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Pat Sajak's LAST EPISODE of Wheel Of Fortune: Host hails 'professional other half' Vanna White in his touching finale... 43 years after he first joined the game show
Pat Sajak wished a fond farewell to Wheel Of Fortune on his final episode of the program, which was broadcast Friday night.
The 77-year-old first began hosting the the iconic game show in 1981, taking over from outgoing compere Chuck Woolery.
Now Pat is retiring and his position will be filled by Ryan Seacrest, who will run the show alongside Pat's longtime co-host Vanna White.
In an emotional video released Thursday night, Vanna was reduced to tears as she said: 'I can't believe that tomorrow is our last show together.'
When the final episode came at last on Friday evening, the devoted Wheel Of Fortune fans were treated to Pat's heartwarming last hurrah - ending with a sweet tribute to 'my professional other half, Vanna.'
Pat Sajak wished a fond farewell to Wheel Of Fortune on his final episode of the program, which was broadcast Friday night
PDevoted Wheel Of Fortune fans were treated to Pat's heartwarming last hurrah - ending with a sweet tribute to 'my professional other half,' Vanna White
In a tear-jerking touch, the episode began with a flashback clip to Pat's entrance on his first-ever episode of Wheel Of Fortune.
After being announced by name, Pat bounded onstage and joked to the viewers: ‘Please do not adjust your sets at home. Chuck Woolery has not shrunk.'
The show then cut to the new footage, as Pat's final episode at the helm of the game show kicked off in earnest.
Pat and Vanna walked onstage arm in arm, he in his trademark suit and tie and her in a full-length scarlet sequined gown that emphasized her still enviably willowy frame.
As they arrived in front of the cameras, the audience burst into rapturous cheers and applause, and Pat joked to Vanna that the two of them were now 'all grown up.'
Without further ado, Pat soldiered ahead with the game, sprinkling in his typical cheeky repartee with contestants Tammi, Nino and Adrienne.
Adrienne shared that she is fond of singing but confessed her family takes a dim view of her talents, to which Pat quipped: 'Maybe we'll just take their word for it.'
As a subtle tribute to Pat, the answer to the first challenge turned out to be Chicago, Illinois - which as the host pointed out was his hometown.
In a tear-jerking touch, the episode began with a flashback clip to Pat's entrance on his first-ever episode of Wheel Of Fortune in 1981
The show then cut to the new footage, as Pat's final episode at the helm of the game show kicked off in earnest, him entering with Vanna White
As they arrived in front of the cameras, the audience burst into rapturous cheers and applause, and Pat joked to Vanna that the two of them were now 'all grown up'
Without further ado, Pat soldiered ahead with the game, sprinkling in his typical cheeky repartee with contestants Tammi, Nino and Adrienne
drienne shared that she is fond of singing but confessed her family takes a dim view of her talents, to which Pat quipped: 'Maybe we'll just take their word for it'
As a subtle tribute to Pat, the answer to the first challenge turned out to be Chicago, Illinois - which as the host pointed out was his hometown
Pat announced that in order to save time at the end of the episode for his farewell statement, a round would be cut out, 'which kind of robs you people'
Pat took 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
Ultimately, he decided: 'You know what? It’s not my money,' adding: 'Let’s give them all $5,000,' adding drily: 'Little Jimmy’s surgery can wait'
at was then treated to a testimonial by Jim Thornton, who has been the announcer on Wheel Of Fortune for 13 years and thanked Pat for 'keeping me on my toes!'
The show then barreled back into the game, including the usual advertisements to giveaway trips to such exotic locales as Barbados and Lapland
In the midst of the game, he briefly paused and said: 'I think most people know this is my last evening 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 a little time. How do we do that? So we’re gonna cut out a round, which kinda robs you people.'
To make up for the deficit, 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.
Ultimately, he decided: 'You know what? It’s not my money. Let’s give them all $5,000,' adding drily: 'Little Jimmy’s surgery can wait.’
Pat was then treated to a testimonial by Jim Thornton, who has been the announcer on Wheel Of Fortune for 13 years and thanked Pat for 'keeping me on my toes!'
The show then barreled back into the game, including the usual advertisements to giveaway trips to such exotic locales as Barbados and Lapland.
Pat's daughter Maggie, who will be continuing on as Wheel Of Fortune's social correspondent after Pat's departure, then appeared.
'I have been working all year putting something really special together for our last Fan Fridays prize of the season, and my masterpiece is finally complete,' she said.
She unveiled a massive gift basket packed with Wheel Of Fortune mementos, including Sheldon the ceramic Dalmatian, a mascot of the show.
Pat's daughter Maggie, who will be continuing on as Wheel Of Fortune's social correspondent after Pat's departure, then appeared
'I have been working all year putting something really special together for our last Fan Fridays prize of the season, and my masterpiece is finally complete,' she said
She announced that 'in honor of my dad's last show I sat down with him and got him to sign some of his favorite items just for you'
'Thanks, Maggie,' said Pat, adding with his trademark lack of sentimentality: 'That stuff will be on eBay before you know it'
The game soldiered ahead, and Adrienne eventually won, winning a final $50,000 question and falling gleefully into her sister Aysha's arms
'Which means she has $79,598. Who needs all the rounds?' crowed Pat, promising that his 'parting thoughts' were coming after the next commercial break
'You could win the ultimate Wheel Of Fortune memorabilia collection, featuring classic props from the show, vintage Wheel merch and more, and in honor of my dad's last show I sat down with him and got him to sign some of his favorite items just for you,' Maggie chirped.
She urged fans to enter the online sweepstakes by typing the Word Of The Day into WheelOfFortune.com, throwing their hats in the ring to win the basket.
'Thanks, Maggie,' said Pat, adding with his trademark lack of sentimentality: 'That stuff will be on eBay before you know it.'
The game soldiered ahead, and Adrienne eventually won, winning a final $50,000 question and falling gleefully into her sister Aysha's arms.
'Which means she has $79,598. Who needs all the rounds?' crowed Pat, promising that his 'parting thoughts' were coming after the next commercial break.
When he came back, Pat delivered a touching speech to the camera in which he expressed his gratitude for how 'privileged' he was to host the show.
'Well, the time has come to say goodbye. I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all of you watching out there,' he said.
'It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,' he continued.
'It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,' he said in his farewell statement
'I have always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half hour a safe place for family fun,' remarked the host
He touchingly said: 'What an honor to have played even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives'
'I have 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.'
However the show developed into 'more than' just play, becoming instead a 'place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors, and entire generations.'
He touchingly said: 'What an honor to have played even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.'
Pat went on: 'Every time we taped a show, I met three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who rooted for each other, who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their--their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets.'
He added: 'In the end, they were the real stars of the show. I genuinely liked these people, and I'll miss the chance to meet more of them.'
Pat added a tip of the hat to 'our staff and crew, particularly the veterans with whom I've shared this stage for five years, 10 years, 20, 30 and more, it's been a joy to work with you,' the talk-show legend said.
'Your skills and dedication and good humor made this a place I always wanted to be. Everyone pulled together and cared about each other and about this show,' he said.
'It worked because you made it work. It looked great because you made it look great, and you made my job so much easier. And I want you to know that your efforts never went unnoticed by me nor unappreciated. I'll miss you guys.'
'Finally, to my professional other half, dear Vanna,' said Pat warmly: 'Like me, she takes the show very seriously but not herself'
'I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role,' he said
He shared that 'while I'll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart, so we'll see plenty of each other'
He warmly shared: 'The best part of the last couple of years has been the chance to work with my daughter Maggie, to watch her grow in her role and as a person.'
However his last tribute was reserved for Vanna, who has appeared at his side on the game show nonstop for more than 40 years.
'Finally, to my professional other half, dear Vanna. Like me, she takes the show very seriously but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role. Vanna is as sweet and unassuming as she seems,' said Pat.
'We've seen a lot of changes in each other's lives over the years, but we've always been there for each other. I want to thank her for her lovely goodbye on yesterday's show, and while I'll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart, so we'll see plenty of each other.'
He confessed however that he would 'miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature. She's a very special woman. And I know you're all pleased to know that she'll be back next season.'
Pat joked that the fans would also 'still see plenty of me for the next few months' thanks to the upcoming 'summer reruns' of his last season.
'So, the jokes will be the same, but I'd appreciate it if you'd laugh again anyway,' he said. 'That's it. Thank you all so very much...and goodbye.'
Vanna then crossed the stage to Pat and wrapped him in a warm embrace on camera, sharing a private conversation with him drowned out by the exit music.
Vanna then crossed the stage to Pat and wrapped him in a warm embrace on camera, sharing a private conversation with him drowned out by the exit music
Pat announced in June 2023 that his 'wonderful ride' on Wheel Of Fortune would be coming to an end this year after his 41st season
Vanna, who joined the show just one year after Pat did, was filled with emotion during the farewell video she released Thursday night.
'I don't know how to put into words what these 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 on camera, those memories, milestones and life events we shared with our families outside the studio are my favorite.'
Following his departure, Pat will remain involved with the show for another three years as a consultant, according to Sony Pictures Television's executive vice president of game shows Suzanne Prete.
Vanna's contract negotiations to return were reportedly briefly held up, amid claims that she was angling for a higher salary.
However last September it emerged that she too had signed a deal, and will remain in her spot on Wheel Of Fortune through the 2025-2026 season.
Ryan will assume Pat's previous hosting duties in September, and last year gave an interview in which he expressed his excitement about the role.
Vanna, who joined the show just one year after Pat did, was filled with emotion during the farewell video she released Thursday night
'I don't know how to put into words what these past 41 years have meant to me, but I'm going to try,' said the television icon, pictured with Pat in 2007
'Of course, being next to Vanna, she's a legend. She's an icon,' he told E! News in December. 'We spent a little shooting some promos for next season, and she's just so down to earth. She's exactly what you would expect.'
Ryan gushed: 'It's just so exciting to think about being on that set. I've watched the show for so many decades. I'm a fan of the show, and the game is the star.'
Pat announced in June 2023 that his 'wonderful ride' on Wheel Of Fortune would be coming to an end this year after his 41st season.
'I’d rather leave a couple of years too early than a couple of years too late,' he said recently in an interview with Maggie for Good Morning America.