December 03, 2004

In Praise of Vanna White

I have decided that I approve of Vanna White. You know, the letter-turning lady on Wheel of Fortune? What am I saying? Of course you know who she is. Everyone knows who Vanna White is! Even though she doesn't actually turn the letters anymore (ever since they added the magical light-up leters, her job is basically to walk back and forth while touching the occasional letter), she's still an institution. Sort of.

She's been on that show for over twenty years, and for most of that time, people have known her name. And do you know what she's done with her career? Nothing. Not a single thing. In an age where you've got people trying to parlay half a season on a reality show into becoming movie stars, it's refreshing that Vanna pretty much knows her role.

Oh, sure, there was that moment in the late '80s where she started to become a little too famous; she appeared in a terrible TV movie called "Goddess of Love" (with David Leisure and Amanda Bearse!) in 1988, a year after she wrote a book called Vanna Speaks. But when her career didn't take off, she appears to have just shrugged and gone back to smiling at Pat Sajak.

In fact, let's compare Vanna and Pat. It's been awhile since Mr. Sajak took a shot at the Big Time, but do you remember "The Pat Sajak Show"? It lasted from 1989 all the way until 1990, and it was about the blandest late-night talk show you can imagine. All I'm saying is that Pat didn't recognize his limitations and went out and embarassed herself. Vanna? She has eighteen "Notable TV Guest Appearances", of which a total of two consist of playing someone other than herself. If she thinks she can act, she at least has the good manners to keep it to herself.

For the most part, I am like most people: I go about my life barely even aware of Vanna White's existence. But some part of me knows that she's out there clapping for the guy who decided to buy an "A" and I feel secure knowing that she's -- okay, that's going a little too far. Really, I'm just pleased that there are people willing to take a small amount of fame and be happy with it without plastering themselves all over my television set.

Not to contradict you, but...Vanna has written a series of crochet pattern books. True, it's not the same as a late night talk show, but it is a step beyond touching letters. And she's still cool, because c'mon, it's crochet.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-9301338-9352721

Posted by: Pam at December 3, 2004 03:32 PM

I have always held the belief that Vanna White has one of the best jobs in television. She works maybe one month out of the year, maybe 3 at the very most. She just walks back and forth on the stage, smiles, claps, and engages in mild banter with Pat Sajak. All while wearing lovely outfits and high heels, true, but she gets paid a ridiculously large amount of money for it. The lady knows a good gig when she sees it.

Posted by: Divaah46 at December 4, 2004 06:19 AM



	« Free Speech \| Main \| Theatah! » December 03, 2004 In Praise of Vanna White I have decided that I approve of Vanna White. You know, the letter-turning lady on Wheel of Fortune? What am I saying? Of course you know who she is. Everyone knows who Vanna White is! Even though she doesn't actually turn the letters anymore (ever since they added the magical light-up leters, her job is basically to walk back and forth while touching the occasional letter), she's still an institution. Sort of. She's been on that show for over twenty years, and for most of that time, people have known her name. And do you know what she's done with her career? Nothing. Not a single thing. In an age where you've got people trying to parlay half a season on a reality show into becoming movie stars, it's refreshing that Vanna pretty much knows her role. Oh, sure, there was that moment in the late '80s where she started to become a little too famous; she appeared in a terrible TV movie called "Goddess of Love" (with David Leisure and Amanda Bearse!) in 1988, a year after she wrote a book called Vanna Speaks. But when her career didn't take off, she appears to have just shrugged and gone back to smiling at Pat Sajak. In fact, let's compare Vanna and Pat. It's been awhile since Mr. Sajak took a shot at the Big Time, but do you remember "The Pat Sajak Show"? It lasted from 1989 all the way until 1990, and it was about the blandest late-night talk show you can imagine. All I'm saying is that Pat didn't recognize his limitations and went out and embarassed herself. Vanna? She has eighteen "Notable TV Guest Appearances", of which a total of two consist of playing someone other than herself. If she thinks she can act, she at least has the good manners to keep it to herself. For the most part, I am like most people: I go about my life barely even aware of Vanna White's existence. But some part of me knows that she's out there clapping for the guy who decided to buy an "A" and I feel secure knowing that she's -- okay, that's going a little too far. Really, I'm just pleased that there are people willing to take a small amount of fame and be happy with it without plastering themselves all over my television set.
	« Free Speech \| Main \| Theatah! »
	Comments Not to contradict you, but...Vanna has written a series of crochet pattern books. True, it's not the same as a late night talk show, but it is a step beyond touching letters. And she's still cool, because c'mon, it's crochet. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-9301338-9352721 Posted by: Pam at December 3, 2004 03:32 PM Well, I'll allow crochet pattern books. It's below my pop-culture rader. Really, I'm just glad she's not on The Surreal Life or something. Posted by: Monty at December 3, 2004 04:43 PM Vanna also did the Playboy thing. But then, who hasn't? Posted by: trev at December 3, 2004 04:45 PM I have always held the belief that Vanna White has one of the best jobs in television. She works maybe one month out of the year, maybe 3 at the very most. She just walks back and forth on the stage, smiles, claps, and engages in mild banter with Pat Sajak. All while wearing lovely outfits and high heels, true, but she gets paid a ridiculously large amount of money for it. The lady knows a good gig when she sees it. Posted by: Divaah46 at December 4, 2004 06:19 AM Hey what´s up?I´m very bored what do you doeing Posted by: at December 16, 2004 12:21 AM Syndicate this site (XML)

In Praise of Vanna White

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