The penultimate episode of PAT Sajak’s Wheel of Fortune was filled with tears as Vanna White surprised the host with the most touching video message.
Pat’s final week as host is aptly titled “Thanks For The Memories,” and Thursday marked his penultimate show ever.
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Tonight, Vanna, 67, delivered an emotional message to Pat, 77, and the Wheel of Fortune audience.
It happened the night before his last broadcast as presenter, after 41 years together.
First, contestant Hannah had a big win – she went into the bonus round with a trip to Africa and $31,000, choosing “What Are You Doing?”
She got the “Noting Down Ideas” puzzle right, winning $75,000 and an explosion of confetti, a perfect penultimate moment for Pat.
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Pat then told viewers that Vanna had something prepared – and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
‘I LOVE YOU, PAT’
The broadcast cut to Vanna saying goodbye while crying in an incredible pre-recording video.
“I can’t believe tomorrow will be our last show together,” Vanna said, forcing a smile.
“I don’t know how to express in words what these last 41 years have meant to me. But I will try.
“Eight thousand episodes passed like this.
“You made me feel so comfortable, so confident,” said Vanna, who became a letter-delivery legend.
“You made me who I am. You really did.”
“We laughed, we cried, we celebrated — my goodness. What an incredible and unforgettable journey we had.
Vanna added, holding back tears. “And I enjoyed every minute with you.”
She took a deep breath and continued as her eyes watered.
“You are like a brother to me and I consider you a true friend for life that I will always adore.”
“I love you, Pat.”
‘OH MY GOD’
The broadcast returned to Pat and Vanna together at center stage. “Oh my God,” said Pat.
They hugged each other for a long time and the audience applauded.
“Well,” he said as he took out a tissue. ‘I was saving it for her, but’, implying that he was also crying.
“And you almost lost me the day before because when you’re not expecting confetti, it’s really scary,” he joked.
Fans also left crying
There wasn’t a dry eye on social media either, as fans couldn’t believe Vanna’s beautiful tribute.
“I never thought I would cry watching Wheel of Fortune, but here we are…” wrote one user X.
“Watching Pat’s second-to-last #WheelofFortune and… Vanna’s heartfelt goodbye at the end, man,” wrote another.
Vanna will continue as co-host and letter deliverer on Wheel of Fortune in season 42 with new host Ryan Seacrest this fall.
Pat will give his own farewell speech in Friday’s final episode, according to USA Today.
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‘SURPRISINGLY OK’
At the start of her final week, Pat explained why she chose to leave the show on Good Morning America.
During the nearly four-minute segment, 29-year-old Maggie Sajak — social media correspondent for Wheel of Fortune — interviewed her father about his retirement.
“It feels surprisingly good,” Pat said of his time on the show ending so soon.
“This was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago,” he noted.
“So I had time to get used to it. And it’s been a little dreary and all, but I’m enjoying it, taking it all in and reflecting on what a great run it was.”
Pat, who began hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981, recognized that the show is more than any other show on TV.
“We became part of popular culture. And most importantly, we become part of people’s lives,” he said. “And that has been very rewarding.”
“I’ve always told you, you’ve heard me say this dozens of times, ‘I’d rather leave a few years too early than a few years too late.’
“Can I still do this? Yes, I think I can for a while,” Pat told Maggie, 29.
“[But] There are also other things in life we would like to do,” Pat continued.
“I’m enjoying the past year. It’s been a wonderful 40 years. I’m looking forward to what’s to come,” he concluded.
Pat also shared that she would be happy living out her retirement, doing “crosswords and playing with her grandchildren.”
“Hint. Hint. Hint. No pressure,” he teased Maggie.
In addition to Maggie, Pat shares his son, Patrick, with his wife, Lesly Brown.
Like his sister, Patrick has no children – but Maggie has recently started a romance with actor Ross McCall.
Meanwhile, Vanna has two children and a partner of 12 years; No, curious minds, they were never a couple.
Pat will retire with the longest career hosting the same show in history, surpassing the previous record holder Bob Barker and Alex Trebek.
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