Season 41 last week, which will be the last for host Pat after 40 years.
By signing her new deal, Vanna will provide continuity, Deadline noted.
She will be there for Ryan, who will take over for Pat next fall, for at least two years.
It’s currently unknown how much Vanna will be making, but it’s welcome news to fans that she isn’t going anywhere, as she expressed no interest in retiring like Pat.
Entering her third year as the show’s ambassador to fans is Social Media Correspondent Maggie Sajak, 28 – who also inked a deal per the outlet.
She will hit the road for a recurring “Fan Fridays” segment that will feature the second-generation Sajak touring the US, Europe, and more.
Meanwhile, Wheel updated its puzzle board in 2023, switching out touchable letters for ones controlled remotely, so technically, Vanna’s touch is no longer needed.
‘IF YOU FIGHT THIS YOU WILL LOSE YOUR JOB’
When Pat announced his retirement after Season 41 last June, reports began circulating that Vanna did want to stay on the show, but that she was requesting a pay raise.
Vanna – who began turning letters in 1982 – reportedly made half of what Pat makes and hadn’t gotten a raise in 18 years.
People previously confirmed that Vanna made about $3million annually.
According to the outlet, Pat makes about $15million annually.
According to a report from Puck News, Vanna hired an “aggressive new lawyer” upon his retirement news since come 2024, her contract was up.
Sources told People she was asking for a 50 percent pay raise at least.
“50 percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair.
The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay – if not more,” they said.
But it wasn’t easy for Vanna to come to the table, sources claimed to the outlet.
“Vanna was told, ‘If you fight this, you will lose your job. You’re lucky to have the job.’ And when people tell you that for so long, you believe it,” before adding that Vanna was ready to fight for her future.
“She’s a really, really sweet person. She deserves so much more.”
Negotiations between Vanna and Sony had become “very difficult,” an insider also claimed to TMZ.
Another source claimed the hostess “feels like it’s a statement for all women” and is reportedly negotiating for “a minimum of what is fair.”
It was then reported by TMZ that Vanna did settle for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune; she’ll make $100,000 per episode while Pat makes $400,000.
PAT’S A WRAP!
On June 12, Pat told fans in a personal note on X: “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.
“It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months.”
Pat will host until June 2024, when he will step down in place of Seacrest.
Ryan shared in a statement reveling in the news: “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
‘I LOVE MY JOB’
Vanna hinted she wasn’t looking to follow in Pat’s footsteps when he made his June announcement.
Her only statement was a post to X: “When we started @WheelofFortune who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later?
“I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!”
Vanna also called the idea of retiring depressing in an interview before Pat’s major news.
“That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it,” she said last year to People.
“It’s incredible. I cannot believe it’s been 40 years. Honestly, I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said.
“Who still says they love their job after 40 years? Me!”
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Vanna was pushing for a well-earned pay raise as she hadn’t gotten a salary bump in 18 yearsCredit: Getty
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She will join Ryan Seacrest when he takes over next fall and kick off his Wheel of Fortune era for at least two yearsCredit: Getty
