Pat Sajak hosts 'Wheel of Fortune' at 1983 Ohio State Fair

In this clip from a "Wheel of Fortune" taping at the 1983 Ohio State Fair, Pat Sajak and Vanna White chose members from the audience to participate in the show. This episode was used to promote the new nighttime version of "Wheel of Fortune."
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After 41 years and over 8,000 episodes, Pat Sajak made his final turn as the renowned host of “Wheel of Fortune” on Friday, June 7.
The season 41 finale, dubbed the “Thanks for the memories” show, opened on Friday with a clip from Sajak’s first episode as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981 and closed with Sajak’s warm message of gratitude.
In his farewell message, Sajak thanked the viewers of the beloved game show for granting him the “incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
Sajak, 77, also gave a heartfelt thanks to his “professional other half,” Vanna White, who has co-hosted with him for over 40 years and delivered her emotional tribute to Sajak a day earlier.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other,” he said. “I will miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature. She’s a very special woman.”
Sajak's run as host began in 1981, and he will go out on top as the longest-running host of a single game show in modern TV history.
#patsajak #wheeloffortune #vannawhite #ohiostatefair

[@thechadmosher]

There are groups of game show fans who have wanted to see this for 40 years. We’re grateful that you posted this, and would love to see more. It’s super rare. Thank you!

[@ChiefCoralcola]

Thank you for uploading this! Amazing this footage still exists.

[@ListenToTheLand]

There were years, once upon a time, that TV historians and archivists debated whether this really happened. Or if it happened whether it was televised, and if it WAS televised it couldn't possibly have been recorded. An HOUR ago I never thought I'd ever get to see this, and I am SO grateful this footage was posted (and if the station retained more, would SO love to see it). Regardless, thank you SO much!

[@myles-spikewebby8519]

Haven't seen this archive. Wow. Ever young Pat and Vanna. The puzzle board reminds me from Woolery 70s era. Thanks for uploading it.

[@UNCJerry77]

This is up there with finding a Chuck Woolery episode! Thanks for posting this!

[@meowkitty5588]

UNCJerry77, long time no see commenting on your channel.

[@DanielC_YT]

Exciting we finally have some clips from these shows

[@halflip876]

Game show history uncovered!! So cool…

[@jimmyboyzable]

OMG, I've seen pictures of this event and now that we've FINALLY get to actually SEE actual gameplay, wish I could've been there (but I wasn't even BORN yet, LOL)

[@JZCRAZY]

Never even knew about this...(AND) vowels were treated no differently than consonants. very interesting!

[@TheRobobuck]

This is very cool thank you for uploading and congratulations on your retirement Pat!

[@JonesDylan874]

NOW THIS IS AMAZING! May Pat Sajak have a great retirement.

[@VectraQS]

Holy cow! Never thought I'd see this turn up -- heck for many years, people debated whether this happened or not! Would love to see all the footage you have!

[@keith.wilson1981]

Wow! This is just ummm bizarrely incredible!!!!

[@billlevins7460]

Pat Sajak is a good man and has a great attitude.

[@johnv9594]

Wow, a trip to las vegas!

[@jwgreek8606]

Thanks been n wanting to see this

[@ccsg1313]

Over 40 years omg

[@millenniumman75]

This week of shows was my first look at Pat and Vanna - I am so glad there is something from thar week! They had both started on Wheel while I was in school (first grade for Pat and second grade for Vanna). These aired in early September 1983 before the nighttime show began (they were just starting to use the Merv Griffin's 1983 theme even in daytime at this point).

[@meowkitty5588]

September 12, 1983.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

Love how Vanna White appeared here

[@allankelly2500]

This looks like a pilot episode

[@dogman15]

Looks like the person backstage accidentally revealed the D of Coolidge, which may have helped the final guess/solve.

[@anthonyguarino4242]

If that happened, the puzzle would’ve been thrown out and replaced with the new puzzle with a different category.

[@TheKeyboardKing1]

I had to watch the video again before it sunk in to me that this was a real nationwide-aired NBC daytime episode of Wheel. I love the tiny 10x3 puzzle board that was a pastiche of the 1975-1981 original Woolery-era board.

[@urbanpreppie05]

i think these only aired in columbus

[@VectraQS]

These only aired on a handful of stations in Ohio.

[@anthonyguarino4242]

So in this clip: 1. contestants are called to come on down to play wheel of fortune 2. The wheel can be spun both ways 3. The puzzleboard is identical to the 1970s puzzleboard, however unlike the former which has 39 trilons, the latter has 30 trilons 4. Vanna turns the letter the opposite way just like the 1974 pilots when Susan Stafford turns the opposite way. 5. The wheel layout range from 5 to 100 points, the lose a turn and spin again wedges are blue.

[@MatthewTheMattam]

Not to mention, contestants can call vowels instead of buying them.

[@anthonyguarino4242]

@@MatthewTheMattam yeah, I saw that!

[@guyfierimtwi]

Archive this

[@tino3403]

Can we see more rare shows like this I’ve never seen this before it’s really cool

[@amandamagnani4484]

I would love to see those shows too

[@allankelly2500]

Interesting that Pat spins the wheel 🛞 to save time it would morph into the Final Spin

[@ajk]

Final spin was already a thing. Long before Pat in fact. This was just a variation on it.

[@buddhabull727]

Neat! Does that prize cue music have a name?

[@josephwright1519]

Cara was 19 when this aired. And wearing a cigarette T-shirt. I bet she herself doesn’t even remember being on this.

[@stevendudley5687]

Happy retirement Pat

[@RetroWinnipeg]

It’s amazing how it seems nobody in Ohio actually taped these specials back in 1983, much in the same vein like when those 1976 Garfield comics were unearthed.

[@VectraQS]

Most people who had VCRs at the time were undoubtedly busy taping HBO.

[@ClapHurts]

almost like shopper bazaar pilot

[@9ZERO6]

Dang she was smokin'. You know it, I know it.

[@jwgreek8606]

She still is!

[@Christ-yk3tn]

Enjoy your 7 years of retirement Pat..If you even live that long...

[@Christ-yk3tn]

Cancer set's in quick once you get out of showbiz...😂😂

[@gameshowguy2000]

7? Bob Barker lived to see 16 years of retirement.

[@Christ-yk3tn]

@@gameshowguy2000 Bob was in better health than Pat..

[@GreatBuyskateboardcompan-cl6my]

jaj