Pat Sajak Had an Emergency. A Familiar Face Has Stepped In

Thursday's taping of Wheel of Fortune was abruptly canceled after its host was rushed into emergency surgery. People reports 73-year-old Pat Sajak had to have a procedure for a blocked intestine, forcing Thursday's "Disney Week" taping in Los Angeles to be nixed. By Friday, a familiar face had taken over hosting duties: Sajak's longtime sidekick, Vanna White, who's expected to fill those shoes until Sajak's return. The New York Post notes it's White's first time in the hosting role, though she did have to take over for Sajak once in 2013 for seven whole minutes, when he had to go offstage to rewind the show's tape to see if a contestant had answered a question in time.

"This gives me some time to talk with you folks!" she said to the audience at the time, per the Washington Post. "Anyone have questions for Vanna?" In an online post, the show noted Sajak's surgery went well, and that "he is resting comfortably and looking forward to getting back to work" on American's longest-running syndicated game show. Sajak and White have been at the helm since 1982. Sources tell TMZ that Sajak should be laid up for about two weeks. WLKY notes viewers won't notice his absence until about Dec. 9, as episodes tape several weeks in advance. (More Pat Sajak stories.)