Pat Sajak, the conservative-minded television personality who currently hosts “Wheel of Fortune,” has already taped what will be the final episode of the show on which he is the host, and TV Line has announced when the farewell episode will air. Sajak’s retirement will come after he has spent over four decades as Wheel of Fortune’s master of ceremonies.
As background, Sajak announced in the summer of 2023 that he would retire at the conclusion of the show’s 41st season. Doing so in a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
Further, at the time, Suzanne Prete, Executive Vice President, Game Shows, Sony Pictures Television, said, “As the host of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years.”
She continued, “We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season. Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we’re thrilled to have him remaining close to the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ family.”
Now, however, the time for Sajak to step away draws near. According to TVLine, Sajak’s final episode as the Wheel of Fortune host will take place on Friday, June 7, 2024. The episode, which has already been taped, will be both the finale for Season 41 of the show and the show’s farewell episode for Sajak. Ryan Seacrest will replace him for Season 42.
Seacrest, after it was announced that he will be taking over for Sajak, released a statement saying, “I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.” He continued, “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 and feel right at home with them.”
Then, concluding the short statement, Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
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Sajak is also the chairman of Hillsdale, a conservative college. Emily Slack, executive director of media relations and communication for Hillsdale, speaking to the New York Post, said, “For decades, Pat Sajak has been an icon of radio and television. There are few things more intimate than appearing in the living rooms of countless Americans every evening.” She then added, “We know that he will be missed and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.”
Slack went on to add, the NYP reports, “…. We have benefitted from his wisdom, intellect, and good humor as chairman of Hillsdale’s board of trustees and we look forward to continuing our important work together and to what we are sure will be a bright future for Mr. Sajak and his family.”