‘Wheel of Fortune’: See Pat Sajak React to Contestant’s Retirement Tribute to Him (VIDEO)
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It’s Pat Sajak‘s 77th birthday today (Thursday, October 26) and Wheel of Fortune, of course, will be marking the occasion — as well as something that fans expected to see addressed in the Season 41 premiere in September but didn’t.
In tonight’s show, Sajak will finally acknowledges he’s retiring. And it makes for beautiful viewing.
One of the contestants, Rhachel Royal of Durham, North Carolina, shares that she’s been writing and performing spoken word poetry since she was 14 and wrote something for the host for his birthday. “I’m taking a chance, but go ahead,” he says.
“Ever since I was a child, this has been my wish: spinning the wheel, number one on my bucket list. To meet the amazing Pat Sajak and the beautiful Vanna White, and to represent for my family under these bright studio lights,” Royal says. “Thank you, Pat, for all you’ve done over these last 41 years — the smiles, the jokes, the laughs, the cheers. Congrats on your retirement, we’ll miss you when you’re gone, just do me one favor before you and help me bring this money home.”
After the audience applauds, Sajak tells her it was “very nice,” but then asks, “I’m leaving? … The things you learn.” Watch the video above, which was shared by Wheel of Fortune with a note for fans to share any birthday messages for Sajak in the comments.
In June, Sajak announced that Season 41 will be his last as Wheel of Fortune host, after holding that role for the nighttime version since 1983. (Ryan Seacrest became the new host for Season 42 a couple weeks later, and White is staying on the show, after signing a new contract.) “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak said in a statement to Bloomberg News three days after the end of Season 40. “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!)”
The Season 41 premiere only acknowledged how long the show had been on the air, with no comments from Sajak or White about it being the start of his last year.
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