Over the years, that became his brand, and it helps explain why the announcement that he’s leaving (and the swift beknighting of Ryan Seacrest as his replacement) has landed with such a thud. And it kind of says it all that Sajak-who has spent decades directing people to spin a wheel and has recently been making a reported $15 million a year for the privilege-took the bittersweet moment of his retirement as an opportunity to air a bit of grievance. Whether this is the result of game-show-host senioritis or septuagenarian social derangement, the rags love a Sajak moment. He tugged on a man’s beard, called him “Santa,” and later apologized. What was he talking about, exactly? Well, according to the tabloids that cover syndicated television like it’s Capitol Hill, Sajak’s behavior on Wheel of Fortune has grown increasingly erratic as he’s blown past the guardrails of retirement age: The longtime host, 76, was putting contestants into chokeholds and imploring celebrity guests to show off their abs. “If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!” “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months,” Sajak wrote. When Pat Sajak announced he’d be retiring from Wheel of Fortune after the show’s 41 st season, which premieres in September, he included a perfectly diva-ish swipe in his farewell message.

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