Pat Sajak Hosts His Final WHEEL OF FORTUNE Game After 40 Years at the Helm
By Movieguide® Contributor
After 41 seasons and over 8,000 episodes, as host, Pat Sajak has said goodbye to WHEEL OF FORTUNE.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak said in a farewell video. “I have a few thanks and acknowledgements before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I’ve always felt that privilege came with a responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game.”
“But gradually it became more than that: a place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors and entire generations,” he continued.
“What an honor to have played even a small part in all that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives,” Sajak added.
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The 77-year-old host announced his retirement last June, sharing that the then0-upcoming season would be his last stint as the head of the show. After a brief search, WHEEL announced Ryan Seacrest would take over the role and keep the show spinning.
With one final chance to see the icon host, WHEEL’s ratings have skyrocketed this season, culminating in an average of 8.5 million viewers in Sajak’s final week capped off with 11.03 million viewers on his final episode – a high for syndicated series since April 2020.
While the show remains in good hands under Seacrest’s leadership, fans will also continue to see a familiar face as Vanna White plans to continue her longtime role as the show’s letter-turner. She received a heartfelt goodbye from Sajak during his departure video, when he shared his appreciation for his longtime partner.
“To my professional other half, dear Vanna. Like me, she takes the show very seriously but not herself,” Sajak said. “I shudder to think what these 40 plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves playing the prima donna role.”
“Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems. We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years but we’ve always been there for each other,” he continued. “I want to thank her for her lovely goodbye on yesterday’s show and while I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart so we’ll see plenty of each other. But I will miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature. She’s a very special woman. And I know you’re all pleased to know that she’ll be back next season.”
While Sajak will no longer play host, he will remain involved in the show for at least the next three years serving as a producer.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Pat Sajak has officially handed WHEEL OF FORTUNE off to new host Ryan Seacrest.
“Well, this is it, Ryan,” Sajak says in a promo for the new season. “What do you think?”
Seacrest replies, “Impressive, Pat.”
Vanna White tells him “the contestants are going to love you,” while Sajak adds, “I think what you’re going to enjoy most is meeting the players and getting to know the audience at home.”
“You’re never going to find a better job, and you’re never going to find a better co-host,” Sajak concluded.
Seacrest celebrated Sajak in a recent Instagram post, writing, “Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with WHEEL OF FORTUNE! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!”
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