Pat has the record for the most years (nearly 43) hosting one American game show. The prior record was Bob Barker with 'The Price Is Right,' which he hosted for thirty-five years.
@@dianepines9014 apples and oranges. Alex hosted an intellectual show where he needed to be on his toes. Pa just watched the wheel go around and a around. Vanna had to walk back and forth touching boxes. It you want to watch a top notch game show, watch WHEW with Tom Kennedy from the 70's . He was on his game.
I don’t know. Drew Carey has done well as the new host of TPIR and Ken Jennings has done well as the new host of Jeopardy!. People don’t come on these shows to meet the host, they come play the game and win money and prizes. People watch the shows to play along at home not to look at the host. Plus, Pat is in his late 70s, he can’t go on forever. He’s still going to be part of the production team.
Pat Sajak sure looked young as ever, when he used to do the weather, and when he first started hosting Wheel of Fortune, around that time. Less than a year later, Susan Stafford later left the show, and brought in Vanna White, where she actually began her stardom and her iconic job and clapping, a little over two years, after appearing on The Price is Right. Now comes Season 41, and Pat's final season as host (in which is a fine number to retire at), while Vanna White will still hold her position, for another two years, and Ryan Seacrest comes in as host- he's all over the place, but there we are. Pat Sajak, here's to you, after 41 incredible years, of hosting Wheel of Fortune. Like Chicago White Sox Organist, Nancy Faust, she retired at that same number, too, and she led a great life to music, like you did, to reading letters and puzzles. We shall miss you, dearly.
The end of an era with a tremendous host. Kudos to you Pat and thanks for all the years from childhood to adulthood on our televisions every weeknight ! 🌻
Susan, what an incredible spin and topped off with the fingers through the hair “move” - not awkward at all, and so smooth. Less than a year later, she too would leave to focus on bigger and better things 😂. Pat and Vanna were sure pleased and realized this was a nice gig.
I saw an interview with her about a month back...I had no idea how well connected she was in Hollywood and how many A list friends (at the time) she had. She was an awesome lady
@@Defensewhiz Susan is a PhD. She was in India in 1982 and everything changed. She knew that there was something more than turning letters. She knew Wheel was going into syndication, but still left.
@@millenniumman75 She went over lhat in her interview (it was over an hour long), plus I knew all that from past interviews I'd seen about what she did after she left Wheel. But she also went into stories about her Hollywood friends, especially Lucille Ball and Sammy Davis Jr. Those were the things I found interesting.
This episode is on Pluto tv on demand listed as season 10 #1,768 and Vanna’s debut episode is also on Pluto tv on demand listed as season 11 episode #2,016 because both Pat’s debut is the episode #1,768 and Vanna’s debut is the episode #2,016. It’s possible they did this to honor Pat’s and Vanna’s debut respectively.
I was 5 then. 48 now as of Pat's retirement so yes many shows watched growing up. Doesn't seem possible that Pat is retired and Alex Trebec and Bob Barker are gone. I know it was bound to happen but still like the twlight zone. Happy Retirement Pat. Thanks for the mems!
There were two 'Big Threes'. One of News, the other of Game Shows. News Dan Rather - retired in disgrace. Peter Jennings - dead from lung cancer. Tom Brokaw - graceful retirement. Game Shows Bob Barker - went to the nearest retail price without going over (dead at 99). Alex Trebek - taken from us way too soon. Pat Sajak - graceful retirement.
I don't think people had a problem with Sajak when he took over. He is likable and hosted the show well. He has personality. That was why he lasted 43 years.
Pat looks young in his debut. Susan looks beautiful. The Teen Week contestants from Pat's first show made an appearance during the closing segment on December 24, 2007 during the nighttime show's 25th anniversary season.
I remember them looking so grown up, and they looked so dapper, in their time with Pat, while having their mini reunion, then. I was just surprised Susan Stafford couldn't make the cut, since they were on, when she was the letter-turner, at the time, and Vanna White was still in her auditioning phase, and such.
On airdate June 7, 2024, Pat Sajak announced his retirement after over 4 decades of Wheel of Fortune with Vanna White, who debut in 1982. They make such a great pair. ❤
To put into perspective how long Pat Sajak has been hosting this show. When Pat started hosting, my Dad was in High School, he is now retired with grandchildren
Amazing the show was like that at one time.With the shopping and all. All that wasted time,when they could have had more puzzles.Glad it switched formats.
Keep this video up because I'm also gonna watch this episode before Pat's farewell episode in June. AND I'm hoping that the Wheel of Fortune TH-cam channel will have Pat's farewell message available so I can watch that after the last summer rerun I watch before I put it on hiatus to watch U.S. Open Tennis.
That is I'm watching Pat's farewell message in live time in June AND replaying it on TH-cam in August in place of the normal goodbye for my final Friday rerun before the U.S. Open Tennis.
@DontTouchMyTree I was talking about Pat Sajak's farewell message which airs in June and which I will replay at the end of my last rerun before I watch US Open Tennis. The best way I'm putting it as is that I hope that the Wheel of Fortune TH-cam channel or anyone on TH-cam who watches Wheel of Fortune religiously like I do uploads the farewell message so I can replay it August.
@@lukeleonardrasmussen3550 Let's all rewatch his first show, along with older Wheel episodes. I just finish watching his last show. No teary eyed for me. His farewell speech nearly made my eyes water.
I'm the 900th like! This show was a big part of my childhood and my mom's watched it nearly every night even before I was born. The show isn't the same without Pat! And Jeopardy isn't without Alex. Two of my mom's favorite shows that shaped my childhood and helped me love to learn! I hope Pat has a happy retirement! 🎉
Yes, of course Chuck had Scrabble, Love Connection, or even Lingo. However, you are right, Wheel of Fortune became a Juggernaut once the nighttime version kicked in not too long after.
Thank you for showing this. Totally different era where the contestants ended up choosing the prizes, as opposed to what we have been used to with boatloads of cash.
Most people were happier back then. Less conflict, less contention, less hardship, less disease. Way more religion, way more discipline, far healthier food.
I totally forgot they used to have commercial breaks in the middle of a puzzle. I know this was normal in the daytime show, but what about evenings back then?
The evening version never had commercial breaks in the middle of a puzzle. When contestants were required to buy prizes, if the game ran long, they would return from the break and Pat would say, "Here's Jack Clark to describe what you bought..."
@thetalkingarchive4795 The nighttime show's first couple of weeks actually did have a mid-round commercial break, but that didn't last long (I think they dropped it around the time the R1 top dollar value was increased from $750 to $1K).
@@ChuckD79 Thanks for letting us know. Growing up in Los Angeles, the primetime Wheel of Fortune was not cleared in that market when it debuted in September 1983. We didn't get to see this version until February or March 1984 when it debuted on KCOP 13 at 7pm. Prior to that, Joker's Wild and Tic-Tac-Dough were on during that hour. The two Barry & Enright programs moved to weeknights on from 8pm to 9pm on KHJ Channel 9, where they ran until their cancelation in Sept 1986.
Comedian Freddy Lewis auditioned to be the host of The Wheel. Lewis alleged that his penchant for Manischewitz was the reason that Pat was selected over him.
came here to see Pat's debut after watching his farewell - he's so natural and charismatic right outta the gates, it's no wonder he continued to be the only WOF host people wanted for more than 40 years
Chuck Woolery (the original host of the daytime version of Wheel of Fortune) lost the chance to go on to the nighttime/syndicated version due to a contract demand for $10K a week from his salary that had been $5K. Merv Griffin offered him $7.5K but Woolery held out thinking Griffin would "cave in". Instead, Griffin hired Sajak
@@jimbotc2000 Yes. Vanna was more classy, graceful and poised (Susan was just all over the place with her odd-like behavior, especially when Chuck Woolery left)
By this FAIL,they will be saying,Here’s your new host Ryan Seacrest!! He will be all washed up by Thanksgiving! They will plead for Pat to come back!! It was Dick Clark who gave Ryan Seacrest his break,when he interned for him on American Bandstand and the $100.000 Pyramid.
Pat mentioning the kid passing on the hot tub reminded me of the time my cousin who is now a TV and movie producer won one in the Chuck Woolery daytime version.
On December 28th, 1981, with The show's set returning to Hollywood, California, and it's original host Chuck Woolery moving on to other projects, the world watched as Pat Sajak made his debut on "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" on NBC. Sajak was the heart and spirit of the show, and he spanned his career there for almost 42 years. On June 7th, 2024, Pat Sajak finally stepped out of "WHEEL OF FORTUNE", to make room for another host to come.
According to wikipedia in 1981, Merv Griffin asked Sajak if he would be interested in taking over the duties as host on Wheel of Fortune from Chuck Woolery. However, Fred Silverman, the president and CEO of NBC, rejected his hiring, claiming Sajak was too local, and Griffin responded by imposing a moratorium on new tapings until Sajak was hired.
@@thetalkingarchive4795 I’m so glad Fred was dismissed because he was disrespectful to Pat Sajak and Merv over his hiring just because Pat was “too local”. We would’ve never seen Pat Sajak nor Pat Sajak would not become a legendary figure if he wasn’t hired!
@@anthonyguarino4242 Fred Silverman's departure wasn't over Pat Sajak's hiring. It was a culmination of things that happened on NBC from 1980. Wheel of Fortune was cancelled in June 1980 to make room for....get this.....a 90-minute daytime David Letterman Show. At the last minute, the decision on Wheel was reversed - but they lost Charlie O'Donnell (original announcer) because he found other work like Tic Tac Dough thinking Wheel was done. Jack Clark announced until he passed away of cancer in the Summer of 1988. By early 1981, The David Letterman show would be reduced to 60 minutes, and then ultimately cancelled. Also in the infamous 1980-1981 TV season, which was already shortened due to a writer's strike (the 2023-2024 season was actually WORSE; it lasted longer), was the Saturday Night Live debacle with Jean Doumanian replacing Lorne Michaels. The entire season bombed - only Joe Piscopo and promoted Eddie Murphy saved the show. At that point, Dick Ebersol had to clean house in 1981.
The modern bankrupt sound didn't come out until the summer of 1989 on CBS, and then that fall for syndication (when both versions of the series were taped at CBS Studio City).
How cool would it be to have the teens from Pat’s first week to play again in Pat’s final week as adults? Didn’t some of them come back at some point at the end of an episode awhile back? 😊😊
With Susan Stafford on the puzzleboard, the shopping rounds, the music and sound effects as they originally were, and the bonus round only allowing 5 consonants and one vowel to be called, it's weird to see Pat hosting instead of Chuck. I can remember seeing it with Chuck hosting when I was a kid in the 70s.
LOL ......Because he's seen too many greedy fools roll a Bankrupt/Lose a Turn. Most contestants never understood that even if you solve a puzzle with little cash in your bank, you're still winning a puzzle that your opponents simply CANNOT win instead......By solving a puzzle, you're not just making money, you're taking away an already rare chance of winning a puzzle for your opponents......I know I sort of repeated myself, but it's insane that so few people understand the true value of solving a puzzle.
@@Chiefof16 Yeah - even if there's not a whole lot of money to be made, I'd rather keep spinning until I reach the $1K house minimum threshold. Of course, the only exception would be the Prize Puzzle!
The quick wit was there from the start. I read somewhere that Pat didn't think he'd last more than 13 weeks on the job since the show was losing to Love Boat reruns on ABC in the ratings. Serendipity is a funny thing.
@@joshualazenby1387 When the nighttime "Wheel" dropping the shopping element for good in October '87, they should've done the same for the daytime series too (and like how $25K was the cash prize in nighttime, they could've made the cash prize in daytime $10K)
Susan Stafford left the show and show business to become a humanitarian but she was nice enough to return for 2 weeks in 1986 while Vanna was on a leave of absence.
Probably there wasn't a set standard for Susan, she did what felt comfortable for her. Maybe when Vanna started they had a clearer vision of what they wanted her to do, which was to stand still, smile, clap, and turn the letters.
For those ignorant to Susan. Susan was the letter turner on Wheel of Fortune from 1975-1982 she was very liked back then by viewers. Chuck Woolery and her were a great team on the show and they had the number one daytime gameshow on NBC in the 70's. Her style was very different. Vanna turned the letters more like a model where Susan had more of a personality as she stood there. She would make facial expressions.
She spoke a lot more than Vanna did too, particularly in those early days (Vanna's that is). She was a co-host more than a letter turner. She introduced contestants a lot in fact, standing at podium w/Chuck.
Oh Shit.....They took a commercial break in the middle of the 2nd round puzzle! That TOTALLY gives the advantage to the person who's turn it is. No way in hell Jim's not guessing this one correctly!....And (assuming I'm talking to him 43 years ago) lay off the ball-caps, buddy. A receding hairline at 16 is bad news..... On a much more serious and solemn note, it's truly incredible to see Pat on his first appearance. He seems truly gracious to be there, and extremely well suited for the job (minus the minor hyphen blunder at the beginning of round two that amounted to no issues anyway)....But he'll be missed. I was apparently 8 months old when this episode aired, which blows my mind..... Pat might just know the alphabet better than anyone else alive by now. *Also*...Amazing how many commercials there were back then. I keep thinking commercials have been out of control lately, but they were literally just as bad in 1981.
The difference is minutes only six in this half hour broken up to two minutes at the most. I think later they got rid of that break in the middle of the game and made one longer. They were much more tolerable then because they were shorter even if they seemed too many. Now it's very fortunate to get just a two minute break at a time. Most are 3 or 4 minutes. Lifetime movie Network is the worst with about ten minutes of program and 4 or 5 minutes of commercials. Much worse today than then. You remind me of my cousins listening to the radio. When the commercial came on they changed the station. Now I wouldn't blame them. Radio prefers only two or three breaks an hour and 4 or five minutes of commercials unless it's a talk, sports or news station.
Back in the day of mid game commercial breaks, the contestants had to turn their backs to the puzzle board so they couldn't have an advantage. You can sort of hear Pat say it before the break but the audio isn't super clear
Those old advertisements are mesmerizing I would like to have a 24/7 stream of just that as a background in my room
Pat has the record for the most years (nearly 43) hosting one American game show. The prior record was Bob Barker with 'The Price Is Right,' which he hosted for thirty-five years.
Quality over quantity. I think Chuck is better and Drew is better. Better personally in my opinion.
What about Alex Trebec on Jeopardy?
@@dianepines9014 apples and oranges. Alex hosted an intellectual show where he needed to be on his toes. Pa just watched the wheel go around and a around. Vanna had to walk back and forth touching boxes. It you want to watch a top notch game show, watch WHEW with Tom Kennedy from the 70's . He was on his game.
Alex Trebek has the record for most game show episodes hosted.
@@dianepines9014 Jeopardy with Alex Trebek debut in 1984, a year after Wheel started syndication. He was always a year behind Pat.
This is why TH-cam is great. Feeling nostalgic after Pat's last show. Might as well watch where it all started. Thank you.
exactly always lives on go back and rewatch the legend again! :) never gone from us! Memories live on! Childhood comes back! :)
Pat's filming his last "Wheels" here soon. Hate to see him go change sucks. But he's done it a LONG TIME.
Ryan Seacrest won’t last even till Thanksgiving!! They will plead with Pat to come back!!
I don’t know. Drew Carey has done well as the new host of TPIR and Ken Jennings has done well as the new host of Jeopardy!. People don’t come on these shows to meet the host, they come play the game and win money and prizes. People watch the shows to play along at home not to look at the host. Plus, Pat is in his late 70s, he can’t go on forever. He’s still going to be part of the production team.
It is not like it was rocket science. Pat just stood there and did nothing. At least Chuck had a personality.
This is not just an old episode of Wheel of Fortune, this is a glimpse into another cultural reality
Thank you Pat Sajak. You’re one of the greatest host of Wheel Of Fortune. It’s now Pat Sajak to write the next chapter of his life.
I came back after Pat Sajak's farewell in 2024. What a legend as we know that he's been the host of wheel of fortune since 1981!
Pat Sajak sure looked young as ever, when he used to do the weather, and when he first started hosting Wheel of Fortune, around that time. Less than a year later, Susan Stafford later left the show, and brought in Vanna White, where she actually began her stardom and her iconic job and clapping, a little over two years, after appearing on The Price is Right.
Now comes Season 41, and Pat's final season as host (in which is a fine number to retire at), while Vanna White will still hold her position, for another two years, and Ryan Seacrest comes in as host- he's all over the place, but there we are.
Pat Sajak, here's to you, after 41 incredible years, of hosting Wheel of Fortune. Like Chicago White Sox Organist, Nancy Faust, she retired at that same number, too, and she led a great life to music, like you did, to reading letters and puzzles. We shall miss you, dearly.
This is crazy to see without Vanna it seems off without her
Yep that was Susan Strafford
It actually seems odd with Vanna on the show. I think Susan had a better personality.
Vanna was way better
I'm here after watching Pat's farewell speech.
1:38 He really said “And now I’d like to announce that I’m leaving the show” and 43 years later that statement became reality 😭
Well, he gave us a little foreshadowing that he wouldn't be the host forever.
The daytime episode that started it all for Pat. Now he’s going to retire after the 41st season of syndicated Wheel
And after nearly 43 years on both the daytime and the syndicated versions of Wheel of Fortune.
@@Uncleplan 42 years overall, his final episode will be on June 2024.
Very sad 😞
The end of an era with a tremendous host. Kudos to you Pat and thanks for all the years from childhood to adulthood on our televisions every weeknight ! 🌻
Susan, what an incredible spin and topped off with the fingers through the hair “move” - not awkward at all, and so smooth.
Less than a year later, she too would leave to focus on bigger and better things 😂. Pat and Vanna were sure pleased and realized this was a nice gig.
I saw an interview with her about a month back...I had no idea how well connected she was in Hollywood and how many A list friends (at the time) she had. She was an awesome lady
@@Defensewhiz Susan is a PhD. She was in India in 1982 and everything changed. She knew that there was something more than turning letters. She knew Wheel was going into syndication, but still left.
@@millenniumman75 She went over lhat in her interview (it was over an hour long), plus I knew all that from past interviews I'd seen about what she did after she left Wheel. But she also went into stories about her Hollywood friends, especially Lucille Ball and Sammy Davis Jr. Those were the things I found interesting.
@@Defensewhiz She also had a close partnership with the infamous game show producer Dan Enright
Well, her movements were distracting.
The REAL Wheel Of Fortune, MAJOR flashback right here!!!
Fun Fact: Pat and Vanna's first puzzles were both TITLES and their first letters were both T's.
"And now I'm announcing that I'M leaving the show. Ah, just kidding."
He never spoke those words since...until now.
This episode is on Pluto tv on demand listed as season 10 #1,768 and Vanna’s debut episode is also on Pluto tv on demand listed as season 11 episode #2,016 because both Pat’s debut is the episode #1,768 and Vanna’s debut is the episode #2,016. It’s possible they did this to honor Pat’s and Vanna’s debut respectively.
@@anthonyguarino4242 Cool! :)
I was 5 then. 48 now as of Pat's retirement so yes many shows watched growing up. Doesn't seem possible that Pat is retired and Alex Trebec and Bob Barker are gone. I know it was bound to happen but still like the twlight zone. Happy Retirement Pat. Thanks for the mems!
There were two 'Big Threes'. One of News, the other of Game Shows.
News
Dan Rather - retired in disgrace.
Peter Jennings - dead from lung cancer.
Tom Brokaw - graceful retirement.
Game Shows
Bob Barker - went to the nearest retail price without going over (dead at 99).
Alex Trebek - taken from us way too soon.
Pat Sajak - graceful retirement.
I was born in 1983
I don't think people had a problem with Sajak when he took over. He is likable and hosted the show well. He has personality. That was why he lasted 43 years.
Pat was not always kind to the contestants, particularly the last few years of his career. I often felt like he made fun of or was irritated by them.
Pat looks young in his debut. Susan looks beautiful. The Teen Week contestants from Pat's first show made an appearance during the closing segment on December 24, 2007 during the nighttime show's 25th anniversary season.
I remember them looking so grown up, and they looked so dapper, in their time with Pat, while having their mini reunion, then. I was just surprised Susan Stafford couldn't make the cut, since they were on, when she was the letter-turner, at the time, and Vanna White was still in her auditioning phase, and such.
On airdate June 7, 2024, Pat Sajak announced his retirement after over 4 decades of Wheel of Fortune with Vanna White, who debut in 1982. They make such a great pair. ❤
To put into perspective how long Pat Sajak has been hosting this show. When Pat started hosting, my Dad was in High School, he is now retired with grandchildren
Is he a WoF fan?
1:38 He never said this until 40+ years later
Exactly true
thank you pat for a rocking 41 years with wheel of fortune and chuck for all the fun times over the last 50+ years on air
Thank you Pat for making my childhood and adulthood so much better ❤. I will miss you.
I was a freshman in college out on Xmas break when this show premiered. Didn’t think he would last a year. 😂😂😂😂
out of curiosity why did you think that
@@RaevynLumens I really thought they would bring back Chuck Woolery.
Amazing the show was like that at one time.With the shopping and all. All that wasted time,when they could have had more puzzles.Glad it switched formats.
It became tough to constantly load the puzzleboard!
Look how happy and decent people used to be. Thank you for all the memories Jack
Keep this video up because I'm also gonna watch this episode before Pat's farewell episode in June. AND I'm hoping that the Wheel of Fortune TH-cam channel will have Pat's farewell message available so I can watch that after the last summer rerun I watch before I put it on hiatus to watch U.S. Open Tennis.
That is I'm watching Pat's farewell message in live time in June AND replaying it on TH-cam in August in place of the normal goodbye for my final Friday rerun before the U.S. Open Tennis.
@DontTouchMyTree I was talking about Pat Sajak's farewell message which airs in June and which I will replay at the end of my last rerun before I watch US Open Tennis. The best way I'm putting it as is that I hope that the Wheel of Fortune TH-cam channel or anyone on TH-cam who watches Wheel of Fortune religiously like I do uploads the farewell message so I can replay it August.
Anybody here for Pat's final show tonight?? 😢
Yes
So am I
Yup. Saw his last show now I want to see his first
@@lukeleonardrasmussen3550 Let's all rewatch his first show, along with older Wheel episodes. I just finish watching his last show. No teary eyed for me. His farewell speech nearly made my eyes water.
Yup I was sad
I'm the 900th like! This show was a big part of my childhood and my mom's watched it nearly every night even before I was born. The show isn't the same without Pat! And Jeopardy isn't without Alex. Two of my mom's favorite shows that shaped my childhood and helped me love to learn! I hope Pat has a happy retirement! 🎉
I am going to miss Pat Sajak when his final episode airs this Friday!
Leaving WOF turned out to be one of Chuck Woolery's big regrets as he later saw how big and popular the show had become.
Yes, of course Chuck had Scrabble, Love Connection, or even Lingo. However, you are right, Wheel of Fortune became a Juggernaut once the nighttime version kicked in not too long after.
I did enjoy Scrabble and wish that was still around.
I wonder would Chuck stay on wheel for 30 years or would he eventually leave.
I loved that show
Even for less pay?
The opening was used on Pat's final nighttime Wheel June 7, 2024.
Thank you for showing this. Totally different era where the contestants ended up choosing the prizes, as opposed to what we have been used to with boatloads of cash.
The music going to commercial break at 12:57 sounds like "Temptation Eyes" by The Grass Roots.
LOL it reminded me of 3-2-1 Contact LOL
Some online WOF forums call it the “Temptation Eyes cue” lol
Thanks for putting this up very cool to see I was only like 1.5 years old and seeing the commercials 👏
They should bring back these teens for Pat's final show. Obviously, it would be senior week.
These commercials and live games shows are like 'Little House on the Prairie' every talk and action is so happy and nice.
Most people were happier back then. Less conflict, less contention, less hardship, less disease. Way more religion, way more discipline, far healthier food.
Pat: “I’m leaving the show.” Give it 42 more years Pat.
Thank you Pat Sajak for 41 years of amazing memories and years of entertainment best wishes on your retirement
I'd completely forgotten that they used to select prizes after each round. Thanks for sharing this!
The show was originally going to be called, "Shopper's Bazaar".
0:48 "Teen Week On Wheel Of Fortune. And now here's your new host, Pat Sajak"
0:56 Thank you. Thank you, Jack Clark
I totally forgot they used to have commercial breaks in the middle of a puzzle. I know this was normal in the daytime show, but what about evenings back then?
The evening version never had commercial breaks in the middle of a puzzle. When contestants were required to buy prizes, if the game ran long, they would return from the break and Pat would say, "Here's Jack Clark to describe what you bought..."
@thetalkingarchive4795 The nighttime show's first couple of weeks actually did have a mid-round commercial break, but that didn't last long (I think they dropped it around the time the R1 top dollar value was increased from $750 to $1K).
@@ChuckD79 Thanks for letting us know. Growing up in Los Angeles, the primetime Wheel of Fortune was not cleared in that market when it debuted in September 1983. We didn't get to see this version until February or March 1984 when it debuted on KCOP 13 at 7pm. Prior to that, Joker's Wild and Tic-Tac-Dough were on during that hour. The two Barry & Enright programs moved to weeknights on from 8pm to 9pm on KHJ Channel 9, where they ran until their cancelation in Sept 1986.
@thetalkingarchive4795 Anytime...here in NY, we didn't get it until Jan. 1984, but was able to see the earliest shows years later, thanks to GSN.
@@thetalkingarchive4795 Joker's Wild was rad. I didn't like the modern version hosted by Snoopy Dogg.
Comedian Freddy Lewis auditioned to be the host of The Wheel. Lewis alleged that his penchant for Manischewitz was the reason that Pat was selected over him.
Pat: And now I would like to announce that I'm leaving the show. No."😂
Pat made that announcement about 42 years early. 😂
Glad to see the comment section filled with a lot of us who watched the last who wanted to see the first. I wasn't born when this aired.
came here to see Pat's debut after watching his farewell - he's so natural and charismatic right outta the gates, it's no wonder he continued to be the only WOF host people wanted for more than 40 years
An absolute legend, we will miss you Pat! ❤
Chuck Woolery (the original host of the daytime version of Wheel of Fortune) lost the chance to go on to the nighttime/syndicated version due to a contract demand for $10K a week from his salary that had been $5K. Merv Griffin offered him $7.5K but Woolery held out thinking Griffin would "cave in". Instead, Griffin hired Sajak
$5K back then is worth over $17K today. So that means $68K a month and $680K per year. Not bad for daytime.
He got greedy and it backfired on him
Boy, they really upgraded with Vanna.
Did they though?
@@jimbotc2000yes. Susan didn't wear proper bras!
@@jimbotc2000 Yes. Vanna was more classy, graceful and poised (Susan was just all over the place with her odd-like behavior, especially when Chuck Woolery left)
@@jimmyboyzable
Okay..
By this fall, they'll be saying, "Here's your new host, Ryan Seacrest."
After 43 years, it won't be the same.
By this FAIL,they will be saying,Here’s your new host Ryan Seacrest!! He will be all washed up by Thanksgiving! They will plead for Pat to come back!! It was Dick Clark who gave Ryan Seacrest his break,when he interned for him on American Bandstand and the $100.000 Pyramid.
Inflation rears its head very ugly head
Yes they will most definitely
Had to watch this just weeks after seeing the last WOF episode that Pat Sajak hosted before his retirement.
I just want to point out that Pat was courteous enough to recognize his predecessor by name on his first episode.
I’m here because today is his last day hosting wheel of Fortune.
Pat mentioning the kid passing on the hot tub reminded me of the time my cousin who is now a TV and movie producer won one in the Chuck Woolery daytime version.
my god I was like 11 years old back then wow what a memory
I was only a few months old.
I don't know what's more round,
Pat's head or the wheel.
The commercials bring back some good and bad memories 😂😢😂
On December 28th, 1981, with The show's set returning to Hollywood, California, and it's original host Chuck Woolery moving on to other projects, the world watched as Pat Sajak made his debut on "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" on NBC. Sajak was the heart and spirit of the show, and he spanned his career there for almost 42 years. On June 7th, 2024, Pat Sajak finally stepped out of "WHEEL OF FORTUNE", to make room for another host to come.
"And now, I'd like to announce that I'm leaving the show..." Yes, you are, Pat, but not for 43 years.
I was only a few months old when this aired.
And you remember the episode. Very impressive
@@JamesMoritz-f6l No, I don't. I looked up when it aired. But I will say, that I watched WOF even before I understood it.
@@alexanderpytko5394 I was just joking
I miss the old bongo drum music from back in the day. I remember it well from the Woolery years
"Big Wheels" and the music used until 1983 - written by *Alan Thicke*
Woolery actually left due to a salary dispute. He later said he regretted leaving.
1:38 - 1:41 *"And now, I'd like to announce that I'M leaving the show..."*
😂
People were so polite saying, "yes please". Miss that
I wonder if they will show this clip on the last episode set to air June 7 2024.
They did in the opening
According to wikipedia in 1981, Merv Griffin asked Sajak if he would be interested in taking over the duties as host on Wheel of Fortune from Chuck Woolery. However, Fred Silverman, the president and CEO of NBC, rejected his hiring, claiming Sajak was too local, and Griffin responded by imposing a moratorium on new tapings until Sajak was hired.
Glad Merv dismissed Fred’s rejection!
Fortunately for Griffin, Silverman was dismissed soon after and new president Brandon Tartikoff gave his blessing to hire Pat.
@@thetalkingarchive4795 I’m so glad Fred was dismissed because he was disrespectful to Pat Sajak and Merv over his hiring just because Pat was “too local”. We would’ve never seen Pat Sajak nor Pat Sajak would not become a legendary figure if he wasn’t hired!
@@anthonyguarino4242 Fred Silverman's departure wasn't over Pat Sajak's hiring. It was a culmination of things that happened on NBC from 1980. Wheel of Fortune was cancelled in June 1980 to make room for....get this.....a 90-minute daytime David Letterman Show. At the last minute, the decision on Wheel was reversed - but they lost Charlie O'Donnell (original announcer) because he found other work like Tic Tac Dough thinking Wheel was done. Jack Clark announced until he passed away of cancer in the Summer of 1988. By early 1981, The David Letterman show would be reduced to 60 minutes, and then ultimately cancelled. Also in the infamous 1980-1981 TV season, which was already shortened due to a writer's strike (the 2023-2024 season was actually WORSE; it lasted longer), was the Saturday Night Live debacle with Jean Doumanian replacing Lorne Michaels. The entire season bombed - only Joe Piscopo and promoted Eddie Murphy saved the show. At that point, Dick Ebersol had to clean house in 1981.
@@millenniumman75 interesting!
Chuck Woolery….tremendous career move sir!
This is it, tonight is Pat Sajak's last episode.
I love how the bankrupt sounds like some cartoon falling sound effect😂😂
The modern bankrupt sound didn't come out until the summer of 1989 on CBS, and then that fall for syndication (when both versions of the series were taped at CBS Studio City).
I'm Gonna Miss Pat After 42 Years On Wheel Of Fortune After 4 Decades! :(
The first contestant is the most shot out 16-year-old I’ve ever seen.
His photo was on MAD magazine.
How cool would it be to have the teens from Pat’s first week to play again in Pat’s final week as adults? Didn’t some of them come back at some point at the end of an episode awhile back? 😊😊
The Start of something Big for Pat Sajak.
With Susan Stafford on the puzzleboard, the shopping rounds, the music and sound effects as they originally were, and the bonus round only allowing 5 consonants and one vowel to be called, it's weird to see Pat hosting instead of Chuck. I can remember seeing it with Chuck hosting when I was a kid in the 70s.
I remembered watching this game show on television.
The last commercial...right because more is always better
14:55 That spin was a perfect revolution, it even ended up on the exact same prong!
How many people are watching this episode before Pat's last episode on 6/7/24.
ME!!!!!!!
@@ericsamuelson5656 So am I!
Me
so am I, pat sajak is a legend.
Literally from day one, Pat acts surprised when contestants know the phrase but still ask to spin.
LOL ......Because he's seen too many greedy fools roll a Bankrupt/Lose a Turn.
Most contestants never understood that even if you solve a puzzle with little cash in your bank, you're still winning a puzzle that your opponents simply CANNOT win instead......By solving a puzzle, you're not just making money, you're taking away an already rare chance of winning a puzzle for your opponents......I know I sort of repeated myself, but it's insane that so few people understand the true value of solving a puzzle.
@@Chiefof16 Yeah - even if there's not a whole lot of money to be made, I'd rather keep spinning until I reach the $1K house minimum threshold. Of course, the only exception would be the Prize Puzzle!
Godspeed chuck Woolery
Vanna started in 82.
The quick wit was there from the start. I read somewhere that Pat didn't think he'd last more than 13 weeks on the job since the show was losing to Love Boat reruns on ABC in the ratings. Serendipity is a funny thing.
📺On this date (December 28) in 1981, Pat Sajak became host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’.
It never failed that you would be stick with the pink flamingos when trying to pick the prizes.
I didn't know his first show was with teens, it would have been cool if they would have brought the same 3 contestants for his final show.
They'd be close to 60 today.
@@youbetcha6880 yeah... that would have been cool if they would have brought them.
they did come back during the 25th season
@@JohnathanWilliamson849 😲 oh cool, I didn't know that! I will look for the episode:)
@@JohnathanWilliamson849is it on TH-cam
I like Chuck Woolery and Pat Sajak
The show got so much better when they got rid of the prizes between rounds.
It was to devote more time to puzzle solving which is what most viewers preferred. TV Guide was critical of the move.
@@joshualazenby1387 When the nighttime "Wheel" dropping the shopping element for good in October '87, they should've done the same for the daytime series too (and like how $25K was the cash prize in nighttime, they could've made the cash prize in daytime $10K)
PAT SAJAK in December 28, 1981 until June 7, 2024.
So will be replacing the new Generation host from The American Idol RYAN SEACREST.
Wonder if the show will continue have the same audience.
I remember when “Teen Week” was the big thing on the daytime “Wheel of Fortune”.
1:38 - No, not for another 43 years.
lol 😂 true😊
Wow what a vast improvement with vanna white 😍
Susan Stafford left the show and show business to become a humanitarian but she was nice enough to return for 2 weeks in 1986 while Vanna was on a leave of absence.
Vanna always wore a proper bra!!!
@@alexanderpytko53941
Probably there wasn't a set standard for Susan, she did what felt comfortable for her. Maybe when Vanna started they had a clearer vision of what they wanted her to do, which was to stand still, smile, clap, and turn the letters.
RIP Chuck Woolery
For those ignorant to Susan. Susan was the letter turner on Wheel of Fortune from 1975-1982 she was very liked back then by viewers. Chuck Woolery and her were a great team on the show and they had the number one daytime gameshow on NBC in the 70's. Her style was very different. Vanna turned the letters more like a model where Susan had more of a personality as she stood there. She would make facial expressions.
She spoke a lot more than Vanna did too, particularly in those early days (Vanna's that is). She was a co-host more than a letter turner. She introduced contestants a lot in fact, standing at podium w/Chuck.
Hopefully Vanna doesn't get a hissy fit and do what Susan did
Oh Shit.....They took a commercial break in the middle of the 2nd round puzzle! That TOTALLY gives the advantage to the person who's turn it is. No way in hell Jim's not guessing this one correctly!....And (assuming I'm talking to him 43 years ago) lay off the ball-caps, buddy. A receding hairline at 16 is bad news.....
On a much more serious and solemn note, it's truly incredible to see Pat on his first appearance. He seems truly gracious to be there, and extremely well suited for the job (minus the minor hyphen blunder at the beginning of round two that amounted to no issues anyway)....But he'll be missed. I was apparently 8 months old when this episode aired, which blows my mind..... Pat might just know the alphabet better than anyone else alive by now.
*Also*...Amazing how many commercials there were back then. I keep thinking commercials have been out of control lately, but they were literally just as bad in 1981.
The difference is minutes only six in this half hour broken up to two minutes at the most. I think later they got rid of that break in the middle of the game and made one longer. They were much more tolerable then because they were shorter even if they seemed too many. Now it's very fortunate to get just a two minute break at a time. Most are 3 or 4 minutes. Lifetime movie Network is the worst with about ten minutes of program and 4 or 5 minutes of commercials. Much worse today than then. You remind me of my cousins listening to the radio. When the commercial came on they changed the station. Now I wouldn't blame them. Radio prefers only two or three breaks an hour and 4 or five minutes of commercials unless it's a talk, sports or news station.
Back in the day of mid game commercial breaks, the contestants had to turn their backs to the puzzle board so they couldn't have an advantage. You can sort of hear Pat say it before the break but the audio isn't super clear
Partway into the Woolery era, they started turning their backs so they couldn't study the puzzle. Standards and Practices!
hats dont cause baldness
Just finished his last episode, you will be missed Pat
12/28/81-- 06/07/24
A legendary run!