Pat Sajak Hands WHEEL OF FORTUNE Off to New Host
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pat Sajak has officially handed WHEEL OF FORTUNE off to new host Ryan Seacrest.
“Well, this is it, Ryan,” Sajak says in a promo for the new season. “What do you think?”
Seacrest replies, “Impressive, Pat.”
Vanna White tells him “the contestants are going to love you,” while Sajak adds, “I think what you’re going to enjoy most is meeting the players and getting to know the audience at home.”
“You’re never going to find a better job, and you’re never going to find a better co-host,” Sajak concluded.
Movieguide® previously reported on Sajak’s exit from WHEEL OF FORTUNE:
Legendary WHEEL OF FORTUNE host Pat Sajak is finishing his last week of episodes before he enters his retirement.
In an interview with GOOD MORNING AMERICA, he discussed his thoughts on his departure from the show.
“Surprisingly okay,” he said when asked how he felt about leaving the show. “You know, this was announced a long time ago, almost a year ago, so I’ve had time to sort of get used to it. But I’m enjoying taking it all in and reflecting on a great run. I do know that somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show, we became part of the popular culture, and more importantly, we became part of people’s lives. And that’s been awfully gratifying.”
Seacrest celebrated Sajak in a recent Instagram post, writing, “Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with WHEEL OF FORTUNE! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades. Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!”
The former game show host already has his next gig lined up — “Prescription: Murder,” a play he will star in at Honolulu’s Hawaii Theatre.
“Prescription: Murder” was written by William Link and Richard Levinson, who would go on to turn the play into the hit TV series COLUMBO.
Per Variety, Sajak will play “brilliant psychiatrist Roy Flemming, who hatches a plot with a perfect alibi to murder his neurotic and possessive wife.”
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