• Join Puck

    Directly Supporting Authors

    A new economic model in which writers are also partners in the business.

    Personalized Subscriptions

    Customize your settings to receive the newsletters you want from the authors you follow.

    Stay in the Know

    Connect directly with Puck talent through email and exclusive events.

  • What is puck? Newsletters Authors Podcasts Events Gift Puck Careers

The Sajak Succession Sweepstakes

The ‘Wheel of Fortune’ host is stepping down at a crucial moment for arguably Sony Television’s most important show. Insiders wonder: Can Sony avoid a ‘Jeopardy’-style circus over his replacement?

Sajak, alarmed by the Jeopardy! circus, has made it clear to Sony execs that he wants a clean transition.
Pat Sajak, alarmed by the Jeopardy! circus, has made it clear to Sony execs that he wants a clean transition. Photo: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images
Matthew Belloni
June 19, 2023

Credit Frank Biondi for one of the all-time greatest studio deals. In 1986, when Biondi was running Coca-Cola’s entertainment division, which included Columbia Pictures, he agreed to pay $250 million for Merv Griffin Enterprises, the entertainer’s production company, which included the rights to produce Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, both created by Griffin. When Griffin died in 2007, he was still grousing about how he had undersold the asset.