Pat Sajak said goodbye to “Wheel of Fortune” fans, thanking viewers for “allowing me into your lives” after hosting the show for 41 seasons.
In an emotional video concluding Friday’s season finale, Sajak’s final wheel, he spoke directly to his television audience.
“Well, it’s time to say goodbye,” he said. “It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes every night for years and decades, and I’ve always felt that this privilege comes with a responsibility to keep 30 minutes each day a safe place for families to enjoy. I don’t think there’s any social issues or politics or anything embarrassing about. It’s just a game.”
The end of an eraPat Sajak to appear in Wheel of Fortune finale after more than 40 years
But Sajak said that with its global popularity, “Wheel of Fortune” has become much more than just a game. The game show has become an event “that brings together family, friends, neighbors and generations,” he said. “I’ve been honored to have been a small part of all of that. Thank you for letting me into your lives.”
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On June 6, Sajak’s longtime host, Vanna White, said goodbye to Sajak in a tearful video of herself saying, “Pat, I love you.” White will continue to appear on Wheel of Fortune. Ryan Seacrest is scheduled to take over as host in September.
Sajak says final farewell to ‘Wheel of Fortune’ host Vanna White
In his farewell remarks, Mr. Sajak thanked the “Wheel of Fortune” staff, including his daughter, Maggie Sajak, who serves as the show’s society correspondent. Mr. Sajak ended by thanking Mr. White, his partner on the show for 40 years, whom he called his “other half of the business.”
“She takes the show very seriously, but not herself. I shudder to think what the last 40-plus years might have been like if they had brought in an overconfident person to play the prima donna role,” Sajak said. “Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she appears.”
Vanna WhiteTearful farewell to ‘Wheel of Fortune’s’ Pat Sajak: ‘We love you, Pat!’
The two have remained friends on and off “Wheel of Fortune” for over 40 years.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always supported each other,” Sajak said. “I will miss working with her so much, but I take solace in the fact that we live only about five miles away, so we’ll be seeing each other a lot. She’s a very special woman, and I know you’re all going to be excited to have her back next season.”
What happened in Pat Sajak’s last Wheel of Fortune?
“Wheel of Fortune” began Sajak’s final episode by going back to his first episode on Dec. 28, 1981, when the then-unknown Los Angeles TV weatherman took over the show, then a daytime show on NBC, from Chuck Woolally.
“Please don’t adjust your home set. Chuck Woolally is not shrinking,” Sajak told viewers. “I was lucky enough to happen upon the set of a hit show.”
The clip ended with a suit-clad Sajak walking arm-in-arm with White, who was wearing a sparkly dress over his shoulder, onto the chandelier-adorned set. “Wow, you’ve grown up so much,” Sajak said of the nostalgic clip. “You’ve grown up so much. Thanks for the memories.”
During the word puzzle game, Sajak took the opportunity to spin the famous roulette wheel, in which the three contestants spun the wheel to determine how much cash they would win.
“It’s been a while since I’ve spun the roulette wheel,” Sajak said, ignoring his own low spin and stipulating that he would give each contestant $5,000. “It’s not my money. I’m giving everyone $5,000!”
Will we see Pat Sajak after the final episode of “Wheel of Fortune”?
Sajak will officially be serving as a consultant on “Wheel of Fortune” for three years, but fans can catch him on reruns of the show this summer.
“You’re going to be seeing a lot more of me over the next few months,” Sajak said. “The jokes will be the same, but I hope you’ll laugh again.”
