Vanna White

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In her one-and-a-half-hour Archive 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 dual interview, Sajak and White discuss the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune, marvel at the show's longevity, and offer personal anecdotes about each other. Barrie Nedler conducted the interview in Culver City, CA in two sessions: a one-and-a-half-hour individual interview and a fifteen minute conversation with Pat Sajak on October 10, 2007.

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 ...
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

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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
00:47

Jeopardy!

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Vanna White on why Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune make a good pair
00:23

King of Queens, The

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Vanna White on appearing as herself on The King of Queens
00:26

Late Night with David Letterman

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Vanna White on appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
01:01

Married… With Children

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Vanna White on appearing on Married… With Children
03:02

Price is Right, The

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Vanna White on appearing as a contestant on The Price is Right
00:24

Rat Patrol, The

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Vanna White on her uncle Christopher George of The Rat Patrol
00:34

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

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Vanna White on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:01

Wheel of Fortune

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Vanna White on being a fan of Wheel of Fortune
00:29
Vanna White on auditioning for Wheel of Fortune
19:08
Vanna White on her fashions on Wheel of Fortune
02:41
Vanna White on taping Wheel of Fortune in New York and traveling with the show 
01:47
Vanna White on the longevity, staff and production of Wheel of Fortune
09:31
Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune  
11:10
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune
13:19
Topics

Fame and Celebrity

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Vanna White on response from fans
00:28
Vanna White on knowing she had made it and handling celebrity
01:48
Vanna White on "Vannamania" and her fan club
02:42

Quiz Show Scandals

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Vanna White on not being allowed to talk to contestants on Wheel of Fortune
00:51
Professions

Game Show Host

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Vanna White on her role on Wheel of Fortune
00:48
Genres

Game Shows

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Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune
19:08
Vanna White on the longevity, staff and production of Wheel of Fortune
09:31
Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune  
11:10
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune
13:19
People

Johnny Carson

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Vanna White on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:01

Harry Friedman

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Vanna White on Harry Friedman, producer of Wheel of Fortune
00:31
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on working with producer Harry Friedman
02:20

Merv Griffin

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Vanna White on Merv Griffin hiring her for Wheel of Fortune
01:54
Vanna White on Merv Griffin
00:38
Vanna White on her relationship with Merv Griffin
02:09

David Letterman

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Vanna White on appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
01:01

Leslie Nielsen

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Vanna White on working with Leslie Nielsen
00:35

Pat Sajak

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Vanna White on Pat Sajak not believing Vanna would get hired on Wheel of Fortune
03:16
Vanna White on her relationship with Pat Sajak
00:30
Vanna White on becoming "Pat and Vanna" and Pat Sajak's strengths as a host
00:42
Vanna White on Alex Trebek hosting Wheel of Fortune and Pat and Vanna playing against each other
00:56
Vanna White on Pat Sajak commenting on her backstage eating habits; on their banter
01:08

Susan Stafford

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Vanna White on replacing Susan Stafford on Wheel of Fortune
00:42

Alex Trebek

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Vanna White on Alex Trebek hosting Wheel of Fortune and Pat and Vanna playing against each other
00:56

Vanna White

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Pat Sajak on a favorite Vanna White story
04:44

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