PAT Sajak has officially handed over his Wheel of Fortune hosting job to Ryan Seacrest.
Pat, 77, who retired on Friday, June 7, 2024, welcomed Ryan, 49, to the game show stage in a new promotional video.
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The video aired silently on local TV stations starting this week and was shared by Wheel of Fortune.
The caption was: “Handoff – New season coming this fall!”
In the video, Ryan is joined by Pat and Vanna White, 66, to officially receive the hosting baton.
“Well, that’s it, Ryan. What do you think?” asked Pat, pointing out the famous set.
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“Impressive!” Ryan responded.
“Ryan, I think the contestants are going to love you,” Vanna told the American Idol host.
“I think what you’ll enjoy most is meeting the players and meeting the crowd at home,” Pat told Ryan.
“It’s part of people’s lives,” Ryan responded.
“People love this show,” Pat agreed, nodding at Vanna
“You two make everything look so easy,” Ryan praised the dynamic duo of four decades.
“You will never find a better job and you will never find a better co-host,” assured Pat.
The promotional video ended with Pat symbolically and literally walking away while Vanna posed with her new fall co-host.
‘WELCOME RYAN!’
Fans flooded the clip when Wheel of Fortune shared it on YouTube, where they were thrilled but admitted it was a bittersweet moment.
“It’s sad to see Pat go, I’ve watched him for years and he’s an integral and iconic part of what makes this show so special. But I wish Ryan the best of luck and hope he keeps the show going great.” one fan wrote.
“See you soon, Pat. We’ll miss you! Ryan Seacrest, welcome to Wheel of Fortune,” wrote another.
“Happy passing of the torch,” wrote a third.
PAT’S FAREWELL MESSAGE
After 43 years, 8,000 episodes, and more ridiculous responses than anyone could count, Pat’s final episode aired last Friday.
At the end of the episode, he held back tears as he delivered a final message to the Wheel community.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” he said in the video.
“I have some thanks and thanks before I go and I want to start with everyone watching.”
“It has been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,” he said, tearing up.
“And I always felt that privilege came with the responsibility of keeping this daily half hour a safe place for family fun.”
Pat thanked viewers for allowing him into their lives.
He ended by thanking the team and longtime icon Vanna White, who approached for a tearful hug.
Vanna moved fans with her incredible message the night before, crying and telling Pat, “I love you.”
He will be replaced by Ryan in the fall of 2024, his debut date TBA.
Vanna will stay with Ryan for at least two years, starting in season 42.
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