Pat Sajak Is Hosting Wheel of Fortune One Final Time After 41 Years Of Spins

After 41 years, Pat Sajak will give his hand some rest and stop spinning the Wheel of Fortune as he hosts his final broadcast tonight.

Forty-one years in broadcasting is an absolute ETERNITY and needs to be commended. By comparison, fellow broadcast legend, the late Alex Trebek, spent 37 seasons hosting Jeopardy before his death in 2020. 

In a video posted earlier today, the 77-year-old Sajak expressed some of his thoughts to viewers ahead of his final show.

"Well, the time has come to say goodbye," Sajak said in a voice that has been a part of family dinner tables for generations. "I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade."

"And I’ve always felt like the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half hour a safe place for family fun," he went on. "No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game," before adding that the show became more than just entertainment- but rather, a part of people's lives and connections."  

Longtime co-host Vanna White, who has been with Sajak throughout his entire run, also recorded an emotional farewell video that aired during last night's episode. 

VANNA WHITE POSTS TRIBUTE

"When I first started, I was so green… you made me so comfortable and made me so confident, Pat, you made me who I am - you really did," the 67-year-old White began. "What an incredible and unforgettable journey we've had and I've enjoyed every minute of it with you," before adding that Sajak was "like a brother to me."

Vanna White will continue revealing puzzle letters for at least the next two years after signing a contract extension prior to this season. However, this time she'll be doing it for new host Ryan Seacrest, who will begin his multiyear deal next season. 

RYAN SEACREST WILL TAKE OVER PAT SAJAK'S HOSTING DUTIES

In recent years, Wheel of Fortune has had its share of viral moments thanks to social media. Whether it was Sajak going off on a contestant for being so hopelessly wrong, to hilarious guesses like last week's X-Rated "Right In The Butt" response which had viewers losing their minds!

Sajak put up Cal Ripken Jr. streak numbers that are very far and few between in recent decades. Ripken ended his consecutive game streak at 2,632 while Sajak has broadcaster over 8,000 Wheel episodes throughout his storied career. 

However, as I've previously written, you could tell that after four decades, recently it's appeared that Sajak had enough of the show. He had done shows all over the globe, had made a ton of money with a reported $15 million annual salary and frankly, had nothing left to prove. When on makes that much money - they might as well take the time to actually enjoy it, no?

ANOTHER LEGEND MOVES ON

Regardless, Sajak's leaving is the final legendary game show host passing on the torch.

In recent years we've lost Bob Barker from The Price is Right, Trebek with Jeopardy, Regis Philbin and everything he did including Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and now Sajak - who, fortunately, is stepping down on his own accord. 

Drew Carey has done a great job following Barber, while Ken Jennings has been solid after Trebek. We'll see if Seacrest can do the same after Sajak!