“Wheel of Fortune” has a new set, and Vanna White has been roughing it up a little bit lately.
In a recent episode of the show, White had to resort to pounding the letter board with her fist to get it to reveal a letter. On the third try, it finally did, coughing up an ‘L.’
Watch the clip here:
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Debuted New Set This Season
In September, “Wheel of Fortune” kicked off its new season with a bright, multicolored new set. That was just one of several changes. The new season also brought more screen time for Jim Thornton, the “Wheel of Fortune” announcer, different music and a few minor rule alterations.
Prior to that, the show also had to make some changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. They revamped the configuration of the wheel so it bowed out, making room for host Pat Sajak and the socially-distanced contestants. They also introduced “the white thing,” an oblong white wrap for the wheel spokes that allows Sajak and contestants to spin the wheel without touching it.
Watch Thornton give a tour of the “Wheel of Fortune” pandemic-era tweaks here:
Vanna White Recently Traveled to Vegas for 25th Anniversary of Show Slot Machines
Meanwhile, when she’s not beating up the new set, White has been helping Las Vegas gamblers with their luck. She visited the city recently to mark the 25th anniversary of the “Wheel of Fortune” slot machines and to hit up the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). And while she was there, she said hi to the gamblers playing the slots.
“When I see people playing Wheel of Fortune slots, I go up to them, I rub my hand on the slot machine and I say, ‘This is for good luck. Hi, I’m Vanna.’ And then I walk off,” White told the Las Vegas Weekly. “They just freak out. Because there they are, minding their own business, playing their game, and then I show up.”
“Wheel of Fortune” boasted the very first licensed, branded game on the casino floor, and since it blazed that trail, other TV shows and movies have followed in its footsteps. But White said their show is a particularly apt theme for slot machines.
“When you think of Wheel of Fortune, you think of winning money and having fun, and it’s the same with the slot machines,” White said. “It’s almost like it’s one big, happy family. You feel like you’re part of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ when you’re playing that. I was playing it yesterday and just the music, it’s like, oh my gosh, I feel like I’m at work.”
Well, not quite. You won’t catch White punching the slot machines. At least, not as long as Lady Luck is favoring her.
