[quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 08:00 PM\']Phil's termination was with cause. Bob Barker did not drop the hatchet, nor did Fremantle -- and there is no reason to blame either of these parties for what happened. Phil had total control of his future with the show (or at least as much control as the rest of the staff), but he selected to go down the path that he did.[/quote]
Please don't send me any more e-mail on this one.
Let it suffice to say that Phil is 2nd generation Goodson and has been at the show for decades. Undoubtedly he deserves credit for having been part of "Price's" unprecedented success. For me, I really enjoyed getting to know Phil and relished the first hand stories of shows, hosts, staffers, celebs, and memorable moments from the entire golden age of TV game shows going all the way back to his being a kid sitting on Roxanne's lap at the original BTC. I appreciate that both Roger and Phil went out of their way to make me feel welcome; both were so very friendly and supportive as I joined the extended family.
I hope we don't dwell on this unfortunate turn of events. All I will say is that I would categorize this somewhere between the "Big Dismantle Conspiracy" some have speculated about and the desciption from Marc quoted above. Certainly this is a sad event; I was absolutely shocked. I wish Phil luck, health and every happiness.
Randy
tvrandywest.com