Vanna White

Host

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In the one-and-a-half-hour solo portion of her interview, Vanna White speaks about her early years and influences, her work as a model, and her appearance as a contestant on The Price Is Right. She then details the show for which she is best known, Wheel of Fortune. White describes working with creator Merv Griffin and host Pat Sajak, talks about the show's popularity and the resulting "Vannamania,” and speaks of her wardrobe and the show's production schedule.

In the fifteen-minute joint portion of their interview, Pat Sajak and Vanna White discuss the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune and marvel at the show's longevity. They recount their first time meeting each other, describe working with producer Harry Friedman, and touch on how the opening of the show has changed over time. They also offer personal anecdotes about each other. Barrie Nedler conducted the interviews on October 10, 2007 in Culver City, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I asked Merv why he chose me, and he said he felt like Pat and I were like a brother/sister team. We worked well together. He saw chemistry between the two of us and just thought that America would love us as a team. Kind of like Ken and Barbie."

People Talking About ...

Vanna White

Highlights

Vanna White on why Merv Griffin hired her - she and Pat were like Ken and Barbie

00:18

Vanna White on becoming 5'6"

00:22

Vanna White on what she loves most about her job

00:27

Vanna White on turning the letters

00:39

Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On her childhood and early influences; on starting to model; on entering the Miss Georgia Universe Pageant; on moving to Los Angeles

On her audition for Wheel of Fortune; on her early days of Wheel of Fortune and the evolution of her look; on working with a different host on the daytime version of Wheel of Fortune

On dealing with celebrity status and "Vannamania;" on her outfits on Wheel of Fortune; on her book

Chapter 2

On designers she likes; on her own clothing line and Home Shopping Network; on her own perfume

On writing her autobiography; on acting; on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman; on pop culture references to her

On taping Wheel of Fortune in New York; on her 1989 television movie Goddess of Love; on Home Shopping Network

On appearing on Married...with Children and Naked Gun 33 1/3; on the new puzzle board on Wheel of Fortune; on the longevity, staff and production, and College and Celebrity Week shows of Wheel of Fortune

Chapter 3

On changes on Wheel of Fortune over the years; on the show's 25th anniversary; on a typical taping day

On her wave; on the success of the show; on her hobbies and charity work; on her proudest achievement and advice to aspiring television personalities

Chapter 4

START OF JOINT INTERVIEW WITH PAT SAJAK AND VANNA WHITE: Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune

Pat Sajak and Vanna White on favorite stories about each other

Shows

Goddess of Love, The

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Vanna White on her 1989 television movie The Goddess of Love