After more than 40 years as host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak bid a heartfelt farewell that drew a massive audience of 11.03 million viewers — the show's largest in over four years. Excluding live sports, this episode was the most-watched program on TV for the entire week. Sajak expressed gratitude for being welcomed into millions of homes every night for decades. The final week of his tenure also saw a ratings surge, with an 18-week high in household rating and an average of 8.5 million viewers. Sajak's departure marks the end of an era, with Ryan Seacrest set to take over as host in the fall. Wheel of Fortune's successful run under Sajak's leadership proves his enduring appeal and the show's lasting popularity.