After more than four decades, Pat Sajak has bid farewell to Wheel of Fortune. The longtime host expressed his gratitude to viewers Friday in his final episode on the game show.
“I have a few thanks and acknowledgements before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there,” Sajak said on the set of the show. “It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I always felt that the privilege came with the 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 added: “What an honor to play even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”
Sajak announced in June 2023 that he was ready to retire as host from the syndicated game show, and Season 41 would be his last. He agreed to stay on as a consultant on the show for three years following his final year hosting, said Suzanne Prete, EVP Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, when Sajak announced his retirement.
A week after Sajak announced his retirement, it was revealed that Ryan Seacrest would be taking over as host in Season 42. Seacrest also will serve as consulting producer on the show.
