The beginning of the end is officially upon us! 

Wheel of Fortune Season 41 was set to kick off today, September 11, 2023, with a momentous premiere marking Pat Sajak’s final spin with the game show. Unfortunately, due to the Monday Night’s NFL Kickoff, the episode will not be airing in its regularly scheduled slot of 6:30 p.m. CT in some markets. Instead, episode 401 was preempted and scheduled on the lineup to air at 3:07 a.m. CT, while the second episode of the season, is set to air normally on September 12th at 6:30 p.m. CT.

The article has been updated to reflect this schedule change. 

The longtime host announced his departure this summer. He has helmed the game show for 40 years alongside Vanna White, who is also set to return for the 41st season, though she will be away for a week as she came down with COVID-19 while filming, forcing her to miss a handful of episodes. 

Still, it’s going to be a season to remember as things will never be the same again once Ryan Seacrest takes over, replacing Sajak in 2024. Sajak first joined in 1981, filling the spot previously held by Chuck Woolery and making the game show an American staple. 

However, Sajak was ready to close this chapter of his life, previously declaring, “Well, the time has come. 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.”

Fans aren’t looking forward to the change, with many commenting that it’s the “last” season they will watch on the WOF Instagram and Twitter posts promoting the premiere. 

Guess who's back?
Back again (for the 41st time)? pic.twitter.com/11U14KQjIk

— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) September 5, 2023

Wheel of Fortune Season 41 will kick off with the theme “European Vacation,” airing episodes every night of the week at 6:30 pm CT on ABC.

It’s unclear if White, who hasn’t gotten a raise in 18 years, will continue on with the show once Seacrest takes over, but since she’s so iconic and integral to the show’s success, we hope that she gets what she deserves! 

And we hope everyone enjoys the final season with the iconic duo of Sajak and White!

With Pat Sajak’s retirement announcement and the news that Ryan Seacrest is replacing him as a host starting with season 42, it’s understandable that fans are worried about Vanna White’s place on Wheel of Fortune. 

Is her job secure? She’s only been the face of the brand alongside Sajak for 40 years!

Puck News reported last week that contract negotiations were in the works, with the latest update that White will be sticking around the game show. 

The outlet revealed that she is “eyeing” a future with WOF beyond its 41st season, which will be Sajak’s final installment. 

While a deal has not been reached yet, according to the outlet, she is allegedly asking for a pay raise as she’s never gotten one in 18 years. 

Seacrest addressed his takeover of the game show shortly after the official WOF social media account named him as Sajak’s replacement, and he seemed keen on working alongside White, who fans know and love for being a welcoming presence and for her elaborate and incredible fashion pieces. 

“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White,” the American Idol host said in his statement while acknowledging that it’s “been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

Wheel of Fortune pic.twitter.com/pQeTpWsPx7

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) June 27, 2023

White has yet to speak out on all the changes happening behind the scenes of America’s game show, but it’s comforting to know that she plans to stick around for the time being and that fans won’t have to lose both Sajak and White simultaneously. 

After Pat Sajak, 76, announced that he would be stepping down from his Wheel of Fortune hosting duties after four decades, fans were in a tizzy wondering who would take on the coveted hosting gig. 

Change is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it easy or comfortable, however, it seems that the minds behind the long-running game show hope that by bringing in a familiar face, it’ll lessen the blow. 

Many names were thrown into the ring, including Sajak’s daughter, Maggie Sajak, who has cemented a place on the show as a social media correspondent, and who many believed would take the reins from her father when he was finally ready to take a bow. 

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case as the powers at be had someone else in mind. On June 27, the official Wheel of Fortune social media account announced Sajak’s replacement—Ryan Seacrest.

“It’s official! Starting in 2024 @RyanSeacrest will take the stage as the new host of Wheel of Fortune. We’re so excited – Welcome Ryan!” the caption noted. 

It’s official! Starting in 2024 @RyanSeacrest will take the stage as the new host of Wheel of Fortune. We're so excited – Welcome Ryan! pic.twitter.com/TG5666m2Xc

— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) June 27, 2023

Seacrest—who holds a multitude of jobs and has quite a firm footing in Hollywood as host of American Idol, host of his own nationally syndicated iHeart radio show, and the host for the TV special Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve—also released a statement of his own, stating, in part, “I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease,” Seacrest added. “I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”

Wheel of Fortune pic.twitter.com/pQeTpWsPx7

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) June 27, 2023

On June 12, Sajak announced his retirement, writing, “Well, the time has come. 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.”

Sajak has been leading the charge since 1981 alongside White, who is said to be remaining with the game show for the time being. 

Seacrest will take over starting with Wheel of Fortune Season 42 in 2024! 

What are your thoughts?