After over four decades, is spinning the wheel for the last time. Friday night was the iconic host's last episode of . He announced earlier this year that after 41 years, he was leaving the hit game show.
The episode premiered with Pat's first time hosting the show in 1981 when the show aired during the day. He then moved to be the permanent night host in 1983 and has been a staple for weeknights ever since. Pat told the audience, and the three contestants, that he had a few things to say at the end of the show, so he was going to skip a round.
To make up for it, each contestant got $5,000 added to their score. Jim, the announcer for the show, said during the show: "I want to thank you Pat for the past 13 years as your announcer, keeping me on my toes." In a first look released Friday morning, Pat addressed the audience, staring directly at the camera as he spoke.
"I have a few thanks and acknowledgements before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there," he started. "It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, decade after decade.
And I always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues. No politics.
Nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game. But gradually it became more than that," he added.
Pat's replacement will be Ryan Seacrest, best known for hosting American Idol. Ryan has been filming for the show since April, but he w.
