Pat Sajak said a fond farewell to Wheel of Fortune during his final episode of the program, which aired Friday evening.
The 77-year-old first started hosting the iconic game show in 1981, taking over from departing competitor Chuck Woolery.
Now Pat is retiring and his position will be taken by Ryan Seacrest, who will helm the show alongside Pat’s longtime co-host Vanna White.
In an emotional video released on Thursday evening, Vanna was reduced to tears as she said: ‘I can’t believe tomorrow is our last show together.’
When the final episode finally dropped on Friday night, devoted Wheel of Fortune fans were treated to Pat’s heartwarming last hurray.
Pat Sajak wished a fond farewell to Wheel of Fortune during his final episode of the program, which aired Friday evening; pictured on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in 2022
In a tear-jerking touch, the episode opened with a flashback segment to Pat’s entrance during his very first episode of Wheel of Fortune.
After being announced by name, Pat stormed onto the stage and joked to viewers: “Please don’t adjust your sets at home. Chuck Woolery hasn’t shrunk.”
The show then continued with the new footage, as Pat’s final episode at the helm of the game show kicked off in earnest.
Pat and Vanna walked onto the stage arm in arm, he in his signature suit and tie and she in a long scarlet sequined dress that emphasized her still enviably slim figure.
When they arrived in front of the cameras, the audience erupted in rapturous cheers and applause, and Pat joked to Vanna that they were now “all grown up.”
Without further ado, Pat continued the game, adding his signature sassy repartee with contestants Tammi, Nino and Adrienne.
Adrienne shared that she loves to sing, but admitted that her family has a vague idea of her talents, to which Pat joked, “Maybe we’ll just take their word for it.”
In the middle of the game, he paused and said, “I think most people know this is my last night on the show and at the end of the show I have a few things I’d like to say. So we need to save some time. How do we do that? So we’re going to cut a circle out of it, which kind of robs you guys.”
To make up the shortfall, Pat decided to take the rare step of spinning the wheel himself, promising that whatever number he landed on, he would add $1,000 and give that amount to each of the three competitors to give.
Finally he decided, “You know what? It’s not my money. Let’s give them all $5,000,” adding wryly, “Little Jimmy’s surgery can wait.”
Pat was then treated to a glowing testimonial from Jim Thornton, who has been Wheel Of Fortune’s announcer for 13 years.
Just hours before his final episode aired, Pat gave a moving video speech in which he expressed his gratitude for being “privileged” to host the show.
“Well, it’s time to say goodbye. Before I go, I have a few words of thanks and acknowledgments, and I want to start with all of you who are paying attention,” he said.
“It has been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,” he continued.
“I have always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility of keeping this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game.”
Vanna, who joined the show just a year after Pat, was filled with emotion during the farewell video she released on Thursday evening.
“I don’t know how to put into words what the past 41 years have meant to me, but I’m going to try,” said the television icon.
“As the years have gone by, we’ve grown up on television, but we’ve also shared so much more behind the scenes,” she revealed.
“And as much fun as we had in front of the camera, the memories, milestones and life events we shared with our families outside the studio are my favorite.”
