‘Wheel of Fortune’ finally acknowledges Pat Sajak’s retirement — with wild contestant poem

nypost.com:

upcoming retirement. Rhachel Royal-Fortune from Durham, North Carolina, uniquely addressed Sajak’s retirement news Thursday in a spoken word poem.“Now a lot of people, especially young people, are kind of afraid of poetry,” Sajak, 77, said at the beginning of the episode as he got to know the contestants. “It’s a little daunting.

But you do spoken word stuff?”“Yes, Pat,” Royal-Fortune exclaimed. “I’ve been writing and performing spoken word poetry since I was 14 years old and I wrote something for you if I could share it with you.”“Ooh, well, I’m taking a chance,” Sajak nervously admitted. “But go ahead.”Royal-Fortune started, “Ever since I was a child, this has been my wish.

Spinning the wheel No. 1 on my bucket list.“To meet the amazing Pat Sajak, and the beautiful Vanna White, and to represent for my family under these bright studio lights.”She continued, “Thank you, Pat, for all you’ve done over these last 41 years.

The smiles, the jokes, the laughs, the cheers. Congrats on your retirement. We’ll miss you when you’re gone. Just do me one favor before you go and help me bring this money home.”The crowd — and White — applauded Royal-Fortune’s performance while Sajak seemingly had no reaction. “Very nice,” he finally said. “I’m leaving?