After more than four decades and 8,000 episodes as host of the television game show “Wheel of Fortune,” Pat Sajak’s final episode will air today.
The retirement of the 77-year-old game show host brings back fond memories for one Crawfordsville resident.
Bill Runyan was a contestant on the show in 1985 and recalls his interactions with Sajak and co-host Vanna White as well as his brush with TV fame.
On a whim, Runyan decided to try out for the show on June 12, 1985, at the Burbank, California studios while he and his family were on a three-week vacation out West.
“There were about 260 of us trying out that day,” he said. “We kept playing the game all morning, then took a break for lunch, and after several hours of playing more games that afternoon a lot of people were eventually eliminated. We got down to about 15-16 people and the producers said, ‘thank you, we’ll be in touch if you are selected.’”
Runyan and his family continued with their vacation and upon his return to Crawfordsville, he received a letter stating he was selected as a contestant. Taping would take place Sept. 12, 1985. That fall Runyan, his wife, and two of their close friends returned to California. Runyan’s episode aired Oct. 17, 1985.
Runyan recorded the show on a VHS tape but has not been able to transfer it to a digital platform.
“That’s OK,” he said. “I can remember it vividly.”
He recounted how a trip to the championship round, where a new car was the grand prize, slipped through his fingers.
“When I went to solve the puzzle, I guessed ‘gold digger’ and the correct answer was ‘golf caddy,’” he said. “I couldn’t believe the mistake I made, especially since I was an avid golfer.”
Runyan has never been bitter, but to this day, when he makes a mistake, his family and friends call him “gold digger.”
Runyan has been a long-time fan of the show and was grateful for the numerous prizes he won.
“Back then they gave prizes, not a lot of money,” he said.
The 76-year-old retiree and substitute teacher with Crawfordsville schools rarely misses an episode. He often watches it with his granddaughter.
“She’s pretty good,” he said.
Two years before he became a contestant on “Wheel,” Runyan and his wife were in the audience for a taping of the show when Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford were co-hosts.
Runyan would love to become a contestant again when Ryan Seacrest takes over the game show.
“I’d love to go back,” he said. “It would be something to have experienced this show with three different hosts.”
In 2023, CBS renewed “Wheel” for five years, through the 2027-28 TV season. White will be staying on the show and providing continuity.
“Wheel” still averages more than 8 million viewers each week, ranking behind only “Jeopardy!” among syndicated shows. Both game shows were created by Merv Griffin.
