WHEEL of Fortune’s Pat Sajak gave an emotional thank you to fans in his latest episode.
The 77-year-old game show host has worked at WoF for 43 years and is finally taking a step back with Ryan Seacrest set to take over.
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Pat appeared in a short teaser uploaded to social media ahead of her final episode on Friday night.
He thanked the studio audience for their dedication to the show and for allowing him to be on it for so long.
“I have some thanks and thanks before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching,” Pat said to the camera in the teaser.
“It has been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, decade after decade.
“And I always felt that privilege came with the responsibility of keeping this daily half hour a safe place for family fun,” he continued.
“No social issues. No politics. Nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game. But it gradually became more than that.”
Pat has been a much-loved host of the show for 43 years and appears to be excited for a quieter life.
He discussed retirement in an interview with his daughter, Maggie Sajak, on Good Morning America.
Pat told his daughter he’s looking forward to some simple pleasures.
“I’m perfectly happy if it just means I get to continue with my crossword puzzles and play with the grandkids. Hint, hint,” he said.
Maggie, who is dating Scottish actor Ross McCall, laughed at the comment.
“No pressure,” she joked.
WHAT IS THE NEXT?
Despite the retirement news, it was revealed that Pat got an acting gig after his departure.
He was cast in a community theater production called Prescription: Murder, according to TMZ.
The theater is located in Hawaii and will also star KHON-TV host Joe Moore.
Pat will play a psychiatrist who concocts a murder plot, while Joe will be the lead detective caught in a game of chase with the doctor.
CRITICISM CORNER
While Pat enjoys his new role, he will be replaced by Ryan, which has left fans apprehensive.
Fans discussed the casting choice on social media.
“Seacrest is an interesting replacement pick. It will be weird to see him on the show for a while,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“Seacrest is everyone’s replacement,” a second viewer responded.
“If you say ‘harmless generic white guy’ three times in the mirror, Ryan Seacrest appears,” wrote a third.
Other fans speculated that Ryan would leave the show quickly due to his busy schedule.
“Yes, I’m not a fan. Born in the 90s, he was [Alex] Trebek, Pat and Bob Barker throughout my childhood. And I feel like Ken [Jennings] and Drew [Carey] they’re at it for the long haul. I wouldn’t be surprised if Seacrest came out in 5 years. I want some commitment, damn it!” commented one critic.
Wheel of Fortune Host Timeline
Although Pat and Vanna have been a fixture on the game show for decades, there have been other hosts
Chuck Woolery was the host from 1975 to 1981
He co-hosted alongside Susan Stafford (1975 to 1982)
Vanna White took over as host in 1982 and has been since then.
After a contract and salary dispute, the show got rid of Chuck and brought back Pat in 1982.
Pat hosted Susan for a season
He then left the game show in 1989 to host a late-night talk show for CBS.
For five months, NFL player Rolf Benirschke took his place
In July 1989, Bob Goen hosted the show on CBS
He hosted for a year and a half until the show was canceled in 1991
The show was then moved to ABC, with Pat and Vanna hosting for the foreseeable future.
In 2023, Pat announced his retirement and Ryan Seacrest was quickly named his replacement
Some fans even suggested that the production company should use members of Pat’s own family to fill his void.
Maggie joined her father for a series of interviews during her final week on the show and discussed her life and career.
Fans took to the comments section to suggest that she, or Pat’s co-host Vanna, should take over as host.
“Maggie should be the host!! I don’t know who thought Seacrest was a good option,” one user wrote.
“Ryan Seacrest has taken on a lot of things, from American Idol to Rockin New Year’s Eve and now Wheel of Fortune,” added another.
“We will definitely miss Pat,” said a third.
“You are so loved, I think Maggie and Vanna should run the show. That would be amazing,” noted a fourth.
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