Las Vegas Weekly

April 8, 2009 · 2:54 PM

Photo Gallery: Vanna White in town for video shoot ahead of July shows here

By Robin Leach

Vanna White.

Photo: Jacob Andrejczak

It’s incredible to realize that Wheel of Fortune is going into its 27th season this fall, and the first two weeks of shows to kick it off will be taped right here this July at the Sands Convention Center in The Venetian. The game show cameras also will roll for two other weeks of shows to be broadcast in the key February sweeps ratings period and includes a sweethearts’ edition.

Las Vegas residents and visitors can audition to appear on the show at a general casting call May 2-3. Harry Friedman, executive producer of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, incidentally the top two shows in first-run syndication, told me the tape dates are set for July 17-18 and 20-21.

It’s the third time in the 27-year amazing run of the show for the filming to be done on location here. Their last visit was at the Las Vegas Hilton in 2005. The full wheel-mobile traveling soundstage studio will be driven from L.A. for that week!

Harry told me: “For Wheel, Vegas is a natural fit. What’s not to like? It’s a perfect marriage, and Vegas has grown up so much, there’s something here for everyone. We hope that lots of tourists will jump on board and plan to visit while we are taping!”

Co-host Vanna White, who I’ve known since we hosted a wild televised World Wrestling Federation showdown in Atlantic City, came to town for a two-day video shoot for preliminary promos, bumpers, teasers and stay-tuned messages. She filmed at six locations in The Venetian and its adjoining sister property the Palazzo.

We sat down for a one-on-one between her makeup and wardrobe changes as the cameras moved from the Palazzo waterfall to The Venetian’s Colonnade hallway.

“I love my job,” said the blonde letter-turner! “I get to be full-time mom to two kids, so my life is normal except for the four days a month we work taping the shows for nine months of the year. I am dating somebody, but basically I’m a single mom to Nicholas and Giovanna, and I get to do the carpool and be a hands-on mom. My ex, George San Pietro, very much shares in being a part of their lives. I even bake cookies and crochet!

“It’s got to be one of the longest jobs in television, and it has brought me happiness and a good life. The show is 30 minutes of nightly fun for all the family to take part, and I think that’s the basic reason we’ve remained at the top for almost three decades now! I started Day 1 with the syndicated daytime version in November 1982. We started the nighttime daily version in September 1983, and that has been on the air ever since.

Photo: Jacob Andrejczak

Vanna White and Robin Leach.

“I looked back recently at one of those first videotapes, and I can safely say my hair has definitely gotten smaller! I guess it’s strange getting 27 years older with all of America watching me age, but I’m still the same kid at heart. We’ve got the production cycle and shows down now to a fine art after all this time. It helps save money when you have to watch the economics ever tightening.”

I asked Vanna if she visits Las Vegas often. She told me: “I love everything about Vegas: the food, the action, the gambling, the shows. I’ve stayed at The Venetian and the Palazzo several times now. I often sneak in and out of Vegas without anybody knowing I’m here. I can go unrecognized with no makeup, my hair in a ponytail and wearing just a tracksuit and sneakers! I always make it a rule to eat in Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant Delmonico's at The Venetian. I’ve met him, but he’s never been here at the same time as I have.

“It’s good for us to all come to Vegas. It’s good to get out of the studio, and I think this trip to Vegas will make the viewers feel really good. We’ve been to San Francisco and Seattle, but there’s nothing quite like Vegas.

“I hope we continue on with Wheel of Fortune and hit the 30-year mark. I don’t want another gig. I have no burning desire to do Shakespeare live. I’m the happiest doing what I do, and I hope that continues for quite a while to come.”

And with that, the makeup lady swooped in to do hair and lips, and another crewmember rushed her off for a wardrobe change, while yet another crew person propelled her to the next location site! With cameramen, lighting and audio technicians, directors, security staff and hair and makeup and wardrobe staff, there’s a veritable small army of 18 all busy ensuring Vanna looks great, sounds great -- and that they all get the best shot!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Share This