Ryan Seacrest Shouted Out Pat Sajak in the Best Way After Final ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Episode
Incoming 'Wheel of Fortune' host Ryan Seacrest paid tribute to Pat Sajak after he retired from the game show after 41 years of hosting the series.
Pat Sajak has officially ended his tenure on Wheel of Fortune, and his successor is giving the host his flowers for his run.
On June 7, fans of the game show said goodbye to Pat as he retired after 41 years hosting Wheel of Fortune. The day Pat's final episode aired on television, incoming host Ryan Seacrest wanted to give Pat a shoutout with a heartfelt tribute. Posting a photo of the two with Vanna White standing in between them on Instagram, Ryan expressed the legacy Pat left for him, along with how he knows he has big shoes to fill come his first episode later this year.
"Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune!" he passionately captioned the post. "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!"
When fans saw the respectful way Ryan celebrated Pat's achievement on Wheel of Fortune, they immediately celebrated the changing of the hosts in the comments.
"You are THE BEST person to take over for Pat Sajak. You two are my favorites," one person penned. "@ryanseacrest Truly the best person to replace an icon ❤️," another wrote. "This is such a great moment in TV history!! 😍," a different person added.
As new episodes of Wheel of Fortune start to air in September, it's likely that's when folks will see Ryan stand on the soundstage in a full-time capacity. Additionally, fans already got the chance to see how Ryan will look in Pat's place, thanks to a short first look promo which aired on ABC back in April.
What's more, Pat isn't leaving the Wheel of Fortune family forever. He shared how he plans to stay on as a consultant while Ryan transitions into his role, meaning there may be chances to see Pat on our screens once again.