Pat Sajak. Doug Benc/Getty Photographs for PLAYERS INC
Pat Sajak is formally waving goodbye to Wheel of Fortune after 4 a long time and greater than 8,000 episodes.
Sajak, 77, who initially took over for Chuck Woolery in 1981, hosted the sport present for the final time on Friday, June 7. He might be changed by Ryan Seacrest, whereas his longtime cohost, Vanna White, is staying on in her present function.
Sajak started his closing episode by saying he wished to avoid wasting a little bit of time on the finish for his closing goodbye, so they might be slicing out one spherical of the sport. To be honest, Sajak spun the wheel, promising every contestant that they might obtain no matter quantity the wheel landed on plus an extra $1,000. His spin landed on $1,000, leading to every contestant taking residence $2,000 proper off the bat.
On the finish of the episode, Sajak gave a heartwarming speech.
“Effectively, the time has come to say goodbye. I’ve just a few thanks and acknowledgments earlier than I am going. And I wish to begin with all of you watching on the market,” he started. “It’s been an unbelievable privilege to be invited into thousands and thousands of properties evening after evening, 12 months after 12 months, decade after decade. And I’ve at all times felt that the privilege got here with a accountability to maintain this each day half-hour a protected place for household enjoyable. No social points, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Only a recreation.”
Sajak addressed his departure in a preview shared forward of Friday’s episode.
“Effectively, the time has come to say goodbye. I’ve just a few thanks and acknowledgements earlier than I am going. And I wish to begin with all of you watching on the market. It’s been an unbelievable privilege to be invited into thousands and thousands of properties evening after evening, 12 months after 12 months, decade after decade,” he stated. “And I’ve at all times felt that the privilege got here with a accountability to maintain this each day half-hour a protected place for household enjoyable. No social points, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, only a recreation.”
Pat Sajak’s journey to changing into the longest-running TV recreation present host has had its ups and downs through the years. The TV character turned a staple of the small display screen after taking on for unique Wheel of Fortune host Chuck Woolery in 1981 and was joined by cohost Vanna White one 12 months later. “After I […]
Sajak added that over time the present turned “extra” than he ever hoped.
“A spot the place children discovered their letters, the place individuals from different international locations honed their English abilities, the place households got here collectively together with buddies and neighbors and whole generations,” he stated. “What an honor to have performed even a small half in all that. Thanks for permitting me into your lives.”
Pat Sajak. Ralph Notaro/Getty Photographs
The tv character introduced his Wheel of Fortune exit final June, writing through X, “I’ve determined that our forty first season, which begins in September, might be my final. It’s been an exquisite journey, and I’ll have extra to say within the coming months.”
On Friday, Sajak took to X to easily say, “Thanks all so very a lot.”
Wheel of Fortune has entertained numerous viewers because it initially premiered in 1975 — however with time additionally comes error. Since its inception, the sport present has featured contestants who remedy phrase puzzles with a purpose to win money and different prizes. Pat Sajak has hosted the present since 1981, incomes 19 Daytime Emmy nominations and […]
Sajak isn’t the one one who’s feeling nostalgic this week. In a video shared by the Wheel of Fortune Instagram account on Thursday, June 6, White, 67, held again tears as she mirrored on her journey along with her cohost.
“I can’t imagine that tomorrow is our final present collectively. I don’t know easy methods to put into phrases what these previous 41 years have meant to me however I’m gonna strive,” she started. “8,000 episodes glided by like that. After I first began, I used to be so inexperienced. You made me snug and made me so assured, Pat. You made me who I’m. You actually did.”
White added that she is aware of the pair will proceed to be buddies offscreen.
“You’re like a brother to me and I contemplate you a real lifelong buddy who I’ll at all times adore. I like you, Pat,” she stated.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White have at all times been the final word instance of cohost chemistry — however their Wheel of Fortune destinies might have been very completely different. “I didn’t suggest Vanna, and Vanna is aware of this,” Sajak informed CBS Sunday Morning in 2020 whereas reflecting on White’s audition practically 4 a long time prior. “Not that she wasn’t pretty […]
Pat’s daughter, Maggie Sajak, who has made a number of Wheel of Fortune appearances as a visitor host and is the present’s social correspondent, commented, “Love you @officialvannawhite🤍.”
Maggie, 29, interviewed her dad about his determination to retire in a Thursday Instagram video.
“My purpose was to not do the job till I keel over on it. I’d relatively go away a few years too early than a few years too late,” he stated. “I didn’t need this to be like a year-long maudlin ‘Oh, he’s leaving’ form of factor. I attempted to deal with this season like some other.”
