'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak undergoes emergency surgery; Vanna White fills in

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Saturday, November 9, 2019
'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak undergoes emergency surgery
Longtime "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak is "resting comfortably" after undergoing emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine.

LOS ANGELES -- "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak is "resting comfortably" after undergoing emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine, the show announced Friday.



Sajak's surgery was successful, the show said on Twitter, adding that the 73-year-old host is "looking forward to getting back to work."



"Wheel" canceled its Thursday taping in light of Sajak's surgery, but taping resumed Friday with Vanna White filling in for Sajak.





The show tweeted out a message of support to Sajak showing the phrase "Get well soon, Pat!" spelled out on its famous puzzle board.



The episodes White hosted will begin to air on Monday, Dec. 9, as part of the show's Secret Santa Holiday Giveaway. Production photos released by "Wheel" show White on the show's holiday set with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other Disney characters.





Sajak and White have hosted the syndicated version of "Wheel of Fortune" for more than 7,000 episodes. She filled in for him once before for one segment of the show, when Sajak had laryngitis in 1996.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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