Charlie Brown and Kelly Pierce made history on the Wheel of Fortune Valentine’s Day Special as the first same-sex couple to play the game. Host Pat Sajak introduced them and asked them to share a little bit about themselves, and Brown shared that they were celebrating their 25th anniversary as a couple. The couple even brought their 7-year-old dog named Tallulabelle, who is apparently also a fan of game shows. Although they didn’t win, fans were overjoyed to see a same-sex couple on the show, and some noted the coincidence of Brown’s name being the same as one of the first gay cartoon couples, Peppermint Patty and Marcie.
This momentous occasion comes at a time when rumors are circulating about Sajak and co-host Vanna White’s retirement. After a controversial political photo with Marjorie Taylor Green, fans are speculating that the end of the show could be near. Although Wheel of Fortune is renewed through the 2027-2028 seasons, Sajak and White’s contracts end after the next season. Sajak has even added fuel to the fire by saying, “It appears I may go before the show. Years go by fast. We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time.] We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years. The end is near.”
As the show’s 40th anniversary love week comes to a close, Brown and Pierce’s appearance on the show is a reminder of how far the entertainment industry has come in terms of LGBTQ+ representation. Their appearance on Wheel of Fortune is a testament to the growing inclusivity and diversity of American television.
