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The SAD, CRAZY life of Tim Allen: Prison Stint, Misconduct Allegations and More

Tim Allen in Home Improvement. (Getty) (ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images)
When you’ve got a joke-friendly name, you need to figure out a way to deal with it quickly.

For comedian Tim Allen — original name Timothy Dick — it was by developing a sense of humour, although even then school was clearly tough for the star.

“I’d have to run through a whole routine just to defuse the situation,” he wrote in his 1994 memoir-cum-manual, Don’t Stand Too Close To A Naked Man.

“For a while I hated everyone and the teasing caused me unnecessary grief. But in retrospect, it made me a better person. Now I have to thank my name for making me special.”

Tim Allen attends the premiere of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4, 2019. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
There wasn’t much that was special growing up in Denver in the late Fifties. Allen, now 69, had five siblings and nice, middle-class life as the son of a community worker and estate agent. And then aged 11, on 23 November 1964, tragedy struck, changing the comedian’s life forever. While driving home from a college football game that Allen himself had chosen not to attend, his mum, dad and four brothers were hit by a drunk driver. His father Gerald was killed.

“This loss stretched every boundary I knew,” wrote Allen. “I wasn’t king of my universe anymore. In fact, I felt helpless, useless, pathetic. I had no control and my scramble to regain some made me grow up very quickly…all of a sudden, my world changed overnight.”

Even though his mother married an old flame and moved the family to Michigan, Allen started to struggle. He went to college, but began to deal drugs on the side. That dangerous path came to a head on 2 October, 1978.

American actor and comedian Tim Allen in a mug shot following his arrest for cocaine possession, Kalamazoo, Michigan, US, 2nd October 1978. (Kypros/Getty Images) (Kypros via Getty Images)
Allen took 650 grams of cocaine in a bag to Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and put it in a locker. He expected to hand the key over to his contact and be paid £35,000. Unfortunately, that recipient was an undercover policeman and the actor recalls a gun in his face and immediate arrest.

Reality kicked in when he was in the holding cell and needed to go the toilet. “There were ten guys in the cell,” he remembered. “The toilet’s in the middle of the room. I remember looking at the can, then at the ceiling, then at the can, then at all the guys in there with me. I wanted to walk out.”

Faced with life in prison thanks to a recently-passed state law, Allen agreed to name names of his collaborators and other drug dealers in exchange for a more lenient sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone, Minnesota.

Tim Allen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 1993. (Getty Images) (NBC via Getty Images)
Prison life was still tough, with the threat of violence hanging over his head at all times. Humour once again helped him get through it. He spent time as president of the prison Toastmasters Club, an educational group designed to help inmates’ speak publicly, whose outgoing president knitted his wife a blanket.

He also stopped someone beating him up by talking like cartoon character Elmer Fudd and having tried stand-up for the first time while awaiting sentencing, he spent the hundreds of hours stuck in his cell working on his future comedy material.

Watch: Tim Allen reflects on prison life

Having served almost two-and-a-half years, he was paroled and immediately began honing his comedy craft on-stage, while working an office job during the day. As he featured in local adverts, creative people began to take notice and he scored a 1989 cable comedy special which launched him properly into showbusiness.

But massive success in sitcom Home Improvement and as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in four Toy Story movies wasn’t the end of Allen’s troubles.

Tim Allen in Home Improvement. (Getty Images) (ABC Photo Archives via Getty Images)
His first wife Laura Diebel had stood by his side through all his legal difficulties and helped to support them when he was building his comedy career. He has recalled how they were told their daughter Katherine (known as Kady) had a potential genetic defect before she was born.

“It’s a horror that a lot of people go through,” he said. “Our doctor was very concerned. A specialist said, ‘it’s within normal values for this certain enzyme, but it’s on the edge.’ Everything worked out okay.”

However, he was away from them so much that the marriage eventually got into trouble and Laura filed for divorce. And this was after an incident in May 1997 in which Allen was pulled over in Bloomfield Township, Michigan for driving erratically. The star pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was given a year’s probation, as well as being told to go to rehab.

Laura Diebel and her husband Tim Allen, attending the 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 1993. (Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
“My inexcusable lapse in judgment is a mistake that is embarrassing to myself, my family and my associates,” he said.

Since then, the real-life Republican actor has continued to feature in big-name projects, from The Santa Clause series and Galaxy Quest to sitcom Last Man Standing, which ran for 194 episodes from 2011 until last year. He’s also railed against the prejudice he believes he faces being a conservative in Hollywood.

Still, he’s now a wealthy, well-loved star and is happily married for the second time with another daughter, 13.

And clearly he’s come to terms with a lot of what’s gone before.

“The world’s a mean place,” he has said. “It’s unfair, then it’s fair. It’s hateful, then it’s loving. It’s a very peculiar place on philosophical and metaphysical and religious levels.”

Lightyear is in cinemas now. Watch a trailer below.

Tim Allen Has Shared His Feeling For The 1st Time by ‘Last Man Standing’ Cancellation That left many feeling disappointed

Tim Allen Says He Is ‘Stunned and Blindsided’ by ‘Last Man Standing’ Cancellation

ABC gave the ax to the sitcom after six seasons.

Actor Tim Allen attends the 100th episode celebration of ABC’s “Last Man Standing” at CBS Studios – Radford on January 12, 2016 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Tim Allen is not taking the cancellation of “Last Man Standing” sitting down.

Days after the cancellation of his ABC sitcom after six season, Allen took to Twitter on Tuesday to declare that he was “stunned and blindsided” by the decision.

“Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years,” Allen tweeted, adding the hashtag “#lastmanstanding.”

Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years. #lastmanstanding

— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) May 16, 2017

ABC announced the cancellation of “Last Man Standing” after six seasons last week. Since the cancellation, theories have been floated that the political leanings of Hollywood conservative Allen might have had something to do with the cancellation,

The cancellation followed controversial remarks made by Allen about free speech and Nazism. In March, Allen — who is a Republican — said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that “you gotta be real careful around here” because “you’ll get beat up if you don’t believe what everybody believes.”

“It’s like ’30s Germany,” he added.

The chain of events caused some to wonder if his statements and the cancellation might be connected.

“No doubt Tim Allen’s political views factored into decision. I hear there’s an 8pm slot available on Fox Tim!” one observer wrote on Twitter.

Since the cancellation, a Change.org petition has emerged urging viewers to boycott ABC in an effort to save the series, which aired Friday nights.

“‘Last Man Standing’ is one of the only shows on broadcast television, and the only sitcom, that is not constantly shoving liberal ideals down the throats of the viewers. And sadly, that is likely the real reason the show has been cancelled,” the petition reads.

One BIG CHANGE Happy’s Place Season 2 Is Making For Reba McEntire Compared To All Her Other Network Shows

(Image credit: NBC)

Reba McEntire is reuniting with the Reba team for the new series Happy’s Place, but it’s not a Reba reboot, and many elements of the show prove it. On top of the NBC sitcom on the 2024 TV schedule involving all-new characters and storylines, it’s also got a setting that is totally different from the network shows the singer has done in the past. And it just makes sense.

Happy’s Place centers on McEntire’s Bobbie as she inherits her father’s tavern with the half-sister she never knew about. With the show taking place almost entirely in the bar, it’s going to be a bit of a change of pace for the country singer. This is because the setting overall is very different from Reba’s other shows, and executive producer Kevin Abbott told TV Insider why that is, saying:

It’s a pleasure to take everything that we have gone through in our lives, the growth that we’ve had, and continue to apply [that to stories]. It’s nice to do this at a tavern as opposed to [in] a family [setting] show because we’re both now at our stage where the kids are grown. It’s more interesting to us to do more adult stories — even though they are told for a family.

Since the series is about Bobbie and her long-lost half-sister owning a tavern together, of course, there will be some family themes. However, it is going to be interesting to see how that is played out in a bar rather than a house, which is the typical main setting for a family sitcom. Happy’s Place already sounds like it’s going to be an interesting series, and getting both more adult storylines and family storylines (that aren’t our typical ones) will be intriguing to see.

With Happy’s Place coming from the Reba team, there will be some similarities between the two shows. While it is hard to beat a comedy like Reba, which has been making a comeback on Netflix ahead of Happy’s Place‘s premiere, it sounds like the team is taking great care of it and making sure this new project is quite different.

It is fun to have sitcoms like Reba, of course, but the concept of a family show that takes place in a house has been done over and over and over again. So, it’s nice to have a bit of a switch-up, and it’ll be fun to see the singer/actress in a totally new setting.

That being said, a different setting is not all that fans can look forward to with Happy’s Place. Fans shouldn’t be surprised that Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman are reuniting for the new series, as the two have remained close since Reba. Meanwhile, McEntire is pulling double duty by filming both The Voice and Happy’s Place, so she is working as hard as ever, and it’s all for the fans.

Happy’s Place premieres on Friday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Fans will see then just how different the series is compared to McEntire’s other network shows and what the sitcom is truly all about.

Happy’s Place Season 2 Script Unveiled: Bemmett Romance, an Anticipated Origin Story, and More

Happy’s Place EP Reveals Season 2 Game Plan: #Bemmett Romance, a Sought-After Origin Story and More

Though he didn’t give #Bemmett fans everything they’ve been asking for, series co-creator Kevin Abbott is hopeful that they’ll want to keep a tab open at Happy’s Place.

Friday’s Season 1 finale stopped short of having head chef Emmett ask tavern owner Bobbie out on a proper date, but it did set the stage for their inevitable Season 2 romance. That’s one of several storylines already on tap for the NBC sitcom’s 18-episode sophomore run, which also promises to pick up the pace on Gabby’s journey into motherhood… and maybe even introduce her wackadoo parents.

Additionally, in the following Q&A, Abbott explains why Season 1 avoided telling the origin story of Happy’s relationship with Isabella’s mother, and how he intends for that inevitable family drama to play out in the next batch of episodes, presumably airing this fall.
Rex Linn as Emmett & Reba McEntire as Bobbie Photo by Casey Durkin/NBC
TVLINE | Bobbie and Emmett entering a relationship would have been a natural bookend to Season 1. Why did you decide to hold off?
That was the original intent — to actually have them a little bit further along than we did. That was an idea that I had from before we wrote the pilot, actually, but we didn’t go as far as that because of the scheduling. We only had 13 episodes originally ordered. We were putting some pieces in place just in case, but we didn’t know if we were going to get a back order, or how many [episodes] it was going to be if we did. I don’t like to just jump into these things out of nowhere. I want to build to them so that, when they happen, it feels right. Ultimately, we got the pickup — a back five — after we’d wrapped the first 13. I just didn’t feel like I could successfully build the relationship to the point where I wanted it to be by the finale, so this is going to be something we’re going to get into next season. We can give the audience something to look forward to without taking it too quickly. When we get there, I want the audience to feel really satisfied.

TVLINE | We never got to see Reba Hart in a committed relationship after her divorce from Brock. I imagine there are plenty of stories you’re looking forward to telling on Happy’s Place with Bobbie and Emmett that you never got to tell on Reba….
You have nailed it on the head. Absolutely nailed it. We always talked about that — the one type of story [on Reba] we just did not do well. We could not do it. I mean, Reba is brilliant. She has so many gifts that it’s insane, and she’s a marvelous person, as well… but she could never quite fake chemistry. That was one of my only regrets on the old Reba show. When we set this show up, we cast [Reba’s real-life sweetheart] Rex [Linn] as Emmett, and we set him up as a potential love interest because I never got to tell those stories on Reba, and I think it works. The two of them together at the arcade is just lovely. That moment just tickles me pink.
Photo by Greg Schwartz/Fox Television/Everett Collection
TVLINE | You say you never made it work on Reba, but I recall enjoying those James Denton episodes.
That one kind of worked. I cast James in a pilot I did so long ago, way before Desperate Housewives, and he’s just got a great chemistry with people. It was great for an episode or two, but I don’t think it would have worked long term. It played for me as an attraction, not as a relationship.

TVLINE | So much story on Reba was mined from that initial premise that there was this other woman (Barbra Jean) who ultimately forced her way into Reba’s life. You started this show off with another heavy premise: Bobbie found out that her father had an affair 20-plus years ago, and it resulted in a secret half-sister, Isabella. I bring this up because Season 1 sidestepped any drama that audiences might’ve expected. Even when you introduced Isabella’s mother, Bobbie made it a point to say that what happened between Happy and Maritza was none of her business. Do you still intend to reveal that backstory at some point?
You’ve done your homework. It’s a really good question! The writers were leading up to that moment [in Episode 13] and then we decided that we’d like this moment to [eventually] be between Isabella and Bobbie. Ultimately, I want to tell that origin story. We will know what happened. That’s why, at the end of that episode, Isabella and her mom are talking. We have an episode in mind for when this all comes out. We did not have time to build to that one, either. It would have been Episode 21 if we’d gone 22, let’s put it that way.

 
Belissa Escobedo as Isabella & Justina Machado as Maritza Photo by Casey Durkin/NBC
We’ve gotten Bobbie and Isabella to a really great place, but this is the honeymoon. This is the period where they want this relationship to work, and they’ve been working really hard at it. Next season is the marriage. Next season is when all the little things start to bug me. So we’ll rekindle some of this [drama], work our way back into it. We just wanted to make certain that the audience knew there was something solid to root for before we start causing problems. Reba is beloved, and justifiably so, and it’s hard to be the person that the character of Bobbie is up against. The audience famously hated Barbra Jean for a while because she stole Reba’s husband, so we wanted to make certain that the audience could fall in love with Isabella before we started getting into some more complicated emotional areas.

TVLINE | Will Maritza resurface as that story is told?
We love Maritza. [Justina Machado] is absolutely somebody that is going to come back. She was phenomenal. My general rule is that, for the first season, there is only so much real estate, and I don’t want to give that to outside characters. I want the audience to get to know and love our people the way we do, which is why we only had, I think, four outside characters in Season 1, but they were all important for our characters’ stories — and, you know, I just love Steve Howey and Christopher Rich and wanted them on.
Melissa Peterman as Gabby Photo by Casey Durkin/NBC
TVLINE | Another unresolved storyline in Season 1 was Gabby’s desire to be a mom. Do you intend to see that one through?
Yeah. We had a few episodes about that, but I do like to take it a little slow and keep all those stories in play. When it was a back-five order — you know, 18 is the new 22 — I just didn’t have time to lay any of those pieces down, so I opted out. All these things are just going to be in Season 2 now. We went back and forth on the season finale — either doing something with Bobbie and Emmett, or Gabby or Isabella. We ultimately went this way because everything else felt a little too quick and too big. We wanted something that felt like a season finale that promised something for Season 2, without it feeling too out of the blue, or like too much of a leap forward. Next season, we already have 18, so I can plan it out much better.

As we move forward, I [also] want to meet Gabby’s parents. I’ve got [archetypes] for Gabby’s parents — her mother is like Jean Smart, and her father is this small guy who is kind of wimpy and clearly handpicked and whatnot. And then we meet his best friend, who is like Dauber, the big blond dude from Coach, and clearly there was an affair there, and that’s where all this resentment is coming from for Gabby.

What did you think of the Happy’s Place finale — and Season 1 overall? Weigh in via the following polls, then leave a review in the comments.

Was “Happy’s Place” Season 2 a long time coming? Melissa Peterman tells us!

‘So indescribable and special’: ‘Happy’s Place’ stars Belissa Escobedo and Melissa Peterman on working with Reba McEntire

“It feels very nostalgic,” says Melissa Peterman of the new sitcom Happy’s Place, which has hit the airwaves “in a time where I think people are hungry for that feeling.” What’s unique about the series, which reunites Peterman with her Reba costar Reba McEntire, is that it features “a lot of characters that we haven’t often seen in a sitcom. I love the makeup of our cast. I love what each actor brings to that character from their own life, and their own upbringing and background, which I think is very unique.”

Another costar, Belissa Escobedo, grew up watching sitcoms because her mother loved them so much, and as she told Gold Derby, “something I always found was I want to see more people who look like me on these sitcoms.” That’s certainly the case with Happy’s Place, which has six main cast members, three of which are people of color. That, Escobedo states, “is really amazing, because this is our world as well. We can be this joyous and funny and carefree. So it feels really special to be apart of it as my first sitcom.”

More from GoldDerby

Happy’s Place stars McEntire as Bobbie McAllister, who inherits a bar from her father, Happy, after he dies. Upon returning to Knoxville, Tenn., she discovers she has a much-younger half-sister, Isabella (Escobedo), who also inherits half of the bar. As they navigate their newfound roles as co-owners and half-sisters, they’re helped along by their chatty bartender, Gabby (Peterman). “These are three women at very different points in their life,” Peterman explains, “and they all have something to learn from each other. Ultimately, it is about these three women, and what they give to each other and bring to each other.”

The nostalgia of Happy’s Place comes from its classical format. Unlike the single-camera comedies that have become the norm, Happy’s Place is a multicam that’s taped in front of a live studio audience. “It’s so electric,” divulges Escobedo, who, like Peterman, has her roots in theater. To merge the rush of live performance with television “is something so indescribable and special,” and it’s all because of “that energy you get from the audience.” Even with all of the read throughs and rehearsals, “it’s never as good as it’s going to be on show night.” When the audience comes in for the taping, “something different just happens. The world starts making more sense, the jokes start landing.” She firmly believes that, “we wouldn’t get the performances that we do without the audience there.”

Peterman has experience with both formats, having starred on the single-cam Big Bang Theory spinoff Young Sheldon. “I love every medium for different reasons,” she divulges, as each stretches “a different muscle.” At the same time, “there is nothing like a multicam,” which is essentially “a one-act play. I’ve known Reba for a long time, and she’s meant to be on a stage. So when she comes alive, I come alive.” The audience is also a great indicator as to whether or not the episode is funny, because, “when a joke works or it doesn’t work, they let you know, and they let you know right away.” For Peterman, “it sharpens your performance in a way” that’s different from single-cams or movies.

Having worked in the industry for so long, Peterman remembers a time when “there could be a Tuesday night or a Friday night, and there could be 20 sitcoms with a live studio audience. You could come into L.A. and have your choice of what shows to go see.” Because the experience is so rare, “we want it to be fun for [the audience]. We’ve had people who are flying in from out of state” because “they want to see Reba. I feel very grateful that we get to do it.” It’s part of what makes Happy’s Place such a throwback to “the shows that I go back to all the time, whether it was during the pandemic or any stressful moment, which I think we are encountering a lot.”

It certainly helps that the show is led by McEntire, who has been a TV staple for decades. What struck Escobedo immediately about her onscreen sibling was “her humility,” as well as “the passion and joy she has for what she’s doing. She’s been doing it for so long, and it’s easy to lost the spark,” yet, “she walks in every day so happy to be here. She knows how special it is, and that reminds us of how special what we’re doing is. It’s awesome to work with someone who’s leading the show that’s happy to be on the show, and loves it just as much as anybody.”

Peterman’s working relationship with McEntire goes back decades, encompassing not just Reba, but the podcast Living & Learning as well. “It does trickle down from the top,” she proclaims. “We’re here to have fun, and everyone is empowered to do their job.” In addition to her singing talents, “she’s instinctively really funny, which makes her such a great choice for a sitcom.” Yet the broad comedy only works “if it has heart,” which McEntire is always striving for. “I’ve been lucky to hitch myself to that wagon a couple of times, and it’s a great place to be.”

As the show heads into its second season, Peterman is “expecting some big-gun guest stars” to make appearances, including some “blast from the pasts from our Reba cast.” One guest star she’s hoping will play her often hinted at but never-seen mother is Hacks star Jean Smart. “That would be my everything,” she admits. More than anything, she hopes as Happy’s Place continues, it will become a show that “people will want to watch over and over again. I can rewatch the six or seven seasons of a sitcom over and over again. I hope that we can do that.”

Happy’s Place is streaming on Peacock.

Clearing the Air: Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White Address “Wheel of Fortune” Feud Rumors Ahead of New Season

Los Angeles, CA – When Ryan Seacrest stepped into the legendary shoes of Pat Sajak as the new host of “Wheel of Fortune,” whispers immediately began to circulate. Would he mesh with the show’s equally iconic letter-turner, Vanna White? Initial reports suggested “trouble in paradise” behind the scenes, with some claiming White regretted not retiring alongside Sajak due to difficulties with the new host. Speculation even ran wild that Kim Kardashian was on a shortlist of potential replacements for White. Now, as they prepare for the new season, Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White are seemingly determined to put those rumors to bed.

Concerns among some long-time “Wheel of Fortune” fans were understandable. Pat Sajak left an immense legacy, and the idea of anyone stepping into his role, let alone building a new dynamic with Vanna White, was a daunting prospect. While some were open to the change, others remained skeptical. It was directly after Seacrest began filming that headlines appeared, implying a strained relationship between the new host and White, suggesting she was finding it challenging to adapt without her decades-long co-star.

The Truth Revealed: A United Front

Ryan Seacrest has taken to social media to directly address the speculation. On his Instagram page, he shared a deliberate and playful video designed to quash the “feud” narrative. The clip features him sitting next to Vanna White on a couch, a black mystery box with the letters “RS TL E” (referencing the standard bonus round letters) resting between them. As they open the box, they unveil a miniature “Wheel of Fortune” game.

In a clever play on the show’s format, Seacrest revealed in the caption: “Ryan Seacrest To Launch New Era,” with each of the first letters highlighted to spell out his message. He further added, “So excited for this new era of Wheel.” Far from the friction previously depicted, the video shows both Seacrest and White smiling, laughing, and portraying a genuinely friendly and fun relationship together. It’s a clear message: the two are ready to work as a cohesive team.

Fan Reactions: A Mixed Bag of Hope and Nostalgia

This public display of camaraderie sparked a flurry of reactions from fans in the comments section, revealing a mix of enduring nostalgia for the past and cautious optimism for the future.

Many expressed support for the new duo:

“Ryan will just be his own lovable self and do a great job on Wheel. No one can fill Pat Sajak’s legendary shoes but there’s no need to. Each are legends in their own ways but Ryan will do Pat proud just like he did Dick Clark proud.”
“Ryan will attract a whole new audience watching this show that’s a good thing. If Ken Jennings can do it on Jeopardy, Ryan has this in the bag. I think Ken is terrific on Jeopardy. Ryan will be equally terrific hosting Wheel.”
“Ryan, you will be an awesome host and you’ll be great with Vanna. Cannot wait for the new season. Keep the insider picks coming. Everything you do Ryan is great, can’t wait to see the new season.”

However, the deep affection for Pat Sajak remains evident, with some fans openly admitting their struggle to move on:

“No offense to Ryan but those are big shoes to fill. I will miss Pat no matter what Ryan does. I am sure Ryan will be great but Pat will be missed dearly.”
Comments frequently evoked other missed legends like Alex Trebek and Bob Barker, underscoring the challenge of transitioning beloved hosts. “I know we should never forget those who led the way,” one user noted.

Hard Transitions and Divided Opinions

Despite the encouraging messages, the transition for “Wheel of Fortune” is clearly a challenging one, and not all fans are convinced. When a recent promo for the new season dropped, featuring a lighthearted segment of Vanna “coaching” Ryan to “shake” for the new season (“Let’s get you ready for Fall,” with the caption “Ryan’s building his wheel spinning muscles one brick at a time”), it didn’t land well with everyone.

One particularly blunt fan commented, “What a poor choice. I can’t believe I can never watch Wheel of Fortune again. Seacrest is so bland. I won’t be watching.” This sentiment highlights the significant hurdle Seacrest faces in winning over viewers accustomed to decades of Sajak’s unique charm.

Conversely, others reiterated their faith in the new host: “Pat Sajak left some huge shoes to fill. I wish Ryan Seacrest the best of luck in this new role. You all got to remember everyone is new at something at some point.”

As “Wheel of Fortune” embarks on this new chapter, the spotlight is firmly on Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White’s evolving partnership. Their recent efforts to publicly display unity indicate a clear strategy to reassure a passionate fanbase. Only time will tell how this new era unfolds, but one thing is certain: fans will be watching intently.

(Exclusive) ‘Wheel of Fortune’ legend Vanna White speaks out on host’s health and filling in

Exclusive Interview with Game Show Star Vanna White

In an exclusive interview, Vanna White opens up about her recent experience stepping in as host of *Wheel of Fortune*, filling in for Pat Sajak while he recovers from emergency surgery. This unprecedented situation marks a significant moment in her 37-year career on the iconic game show.

A Sudden Turn of Events

Vanna White, known for her role in revealing letters on the game board, faced a double whammy of shocking news last month. Just hours before a scheduled taping of *Wheel of Fortune*, she learned that her longtime co-host, Pat Sajak, was undergoing emergency surgery for a blocked intestine. “It was terrible,” Vanna recalled. “You think the worst because you never know when you’re going in for surgery. I was scared to death.”

Initially, Vanna had little information about Pat’s health. He had been out for a morning walk when he began experiencing severe stomach cramps, leading to surgery just two hours later. “When his wife told me he was joking, I knew he was feeling better. That was the absolute key,” she said, relieved to hear that Pat was recovering.

The Unexpected Hosting Challenge

Shortly after receiving the distressing news about Sajak’s health, Vanna was approached by her producer with an unexpected request: “How do you feel about hosting the show?” Vanna’s first reaction was disbelief. “No, you’re kidding, right?” she responded, feeling the weight of the responsibility. “But I was petrified—terrified—but I did it.”

For three weeks, Vanna took on the hosting duties while Pat recuperated. “I was so nervous; I’m shaking now just thinking about it,” she admitted. Despite her extensive experience on the show, Vanna had never hosted before. The only time she briefly switched roles with Pat was in 1996 when he lost his voice due to laryngitis. “That was just the bonus round, so I wasn’t even in his position,” she explained.

A New Perspective

Taking on the full-time hosting role presented unique challenges for Vanna. “I have to be aware of everything that’s going on. Before, all I had to worry about was letters. Now I have to carry the whole show, talk to all three players, and ensure their scores are correct,” she noted. Even spinning the wheel was a new experience for her, as she had only done it a few times in her 37 years on the show. “I really gained a whole new respect for what Pat does,” she acknowledged.

Vanna reflected on how much she missed Pat during those three weeks. “It was very hard. I really missed him. I can’t imagine doing this show without him, and I hope he feels the same way about me,” she shared. Their bond, forged over nearly four decades, is evident in her words.

Looking Ahead

The episodes featuring Vanna as host will begin airing on Monday, while Pat’s return to the show is set for January. “It’s going to be weird to see him back, but longtime fans will love to see him in action again,” Vanna said. As the show continues to evolve, both Vanna and Pat remain integral to its success.

As Vanna White takes the wheel, fans can look forward to her unique take on hosting *Wheel of Fortune*, even as they eagerly anticipate Pat Sajak’s return. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from this beloved game show duo!

Hoda Kotb is making her RETURN to the morning show Today, bringing joy to fans after her earlier departure left many feeling disappointed.

Today viewers suspect Hoda Kotb is returning to morning show as co-host after Jenna Bush Hager drops ‘clues’

TODAY viewers are buzzing with speculation that Hoda Kotb will return to the morning show after Jenna Bush Hager dropped some cryptic hints.

Jenna, 43, who was co-hosting the 4th Hour of TODAY with Savannah Guthrie, 53, on Friday, teased an upcoming guest for Wednesday’s show with a rather vague clue.

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TODAY viewers are buzzing with speculation that Hoda Kotb will return to the morning showCredit: Getty

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Jenna Bush Hager was co-hosting the 4th Hour of TODAY with Savannah GuthrieCredit: Instagram / jennaandfriends
She said: “I have a clue ready. They are a former basketball star turned best-selling author. Who is it? Nobody knows.”

A puzzled Savannah replied: “You didn’t even say if it’s male or female!”

Jenna shrugged playfully, adding: “No, I’m not going to.”

Savannah shrugged: “All right, that tells me almost nothing.”

But that was all it took to send fans into detective mode.

Commenting beneath an Instagram post of the clip, one wrote: “defi HODA. she’s announcing her new venture!”

Someone else said: “Omg if you guys are right and it’s Hoda, it will be the best Wednesday ever!”

Another gushed: “Hoda please!! That would be so wonderful. She is missed!”

A third chimed in with: “Hoda hoda hoda lol,” while a fourth said: “Gotta be Hoda!!!!!”

Though not an NBA legend, Hoda was a high school basketball player – and she’s penned multiple best-selling books, including I Really Needed This Today and Ten Years Later.

Today fans are ‘so excited’ as Jenna Bush Hager reveals ‘hilarious’ new Hoda Kotb replacement
Since her unexpected leave from the fourth hour in January, Jenna has had a rotating cast of guest co-hosts.

The likes of Andy Cohen, Eva Longoria, Taraji P. Henson, Tyra Banks, and Tiffany Haddish have all filled in.

But none have been permanent replacements.

We previously revealed that Sheinelle Jones will officially replace Hoda as Jenna co-host after she returns from family leave.

An insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun that although NBC execs have found their permanent replacement, the transition is on hold.

Our source claimed that Sheinelle, 46, “has the job,” but added there will not be an announcement until after her leave of absence has ended.

She first departed the show in December to deal with a private health matter.

The show source added that while Sheinelle landed the job, Today’s lifestyle contributor, Jill Martin, also lobbied hard for the gig.

Sheinelle was perfect for the position because she’s a seasoned professional, whereas Jenna is not as experienced.

Although she has led more hours on air as she fronted the hour-long lifestyle segment with a rotating roster of guest co-hosts.

The insider added: “They need someone who can throw to break, someone who knows the craft of making TV work, and Sheinelle is a pro.”

The U.S. Sun reached out to TODAY for comment when first reporting the story.

Elsewhere in the installment, TODAY’s hosts announced on Friday that Sheinelle Jones’ husband Uche Ojeh has died at 45 after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Sheinelle, 47, quietly stepped away from the NBC morning show in December to deal with a “family health matter.”

“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and Today co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Savannah Guthrie announced through tears on Today.

“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children.

“Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.

“And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”

The stars then shared a heartfelt photo montage of the couple and recapped Sheinelle and Uche’s incredible love story.

“Two years ago, when Sheinelle completed her first marathon, Uche was there at the finish line, his pride evident with his beaming smile,” Savannah said.

“They celebrated each other’s victories, big and small.

TODAY Show hosts

NBC’s Today show premiered in 1952 and has bidden viewers good morning every weekday since, adding Saturday and Sunday shows in the 1980s and 1990s. The show’s current host lineup includes:

Al Roker
Savannah Guthrie
Craig Melvin
Jenna Bush Hager
Carson Daly
Sheinelle Jones
Dylan Dreyer
Peter Alexander
Kristen Welker
Willie Geist

“Uche was the kind of person who brought light, warmth and joy in every room.

“Today, with heavy hearts, we celebrate his life, devoted husband, loving father, and a man whose generosity of spirit touched all who knew him.”

Savannah and co-hosts Jenna, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer all wiped away tears after the emotional tribute.

“We just want to say, Sheinelle, Kayin, Clara and Uche and the Ojeh family, we are with you, we love you, you are our family, and we are just sending all of our love to you right now,” Savannah concluded, speaking to Sheinelle and her late husband’s three kids.

Sheinelle and Uche share son Kayin, 15, and twins Clara and Uche, 12.

After the segment aired, Sheinelle reposted the video and broke her silence on the tragedy.

“Thank you, for all of your love and support,” she told her Today colleagues.

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Hoda stunned fans as she left the show in JanuaryCredit: Getty

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Elsewhere in the installment, TODAY’s hosts announced that Sheinelle Jones’ husband Uche Ojeh has died at 45Credit: NBC

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It comes after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancerCredit: Instagram/sheinelle_o

The View’s Sara Haines jab SHOCK JAB at Today over 10 years after she LEFT morning show.

Sara Haines, 47, took a jab at Today, with the star revealing in a new podcast how when she was working on the show they would not let her be a host.

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Sara Haines is a host on The ViewCredit: Getty

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She has opened up about her decision on leaving Today and ABC in favor of NBCCredit: Getty

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She left Today in 2013Credit: NBC

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Opening up on the Question Everything podcast, Sara got candid and revealed allCredit: Instagram/questioneverythinghq
This is ultimately why she joined ABC and found success there.

Opening up on the Question Everything podcast, Sara got candid and revealed all.

“You have an amazing experience but then the executives at NBC say something to you that I wouldn’t even call this a wall this is like debilitating to me,” podcast host, Danielle Robay said.

Sara then replied: “Yeah it’s a roof.

Danielle asked: “What did they say?”

Sara explained: “It was the end of a contract and I had approached them about more of the hosting roles because I loved being in the field.

“Again at the at the expense of never having tried I wanted a shot in the hosting chairs.”

She then said how Jeff Zuker told her “I’ll let you swing”, but then he left the company and she was no longer asked.

NBC’S SNUB TO SARA

“We don’t see you doing that,” said one “pivotal person” at the head of the fourth hour at the time.

Sara then revealed how ABC had already been approaching her and saying “we want to do bigger things with you” – which is why she ended up taking the leap.

Today viewers suspect Hoda Kotb is returning to morning show as co-host after Jenna Bush Hager drops ‘clues’
She didn’t know if they would bench her, but she was “absolutely told what would happen at NBC”.

Sara then said: “Hearing it was the end of the road when I had so many things I needed to prove to myself still.

“I had dreams of being on The View. I’m not done yet. Maybe I do it and I fail but I tried.

“I needed my shot. I could not stop by choice and so I had to go,” she confessed.

The View hosts

The View is an American talk show airing on ABC from 11am-12pm EST, Monday through Friday. It features a diverse group of women that discuss the day’s “Hot Topics”, ranging from hard-hitting news to celebrity gossip. The six co-hosts include:

Whoopi Goldberg
Joy Behar
Sunny Hostin
Sara Haines
Ana Navarro
Alyssa Farah Griffin

Sara landed a job as the production coordinator for NBC’s Today in 2002.

In 2009, she became the Today show’s fourth-hour contributing correspondent.

But she left the role in 2013, with the bad blood between her and show now seemingly revealed.

“Sometimes you have to leave home to grow up,” Sara said when she left Today more than a decade ago.

Reacting to the clip of the podcast from last week, fans were quick to flock to the comments section on Instagram.

‘YOU KNOW YOUR WORTH’

“Sara! You amazing, they didn’t see you potential I’m sure now they want to kick themselves,” said one person in the comments.

“You know your worth!, do your thing Sara. I enjoy watching you, does matter what you’re doing,” penned a second.

While a third said: “Sara, they had a diamond in their Company and they missed it. Keep doing the great work that you are doing.”

A fourth then added: “NBC fumbled @sarahaines and we all benefited, the next step is an Oprah type one on one interview show which I think she will be great at.”

And a fifth wrote: “Good for you Sara I thought you were awesome at NBC thank goodness ABC saw your true worth and you saw your own potential.”

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Sara is a beloved host on The ViewCredit: Disney General Entertainment Con

Wheel of Fortune is knocked out by Family Feud and fans slam ‘crass’ rival show for stealing No. 2 spot

Wheel of Fortune ratings drop during Pat Sajak’s final season as fans slam ‘crass’ rival show for stealing No. 2 spot

WHEEL of Fortune’s ratings during Pat Sajak’s final season as host fell considerably, with another CBS show outranking the series.

According to Nielsen’s viewing figures for the period between July 1 and July 21, Wheel of Fortune’s rating dropped to 3.5, as Family Feud claimed its No. 2 spot on the rankings for syndicated programs.

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Pat Sajak retired as Wheel of Fortune host after 41 seasons last June, making him the longest-serving TV game show host in historyCredit: Wheel of Fortune

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Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey, snuck past Wheel of Fortune to claim the second spot on the Nielsen rankings for the period between July 1 and July 21Credit: Getty

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Ryan Seacrest was named as Pat Sajak’s replacement, with the American Idol presenter teaming up with co-host Vanna White for the show’s upcoming 42nd seasonCredit: Wheel of Fortune
Pat, 77, announced he was retiring as host of the long-running game show last year, with his final episode airing on June 7, 2024.

American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest was named Pat’s replacement, with co-host Vanna White slated to remain with the show through 2026.

Wheel of Fortune fans reacted to the ratings drop on a Reddit forum dedicated to the series, with one person criticizing Family Feud as “the crassest show ever.”

The comment read, “WTH? Family Feud is the crassest show ever. I thought it had an audience of like 12 people.”

When another Redditor pointed out that Family Feud clips are incredibly popular, they replied, “I guess I am rather out of it. I had no idea that lots of people found it entertaining.

“The first clip I watched I thought it was mildly funny. But Steve Harvey’s schtick got old very fast.”

Steve, 67, has hosted Family Feud for 14 years.

The American comedian also hosts its spinoff Celebrity Family Feud, which airs in primetime during the summer.

Other Reddit users offered their theories for why Wheel of Fortune had fallen behind Family Feud, which was virtually tied with Jeopardy! at the number one position.

“One thing to consider is that Feud can air up to I believe six or seven different times per day in a market and I’m pretty sure the ratings is an average of each broadcast,” one comment read.

Wheel of Fortune reveals first look of Ryan Seacrest on set with contestants and walking out arm-in-arm with Vanna White
Jeopardy, they pointed out, “only airs once per day.”

“I wonder how much tournament fatigue is a factor?” another person suggested.

The ratings for July 1 until July 21 likely pertain to reruns of Wheel of Fortune, after Pat ended his run as host during the Season 41 finale episode on June 7, 2024.

According to market research firm Nielsen, more than 11 million people tuned in for Pat’s swan song before he retired from the game show that made him a household name in America.

Wheel of Fortune Host Timeline

Although Pat and Vanna have been a staple on the game show for decades, there have been other hosts

Chuck Woolery was the host from 1975 to 1981

He co-hosted alongside Susan Stafford (1975 to 1982)

Vanna White then stepped in as hostess in 1982 and has been ever since

After a contract and salary dispute, the show got rid of Chuck and brought in Pat in 1982

Pat hosted with Susan for one season

He then left the game show in 1989 to host a late-night talk show for CBS

For five months, NFL player Rolf Benirschke took his place

In July 1989, Bob Goen hosted the show on CBS

He hosted for a year and a half until the show was canceled in 1991

The show was then moved to ABC with Pat and Vanna hosting for the foreseeable future

In 2023, Pat announced his retirement and Ryan Seacrest as quickly named as his replacement

Ryan, 49, and Vanna, 67, recently gave Wheel of Fortune fans a sneak-peek of the revamped set, ahead of the show’s upcoming 42nd season in September.

Starring in a commercial for KTen Television’s 70th anniversary, Ryan and Vanna wished the TV station in a segment filmed on the Wheel of Fortune set.

The duo was standing in front of a blue screen with the show’s name on it.

The screen used to be brown, not blue, during Pat’s era at Wheel of Fortune.

GAME FACE

Ryan confirmed he had begun filming new episodes of Wheel of Fortune in an Instagram video last month.

In the clip, Ryan walks down a hallway in slow-motion, while wearing a suit and tie.

“Game face for the season premiere taping,” he captioned the post. “Let’s play Wheel of Fortune!”

Ryan said he was “truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak” in a statement after Wheel of Fortune named him the new host.

Hen added that “it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

Wheel of Fortune returns to TV screens this fall.

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Wheel of Fortune ecently revealed the first look of Ryan Seacrest on set with contestants and walking out arm-in-arm with co-host Vanna WhiteCredit: Wheel of Fortune