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Friday marked the last time longtime “Wheel of Fortune” icon Pat Sajak hosted the popular television game show, begging the question of who will take over once he retires.
The final show also brings the end to a career spanning 41 years and over 8,000 episodes. Friday’s episode, which opened with a clip of Sajak’s first time hosting the vibrant game show, ended with a farewell message from the beloved host.
He called it an “incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade,” according to reporting from The Associated Press.
The 77-year-old’s departure ushers in a new era for “Wheel of Fortune” super fans, as another iconic TV host takes the reins: Ryan Seacrest.
The longtime “American Idol” presenter inked a deal with Sony Pictures Television last year to take over for Sajak. His first episode as host will premiere in September.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement last year.
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CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE – Phil Rosenthal, Carla Hall and Jet Tila Hosted by pop-culture legends Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune takes a star-studded spin on Americas Game® by welcoming celebrities to spin the worlds most famous Wheel and solve puzzles for a chance to win more than one million dollars. All of the money won by the celebrity contestants will go to a charity of their choice, SUNDAY, OCT. 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)
PAT SAJAK -
Host Pat Sajak (L), contestant Nancy Kaufman, actress Paige Hemmis, contestant Susan Moran, tv personality Jeff Probst, contestant Nick Giovine and actress Alison Sweeney (R) make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer) -
FILE – Pat Sajak, left, and Vanna White, from “Wheel of Fortune,” attend a ceremony honoring Harry Friedman with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 1, 2019, in Los Angeles. Sajak is taking one last spin on “Wheel of Fortune,” announcing Monday, June 12, 2023, that its upcoming season will be his last as host. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) -
Wheel of Fortune stars Vanna White and Pat Sajak. (Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images) -
WHEEL OF FORTUNE — Season 10 — Pictured: (l-r) Host Pat Sajak, hostess Vanna White — Photo by: Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank -
Vanna White and Pat Sajak are pictured together in 1990. (Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images) -
CULVER CITY, CA – APRIL 17: Game show hosts Alex Trebek (L) and Pat Sajak (R) pose on the set of the “Jeopardy!” Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament Show Taping on April 17, 2010 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images) -
CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE – ABC’s Celebrity Wheel of Fortune stars Pat Sajak. ((Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images)
“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White,” he added.
White, who co-hosted the show alongside Sajak for more than 40 years, paid tribute to her former colleague in Friday comments.
“As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you’ll still be close by. You’re like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore,” she said, according to the AP. “I love you, Pat.”
As Seacrest prepares to take over, Sajak shared his own gratitude on social media platform X, writing “Thank you all so very much.”
Besides “American Idol,” Seacrest has hosted several other shows, including the radio program “On Air,” the annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”
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