July 29 (UPI) -- Sony Pictures Television told USA Today in a statement that Alex Trebek, 80, of Jeopardy! and Pat Sajak, 73, and Vanna White, 63, of Wheel of Fortune are returning to Los Angeles studios for new episodes.
'While some things may have changed behind the scenes and on the set to keep everyone safe, fans can expect to see the same Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! they have come to love when the season starts,' the statement said.
Both shows are slated to resume production this week and next, Deadline.com reported.
- Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Alex Trebek attend Harry Friedman being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 01, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Alex Trebek Through The Years Share.
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ hosts Pat Sajak (left) and Vanna White (center) opened up about their ‘admiration’ for ‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek (right) after his death. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage) “Just on a professional level, I have been at this a long time and I really admire what he has done, and he had done so much,” he said.
‘Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak and Vanna White Reflect on Friend Alex Trebek's Death and Legacy We're sorry, but a problem is preventing your video from playing.
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!suspended their audience tapings and then stopped filming new episodes all together around mid-March amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trebek had announced a year before the delay in the show's production that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. More recently, he said that his cancer treatment is going well and he's 'feeling great.'
The show recorded some classic episodes during the hiatus and Trebek said that he is eager to return.
'The productions have protocols in place in accordance with current government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19,' a studio spokesperson told People.
Prevention measures due to COVID-19 at Wheel of Fortune include a redesigned wheel that allows contestants to stay six feet apart. At Jeopardy!, contestants will be spaced out further and away from Trebek at his lectern.
Along with social measures, other changes include: allowing only staff and crew on stage, providing everyone behind the scenes with personal protective equipment, testing contestants before they come on the show and testing staff and crew on a regular basis.
Pat Sajak Vanna White And Alex Trebek
Read More
Mike 'The Miz' Mizanin: 'Cannonball' helps viewers escape reality'Don't Look Deeper': Catherine Hardwicke goes '15 minutes in the future'BTS to release new reality series, 'In the SOOP'Pat Sajak and Vanna White are remembering how Alex Trebek impacted their lives with special tributes on social media.
The two are the long running hosts of Wheel of Fortune, which was taped in the studio right next door to Jeopardy!'s, and the two game shows have aired back to back on cable networks for years.
'Alex Trebek’s courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him,' Pat wrote in his tribute on Twitter. 'A tremendous loss for his family, friends, co-workers and countless viewers.'
He added that he 'was honored to be a friend and a part of his professional family for all these years. A very sad day.'
Vanna headed to Instagram for her tribute, sharing a throwback picture of the two on the Wheel of Fortune set together.
Pat Sajak And Vanna White On Alex Trebek
'I will cherish the many memories I have shared with Alex Trebek that date back well before either of our careers took off,' she wrote. 'I will always be in awe of the way he faced the battle he fought so valiantly, and I’m devastated to lose my longtime friend.'
Vanna added, 'My heart is with his family, friends, co-workers and fans. There will never be another Alex Trebek and he will truly be missed.'
Alex Trebek’s courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him. A tremendous loss for his family, friends, co-workers and countless viewers. I was honored to be a friend and a part of his professional family for all these years. A very sad day.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 8, 2020
Alex sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep over the weekend. Many other celebs have shared tributes to the long-running host too...