Pat Sajak announces his final season hosting 'Wheel of Fortune'
Longtime "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak announced on Monday that the 41st season of the gameshow will mark his last working as the host.
"Well, the time has come. 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!)," Sajak tweeted on Monday evening.
As the host of the popular program, Sajak, 76, has been a fixture on families' television screens for generations.
He started hosting the show more than four decades ago.
\u201cHappy 40th Wheel-iversary to this guy! On this day in 1981, @patsajak hosted his very first episode of @WheelofFortune\u2026and the rest is history!\u201d— Maggie Sajak (@Maggie Sajak) 1640715382
"As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years," Suzanne Prete, executive vice president, Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in a statement, according to PEOPLE. "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. Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we're thrilled to have him remaining close to the Wheel of Fortune family!"
Responding to her father's announcement post, "Wheel of Fortune's" social correspondent, Maggie Sajak tweeted, "It's so much fun working with my dad…and we’re looking forward to even more fun in Season 41."
Some on social media spoke about the memories they have of watching the show with relatives.
"Some of my fondest memories were of watching you and Vanna and Wheel of Fortune with My Mom (RIP). You brought much happiness to many people," Carmine Sabia tweeted in response to Sajak's announcement.
"I used to watch the show with my mom after her stroke back in 96 (she was 56 then). Every night, this and Jeopardy before she went to bed. Thanks for that," someone else wrote.
\u201c@patsajak I used to watch the show with my mom after her stroke back in 96 (she was 56 then). Every night, this and Jeopardy before she went to bed. Thanks for that.\u201d— Pat Sajak (@Pat Sajak) 1686610802
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