Pat Sajak is honoring the past as "Wheel of Fortune" looks ahead to the future. On Thursday, Sajak honored the game show's creator, Merv Griffin, on what would have been his 98th birthday.The message comes shortly after "Wheel of Fortune" named Ryan Seacrest as the new host, starting September 2024. "Merv Griffin, the creator of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ was born on this date in 1925," Sajak began on Twitter. "I owe the man so much.
He absolutely defied network executives by insisting on hiring an unknown local TV weatherman to take over his show in 1981.That was me, and I’ve been grateful ever since." Sajak has been the face of "Wheel of Fortune" since he took over for Chuck Woolery in 1981.
Fast-forward 42 years. Sajak has decided to retire, making the announcement in June. "Well, the time has come," Sajak wrote on Twitter at the time. "I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.
It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)" The "American Idol" judge was named the new host shortly after Sajak's retirement statement.
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