close Video 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak delivers speech during final episode Pat Sajak gives an emotional speech during his final episode of "Wheel of Fortune." (Video courtesy of Sony Pictures) It was a sad night for longtime "Wheel of Fortune" fans. On Friday, the game show aired its "Thanks For the Memories" final episode with Pat Sajak, 77, as its host.
The episode began with a flashback of Sajak's first episode in 1981, when he took over Chuck Woolery's role as host. Following the Toss Up round, Sajak said that "most people know" that Friday evening was his last episode. He explained that because he needed to save time at the end of the episode to share a few words, Friday night's game was going to look a little different.
Pat Sajak surprised Friday night's "Wheel of Fortune" contestants with an upfront $5,000. (Getty Images) "We're going to cut out a round, which kind of robs you people,'" Sajak said to the three contestants. "Here's what I've decided, it's been a longtime since I spun the wheel, I'm going to spin it, and I'm going to add $1,000 to whatever I land on and everyone's going to get that amount.
" ‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ HOSTS PAT SAJAK AND VANNA WHITE THROUGH THE YEARS: PHOTOS Sajak spun the wheel, and landed on $1,000, bringing the total for the contestants to $2,000. "You know what? It's not my money. Let's give them all $5,000," Sajak said.
Pat Sajak has been the host of "Wheel of Fortune" for over 40 years. (Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images).
