Wheel of Fortune Host Pat Sajak Leaving Show After 42 Years

If you ask your parents about the American game show “Wheel of Fortune”, they might tell you about a charismatic host who used to ask people if they want to buy vowels or consonants.

What might catch both you and your parents by surprise is that the host that they knew back then is still hosting the show now.

That is, until next year.

Pat Sajak, the well-known host of “Wheel of Fortune” announced his retirement from the gameshow after its 2023-2024 season.

Here’s more about Sajak’s upcoming retirement from the show.

Pat Sajak, Host of “Wheel of Fortune”, Is Retiring

In a tweet posted earlier today, Pat Sajak announced to the world that he would be retiring from one of the most iconic shows in the world. The host of the well-loved show “Wheel of Fortune” told his followers that the 41^st season which begins in September this year, will be his last.

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 (@patsajak) June 12, 2023

However, Sajak remained coy as to whether he would be retiring from the entertainment industry or just the show. Keeping his followers on the hook, Sajak said that he would “have more to say in the coming months”.

The 76-year-old veteran did not state any reasons for quitting the popular game show. He also did not mention if his co-host, Vanna White (aka the lady who catwalks to the board to reveal letters on the screens) will continue to host the show.

Sajak has hosted night broadcast of the “Wheel of Fortune” since 1983 and will be leaving behind a solid four decades of experience behind.

With his wealth of experience hosting, Sajak now ranks as the longest-service host on an American television game show. He beat the records of Bob Barker who hosted “The Price is Right” for a solid 35 years and Alex Trebek who starred in “Jeopardy!” for 37 years.

“Wheel of Fortune” Is One of the Longest Running Game Shows in American Television History

While we live in the times of online streaming through Netflix and Disney+, we are sure that everyone would have heard of the television show “Wheel of Fortune” at some points in their lives.

After all, this iconic show has been on-air for more than 50 years.

Shocked that the show is still around and thriving after so many years? So are we.

Also, “Wheel of Fortune” has the longest unbroken run of any syndicated American game show and can hold a candle against “The Price is Right”, which holds the record as the longest continuously running game show on American television.

Starting in 1975, “Wheel of Fortune” first aired with Chuck Woolery as the host of the show. Sajak then stepped in to replace Woolery for the daytime show in 1981.

Around the same time, in 1983, a syndicated nighttime version of the game show was created, with Sajak hosting the show till now.

As for the daytime show, Sajak relinquished his host position in 1989.