‘It’s Been an Incredible Privilege’

An American TV icon bids farewell. Chicago-born Pat Sajak’s tenure as the host of Wheel of Fortune has sadly come to an end, but he’s left the Wheel’s legacy in the capable hands of long-time co-host Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest moving forward. Sajak first appeared on the popular game show some 43 years ago in 1981 — back when the series aired during the daytime on network television. As Sajak walks away from his home away from home, the Wheel’s beloved host had this to say to the fans in his farewell speech, courtesy of Wheel of Fortune’s official YouTube channel:

“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.
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 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.”

Sajak continued:

“But gradually it became more than that:
a place where
kids learned their letters, people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors
and entire generations.
What an honor to have played even a small part in all that.
Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”

Pat Sajak Says Contestants Were ‘Real Stars of This Show’

Wheel of Fortune has been hosted by many people, but no one helmed the famous game show longer than the Daytime Emmy award winner for Outstanding Game Show host in 1993, 1997 and 1998: Mr. Pat Sajak. And with a lifetime achievement Emmy also to his credit, not to mention a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Wheel of Fortune is losing one of the most accomplished TV hosts. But despite all the accolades, Sajak insists that the contestants are the “real stars” of Wheel of Fortune. Sajak said during his farewell speech:

“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 friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets. In the end,
they were the real stars of this show. I genuinely liked these people, and I’ll miss the chance to meet more of them.”

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Back in September of 2023, Vanna White received a raise to continue on as the co-host of Wheel of Fortune along with Ryan Seacrest, who faces the daunting task of replacing the award-winning Mr. Sajak. After some 43 years, Pat Sajak’s tenure on the Wheel of Fortune has ended.