About
"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."
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.
Highlights
Vanna White on why Merv Griffin hired her - she and Pat were like Ken and Barbie
Vanna White on becoming 5'6"
Vanna White on what she loves most about her job
Vanna White on turning the letters
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 5
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
Vanna White on her 1989 television movie The Goddess of Love
Jeopardy!
Vanna White on why Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune make a good pair
King of Queens, The
Vanna White on appearing as herself on The King of Queens
Late Night with David Letterman
Vanna White on appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Married… With Children
Vanna White on appearing on Married… With Children
Price is Right, The
Vanna White on appearing as a contestant on The Price is Right
Rat Patrol, The
Vanna White on her uncle Christopher George of The Rat Patrol
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Vanna White on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on being a fan of Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on auditioning for Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on her fashions on Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on taping Wheel of Fortune in New York and traveling with the show
Vanna White on the longevity, staff and production of Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune
Topics
Fame and Celebrity
Vanna White on response from fans
Vanna White on knowing she had made it and handling celebrity
Vanna White on "Vannamania" and her fan club
Quiz Show Scandals
Vanna White on not being allowed to talk to contestants on Wheel of Fortune
Professions
Game Show Host
Vanna White on her role on Wheel of Fortune
Genres
Game Shows
Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on the longevity, staff and production of Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the atmosphere on the set of Wheel of Fortune
People
Johnny Carson
Vanna White on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Harry Friedman
Vanna White on Harry Friedman, producer of Wheel of Fortune
Pat Sajak and Vanna White on working with producer Harry Friedman
Merv Griffin
Vanna White on Merv Griffin hiring her for Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on Merv Griffin
Vanna White on her relationship with Merv Griffin
David Letterman
Vanna White on appearing on Late Night with David Letterman
Leslie Nielsen
Vanna White on working with Leslie Nielsen
Pat Sajak
Vanna White on Pat Sajak not believing Vanna would get hired on Wheel of Fortune
Vanna White on her relationship with Pat Sajak
Vanna White on becoming "Pat and Vanna" and Pat Sajak's strengths as a host
Vanna White on Alex Trebek hosting Wheel of Fortune and Pat and Vanna playing against each other
Vanna White on Pat Sajak commenting on her backstage eating habits; on their banter
Susan Stafford
Vanna White on replacing Susan Stafford on Wheel of Fortune
Alex Trebek
Vanna White on Alex Trebek hosting Wheel of Fortune and Pat and Vanna playing against each other
Vanna White
Pat Sajak on a favorite Vanna White story
