Current:Home > FinancePat Sajak's final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode is revealed: When the host's farewell will air -GrowthProspect
Pat Sajak's final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode is revealed: When the host's farewell will air
View
Date:2025-04-16 06:36:29
The date of Pat Sajak's final "Wheel of Fortune" episode has been determined.
A rep for the show confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday that June 7 will mark the end of Season 41 — and the 77- year-old's tenure as host. The TV veteran is filming his farewell episode Friday.
Sajak announced last June that after 40 years this season would be his last.
"Well, the time has come," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on June 12, 2023. "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!)"
This fall, Ryan Seacrest will take the reins as host. He'll be joined by Vanna White, who in September extended her contract with the game show through its 2025-26 season.
Following Seacrest's hiring, Sajak welcomed his replacement on X, formerly Twitter, and shared in a now-deleted post, "I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024."
April Fools!Pat Sajak replaced? Jared Leto steps in as host
Pat Sajak will continue working on 'Wheel of Fortune' as a consultant
Suzanne Prete, the EVP of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, honored Sajak's legacy in a statement issued shortly after the announcement of his impending retirement.
"As the host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years," she said. "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."
Sajak "has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting," Prete revealed.
Pat Sajak highlights:Look back at the best quotes from the 'Wheel of Fortune' host
Sajak and White have hosted "Wheel of Fortune" in its current iteration since its debut in syndication in 1983, according to Sony Pictures Television Studios, which produces the show.
The concept was originally created in 1975 by Merv Griffin as an NBC daytime show based on the popular game “Hangman," per Sony Pictures Television. Jim Thornton became the show’s announcer in 2011.
One of the most-watched shows on television, "Wheel of Fortune" was renewed for five more years and ABC stations will continue to broadcast the syndicated show through 2027-2028, domestic distributor CBS Media Ventures said in a statement last year.
Contributing: Charles Trepany
veryGood! (5823)
Related
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- 'Wait Wait' for February 24, 2024: Hail to the Chief Edition
- Have we hit celebrity overload? Plus, Miyazaki's movie magic
- Watch this missing cat come wandering home
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Ken Jennings on 'Jeopardy!' Tournament of Champions, 'misogynistic' Mayim Bialik critics
- Simone Biles is not competing at Winter Cup gymnastics meet. Here's why.
- Brother of suspect in nursing student’s killing had fake green card, feds say
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- LA Dodgers' 2024 hype hits fever pitch as team takes field for first spring training games
Ranking
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Simone Biles is not competing at Winter Cup gymnastics meet. Here's why.
- US appeals court panel declines to delay execution of one of longest-serving death-row inmates
- Checking a bag will cost you more on United Airlines, which is copying a similar move by American
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- State police: Officers shoot, kill man who fired at them during domestic violence call
- Charlie Woods, Tiger's son, faces unrealistic expectations to succeed at golf
- California State University student workers vote to unionize, creating largest such union in country
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Proof Kris Jenner Is Keeping Up With Katy Perry and Taylor Swift’s Reunion
Alabama Senate OKs bill targeting college diversity efforts
Department of Defense says high-altitude balloon detected over Western U.S. is hobbyist balloon
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
My 8-year-old daughter got her first sleepover invite. There's no way she's going.
New Jersey beefs up its iconic Jersey Shore boardwalks with $100M in repair or rebuilding funds
LeBron scores 30 points, Davis handles Wembanyama’s 5x5 effort in Lakers’ 123-118 win over Spurs