Vanna White will be absent from some 'Wheel of Fortune' episodes next season: Here's why

Vanna White will be missing from some new "Wheel of Fortune" episodes this fall.

The longtime co-host had to miss a day of taping the syndicated show due to being sick, a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY. Bridgette Donald-Blue, who was named among the 2023 California Teachers of the Year, filled in for White for five episodes.

The taping that White was absent from was for the game show's annual "Teacher's Week," and production was not able to reschedule due to the participating teachers' schedules with the start of the school year. The following day's taping was rescheduled.

"Teachers Week" typically airs in mid-to-late September each year, but its 2023 dates have not yet been released.

"Wheel of Fortune" is slated to return for its 41st season this fall. In June, Ryan Seacrest was selected as the new host after Pat Sajak announced that this will be his final season.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Sajak welcomed his replacement on X, formerly Twitter, and shared, "I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024."

Sajak and White have hosted "Wheel of Fortune" in its current iteration since its debut in syndication in 1983, according to CBS Media Ventures, the domestic distributor for the show. White remains under contract to continue at "Wheel" through next year but has yet to sign a new deal.

One of the most-watched shows on television, "Wheel of Fortune" was renewed for five more years and ABC stations will continue to broadcast the syndicated show through 2027-2028, CBS Media Ventures said in a statement in January.