Why Vanna White will be missing from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ this season: report

nypost.com:

Vanna White.Puck News reported Friday that White, 66, isn’t working the show’s annual “Teachers Week” this season after being diagnosed with COVID-19 — her absence coinciding with her ongoing contract negotiations.The longtime letter-turner reportedly contracted the virus in late July while “Wheel of Fortune” taped its teacher episodes, which are scheduled to air in October.

Now a source is explaining why filming couldn’t wait until White got better.“Teachers had already arrived in L.A. to tape the episodes and, with the academic school year starting, it was not feasible to reschedule that day,” an unidentified source told TVLine last week.“In keeping with the ‘Teachers Week’ theme… [California-based ‘Teacher of the Year’ recipient] Bridgette Donald-Blue graciously agreed fill in for Vanna for those five episodes.”The Post reached out to “Wheel” and White representatives for comment.The source claimed producers were able to reschedule filming on the following day, meaning that White’s absence will only span one TV week instead of two.The news comes months after longtime “Wheel” host Pat Sajak, 76, announced his retirement in June.Ryan Seacrest, 48, has been named his successor.It’s unclear what White’s role will be upon Sajak’s exit.According to a June report by Puck News, White hasn’t received a raise in 18 years.

It’s been reported that White is in the middle of serious salary negotiations, hiring high-powered “aggressive” attorney Bryan Freedman to broker the deal.He has represented a slew of Hollywood heavyweights, including short-lived “Jeopardy!” host Mike Richards.White has been with the show since 1982.Puck News reported she has been making $3 million a year since 2005, while a 2016 report from Forbes alleged.