Pat Sajak is wheel-y grateful for his time on Wheel of Fortune – despite the fact that Ryan Seacrest is about to take his place.
Thursday, Sajak, 76, paid tribute Merv Griffin, creator of “Wheel of Fortune”, on his birthday, and thanked the presenter for giving him a probability so a few years ago.
“Merv Griffin, creator of Wheel of Fortune, was born on today in 1925,” Sajak tweeted.
“I owe a lot to this man,” the message continued. “He absolutely defied network management by insisting on hiring an unknown local TV presenter to take over his show in 1981. It was me, and I have been grateful to him ever since.”
Sajak has been a staple of the show since 1981, when he was hired to take over host duties in place of Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s original presenter.
But now, after 42 years on the show, Sajak has made the decision to retire announced via Twitter June 12.
![Pat Sajak thanked](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013676846.jpg?w=1024)
![Sajak thanked the creator for hiring him so many years ago.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013283601.jpg?w=671)
“Well, it is time,” Sajak wrote in an announcement. “I actually have decided that our forty first season, which starts in September, can be my last. It was an awesome ride and I may have more to say in the coming months. Many due to all of you. (Though nothing else, clickbait pages can be busy!)”
In the wake of the news of Sajak’s retirement, it was announced that longtime “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, 48, would take over his duties after he wraps up next season.
He can even serve as a consulting producer on the show, Sony said late last month.
in an announcementSeacrest admitted that he felt “really humiliated” when taking the role of Sajak.
“I’m truly honored to be following in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” said Seacrest. “I can say, like the rest of America, that watching Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years has been a privilege and pure joy, making us smile every night and feel at home with them.”
![Last month, Sajak announced his retirement](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000007459218.jpg?w=1024)
![Ryan Seacrest will take over as Sajak's host after season 41.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000012753149.jpg?w=683)
He also took a bow to longtime 66-year-old Vanna White, who wrote that he was excited to work together with her.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the tradition of spinning the wheel and dealing alongside the great Vanna White,” he said.
Nonetheless, it isn’t clear if White will return to the Wheel of Fortune scene anytime soon.
In response to the report of News from PuckWhite has allegedly approached a lawyer and is asking for a raise – something she has not received in 18 years aside from bonuses.
![It's unclear if Vanna White will return to the show amid these changes.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013394683-1.jpg?w=668)
![Sajak has hosted the show since 1981.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013323504.jpg?w=1024)
She is alleged to be represented by the “aggressive” powerful attorney Bryan Freedman, who also worked for the short-lived “Jeopardy!” host Mike Richards after a series of scandals.
White reportedly desires to earn greater than her alleged $3 million annual salary she has been earning since 2005.
Her salary seems to pale as compared to Pat Sajak’s $15 million a 12 months, based on Forbes.
![White is reportedly asking for a big raise for his role](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013287157.jpg?w=1024)
![Seacrest said yes](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000012753996-1.jpg?w=1024)
White’s contract expires at the end of the 2023-2024 season Fox News.
Nonetheless, it seems many former game show members are on White’s side and agree she should get a raise.
Last week, former “Price is Right” model Gwendolyn Osborne, 44, shared her support for White during an interview with “TMZ Live”.
“I say it is time,” Osborne said partially. “Vanna White must have asked that query an extended time ago.”
Former “Deal or No Deal” and “The Price Is Right” model Claudia Jordan also spoke out in White’s defense this week.