Pat Sajak says goodbye to ‘Wheel of Fortune’

After 41 years and over 8,000 episodes, Pat Sajak bid farewell as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” on Friday. The season 41 finale, titled “Thanks for the memories,” featured clips from Sajak’s first episode in 1981 and concluded with his heartfelt message of gratitude to viewers for inviting him into their homes. Sajak, 77, thanked his co-host Vanna White, calling her a “very special woman,” and reminisced about their decades-long partnership.

Sajak also expressed his appreciation for the show’s crew and staff, especially his daughter Maggie, who became the show’s social correspondent in 2021. He highlighted the importance of keeping the show a “safe place for family fun” by avoiding social and political issues.

Sajak praised the contestants, noting their kindness and pride in sharing their personal stories. Reflecting on the show’s impact, he mentioned how it became a part of daily life for many families and helped children learn letters and non-native speakers improve their English.

In his farewell, Sajak joked about reruns during the summer break and added extra prize money for the contestants in his final episode. Ryan Seacrest, who will succeed Sajak, paid tribute to him and White, calling their partnership iconic.

Source: AP News