Pat Sajak Bids Farewell to ‘Wheel of Fortune’ in First Look at His Final Episode: ‘Thank You for Allowing Me Into Your Lives’

J. Kim Murphy

7 June 2024 at 7:30 am·2-min read

Pat Sajak Bids Farewell to ‘Wheel of Fortune’ in First Look at His Final Episode: ‘Thank You for Allowing Me Into Your Lives’

It was all just a game at first to Pat Sajak, but then it became something much more meaningful. The longtime “Wheel of Fortune” host’s final episode heading the game show airs in just a few hours — and the production has released a first look preview ahead of the broadcast, in which Sajak expresses gratitude to his audience.

“I have a few thanks and acknowledgements before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there,” Sajak begins in the footage, addressing the camera on the “Wheel of Fortune” set. “It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, decade after decade. And I 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. But gradually it became more than that.”

More from Variety

Sajak announced his retirement as host of “Wheel of Fortune” last spring, sharing that his 41st season with the series would be his final spin. He first hosted the series in 1981 for its daytime edition before moving to nighttime duties in 1983. Through his long tenure, Sajak has won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding game show host three times. Ryan Seacrest will take over as host this fall.

Variety exclusively reported that Sajak’s first post-“Wheel of Fortune” job will be a theater production of the Columbo mystery “Prescription: Murder” at Honolulu’s Hawaii Theatre. Set for the summer of 2025, Sajak will mark his ninth onstage collaboration with KHON-TV Hawai’i newscaster and actor Joe Moore. Sajak will play a murderous psychiatrist, while Moore will play Detective Columbo. The play was adapted into the first episode of the TV series “Columbo,” starring Peter Falk.

Sajak’s final episode hosting “Wheel of Fortune” airs at 7:30 p.m. Watch the preview of Sajak’s “Wheel of Fortune” adieu above.

Best of Variety

OK! Magazine
Amanda Holden takes brutal swipe at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with five-word comment
Amanda Holden has claimed that the British public don't "really care" about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and argued the press make "too much" of the couple's moves
The Independent
The sweet reason Coldplay played with Michael J Fox at Glastonbury
Poignant moment brought things full circle for British band
Manchester Evening News
Glastonbury fans tell The Streets' Mike Skinner 'stop' as they hail 'phenomenal' set
The Streets performed on Glastonbury's Other Stage on Saturday night
OK! Magazine
Amanda Holden proudly poses with lookalike daughter Lexi, 18, as she finishes A-levels
Amanda Holden's lookalike daughter Lexi, 18, has finished her A-levels, with the Britain's Got Talent judge proudly gushing over her 'brilliant, funny, resilient and all grown up' child
Hello!
Elizabeth Hurley, 59, is a goddess in tiny string bikini
Elizabeth Hurley showed off her incredible physique in a yellow string bikini as she posed for Instagram – and the Gossip Girl actress, 59, looked better than ever. See photos.
OK! Magazine
Princess Beatrice seen partying until 2am at Glastonbury VIP bar as crowd hurls abuse at King Charles
Princess Beatrice partied until 2am at a secret VIP Glastonbury hideout as a band chanted "F**k the King" just hours before the royal was seen knocking back drinks
Manchester Evening News
Glastonbury fans say Dua Lipa's duet with surprise guest 'what they needed'
"I’m never shutting up about this"
The Independent
Dua Lipa and Charli XCX’s tiny, must-see set proved that Glastonbury misjudged our big pop girls
COMMENT: Nothing shimmered at Glastonbury on Friday as much as Charli XCX’s sweaty bacchanal on one of its smallest stages. Adam White argues that Glastonbury has overlooked the ‘Brat’ artist, along with pop ladies-in-waiting like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, to its own detriment
Hello!
Nicole Scherzinger wows in thigh-split corset dress on St. Mortitz getaway
Nicole Scherzinger looked better than ever in a white corset dress as she posed in front of an incredible mountains backdrop on her St. Moritz vacation.
OK! Magazine
Royle Family stars unrecognisable as they reunite – 36 years since beloved TV hit
Sue Johnston, well-known for playing matriarch Barbara Royle, celebrated with fellow Royle family and Brookside stars as she was awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool
HuffPost
15 Times Celebs Made Interviewers Upset, Uncomfortable, Or Left Them In Tears
When Ellen told Hugh Grant, "I think that you're fantastic and funny and smart and all those things," he replied, "I wish I thought that about you."
OK! Magazine
Peter Andre and Katie Price share Princess' 'diva moments' and 'unbreakable bond' on 17th birthday
Princess Andre is celebrating her 17th birthday and her mum and dad - Peter Andre and Katie Price - have posted on social media with cute snaps to mark the special occasion
News Shopper
Call the Midwife favourite confirms their future on the show amid sudden exit
Star of BBC’s Call the Midwife Helen George has confirmed whether she’ll be appearing in series 14 following her exit in series 13.
The Independent
‘Are you not entertained?’ Russell Crowe’s shockingly good set epitomises the spirit of Glastonbury
COMMENT: The ‘Gladiator’ star and former busker charged enthusiastically through covers of Dire Straits and Johnny Cash, along with some original songs, on Glastonbury’s Acoustic Stage. Louis Chilton was charmed
People
Tom Cruise and Son Connor Spend Time Together in London During Rare Outing
The actor is a father to three children
Hello!
Dua Lipa rocks corset top and leather micro shorts for Glastonbury headline debut
'Training Season' singer Dua Lipa rocked a leather corset top and micro shorts for her Glastonbury pyramid stage debut following Jungle, Olivia Dean, and the Sugababes at Worthy Farm
Hello!
Emily Andre's daughter Amelia looks so tall in rare family photo
Emily and Peter Andre's daughter Amelia looked so grown up at the weekend as she posed with mum Emily and her younger brother Theo. See adorable picture...
Manchester Evening News
Giovanni Pernice says 'it's happening' as he's reunited with Strictly Come Dancing star amid support
It comes after the BBC confirmed the professional dancer line-up for the upcoming 2024 series earlier in June
The Telegraph
Dolly Parton scheme giving children free books attacked as ‘white saviourism’
Dolly Parton has been accused of “white saviourism” for giving millions of free books to poor children.
People
Griff Is Giving Away the Dress She Wore to Open for Taylor Swift: ‘Wanted to Pass It Down’
The singer revealed she is giving away her "But Daddy I Love Him"-inspired dress she wore when she opened at the Eras Tour on June 22

Latest stories