Pat Sajak's final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode is revealed: When the host's farewell will air
The date of Pat Sajak's final "Wheel of Fortune" episode has been determined.
A rep for the show confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday that June 7 will mark the end of Season 41 — and the 77- year-old's tenure as host. The TV veteran is filming his farewell episode Friday.
Sajak announced last June that after 40 years this season would be his last.
"Well, the time has come," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on June 12, 2023. "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!)"
This fall, Ryan Seacrest will take the reins as host. He'll be joined by Vanna White, who in September extended her contract with the game show through its 2025-26 season.
Following Seacrest's hiring, Sajak welcomed his replacement on X, formerly Twitter, and shared in a now-deleted post, "I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024."
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Pat Sajak will continue working on 'Wheel of Fortune' as a consultant
Suzanne Prete, the EVP of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, honored Sajak's legacy in a statement issued shortly after the announcement of his impending retirement.
"As the host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years," she said. "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."
Sajak "has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting," Prete revealed.
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Sajak and White have hosted "Wheel of Fortune" in its current iteration since its debut in syndication in 1983, according to Sony Pictures Television Studios, which produces the show.
The concept was originally created in 1975 by Merv Griffin as an NBC daytime show based on the popular game “Hangman," per Sony Pictures Television. Jim Thornton became the show’s announcer in 2011.
One of the most-watched shows on television, "Wheel of Fortune" was renewed for five more years and ABC stations will continue to broadcast the syndicated show through 2027-2028, domestic distributor CBS Media Ventures said in a statement last year.
Contributing: Charles Trepany
