TAKING THE WHEEL
Ryan Seacrest seen in first Wheel of Fortune hosting clip as he takes over for Pat Sajak and gets tips from Vanna White
Plus, Pat's moving message during his last episode
PAT Sajak has officially handed over his Wheel of Fortune hosting job to Ryan Seacrest.
Pat, 77, who retired on Friday, June 7, 2024, welcomed Ryan, 49, onto the game show stage in a new promo video.
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The video quietly aired on local TV stations starting this week and was shared by Wheel of Fortune.
It was captioned, "Handoff - New Season Coming This Fall!"
In the video, Ryan is joined by Pat and Vanna White, 66, to officially be passed the hosting baton.
"Well, this is it, Ryan. What do you think?" asked Pat, pointing out the famed set.
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"Impressive!" Ryan replied.
"Ryan, I think the contestants are going to love you," Vanna told the American Idol host.
"I think what you're going to enjoy most is meeting the players and getting to know the audience at home," Pat told Ryan.
"It's such a part of people's lives," Ryan replied.
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"People love this show," Pat agreed, nodding to Vanna
"You both make it look so easy," Ryan praised the dynamic duo of four decades.
"You're never gonna find a better job, and you're never going to find a better co-host," Pat assured.
The promo video ended with Pat symbolically and literally stepping aside as Vanna posed with his new co-host come fall.
'WELCOME RYAN!'
Fans flooded the clip when Wheel of Fortune shared it on YouTube, where they were excited but admitted it was a bittersweet moment.
"It is sad to see Pat go, I have watched him for years and he is an integral and iconic part of what makes this show so special. But I wish Ryan the best of luck and I hope he keeps the show going great," one fan wrote.
"So long, Pat. We'll miss you! Ryan Seacrest, Welcome to Wheel of Fortune," wrote another.
"Nice passing of the torch," wrote a third.
PAT'S FAREWELL MESSAGE
After 43 years, 8000 episodes, and more ridiculous answers than anyone could count, Pat's final episode aired last Friday.
At the end of the episode, he held back tears as he delivered one final message to the Wheel community.
"Well, the time has come to say goodbye," he said in the video.
"I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all watching out there."
"It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade," he said, tearing up.
"And I've always felt that privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun."
Pat thanked viewers for allowing him into their lives.
He ended by thanking the crew and longtime letter-turning icon Vanna White, who swept in for a tearful hug.
Vanna moved fans with her own incredible message one night earlier, crying and telling Pat, "I love you."
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He's set to be replaced by Ryan come fall 2024, premiere date TBA.
Vanna will stay on with Ryan for at least two years, starting with Season 42.
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