As Pat Sajak took a bow from hosting the famous game show Wheel of Fortune after 41 seasons, he welcomed his replacement, Ryan Seacrest, while appreciating viewers for letting him into their homes in the last four decades.
His longtime co-host, Vanna White was also present with tears filling her eyes, as she expressed how much she would miss Pat, who she joined on the program in 1982. Pat assured Ryan of a good time ahead amid protests against his takeover from aggrieved fans.
Ryan Seacrest looks forward to his new job as host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’
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Ryan gave a shout out to Pat on Instagram, recognizing his “dedication, charm, and wit,” that has kept the show running for so long, while expressing his excitement to work with Vanna from September. Pat joked that his former partner could never find a better job, and there could have been no better person to fill his position than Ryan.
RELATED: Ryan Seacrest Expects Jitters Replacing Pat Sajak, Warns About His “Terrible” Spelling
Speaking of replacements, there has been outrage from fans of the show, who think Pat’s daughter, Maggie Sajak, was sidelined from being the new co-host. The 29-year-old has been the longtime social media correspondent of the program and filled in for her father on a few occasions.
Life after ‘Wheel of Fortune’
While this is the end of an iconic era for Pat, it is also an opening to life after retirement for the TV personality. He admitted to looking forward to a more private and steady life, and hopes grandchildren come into the picture soon on Maggie’s cue. He also intends to work as a consultant, still putting to use his wealth of knowledge and expertise in showbiz so far.
Meanwhile, Pat already landed a role in a community theater production titled Prescription: Murder, which will show at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu between July and August next year. He will be starring alongside his friend and collaborator Joe Moore, who also works as a newscaster with KHON.
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