Pat Sajak Switches Things Up in Final Wheel of Fortune Episode: Less Rounds, More Money and Big Emotions
Ladies and gentlemen, Pat Sajak has left the building. The longtime Wheel of Fortune host just signed off after 41 years on Friday, and he did not go quietly.
“I think most people know this is my last evening on the show,” Sajak said after the first round. “At the end of the show, I have a few things I’d like to say, so we need to save a little time. How do we do that?”
His solution was to cut one of the episode’s usual rounds, but since doing so would rob the contestants of winning some money, he decided to throw them a bone.
“I’m going to spin the wheel, add $1,000 to whatever I land on, and give everyone that amount,” he announced. Shockingly, he landed on the coveted $1,000 spot, which meant that all three contestants should have had $2,000 added to their score. But on Sajak’s last night, that just wasn’t enough.
“You know what? It’s not my money,” he said. “Let’s give them all $5,000! Little Jimmy’s surgery can wait.” (R.I.P., Little Jimmy.)
Sajak’s final game ended with Memphis, Tenn., resident Adrienne Bean winning her bonus round and taking home nearly $90,000 in total winnings.
As promised, some time was saved at the end of the episode for Sajak to share his final remarks, thanking the audience, the crew and, of course, co-host Vanna White for more than four decades in the Wheel business. He also reminded viewers that he’ll still be around all summer in reruns, encouraging them to keep laughing at his jokes as if they were new.
Sajak, however, made no mention of Ryan Seacrest, the man taking over his gig this September.
What did you think of Sajak’s last time hosting Wheel of Fortune? Will you miss him? Are you excited to see what Seacrest brings to the table — er, the wheel — this fall? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.
I haven’t been a huge fan of WoF since they did away with “shopping” for prizes. However, he is an icon and deserves a great send off. This was lovely
Nonsense!
How could anyone enjoy watching people forced to spend $350 on an ugly ceramic dog or fabric sheep? $500 for some artsy train.
And that is 1986 dollars!!!!
It slowed the game down. Viewers didn’t care about the overpriced tacky items.
That ended 35 years ago in 1989.
Wheel is about solving the puzzles.
I was all with you till you started talking trash about the ceramic dog! 😂 That’s the only prize I remember and I still kinda want one to be honest.
I’ve watched wheel almost all my life. It’s sad to say goodbye to both pat and the show. I don’t watch Ryan Seacrest. So thank you for my memories.
He was be so missed we love, the world loves him.
Looking forward to seeing Ryan Seacrest as the host. He is well known and a trusted individual. He’ll bring some lighthearted positive energy and comedy to the show. It was time for Pat sajak to retire and enjoy all the money He was raking in and Vanna wasn’t. Good luck and have lots of fun Ryan! We love you!
For the most part, I am indifferent to Pat’s retirement.
The show is about the puzzles, not him.
However, I would have preferred a different new host.
Seacrest is soooooo over-exposed.
How many more shows does he need to host?
Yeeeshhhh
Agree 100%. Both Seacrest and Nick Cannon are on too many shows. Give some others a chance.
Classy guy
I did notice that they had 3 rounds instead of 4. Usually the 3rd round is the prize puzzle round then they do the toss up before the 4th round. Tonight. they cut out the second round.
Pat had a nice goodbye and that is nice he got to spin the wheel one last time
Pat announced that they were cutting out a round so that he could say his goodbyes. The show decided that since they were losing a round, the contestants shouldn’t be punished and gave each contestant $5,000 for losing a round of play.
That wheel spin that just happened to land on $1,000 reminded me of the roulette scene in Casablanca.
I will miss Pat Sajak. He & Vanna were a perfect team
I never liked Ryan Seacrest, he’s all over the place on different TV shows, parades and other things. I won’t watching anymore because he is now the host. I will miss Pat he is an icon. I think the ratings will definitely go down with Seacreast as host. Wishing you much happiness in your retirement Pat, you will definitely be missed.
Let’s wait and see…
It was a fitting and touching send-off. I’ll reserve judgment on Ryan Seacrest until we see him in action.
Pat Sajak is, certainly, a legend. And the last of the “old guard” of game show hosts. Between his retirement and Alex Trebek’s passing, a few years back, it’s definitely the end of an era.
I will miss Pat Sakai and his unique sense of humor.
Ryan Seacrest is an uninspired, boring, safe choice for a replacement. Don’t think I’ll watch.
That’s a perfect definition. “Milk-Toast Seacrest.”
Pat I truly wish you the best but hate the fact that you are retiring and leaving Wheel of Fortune. I have watched you and Vanna for a very long time and it just won’t be the same without you.
I think that Seacrest will last one season and the producers will realize their error in hiring him. There has to be many better choices for host out there.
LaVar Burton comes to mind.
He will be missed. I won’t be watching Secrest. Don’t like him at all. !
Thanks to Pat for all these years.
vanna white should have left too
Have enjoyed watching, for many years, Pat Sajak and Wheel of Fortune and will certainly miss him. He was a terrific host and made it a fun show to watch. Can’t imagine Wheel of Fortune without Pat.
You in 1981: “I can’t imagine Wheel of Fortune without Chuck Woolery.”
I use to watch both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every night and actually DVR’d it not to miss any. Well, life got in the way and have not been able to do that any longer. Now that Pat’s leaving and Alex has pIassed on, I don’t feel so bad missing these shows as I am not a big fan of Ryan Seacrest. I do hope he succeeds so the show can continue for all those, including myself, who love to solve puzzels. Best of Luck to Pat on the next phase of his life. I’ve always liked Vanna and consider her a classy lady (love her clothes) and would like to wish her the best of luck as she continues to keep the show going 😊
I’m going to miss watching Pat on Wheel of Fortune every night.
TV line kept interrupting the Pay Sajak goodbye video with ads from Google and TV show Bridgestone. This is something that needs fixing,I’m sure this isn’t the only time this has happened.
Maggie Sajak graduated from Princeton University and did an additional postgraduate program at Columbia University. In May 2023, she graduated from Georgetown University Law School. Wheel does not need anyone else.
Sajak did it right. He was classy, generous and aware that too much time saying good-bye can become a snooze. He nailed it perfectly. I’m glad he didn’t mention Seacrest and I have a feeling that Seacrest is pissed off about that. Too bad. It should be interesting to see what becomes of Wheel when he comes on board. It should also be interesting to see what happens to the ratings. I’m betting that they will go down somewhere between a 1/4 and a 1/3 of what they are now. We’ll see. Enjoy retirement Sajak and Seacrest, I hope you trip over a cable on your way out the stage on your first show!!
Will really miss Pat, there is no replacing him !!!! So Wheel will never be the same. Probably will not watch as often in the future .
Hated him on the show. Maybe I’ll watch it now.
I think seacrest is just the worst replacement ever
Levar Burton would be a better host…