[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Nov 17 2004, 04:19 PM\']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.
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I admit, this is my impression -- I haven't had a chance to ask audience members whether they'd accept a new host, or to see their reaction if I announced that Bob wouldn't be there that day. Still, just watching the show, you'll see a number of contestants who don't care that they have a chance to win _____ -- they're just ecstatic that they've gotten to "meet" Bob Barker.
I haven't been to a Harrah's show, so I don't know what the mood of the crowd is there. I did have a thought -- how many people in the audience aren't aware of exactly what that show is? I remember taking a couple of calls about the show when it first started in Atlantic City, and when the callers learned that Bob wouldn't be there/it wouldn't be televised, they were audibly disappointed. I doubt that too many people are going to the live show expecting something that it isn't, but it does make me wonder.
A lot of people randomly blurt "I love you, Bob!" during the breaks (seemingly for no reason -- what would they expect to receive for yelling it?). No one ever yells "I want to win a car!" or "I want to play Plinko!" during the breaks.
I don't doubt that there will still be an audience for the game of The Price is Right even after Bob leaves. And all I have to do is look at Trebek Jeopardy! to know that the right replacement host will keep the show alive. My concern is that there will be a drop in ratings when it happens (how much of a drop, no one knows -- I'm expressing my concern that it could be a fairly big one) and that the show will be yanked before the audience realizes that someone who isn't Bob can be a good host, too.
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Scott Robinson