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Pat Sajak and Vanna White Puzzled as Wheel of Fortune Turns 25
Wheel of Fortune (syndicated; check the TV Guide Network or TVGuide.com for listings) has been celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. We sat down with host Pat Sajak and Vanna White to talk about their — gulp — quarter century (!) turn around the Wheel. TV Guide: Did you have any idea this would have this kind of longevity? Vanna White: When I first joined the show, we were sitting in makeup chairs next to each other and I said to Pat, "Where do you think we'll be in 10 years?" I'm sure he said something funny. Pat Sajak: I say funny things as often as not, so it's hard to narrow it down. I do rememb
TV Guide: Did you have any idea this would have this kind of longevity?
Vanna White: When I first joinedthe show, we were sittingin makeup chairs next toeach other and I said toPat, "Where do you thinkwe'll be in 10 years?" I'msure he said somethingfunny.
Pat Sajak: I sayfunny things as often asnot, so it's hard to narrowit down. I do remember thinkingthat I certainly wouldn't behosting Wheel of Fortune. It'sthe nature of TV that thesethings usually don't hangaround. But there doesn't seemto be an end to it, and it willoutlive both of us.
TV Guide: Do you have a most memorable game moment?
White: There was a puzzle [answer] once thatwas "The Thrill of Victoryand the Agony of Defeat"and it was almost allfilled in except for twoletters— and the poorwoman guessed thewrong letter. She hada lot of money in frontof her. It was nerves.
TV Guide: What do people say to you when they meet you today?
Sajak: I get alot of "Gee, you're taller,younger and thinner in person."Apparently, I'm short,old and fat on TV. Everyonethinks I'm 3-foot-9. I'm 5-10.TV distorts [everyone], but itworks like hell on me.
TV Guide: Vanna, what happens to all your gowns?
White: I've neverworn the same outfit twice.Some are returned to designers,since they're sample sizesand I'm a sample size. Theygo back on runways, they'reauctioned for charity. Theydo not go into my closet.
Find more on Wheel's 25th year in our Online Video Guide.
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Send your comments on this Q&A to letters@tvguide.com.