LOS ANGELES—” Wheel. Of. Fortune”.
It’s difficult to imagine another people making their way from behind the puzzle board on one of America’s most well-known game shows after those thoughts cue the start of an event. But that’s what may happen after Friday night when Pat Sajak, the former co- number of” Wheel of Fortune”, symptoms off one final time.
For more than 40 years, Sajak, along with Vanna White, has helmed the quarter- hours syndicated system, a position he stepped into in 1981 when the show also aired on network nighttime television. Sajak, now 77, announced his retirement last summer, writing on Twitter ( now X ):” I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a great ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming weeks. Some owing to you all”.
Television personality , Ryan Seacrest , is slated to take over the role in September.
Over the years,” Wheel of Fortune” has been watched by countless viewers, becoming a cultural touchstone for generations of Americans. Statements like” I’d like to buy a vowel” or” I’d like to solve” are synonymous with the show, as is Sajak’s style of an occasional remark to elicit giggles from the crowd in between parts.
In anticipation of , his final show, Sony Pictures Television, which produces the program, released a clip of Sajak’s farewell to the” Wheel of Fortune” audience. The episode will air directly at 7: 30 p. m. Pacific on KABC- TV ( Channel 7 ). How’s what he said:
” Well, the time has come to say goodbye. Before I leave, I want to say a dozen cheers and acknowledgements to all of you who are watching.
” It’s been an extraordinary opportunity to get invited into thousands of houses, night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I’ve usually believed that having the opportunity comes with having to maintain this excitement family-friendly half-hour on a daily basis. No social problems, no elections. Everything embarrassing, I hope. Only a game.
” But over time, it grew larger than that. A place where children learn their papers, where people from other nations improve their English, and where families coexisted with friends, neighbors, and generations of generations.
What an honor to had played perhaps a small part in all of that. Thank you for letting me into your life.
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