Pat Sajak, 76, announces ‘the time has come’ to retire from The Wheel of Fortune after hosting the game show for over forty years.
Sajak announced in a tweet he shared on Monday:
“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak said. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months.
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!)
— Pat Sajak (@PatOnWheel) June 12, 2023
Thank you to the best host in the biz. Wheel of Fortune would not be what it is today without you, Pat. Looking forward to Season 41 being better than ever! https://t.co/KPcbTQhE9x pic.twitter.com/0uQuXG2Jfr
— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) June 12, 2023
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Wheel of Fortune routinely ranks as one of the most-watched game shows. In the week of May 28, the show attracted 7.72 million viewers, second only to Jeopardy.
Sajak was hired as host in 1981 by show creator Merv Griffin.
Suzanne Prete, the executive vice president of game shows for Sony Pictures Television, offered a statement:
“As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years. 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.”