No one could imagine this day would come.
The finality of it all managed to leave everyone feeling touched.
And Pat Sajak had this surprising goodbye message to Wheel of Fortune fans.
Pat Sajak signs off for the final time as the host of Wheel of Fortune
Pat Sajak announced last June that his 41st year as the host of Wheel of Fortune would be his last.
Sajak’s final episode came on June 7.
Typical of the kind touch that made Sajak – along with Bob Barker and Alex Trebek – one of the most legendary game show hosts in history, Sajak gave each contestant on his last show an extra $5,000 since they had to cut one round for the game to make enough time for Sajak’s farewell.
When it came time to say so long, Sajak’s message served as a reminder of why fans, the crew, and the contestants all universally loved the host.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak stated.
Sajak thanked the fans first and foremost because the viewers continually inviting him into their homes by tuning in is what made the shot – and Sajak’s success – possible.
“I have a few thanks and acknowledgements before I go, and I want to start with all watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade,” Sajak added.
Sajak also made sure to tell the audience he went out of his way to buck the tide in 21st century America and not let a beloved game show serve a political agenda.
The host told everyone the show acted as “a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game.”
But Sajak also was proud of what the show became saying “it became more than that,” as Wheel of Fortune served a higher purpose as a place “kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors, and entire generations.”
“What an honor to play even a small part in all of that,” Sajak continued.
“Thank you for allowing me into your lives,” Sajak concluded.
Vanna White’s goodbye
Sajak and White were the dynamic duo of game shows.
The two were synonymous with one another, and their chemistry and the manner in which they complimented one another meant the show wouldn’t have worked without the two of them.
White said her goodbye to Sajak in an emotional video the episode before Sajak’s final show.
White then unsuccessfully fought back tears as she tried to express what Sajak’s friendship meant to her personally.
“I don’t know how to put into words what these past 40 years have meant to me but I’m going to try,” an emotional White said.
“8000 episodes went by like that. When I first started, I was so green. You made me so comfortable and so confident, Pat. You made me who I am, you really did,” White admitted as her voice began to crack.
“As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you’ll still be close by,” White added.
“You’re like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore. I love you, Pat,” White concluded.
