Pat Sajak signs off from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ after 41 seasons

Pat Sajak signed off from “Wheel of Fortune” Friday night after more than four decades as host, telling viewers with a slight catch in his voice that he was grateful for the “incredible privilege of being in millions of homes night after night.” are invited. ”

The half-hour episode, taped on April 5, was largely a regular broadcast of the syndicated show with a few extras, including Sajak’s four-minute farewell, or what he described as “a few parting thoughts.” But it opened with a clip from Sajak’s first appearance as host in 1981, when the show aired on NBC’s daytime program before moving to first-run syndication through King World Productions (which was acquired by CBS in 2000) in the fall of 1983. In the 1981 clip, the voice-over announcer introduces Sajak as the replacement for former host Chuck Woolery, who later hosted the dating game show “The Love Connection.”

“Please don’t adjust your sets at home,” Sajak told the audience in 1981. “Chuck Woolery didn’t shrink.”

After the vintage clip aired, “Wheel of Fortune” opened as it has for the past 41 seasons, with Sajak and his longtime co-host Vanna White walking to the set arm in arm — he in a dark blue double-breasted suit. , she in a long ball gown with red sequins. The theme of the episode was “Thanks for the Memories” and the usually colorful set featured a beautiful black and gold motif.

Referring to his youthful face in the vintage clip, Sajak told White, “Very mature,” to which she replied, “You are” and he replied, “Very mature.” From then on, Sajak continued as usual and began the first word puzzle with the episode’s three contestants. “We’re going to give away some money here,” Sajak said for the last time after more than 8,000 shows.

After the first puzzle was solved — the answer turned out to be “Chicago, Illinois,” Sajak’s hometown — Sajak told contestants Adrienne, Tammi and Nino that “it’s my last night on the show.” To “save a little bit of time,” he continued, the show deviated from the tried-and-true game formula of eliminating one round of puzzles to allow for his heartfelt sign-off.

“We’re going to take a round, which will rob you guys,” Sajak noted in his signature funny style. To compensate for the missed opportunity, Sajak spun the Ferris wheel himself and promised to give each participant an additional $1,000. He eventually increased that to $5,000. “You know what? It’s not my money,” he joked.

The camera then turned to “Wheel” announcer Jim Thornton, who paid tribute to Sajak’s long run. “I kept my focus for thirteen years,” Thornton said, referring to his own tenure. Sajak was clearly touched by Thornton’s kind words. “Jim, you know, I’ve been around a long time. And you are the best. Thank you for all the work you have done here,” he said.

Ultimately, Adrienne was the winner of the episode with a total of $79,598 after solving the final puzzle: “Back Porch.” Sajak went into the commercial break telling viewers that he would return with “a few parting thoughts” to close out his unusually long run on television. In the fall, Sajak will be replaced by Ryan Seacrest, with White remaining in her letter-revealing role.

In the four-minute farewell, Sajak maintained his composure, but flashes of emotion crept into his voice and face as he expressed his gratitude to the Wheel of Fortune staff, his wife and family and for his 41-year association with White. His comments underscored the cultural significance of the show, which has long billed itself as “America’s Game.” It has become a staple of the airwaves and a pop culture touchstone – a rare feat for any TV program, let alone a game show.

“It has been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade, and I have always felt that with this privilege came the responsibility to keep this daily half hour a safe place for the whole family. , fun, no social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game,” Sajak said.

“But gradually it became more than that: a place where children learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together, together with friends and neighbors and entire generations. What an honor to be able to play even a small role in that. Thank you for letting me into your life.”

Sajak also made it a point to highlight his experiences meeting thousands of people from across the country during his long stint on the show. “Wheel of Fortune,” which remains a top-rated broadcast series with an average of more than 5 million viewers per week.

“I met three new people from all parts of this beautiful country and the world who were kind and thoughtful, who supported each other, who were proud to talk about their families, their hometowns, their friends, their schools, their jobs , even their pets. Ultimately, they were the real stars of the show. I really love these people, and I will miss the opportunity to meet more of them,” Sajak said.

Here is Pat Sajak’s full signature from “Wheel of Fortune”:

Well, it’s time to say goodbye. I have a few thank yous and thanks before I go. And I want to start with all of you who are paying attention that it has been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade, and I have always felt that with that privilege comes a responsibility brought along. to keep this daily half hour a safe place for family, fun, no social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game.

But gradually it became more than that: a place where children learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together, along with friends and neighbors and entire generations. What an honor to be able to play even a small role in that. Thank you for letting me into your life.

Every time we recorded a show, I met three new people from all parts of this beautiful country and the world, who were kind and thoughtful, who supported each other, who were very proud to talk about their family, their hometown, their friends to talk to, their schools, their jobs, even their pets. Ultimately, they were the real stars of the show. I really love these people, and I will miss the opportunity to meet more of them, our staff and crew, especially the veterans with whom I have shared the stage for 5 years, ten years, 20, 30 and more. It was a pleasure working with you. Your skills, dedication and good humor made this a place I always wanted to be. Everyone pulled together and cared about each other and about this show. It worked because you made it work. It looked great because you made it look great, and you made my job so much easier. And I want you to know that your efforts have never gone unnoticed by me, nor unappreciated. I will miss you.

The best thing about the past few years has been the opportunity to work with my daughter Maggie and watch her grow in her role and as a person. She recently interviewed me and I talked about my life and the show. I hope you’ve seen some of it online. I really enjoyed doing it. I have to admit it’s a little weird being interviewed by your own daughter, but she did a great job. Maggie is loved here because she is talented, smart and funny, but here she is loved because she is kind, caring and humble.

Lesly and I are blessed with two such wonderful children. There’s Maggie, of course, and her wonderful brother Patrick and his new family. As for Lesly, she has been my wife and life partner of 35 years. I love her, who she is and what we are as a team. Finally, my professional other half, sweet Vanna, like me, takes the show very seriously, but not herself. I shudder to think what these forty-plus years would have been like if they had brought along someone who was completely their own and played the prima donna role.

Vanna is as sweet and modest as she seems. We have seen many changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we have always been there for each other. I would like to thank her for her beautiful send-off on yesterday’s show, and although I miss working with her very much, I take comfort in the fact that we live about five miles apart, so we will see each other a lot. But I will miss our nightly closings and her laughter and her good nature. She is a very special woman, and I know you will all be happy to know that she will be back next season. And besides, you’ll be seeing a lot of me in the coming months. That’s right, summer reruns, so the jokes will be the same, but I’d appreciate it if you got some laughs again. That is it. Thank you all very much and see you soon.