‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Reveals What Pat Sajak Was Like
Former ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Rich Fields Reveals What Pat Sajak Was Like Behind-the-Scenes
Rich Fields was one of the announcers on Wheel of Fortune following Charlie O’Donnell’s death in 2010 and had nothing but great things to say about his time working with Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
“[They were] gracious, welcoming from the get-go,” Fields revealed on the Come On Big Money podcast. “Their attitude and personality interactions with me never changed from show number one to show number 58, or however many I did with them. [They’re] just really giving, professional people.”
Fields was called in to temporarily replace O’Donnell the day after the show’s longtime announcer died on November 1, 2010. He was greeted warmly by Sajak. “Pat even said to me the very first day when I met him in his dressing room, ‘We all understand you’re coming in under very difficult circumstances, so just go ahead and do your best and make Charlie proud,’” he recalled.
He went on to serve as announcer for 55 episodes, but the permanent position was eventually given to Jim Thornton in June 2011. Thornton is still the show’s announcer to this day. O’Donnell was with the show from 1975 until 1980, when he briefly took another job before returning to Wheel in 1989. He stayed on as MC until his death. Meanwhile, Fields previously worked with both Bob Barker and Drew Carey when he served as announcer on The Price Is Right from 2004 to 2010.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
During his tenure on Wheel of Fortune, Fields didn’t witness any major puzzle blunders or fails. However, he said he has a distinct memory of his first live taping.
“It was the very first introduction of Pat and Vanna and I’d only heard it on TV from Charlie, but I don’t think I ever said it myself,” Fields explained. “And I got to say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Pat Sajak and Vanna White!’ As soon as I got done doing that, they’re walking out, and Mr. Sajak was like, as clear as a bell, ‘Thank you Rich. Rich Fields, our guest announcer today.’ And, God, it was just like … holy mackerel. I forgot about Pat always saying, ‘Thank you, Charlie.’ Just to hear him say my name was surreal for me.”
News
Kelly Clarkson Reveals She Never Got the $1 Million She Thought She Won on American Idol
A recent comment from American Idol’s first-ever winner has unexpectedly reignited discussion about the show’s early prize promises. Kelly Clarkson, who won the inaugural season of the competition, recently joked during a broadcast that she never actually received the $1…
Hannah Harper’s Heavy Spotlight Sparks Claims American Idol Already Picked Its Winner
Although American Idol Season 26 is still in its early elimination stages, some viewers are already convinced the competition has a frontrunner – and possibly a pre-planned narrative. That contestant, according to growing online discussions, is Hannah Harper. Fans have…
American Idol Fans Furious as Emotional Bryant Thomas Exit Sparks Favoritism Claims
The latest elimination on American Idol has sparked a wave of debate among viewers after contestant Bryant Thomas was sent home following what many considered a heartfelt but flawed performance. Bryant chose a powerful song for the round – Landslide…
American Idol Accused of Hiding Performances Online, Fans Say It’s Unfair to Contestants
A growing number of American Idol viewers are voicing frustration after realizing that the show’s official YouTube channel does not upload every performance from its episodes. What began as a simple attempt to catch up on missed broadcasts has quickly…
Arrest of American Idol’s Dimitrius Graham Sparks Backlash Over the Show American Idol
American Idol is once again facing scrutiny after former contestant Dimitrius Graham was reportedly arrested by Los Angeles police earlier this week. The news has quickly spread online, reigniting debate about the show’s vetting process and long-term responsibility toward its…
American Idol Season 24 Backlash: The Show Feels “Curated,” Over-Produced and Harder to Connect With
For some longtime viewers, American Idol Season 24 doesn’t feel like the show they once rushed home to watch. A growing conversation online suggests that something about this year’s format feels different and not everyone is thrilled about it. One…
End of content
No more pages to load
