Pat Sajak has been hosting the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune” since 1981. That’s over 40 years of watching contestants spin the wheel and solve puzzles.
While Sajak stopped short of setting a departure date from the show, it seems that he is considering retirement. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight‘s Kevin Frazier, he talked about the show and the end of the show, at least for him.
Sajak explained that after 40 years, many shows would have run their course, but not so with “Wheel of Fortune.” Instead, he believes that the show will eventually go on without him as host. He explained, “In most television shows by this time, you would have said, ‘That’s probably enough,’ but this show will not die.” Sajak added, “It appears I may go before the show.”
Sajak realizes that he is getting older and won’t be able to continue with the show decades longer. He said, “Years go by fast. We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time]. We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years. The end is near.” That is, Sajak believes “the end is near” for his time with the show. It does not necessarily mean that the show won’t find a new host when Sajak decides to retire.
Hosting a long-running game show is certainly something to be proud of. Sajak knows that. He said, “It’s an honor to have been in people’s living rooms for that long. People were out there welcoming us. We’re happy and proud.”
According to TODAY, Sajak and Vanna White signed a deal to keep them on the show through 2024. Around the same time, Sajak told Entertainment Tonight that he didn’t plan to be with the show for 10 more years, but he at least seemed to be okay with staying with the show through the end of his contract if not longer. He explained, “We’re certainly closer to the end than the beginning.” He added, “I’d like to leave before people tune in and look at me and say, ‘Ooh, what happened to him?'” To clarify, he said, “I wouldn’t bet on seeing us in, like, 10 years, I would say.”
Now, it’s unclear if Sajak even plans to finish out his contract through 2024. It’s possible that he could be considering retiring sooner than he originally intended.
Do you think Sajak will continue with “Wheel of Fortune” through 2024? Do you think “Wheel of Fortune” will replace Sajak when he retires, or do you think the show will end for good?
