Pat Sajak’s final episode hosting “Wheel of Fortune” has arrived.
Sajak announced in June 2023 that he was planning to retire after hosting the popular game show for 41 seasons, saying it had been a “wonderful ride.”
Vanna White, who has served beside Sajak on the show since 1983, decided to stay with the show but said in response to Sajak’s announcement, “I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you.”
The show has been airing tributes to Sajak this week called “Thanks for the Memories” and the show’s Instagram page has shared some of Sajak’s funniest moments from his tenure, with posts featuring clips from different eras of the show.
Here’s what we know about Sajak’s final episode as host of “Wheel of Fortune.”
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‘An odd road’:Pat Sajak set for final ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode after more than four decades
When is Pat Sajak’s final episode of ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
Sajak’s final episode of the show is set to air on Friday, June 7.
The departing host has taped a farewell to the TV audience for Friday’s show, but has avoided a farewell media tour, giving his only exit interview to his daughter Maggie Sajak, who joined the show as its social correspondent in 2021.
Sajak called his tenure “awfully gratifying” in the interview, posted to the “Wheel of Fortune” media sites.
“This was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago. So I’ve had time to sort of get used to it. And it’s been a little bit wistful and all that,” Sajak told his daughter, “I’ve been enjoying it, taking it all in and reflecting on the great run.”
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How to watch Pat Sajak’s final episode of ‘Wheel of Fortune’
“Wheel of Fortune” airs on ABC on weeknights. You can check times and your local station on the “Wheel of Fortune” website. Some episodes can also be watched on ABC’s website.
Those without cable can look to one of the many streaming apps that offer live television options, including DirectTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.
Who is Pat Sajak?
Pat Sajak is a 77-year-old American television personality best known as the host of the game show “Wheel of Fortune.” Sajark joined the show in its current iteration in 1983 and has been nominated 19 times for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host, winning three of those times. He likewise received a lifetime achievement award in 2011.
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Guinness World Records recognized Sajak as the longest-serving game show host for the same show in 2019.
A Chicago native, Sajak started his career in radio, first serving as a newsman on a local radio station and then as a disc jockey in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, working for the American Forces Vietnam Network. He later worked with local radio and television stations as a DJ and weatherman.
Who will be the next host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’?
The open hosting spot on “Wheel of Fortune” will be taken over by none other than Ryan Seacrest.
Seacrest, 49, is known as an idol in his own right, having taken over the duties of other iconic hosts such as Dick Clark on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” later renamed to “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest.”
Sajak’s replacement:Who will replace Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune?’ Hint: He was 7 when Sajak began hosting.
Shortly after Sajak’s departure was announced, Seacrest announced that he had signed a multiyear contract to host “Wheel.”
In a statement at the time, Seacrest said, “I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night a