Did anyone else catch the two prime-time The Price Is Right specials last week? I caught the second half of the first one, The Price Is Right Million-Dollar Spectacular, and I recorded the second one, a tribute to Bob's 50 years in television crossed with an episode of The Price Is Right. Great stuff, especially the tribute show, with hilarious clips from Truth Or Consequences, an eye-opening bit from Bonanza, various bits and bloopers from The Price Is Right over the years, a nice little bio-interview segment, an emotional sendoff from CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, and a surprise appearance from Adam Sandler, reading a poem he wrote for Bob. This bit occurred, naturally, after they played the classic clip from the otherwise completely forgettable HAPPY GILMORE, wherein Bob kicks Adam's ass all over the golf course.
The greatest gameshow host that ever was. Did he ever host the Academy Awards? If not, he should have. And he will be sorely missed should CBS choose to carry on with the longest-running (and best IMO) gameshow in television history. I, sadly, have witnessed the very last spin of the Showcase Wheel under Bob's watch. Any other Bob Barker fans here?
Somewhere, I have Barker's first appearance as host of the daytime version of TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, which aired New Year's Eve 1956 and, I believe, was the first time he ever appeared on television. So he's been on the air non-stop for fifty years.
Honestly, Barker is not one of my favorites. Like perennially smiling Wink Martindale, I thought of Barker as kind of a phony who rarely, if ever, allowed the real Bob to show on camera. As far as game show hosts go, I much preferred more human versions like Bill Cullen, Gene Rayburn and Tom Kennedy.
There's no denying that Barker was perfect for THE PRICE IS RIGHT and is the only reason the show is still on the air. I don't expect the series to last much longer with a new host.
| QUOTE (Marty McKee @ May 23 2007, 03:15 PM) |
| Honestly, Barker is not one of my favorites. Like perennially smiling Wink Martindale, I thought of Barker as kind of a phony who rarely, if ever, allowed the real Bob to show on camera. As far as game show hosts go, I much preferred more human versions like Bill Cullen, Gene Rayburn and Tom Kennedy. |
I don't get that at all. And as for never letting the real Bob show through, perhaps you're forgetting about his tireless devotion to animal rights, a bit of which he put at the end of every show. And he walked out on the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants because they wouldn't get rid of the fur. Sounds pretty real to me.