I think that co-host the first year for American Idol was Brian Dunkleman (sp?). Seemed to recall he made a guest appearance during one of the final shows in the past couple of years, but no idea what else he might have done after moving on.
As for Vanna, her contract supposedly goes a year beyond Pat Sajak's. So, IF they decide to keep her on, which would be good, so as not to lose both long-term co-hosts on the show at the same time or right after each other, she is in a powerful negotiating position to re-new her contract.
I just view her role differently because it's not as skilled as hosting and actually talking throughout the show. It's not like they were doing the same job all along.TMZ sources say that Vanna does very, very much want to keep doing the show. Her lawyer is negotiating a new contract for her since it is up next year. He said for the last 41 years of the show Vanna has done it with not a single raise the whole time.
Pat Sajak is currently getting about $15 million.
Vanna has been getting $3 million the whole time.
When they come out at the beginning of the show, BOTH Pat & Vanna come out at the same time, arm & arm. The announcer of the show says, "Here are the STARS of the show, Pat Sajak and Vanna White," where they are both introduced as being equals. Not, "Here is THE HOST Pat Sajak with Vanna White," or something that infers that Vanna is less than Pat.
Vanna's lawyer is now saying that Vanna should receive at least half of what Pat is getting: $7.5 million going forward. He says Vanna says she is not just doing it for herself, but on behalf of all women, as they should be paid more equal to men.
He also claims that Vanna is the more recognizable face of WOF.
But the heads of Sony & the Merv Griffin company are being really nasty about negotiations and not wanting to give her more.
(To be continued. . .)
TMZ is about as reputable as reading National Enquirer. Their reporting always seems so sleazy and how knows if they just make up some of the things they say?
I just view her role differently because it's not as skilled as hosting and actually talking throughout the show. It's not like they were doing the same job all along.
Is she is trying to renegotiate her existing contract which I think she has two more years on? So she is due $6MM but now wants $15MM over the next two years. They may be better to just pay out her existing contract and move on.Which is why she is only asking for half of Pat's salary.
I do think she has always been a trophy side piece on the show. I am surprised that she has never gotten a raise though, even like a quarter of a million here and there.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sony uses this as an excuse to re-vamp the appearance of the whole show. Getting rid of Vanna's role completely, and making the wheel more high tech and modernized.
Is she is trying to renegotiate her existing contract which I think she has two more years on? So she is due $6MM but now wants $15MM over the next two years. They may be better to just pay out her existing contract and move on.
Obviously the production company saw her position as expendable. She either didn't ask for more money or did and was never given more money. She always had the ability to move on and do something else or slip into retirement if she didn't like her salary.
I just view her role differently because it's not as skilled as hosting and actually talking throughout the show. It's not like they were doing the same job all along.
I'm sure Vanna will do just fine.I don't believe anything I hear and only half of what I see.
I'm not sure I believe any of this story.
However, If any of it is true, if I were Vanna I'd be looking a little closer at my agent.