Kaitlyn Huamani, Related Press
Revealed Thursday, June 6, 2024 5:56 pmEDT
Final up to date Thursday June 6, 2024 7:02 pmEDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Forward of Pat Sajak's remaining episode as host of “Wheel of Fortune,” Vanna White paid a touching tribute to her co-host of greater than 40 years.
On Thursday's episode of the beloved recreation present, White honored Sajak's work and their friendship with a video phase that featured clips and images tracing their collaboration from the 1980s to the current.
“As this chapter of our lives involves a detailed, I do know you’ll nonetheless be shut. You’re like a brother to me and I think about you a real lifelong pal who I’ll all the time adore,” he mentioned. “I really like you, Pat.”
White mentioned that whereas their long-standing work collaboration has been necessary to her (noting that he made her really feel “very comfy and secure” when she began), she mentioned their private friendship has meant a lot extra.
“As a lot as we’ve enjoyable in entrance of the digicam, these recollections, milestones and life occasions that we share with our households, outdoors of the studio, are my favorites,” she mentioned, showing to carry again tears. “We have now watched our kids develop up collectively, we’ve traveled all around the world, we’ve eaten a whole bunch of meals collectively. We have now laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve celebrated.”
After the pre-recorded video phase ended, Sajak and White embraced on stage.
Sajak and White have been certainly one of tv's most iconic duos since they started working collectively on “Wheel of Fortune” in 1982, when the present first aired. They’ve appeared collectively in additional than eight,000 episodes, with Sajak guiding the contestants by way of the sport and White turning the letters on the puzzle board.
Sajak introduced his retirement in June 2023, making the present's 41st season its final. White prolonged his contract in September by way of the 2025-2026 season and can assist information Sajak's alternative, Ryan Seacrest, throughout his first two seasons on the helm.
When Seacrest was introduced as Sajak's successor, Seacrest mentioned in an announcement that he was “really honored” to tackle the function.
“I can say, together with the remainder of America, that it has been a privilege and a pure pleasure to observe Pat and Vanna on our tv screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile each night time and really feel at residence with them.” , Seacrest. saying.
Sajak's remaining episode will air on Friday.