Irreplaceable?

A faux tweet mentioned the rumor that Wheel of Fortune actually considered replacing Vanna with Bristol Palin. I'll leave aside the political mush about Bristol's mother. The issue is whether a long-running game show can risk firing an established host.

Let's just say it's dicey but not always a crusher. The current syndie Family Feud has dismissed a host or three and lived to tell the tale. But you could argue that Feud wasn't identified too closely with, say, Louie Anderson or Richard Karn. So the producers could afford to show those hosts the door.

But Wheel has become literally synonymous with Pat and Vanna. Could the show really send one or both packing without a disastrous rumpus from the fans? I doubt it. Luckily, the contract conniptions got sorted out and Vanna re-upped for another three years.

Besides, the rumor said Bristol wasn't into letter-turning.