TPiR-Live Update

[SplitSecond]

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Nov 16 2004, 11:54 PM\']Randy says the audiences for TPIR Live get every bit as worked up as they do for the television tapings, despite the absence of Bob Barker. This gives Fremantle and CBS an idea of how audiences would respond to TPIR without him.

[snapback]64081[/snapback]

[/quote]

In all fairness, this only really gives them an accurate idea of how studio audiences would respond - you'd be worked up too if you had the chance to win A NEW CAR! before you left that room.  

The big question is, are these same people that are consistently packing the Harrah's houses people that watch the daytime show on any sort of regular basis?  If so, are they only okay with the absence of Barker in front of them because they know he'll be on their TVs tomorrow morning at 11?

All of us are rooting for Price to succeed beyond Barker's tenure, and while this stage show is definitely a fun (and well-executed) extension of the TV property, I don't think it can give any of us (including Fremantle and CBS) an accurate glimpse into the post-Barker future.

[chris319]

You'll never know for sure how TV audiences will respond without Barker until you go on the air without him. I've been to TPIR tapings in days past where the audience was absolutely placid (despite Johnny Olson's best efforts), not whipped up into the frenzy of today's audiences, and those audiences had the same opportunity to win new cars. My instinct tells me audiences are just as much in love with the franchise as with Barker. They only call a small number of people out of the hundreds in the room to "come on down" yet the crowd still goes wild. I've never bought into the theory that Barker is an irreplacable superstar around whom the show revolves. I remember when Barker was considered just another emcee and when Dennis James did a less stiff but clumsier job of emceeing the show. To me Barker is just another production element, perhaps overrated, along with Plinko, the NEW CARS, the models, the garish set, the music, etc. The Live show can't give an accurate representation but I think it gives an inkling.

Randy?

[TimK2003]

[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Nov 16 2004, 09:37 PM\']

I hope we eventually get this show to every corner of the country, including your neck of the woods. But know that as TPiR-Live is an outgrowth of Freemantle's overall partnership with Harrah's that started with the TPiR slot machine, we'll be playing only Harrah's owned or operated properties. There are enough of them scattered across the country that I bet we'll eventually be a tank or two of gas from most everyone.

[snapback]64050[/snapback]

[/quote]


Well, in that case I think the closest Harrah's property is in the Chicagoland area, unless Harrah's is planning to build in PA (Erie & New Castle -- Between Pittsburgh & Youngstown -- are already breaking ground now that casinos are legal there).

Well if you're ever in the Columbus area, Randy, do us Ohioans a favor and stop by the State Capitol and beat some sense into Governor Bob "Everything is under control in Ohio" Taft in the hopes that he'll change his mind on giving us casinos.  I heard that 2x4's and small crowbars aren't effective on his brain-dead head -- large lead pipes might do the trick!!!

[cacLA8383]

Well, Shreveport is about 200-300 miles away from where I live, but I may make a pass up there to go check it out, though.

[MSTieScott]

I think that for many people, it's "The Bob Barker Show" more than "The Price is Right." It's hard to provide specific anecdotal eveidence, but you can tell that for some audience members, the Studio 33 experience is as much about seeing Bob in person as it is about having a chance to win a new car. People will laugh and applaud when he turns down requests for kisses during the breaks (and I don't fault him for doing so). And the number of gifts that he receives from audience members even when the cameras aren't rolling can be amazing.

Okay, one anecdote that supports my position: One day, one of the pages told me that right before it was time for Rich Fields to come out and do his warmup, he was going to lead the audience in a chant of "WE WANT RICH! WE WANT RICH!" both as a way to get everybody excited and also to give Rich some of the attention that Bob gets. He started the chant, but as soon as it got going, 99% of the audience was chanting "WE WANT BOB! WE WANT BOB!" He couldn't get the audience to switch over to "Rich."

Granted, there have been some dead audiences in the earlier days of the show. But Bob has since developed his grandfatherly persona that he didn't have then.

I'm not saying that there's no Price after Bob quits. A lot of people enjoy the familiarity of the set, prizes, and games. But there are also a lot of people who watch strictly for Bob, and familiarity of the game or not, they're not going to accept a new host who isn't Bob. I just hope that the inevitable ratings slide won't be drastic enough to hurt the show.

--
Scott Robinson

[chris319]

there are also a lot of people who watch strictly for Bob, and familiarity of the game or not, they're not going to accept a new host who isn't Bob. I just hope that the inevitable ratings slide won't be drastic enough to hurt the show.

Have you heard or seen anything to suggest that people would actively tune out if Barker left, or is this simply your impression? I've been in the studio and have seen all the adulation Barker receives. I'm saying that despite the adulation he receives now, judging from audience reaction to the Live show, audiences will still be enthusiastic about the show -- perhaps not AS enthusiastic -- and some of the enthusiasm for Barker could transfer to a new emcee over time.

[Jimmy Owen]

I think the only way a replacement host will succeed and capture the hearts of America is if Bob does what Ralph Edwards did for him on "TorC."  Make an on-camera introduction of the new host and have Bob tell America that this is the young man who will take the reins and whom Bob fully endorses and wishes great success for the future of the show.

[chris319]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Nov 17 2004, 03:03 PM\']I think the only way a replacement host will succeed and capture the hearts of America is if Bob does what Ralph Edwards did for him on "TorC."  Make an on-camera introduction of the new host and have Bob tell America that this is the young man who will take the reins and whom Bob fully endorses and wishes great success for the future of the show.

[snapback]64144[/snapback]

[/quote]
Or have the new emcee do the last game and the last Showcase Showdown for a few weeks of shows.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Nov 17 2004, 03:03 PM\']I think the only way a replacement host will succeed and capture the hearts of America is if Bob does what Ralph Edwards did for him on "TorC."

[snapback]64144[/snapback]

[/quote]
I'll point out that Dick Clark did almost exactly this on the first episode of Davidson $100K Pyramid, and that didn't work out so well.

[tyshaun1]

I am under the impression that while Barker is a VERY important part of TPIR, if the show can lose 2 announcers and 6 permanent models without missing a beat, thr show will go on without Barker. I feel that most people realize that Barker is not going to host the show forever, and Fremantle should try some sub-hosts now while the iron is still on, if not hot, and not wait until he kicks the bucket or retires. Perhaps maybe the summer months while Barker's on vacation?

Tyshaun

[Jimmy Owen]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 17 2004, 06:45 PM\']

[/quote]
I'll point out that Dick Clark did almost exactly this on the first episode of Davidson $100K Pyramid, and that didn't work out so well.

[snapback]64161[/snapback]

[/quote]
There must have been some satisfaction with John's performance, otherwise, freed from "The Challengers" duties, they could have had Dick Clark reprise hosting duties for the second "Pyramid" season.

[Dbacksfan12]

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Nov 17 2004, 05:24 PM\']Or have the new emcee do the last game and the last Showcase Showdown for a few weeks of shows.

[snapback]64149[/snapback]

[/quote]
Why confuse viewers who turned in late?

[ChuckNet]

I'll point out that Dick Clark did almost exactly this on the first episode of Davidson $100K Pyramid, and that didn't work out so well.

LOL...worked out fine in Australia when Tony Barber did it on Rob Elliott's first WoF...although, not to take anything from the latter's fine hosting job during his 6 yrs on the show, viewers were prolly just so glad to see the old rules back in place they wouldn't have cared if Rolf B. had been flown in to host. :-)

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")

[mystery7]

[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' date=\'Nov 17 2004, 09:14 PM\']...viewers were prolly just so glad to see the old rules back in place they wouldn't have cared if Rolf B. had been flown in to host. :-)

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")

[snapback]64178[/snapback]

[/quote]
Although some would have considered Rolf an improvement over John Davidson.

[chris319]

Why confuse viewers who turned in late?

To mess with their heads -- why else?