Pat Sajak Announces Retirement - This Will Be His Last Season
Editor’s Note: Our readers responded strongly to this story when it originally ran; we’re reposting it here in case you missed it.
Pat Sajak is taking one last spin on “Wheel of Fortune,” announcing Monday that its upcoming season will be his last as host.
Sajak announced his retirement from the venerable game show in a Twitter post.
Well, the time has come. 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!)
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) June 12, 2023
“Well, the time has come. 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,” Sajak wrote.
Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, which features contestants guessing letters to try to fill out words and phrases to win money and prizes, since 1981.
He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s first host when it debuted in 1975.
Along with Vanna White, who joined the show in 1982, Sajak has been a television mainstay. The show soon shifted to a syndication and aired in the evening in many markets, becoming one of the most successful game shows in history.
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As an occasionally outspoken conservative in the overwhelmingly liberal world of entertainment, Sajak stirred up his share of controversy and was a favorite among conservative Americans.
Some Twitter posts reflected that, with liberals leaping in with mean-spirited comments, but there were many, many fans checking in, too:
Pat Sajak is retiring from Wheel of Fortune after 41 years! Thanks @PatOnWheel for all the years of entertainment and family competition with @ltreadway during the years. Enjoy your next endeavor Sir. https://t.co/nTiilVHcDh
— Todd Treadway (@Tread42) June 13, 2023
Dang!! You and your show have been around forever! I can’t imagine anyone else doing your job. Gameshow legend!
You will be missed!— 🇺🇲🥓Patriotic Bacon🇺🇲🥓 (@Sassychickie) June 13, 2023
I don’t even watch Wheel of Fortune and I’m so sad that #PatSajak is leaving the show because it’s a piece of my childhood.
So many great memories of my Nana and Great Nana watching it on tvs in two different rooms in the same house and yelling back and forth to each other 😂💚 pic.twitter.com/9B92WhLYXE
— erin buzzlebee 🐍♊ (@erincheshirecat) June 13, 2023
Some of my greatest memories are watching Wheel of Fortune with My Mom (RIP). Have a fantastic retirement @PatSajak.
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) June 12, 2023
Sajak will continue to serve as a consultant on the show for three years after his retirement as host.
“As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years. 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,” said Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows for Sony Pictures Television.
In recent years, some of Sajak’s banter and chiding of contestants have become fodder for social media.
That prompted Sajak to remark in his retirement post about doing another season: “(If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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