‘Wheel of Fortune”s final season begins today, marking the end of four decades of collaboration between Pat Sajak and Vanna White.

Sajak announced his retirement from the long-running show this year, writing on social media that “it’s been a wonderful ride,” but this will be his final season.

“41 never looked so good,” the show’s Instagram captioned a photo of the hosts and announced the show’s return date.

Despite Sajak and White’s comfort in their roles now, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for them.

The show was created by Merv Griffin, who also created “Jeopardy!”. Sajak took over hosting duties from Chuck Woolery in 1981.

Susan Stafford was replaced by White a year later.

She confessed she wasn’t confident in her abilities when she first began.

White told the Grand Forks Herald in 2007 that he was shaking, his mouth quivered, and he could barely speak.

She and the show didn’t have a chance of survival, according to Sajak in the interview.

Sajak, referring to Griffin, who noted their chemistry, said, “I never dreamed he would pick Vanna.” he said.

In a CBS News Sunday Morning interview in 2020, Sajak remembered White’s nerves at the auditions.

“I didn’t recommend Vanna, and Vanna knows that.” he said. Not that she wasn’t lovely and wonderful and personable and all that, but she was the most nervous, by far.