After 41 seasons and more than 8,000 episodes, Pat Sajak will take his last spin as the “Wheel of Fortune” host on Friday.
“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade,” Sajak says in a preview segment aired ahead of his last episode.
“And I always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues. No politics. Nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game,” he adds. “But gradually it became more than that — a place where kids learn their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together, along with friends and neighbors and entire generations.”
Vanna White, who joined him on the show in 1982, reflected on their partnership in a recorded clip aired on Thursday’s episode. “You’re like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore,” White said in the segment.
Ryan Seacrest will take over as host starting next season. Sajak’s final episode Friday marks the end of a world record-breaking streak as a game show host. Now 77, he first started hosting the “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981. He announced his plans to retire last June. Despite his largely affable nature on the show, Sajak has stirred controversy for his politics off-air. He has made questionable comments about diversity and climate change, and a photo of him with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2022 sparked a huge backlash. Sajak has also served on the board of the Claremont Institute, a right-wing think tank that wields significant influence over conservative figures and activists.
Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.
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