Jared Leto and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host Pat Sajak Prank Contestants With April Fools’ Day Swap

Wheel of Fortune set up a double-whammy April Fools’ Day prank in anticipation of the annual joke fest. The show’s contestants were the first to be fooled during the pre-taping of Monday night’s episode, and audiences watching from home were the final targets of the prank. Wheel of Fortune played out as it normally does, with Vanna White stepping out arm-in-arm with the show’s host — except this time, Jared Leto appeared in place of longtime host Pat Sajak.

“Here are the stars of our show, Jared Leto and Vanna White,” the announcer exclaimed as they walked out to the applause of three contestants, ready to guess their way to some money. “All right everybody, grab those devices, it’s time to give away some money,” Leto began. “A $1000 in our first toss-up, the category is on the map.”

More from Rolling Stone

• Golden Globes 2024 : Musicians Dua Lipa, Jon Batiste, Jared Leto, and Andra Day Will Present

• Jared Leto Climbed the Empire State Building to Promote a 30 Seconds to Mars Tour or Something

• Trucker Hats, Fringe, and Electric Plaid - Celebrity Fashion at the VMAs Hit Different This Year

As the game went on, Leto and Sajak switched places without ever mentioning the musician’s momentary hosting gig. It was as though he was never there. “How’d I do?” Leto asked on Instagram. The show has always enjoyed a quirky April Fools’ Day prank. In 1997, Sajak swapped hosting jobs with Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek for the day.

Wheel of Fortune has had a few guest hosts over the years, but Sajak has been at its helm since 1981. Following the conclusion of Season 41, the host will exit the show after more than four decades. Ryan Seacrest will take on the mantle later this year, with Sajak staying on as a show consultant for the next three years.

“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease,” Seacrest shared last year. “I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”

Best of Rolling Stone

• 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century

• Risky Business: Every Tom Cruise Film, Ranked – Updated

• 70 Greatest Music Documentaries of All Time