Inside Pat Sajak’s final week at ‘Wheel of Fortune’: Retiring host takes viewers behind the scenes of ‘highly classified’ set
He’s the “Wheel” deal.
Pat Sajak is gearing up for his final week on “Wheel of Fortune” following a phenomenal 43-year run as host of the beloved program.
And the veteran entertainer, 77, is now giving his longtime fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the game show set he has commanded for more than four decades.
In a video posted to Instagram ahead of his last episode, set to air this coming Friday, Jun. 7, took viewers “behind the puzzle board.”
“It looks like an election headquarters back here, with all these screens and everything,” Sajak said in the video, filmed and shared by his daughter, Maggie.
“We can’t show a lot, because there’s certain things that are highly classified!” the host cheekily added.
Viewers were thrilled by the backstage glimpse, while simultaneously expressing their sadness at Sajak’s impending departure.
“We will miss you, Pat,” one fan forlornly wrote. “Congratulations on your retirement.”
Sajak, who has been with the show since 1981, announced he was stepping down as host of the show in June of last year.
Ryan Seacrest will be taking over Sajak’s role when the game show returns for a new season in the fall.
He’ll be joined by longtime letter-turner, Vanna White, 67, who has been with the program since 1982.
Many speculated White would also retire from the show following Sajak’s announcement, given the two are a beloved duo, but the beauty recently said she’s excited for another season.
“I don’t know. When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire, too. But I’m not ready!” she told TV Insider.
She signed a contract extension to stay on the game show through the 2025-2026 season, so, ostensibly, she has at least two more years on TV.
“We’ll see toward the end of those two years how I feel,” she said. “I thank God after all these years that I still love my job.”