'Wheel of Fortune' Edit Confuses Viewers

After Monday's episode of Wheel of Fortune, viewers were left scratching their heads and wondering if there had been an editing mistake, all because of an April Fools' Day prank.

Jared Leto—an Oscar-winning actor and lead singer of Thirty Seconds to Mars—confused fans of the iconic game show when he entered the stage at the beginning of the April 1 episode. Leto walked out with the show's longtime co-host, Vanna White, as a voiceover introduced them.

"Here are the stars of our show, Jared Leto and Vanna White," the announcer said as the pair walked arm in arm.

Leto then seemingly took on the role of the host for Monday's episode instead of the show's usual star, Pat Sajak. The actor told White, "Have a great show and see you soon," before she took her place next to the puzzle board.

Not once did Leto explain why he was hosting the program and, continuing the prank, he told the three contestants: "All right everybody, grab those devices, it's time to give away some money. A $1,000 in our first toss-up, the category is on the map."

The camera then cut back to regular host Sajak as if nothing had happened. The show continued as normal and the initial switch was never addressed.

People took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their confusion over the stunt, while others shared their appreciation for the prank.

Newsweek emailed Sony Pictures Television, which owns Wheel of Fortune, and a representative for Leto for comment on Thursday.

"Jared Leto just walked Vanna out on Wheel of Fortune and started the show then vanished and Pat was just there as if he was there the entire time and I'm so confused??" one person wrote.

"Jared Leto's April Fools' cameo on Wheel of Fortune just confused the hell out my grandma," said another.

"What just happened on #WheelOfFortune? Was that some sort of April 1 thing or did they screw up the edit? I am so confused," someone else wrote.

"My mom and I just got so confused seeing Jared Leto at the top of Wheel of Fortune and then suddenly he TURNED INTO Pat Sajak?? April fools indeed," a fourth person wrote.

A fifth X user added: "Well done @WheelofFortune @JaredLeto I was very confused. #AprilFools."

This isn't the first time Leto has partnered with Wheel of Fortune. In 2023, he and his fellow bandmate, his brother Shannon Leto, appeared as "contestants" during a skit involving the game show. They used the appearance to announce the 2024 Thirty Seconds to Mars world tour.

Sajak has helmed the long-running game show since 1981, but 43 years on, the program is set for some major changes. The 77-year-old announced in June 2023 in a post on X that he would be retiring at the end of Season 41, which started in September.

"Well, the time has come. I've decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It's been a wonderful ride, and I'll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it'll keep the clickbait sites busy!)" Sajak wrote at the time.

Just days after Sajak made his announcement and after much speculation about his replacement, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest was named as Wheel of Fortune's next host.

Seacrest revealed his new role in an Instagram post where he praised Sajak and shared his excitement about joining "the great" White on the game show.

White, who has co-hosted Wheel of Fortune since 1982, extended her contract to remain on the show through the 2025-26 season after negotiating for her first pay raise in 18 years, according to Deadline.