Pat Sajak's final 'Wheel of Fortune' episode will air in June. What's changing at the game show?

Pat Sajak will soon be taking his final spin as host of Wheel of Fortune. The 77-year-old record holder for longest game show host for the same show has shot his final episode, which will air on June 7.

Sajak’s farewell episode, which taped on April 5, will serve as Wheel’s Season 41 finale. He has been the show’s host for more than four decades.

Ryan Seacrest, 49, will step in as his replacement next season, but fans still have questions about what’s coming next. Here’s a guide to what’s ahead for the iconic game show.

Pat Sajak’s retirement announcement

Sajak announced in June 2023 that he was ready to retire from the syndicated game show, with Season 41 being his last.

While Sajak was not the first host of Wheel of Fortune, he was its most famous one, taking over the daytime version in 1981. The show, which launched in 1975, became a nighttime, nationally syndicated show in 1983.

He has since had an illustrious career, winning three Emmys for his work and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 from the Television Academy.

He’s not riding off into the sunset just yet, however, as he has agreed to stay on the show as a consultant for three years after relinquishing hosting duties, Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in a statement.

Ryan Seacrest will take over hosting duties

With hosting gigs of this magnitude, there typically aren’t big auditions for the role, Jeopardy! notwithstanding. There wasn’t much time for speculation, as news of Seacrest replacing Sajak came only a week after the longtime host announced his retirement.

Seacrest, who takes over as host for Season 42, will also serve as a consulting producer on the show.

“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest posted on Instagram following the news. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and [game show hostess] Vanna [White] on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

Most recently, he told People that no one can do what Sajak has done.

“He is incredible,” he told the magazine. “He has made that show just something so very special for so long, and he has done such a seamless, remarkable job, so no one can be him.”

Seacrest takes over as host in September, and despite his experience, he admits he feels pressure to fill those shoes.

“People love watching him,” he added.

What’s next for Vanna White?

Sajak and White, 67, have become synonymous with Wheel of Fortune, having worked together on the show for 41 years. But she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. White not only extended her time on the show, she also asked for a raise.

White inked a new deal to return to Wheel of Fortune through the 2025-26 season and will maintain the same duties for Seacrest’s season debut as host.

She said there’s a “bittersweet” feeling with Sajak leaving, but she’s also excited for the future.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 41 years,” White told Good Morning America. “I think of Pat as family and always will.

“We called ourselves Ken and Barbie,” she added. “We’re not quite that today. But Ken and Barbie go together and always have. Peanut butter and jelly go together. Pat and Vanna go together.”

But her career so far with Wheel of Fortune isn’t “Kenough,” and she’s choosing to stay on.

“When Pat told me he was going to retire, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh. I’m not sure that I’m ready to retire,’” White said.

As for her new colleague, she had good things to say.

“He is a kind man. He is professional. He’s good at what he does. He likes to have fun,” White said of Seacrest. “He even said to me, ‘I’m not trying to replace Pat by any means. I just want to go in and do a good job.’ So, that’s what he’s going to do, and I think he’s going to be just fine.”

Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, will be staying on the show

Currently, Wheel of Fortune airs weeknights on ABC. While changes to the show, such as scheduling and set design, are still question marks, one thing certain is that another Sajak will be staying on the show.

Pat’s daughter, Maggie Sajak, will also return as Wheel of Fortune’s social media correspondent.

White thinks Maggie could even expand her talents beyond that role as well.

“I think she’s a good replacement if I can’t be there for some reason,” White told E! News. “She’s been around it her whole life, so I think she can fill in for me for sure.”

White added: “She’s precious, she’s beautiful, she’s very good. I think she learned a lot from her father because he’s such a good interviewer. I think she’s good for our show.”