'Thank you for allowing me into your lives': Pat Sajak offers parting words ahead of his final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode Friday. Look back at his legacy and see what's next.

Pat Sajak will soon be taking his final spin as host of Wheel of Fortune. The 77-year-old record holder for the longest time spent as a host for the same game show has shot his final episode, which will air on June 7.

Sajak’s farewell episode, which taped on April 5, will serve as Wheel’s Season 41 finale. He has been the show’s host for more than four decades.

Ahead of the final episode, ABC released a video with some parting words from the longtime host.

"I've always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half hour a safe place for family fun," Sajak says in the video.

"But gradually, it became more than that, a place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors and entire generations. What an honor to have played even a small part in all that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives," Sajak continues.

Ryan Seacrest, 49, will step in as Sajak's replacement in September, and he admits he has big shoes to fill.

“No one can replace him,” Seacrest told Fox News Digital about the new gig. “I just want to come in and continue to have fun with those contestants.”

Still, fans have questions about what’s coming next. Here’s a look back at Sajak's legacy and a guide to what’s ahead for the iconic game show.

Pat Sajak’s retirement announcement

Sajak announced in June 2023 that he was ready to retire from the syndicated game show, with Season 41 being his last.

While Sajak was not the first host of Wheel of Fortune, he was its most famous one, taking over the daytime version in 1981. The show, which launched in 1975, became a nighttime, nationally syndicated show in 1983.

He has since had an illustrious career, winning three Emmys for his work and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 from the Television Academy.

He’s not riding off into the sunset just yet, however, as he has agreed to stay on the show as a consultant for three years after relinquishing hosting duties, Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in a statement.

‘We became part of the popular culture’

The longtime host became nostalgic when reflecting on the show’s legacy and impact.

“Somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show. We became part of the popular culture,” he told his daughter, Maggie Sajak, in a clip shared with Good Morning America. “More importantly, we became part of people's lives. And that's been awfully gratifying.”

Looking beyond Wheel of Fortune, Sajak joked with his daughter, who joined the game show in 2021 as its social correspondent, about the prospect of spending his free time playing with future grandchildren.

“I'm perfectly happy if it just means that I'll continue with my crossword puzzles and play with grandchildren. Hint hint hint. No pressure,” he said.

Ryan Seacrest on taking over hosting duties

With hosting gigs of this magnitude, there typically aren’t big auditions for the role, Jeopardy! notwithstanding. There wasn’t much time for speculation, as news of Seacrest replacing Sajak came only a week after the longtime host announced his retirement.

Seacrest, who takes over as host for Season 42, will also serve as a consulting producer on the show.

“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest posted on Instagram following the news. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and [game show hostess] Vanna [White] on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

Most recently, he told Fox News that no one can do what Sajak has done — and he has no plans to replace America’s “best friend.”

“He has made such an impact on this whole country. He’s become a companion, a best friend to a lot of people,” Seacrest said. “I have so much respect and admiration for what he’s been able to do. He’s a total pro. No one’s smoother and seamless than Pat.”

What’s next for Vanna White?

Sajak and White, 67, have become synonymous with Wheel of Fortune, having worked together on the show for 41 years. But she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

White not only extended her time on the show, she also asked for a raise. Still, parting with her longtime colleague feels bittersweet.

“I feel happy for him. I can’t imagine doing the show without him after 41 years,” she recently told TV Insider. “I sum it up as [like] reading a good book. It always has to end. This has been the best book I’ve ever read.”

There’s still plenty of letter-turning in White’s future.

White inked a new two-year deal to return to Wheel of Fortune through the 2025-26 season and will maintain the same duties for Seacrest’s season debut as host.

“When I heard that Pat was retiring, I thought maybe I should retire too. But I’m not ready! We’ll see toward the end of those two years how I feel. I thank God after all these years that I still love my job,” she told the outlet.

“I think of Pat as family and always will,” she told Good Morning America. “We called ourselves Ken and Barbie. We’re not quite that today. But Ken and Barbie go together and always have. Peanut butter and jelly go together. Pat and Vanna go together.”

Reinventing the wheel?

Both White and Seacrest are aware that Sajak’s exit doesn’t mean they’re reinventing the wheel.

“He is a kind man. He is professional. He’s good at what he does. He likes to have fun,” White told Deadline of Seacrest. “He even said to me, ‘I’m not trying to replace Pat by any means. I just want to go in and do a good job.’ So, that’s what he’s going to do, and I think he’s going to be just fine.”

Pat’s daughter, Maggie, will also return on the show as its social correspondent. White thinks she could even expand her talents beyond that role as well in the future.

“I think she’s a good replacement if I can’t be there for some reason,” White told E! News. “She’s been around it her whole life, so I think she can fill in for me for sure.”

White added: “She’s precious, she’s beautiful, she’s very good. I think she learned a lot from her father because he’s such a good interviewer. I think she’s good for our show.”

Other changes to the show, such as scheduling and set design, are still question marks.

Updated June 3, 2024 at 2:38 PM EDT: This story has been updated to reflect additional quotes and information about Pat Sajak's final episode as host of Wheel of Fortune.