Having hosted long-standing “Wheel of Fortune” since 1981, Pat Sajak is an iconic figure in the gameshow television world. Many fans the series were surprised to hear Sajak say his time there is coming to an end.
“Years go by fast. We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time],” Sajak told Entertainment Tonight. “We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years. The end is near. It’s an honor to have been in people’s living rooms for that long.”
While he’s not leaving right this minute, he *is* planning on a departure. We just don’t know exactly when. It would be something for him to never retire, much like Alec Trebek continuing on with “Jeopardy!” until he just couldn’t anymore. Of course, the show suffered in the end. ABC has yet to find a full-time replacement for host at the level of Trebek.
When “The Price is Right” host Bob Barker passed the baton to Drew Carey, it went pretty well. Carey even comes back to guest host sometimes, which makes the audience go nuts. If Sajak could do something like that where he gets to pick the next host and gives him his blessing, it could be great.
“It appears I may go before the show,” Sajak joked. “Wheel of Fortune” is in its 40th season. We’re not sure when Sajak will leave the show, but we know then end is near.
