The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Casey Buck on January 10, 2004, 10:07:49 PM
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From golden-road.net:
Today golden-road.net was able to confirm that longtime TPiR producer Phil Wayne Rossi was recently dismissed from the show. Contestant interview duties are now split between producer Roger Dobkowitz and contestant coordinators Jeff Thisted & Sylvia Clements-Henry.
Phil has always been a highlight to the thousands of visitors that the show has received over the years. We are certain he will be missed in the future.
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WHAT THE F***!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!
Charles
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[quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 10:07 PM\'] From golden-road.net:
Today golden-road.net was able to confirm that longtime TPiR producer Phil Wayne Rossi was recently dismissed from the show. Contestant interview duties are now split between producer Roger Dobkowitz and contestant coordinators Jeff Thisted & Sylvia Clements-Henry.
Phil has always been a highlight to the thousands of visitors that the show has received over the years. We are certain he will be missed in the future. [/quote]
Damn, Fremangle, you never learn do you? Rocco must be turning over in his grave. Hasn't Phil been at TPIR from the beginning?
Contestant Coordinator huh? Must be a new job title at TPIR. I guess Fingers will move up to producer with Roger, unless of course they plan to axe her too :/
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While I'm certainly not going to be taking any personal emergency days because of this, it does seem rather....sudden. I'd be interested in knowing if this was brewing behind the scenes for a while, but I also understand that those who would know prolly can't say very much about the issue. :)
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More bad news from the land of Bob.
C'mon Fremantle! Turn the tide! Make good news for a change and announce everyone's favorite game show announcer with a compass direction name as permanent.
Remember, you can't be lost if you just go West.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 10:30 PM\'] While I'm certainly not going to be taking any personal emergency days because of this, it does seem rather....sudden. I'd be interested in knowing if this was brewing behind the scenes for a while, but I also understand that those who would know prolly can't say very much about the issue. :) [/quote]
Given the surprises we've gotten from TPIR in the past decade, one would have to think there was some behind the scenes "brewing".
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My hunch is this is pure economics: They get two "contestant coordinators" for a fraction of what Phil was making. Why they need two contestant coordinators for a game show which tapes one show per day 3/4 of the time is anybody's guess. Why they didn't tap any of the veteran Goodson-Todman contestant coordinators is also anybody's guess.
What is the next career move for a middle-aged former game show producer or contestant coordinator now that the networks do not program game shows any more and the mom-and-pop game show boutiques have closed up shop? Based on what I have been told, Phil's late dad was "comfortable". You connect the dots.
In my estimation the additional cost incurred by going to the four-day-per-week taping schedule far exceeds what Phil was making.
Again, just my hunch.
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More info from Marc Green:
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.
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[quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 08:00 PM\'] More info from Marc Green:
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]
So what did he do, boink Barker?
Hey, it happened with one of the models.
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This is a shock. This is a BIG shock. Never saw it coming.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:05 PM\']
So what did he do, boink Barker?
[/quote]
I just found my New Years Resolution: Use "Boink" as much as possible.
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[quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:26 PM\'] [quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:05 PM\']
So what did he do, boink Barker?
[/quote]
I just found my New Years Resolution: Use "Boink" as much as possible. [/quote]
Yes, my resolution was similar...I just didn't include the word "use".
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[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:33 PM\'][quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:26 PM\']
I just found my New Years Resolution: Use "Boink" as much as possible. [/quote]
Yes, my resolution was similar...I just didn't include the word "use".[/quote]
But you left the quotes around "boink", huh?
(ObGSRidiculousness: Bink, bank, boink.)
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[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Jan 11 2004, 01:41 AM\']
But you left the quotes around "boink", huh?
(ObGSRidiculousness: Bink, bank, boink.) [/quote]
Well, the quotes make it safe.
(ObGameShows: Did Newlywed ever consider any other words for intercourse than Whoopee?)
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[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
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[quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:00 PM\'] More info from Marc Green:
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]
Then that would leave CBS. Who else would have him fired? Someone who lost "Plinko"?
Randy noted this had been a developing situation, and my guess was they wanted to see what a tape week looked like after the holiday hiatus before making a decision on Phil, and someone from the network didn't like what they saw, for some reason, and axed Phil.
So now the behind the scenes family is starting to be trimmed. My hope is Roger and Fingers aren't on that clock, because if Barker somehow steps down Roger would probably be the big chief now.
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I could be way off base, but I read a post on Claudia's board asking why she left. She said she couldn't say, but when she could, she would.
I wonder if there is a connection.
And don't you just love it when you are told that he's fired, but not why? Why bother telling us at all?
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Claudia had said somewhere that she left simply because the show stopped being fun and she disliked working with different models from show to show. Imagine being in a situation where you never work with the same person twice. Holly, Dian and Janice developed some rapport because they had gotten to know each other over a long period of time (and unfortunately this rapport turned sour in later years).
While Bob supposedly has nothing to do with Phil's departure, I think the recent changes on TPIR may be because Bob has been emotionally hurt too many times.
First, the death of his wife, then, the death of Johnny Olsen, the unfortunate events concerning Dian, and lastly Rod's death. It's possible Bob doesn't want to become too emotionally attached to anyone, so that may be why the models and announcers are on a rotating schedule, and it may stay that way for a while.
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Claudia had said somewhere that she left simply because the show stopped being fun and she disliked working with different models from show to show.
I'm just saying there was a later post where she said she would go into more detail. I had thought there might be a lawsuit (just speculating) ongoing that she couldn't talk about.
I think the recent changes on TPIR may be because Bob has been emotionally hurt too many times.
I would bet the farm that that's not the reason. Firing somebody because you don't want to get too attached to them?
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 10:20 PM\'] [quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 10:07 PM\'] From golden-road.net:
Today golden-road.net was able to confirm that longtime TPiR producer Phil Wayne Rossi was recently dismissed from the show. Contestant interview duties are now split between producer Roger Dobkowitz and contestant coordinators Jeff Thisted & Sylvia Clements-Henry.
Phil has always been a highlight to the thousands of visitors that the show has received over the years. We are certain he will be missed in the future. [/quote]
Damn, Fremangle, you never learn do you? Rocco must be turning over in his grave. Hasn't Phil been at TPIR from the beginning?
Contestant Coordinator huh? Must be a new job title at TPIR. I guess Fingers will move up to producer with Roger, unless of course they plan to axe her too :/ [/quote]
Hasn't he also been with Mark Goodson Productions in its various nomenclatures for over 20 some years? I seem to recall his name in the credits of Dawson Feud at one point. It was someone named Phil Rossi. Same guy?
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 11:05 PM\'] [quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Jan 10 2004, 08:00 PM\'] More info from Marc Green:
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]
So what did he do, boink Barker?
Hey, it happened with one of the models. [/quote]
If he "boinked" Barker, as you say, he would still be on the show. My guess is he decided not to boink him :)
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[quote name=\'Card Shark\' date=\'Jan 11 2004, 08:17 AM\']
Hasn't he also been with Mark Goodson Productions in its various nomenclatures for over 20 some years? I seem to recall his name in the credits of Dawson Feud at one point. It was someone named Phil Rossi. Same guy? [/quote]
Phil Wayne's real name is Phillip Rossi. His dad was longtime GT producr Frank Wayne AKA ROcco Rossi. Frank worked for GT from the 50s through his death in 1987(his death made Barker the EP of TPIR). Phil Wayne started having his real name in the credits c. 1994.
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[quote name=\'whewfan\' date=\'Jan 11 2004, 06:48 AM\'] Claudia had said somewhere that she left simply because the show stopped being fun and she disliked working with different models from show to show. Imagine being in a situation where you never work with the same person twice. Holly, Dian and Janice developed some rapport because they had gotten to know each other over a long period of time (and unfortunately this rapport turned sour in later years).
While Bob supposedly has nothing to do with Phil's departure, I think the recent changes on TPIR may be because Bob has been emotionally hurt too many times.
First, the death of his wife, then, the death of Johnny Olsen, the unfortunate events concerning Dian, and lastly Rod's death. It's possible Bob doesn't want to become too emotionally attached to anyone, so that may be why the models and announcers are on a rotating schedule, and it may stay that way for a while. [/quote]
Gosh, if anything were to happen to Ralph Edwards, Bob may throw in the towel.
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Hasn't he also been with Mark Goodson Productions in its various nomenclatures for over 20 some years? I seem to recall his name in the credits of Dawson Feud at one point. It was someone named Phil Rossi. Same guy?
Phil dates back to the original Password in the 60's and he has a son that I believe is around 7 or 8. Maybe if game shows come back, his son will be in the business.
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Jan 11 2004, 05:35 AM\']Phil Wayne's real name is Phillip Rossi. His dad was longtime GT producr Frank Wayne AKA ROcco Rossi. Frank worked for GT from the 50s through his death in 1987(his death made Barker the EP of TPIR). Phil Wayne started having his real name in the credits c. 1994.[/quote]
I believe Phil legally changed his surname. His brother still goes by Wayne so I have to assume Frank legally changed his name before he had kids.
Frank once told me he had been with G-T so long they didn't have a record of his start date, so figure he was with them since the '40s.
he has a son that I believe is around 7 or 8. Maybe if game shows come back, his son will be in the business.
Game shows coming back? Fat chance. If Phil is any kind of father he'll steer his son away from the business.
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I guess Fingers will move up to producer with Roger
Doesn't seem to be the plan. If they do that, they have the same situation they were in before, 2 producers and 1 associate. Then they would have to find an associate.
CBS.com does reflect Roger as the sole producer and keeping Kathy as the associate. Just like the director. Director and associate.
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[quote name=\'whewfan\' date=\'Jan 11 2004, 06:48 AM\'] While Bob supposedly has nothing to do with Phil's departure, I think the recent changes on TPIR may be because Bob has been emotionally hurt too many times.
First, the death of his wife, then, the death of Johnny Olsen, the unfortunate events concerning Dian, and lastly Rod's death. [/quote]
I think this is kind of a reach -- these events occured in 1981, 1985, 1994, and 2003 -- a 22-year span. And while clearly his wife's death hurt him very deeply, I don't think he would allow that to affect the way he handles his professional life.
Clearly, they've been cutting budget wherever they can over the last couple of years (Janice and Kathleen's departure being the obvious indicator), so I would think this is part of that trend.
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[quote name=\'calliaume\' date=\'Jan 11 2004, 07:29 PM\']Clearly, they've been cutting budget wherever they can over the last couple of years (Janice and Kathleen's departure being the obvious indicator), so I would think this is part of that trend.[/quote]
And Phil had the most seniority in the company, being G-T since the 60s. It's unfortunate that with Janice and Paul Alter gone, it looked like he was the next to be targeted. Can I assume that Fremantle also had to honor whatever benefits Phil had accrued from the predecessor companies--and that could've led to his firing?
Since Phil didn't join "TPIR" until after Jay Wolpert's departure, is it still safe to say that Rog is the only staffer who's been there since Day One, or was Fingers also there at the start?
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Clearly, they've been cutting budget wherever they can over the last couple of years (Janice and Kathleen's departure being the obvious indicator), so I would think this is part of that trend.
On the surface, that would make sense, but the way this was worded makes me think it's otherwise. Phil had total control over his future and chose the path that he did?
Why they need two contestant coordinators for a game show which tapes one show per day 3/4 of the time is anybody's guess.
You do realize that he did more than interview contestants.
Why they didn't tap any of the veteran Goodson-Todman contestant coordinators is also anybody's guess.
$$$
What is the next career move for a middle-aged former game show producer or contestant coordinator now that the networks do not program game shows any more and the mom-and-pop game show boutiques have closed up shop?
Retirement
In my estimation the additional cost incurred by going to the four-day-per-week taping schedule far exceeds what Phil was making.
But they have been doing that 4 day schedule since 1998, IIRC. Almost 6 years ago. And Fremantle has had full control for the show for what, 3 years.
Since Phil didn't join "TPIR" until after Jay Wolpert's departure, is it still safe to say that Rog is the only staffer who's been there since Day One, or was Fingers also there at the start?
Roger and Bob are the only 2 still around since the beginning. Fingers didn't join until the late 70's/early 80's IIRC.
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That's a lot of nonsense, Christopher. For starters, you don't know anything about the former G-T CCs or their salary requirements. Second, you don't know that Phil is going to retire. Third, you are probably without a clue as to the added expense of the fourth taping day. Fourth, you, I and everyone else here except one are not privy to Fremantle's future plans for the show. Speculate if you will, but if you're going to pull theories out of your ass please qualify them as such.
More speculation (clearly labeled as such):
The concept of "total control over his future" could be spin.
Or
He could have been given an ultimatum, weighed his options, chose not to cede to the ultimatum and was shown the door.
But this is all speculation and we're just whistlin' Dixie.
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And it may take a long time to figure out if the info we've been given is true.
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Well, I'll offer a bit of speculation in one area. I think that Jeff and Sylvia were probably put in charge of contestant selection because they were already an integral part of the day-to-day contestant selection process. I seriously doubt they're receiving raises for their added responsibilities (though they should), just like everyone else who is dividing the work that Phil used to do. In fact (and I'll be interested to see if the credits prove me right on this), I suspect that Jeff and Sylvia will remain "Program Staff" and that nobody's titles and salaries are going to change too drastically. Except Phil's.
On the subject of titles, there is no value in keeping symmetry in the producer's camp and the director's camp (one head, one associate, etc.), so it's silly to think that's the reason that Kathy isn't being promoted - although I'm sure a straw poll of this board would indicate that she should be.
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and based on recent contestants these two have picked, I can tell you right here and now that the process they're using these days is making for a considerably less interesting show.
(I can't and won't say much more than that until after a show airs in early Feb)
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Jeff and Sylvia were probably put in charge of contestant selection because they were already an integral part of the day-to-day contestant selection process. I seriously doubt they're receiving raises for their added responsibilities (though they should), just like everyone else who is dividing the work that Phil used to do. In fact (and I'll be interested to see if the credits prove me right on this), I suspect that Jeff and Sylvia will remain "Program Staff" and that nobody's titles and salaries are going to change too drastically. Except Phil's.
That explains a lot. If Jeff and Sylvia are already on staff then their salaries are already budgeted and the added cost of having two "contestant coordinators" is zero and Fremantle saves an amount somewhere in the low- to mid-six figures.
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That's a lot of nonsense, Christopher. For starters, you don't know anything about the former G-T CCs or their salary requirements.
I should have made that more clear. $$$ wasn't referring to their salaries. It was referring to the current interviewers. (not that I've seen a pay stub or anything) I'm familiar with the female cooridinator, but not the male. She looks like she's fresh out of college, and hell Lawerence went to college and used to help Phil with the interviews. And I don't think college people, some interns (who don't get paid) are going to get paid more than veteran coordinators. It's possible, though.
Second, you don't know that Phil is going to retire
You are right, I don't. I refer to your quote:
Based on what I have been told, Phil's late dad was "comfortable". You connect the dots.
I connected the dots. It makes sense on the surface.
Third, you are probably without a clue as to the added expense of the fourth taping day.
That 4th taping day has been there for years. It wasn't just added last month. I don't understand why that would be an issue now if they have been doing it for years. You'd figure if it was such an expensive cost, they would have done something about it years ago.
Fourth, you, I and everyone else here except one are not privy to Fremantle's future plans for the show. Speculate if you will, but if you're going to pull theories out of your ass please qualify them as such.
er.., um...
More speculation (clearly labeled as such): The concept of "total control over his future" could be spin.
Could be, but why? Why not just be honest and state the truth?
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That 4th taping day has been there for years. It wasn't just added last month. I don't understand why that would be an issue now if they have been doing it for years. You'd figure if it was such an expensive cost, they would have done something about it years ago.
The fourth taping day was added to placate Barker who complained that two shows per day were tiring him out. A similar issue arose when they first went to one-hour shows: Goodson wanted to do three shows per day. Barker refused and his agent got involved. The schedule they settled on was two daytime shows and one half-hour nighttime show if needed.
A couple of us tried to estimate the cost of the added taping day when they first implemented it. It was in the upper six figures, or close to one million dollars per year. When Barker hangs up his microphone don't be surprised if they go back to two shows, three days per week.
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A similar issue arose when they first went to one-hour shows: Goodson wanted to do three shows per day. Barker refused and his agent got involved. The schedule they settled on was two daytime shows and one half-hour nighttime show if needed.
When they first went to hour-long shows, didn't they do three shows one day and two the next, at least for the first little while? I remember seeing a GSN rerun where a contestant finally got on stage, and stated "I was here for all three yesterday". I was thinking that in the beginning they might have done three on some days to get the week's taping overwith in just two days.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Jan 12 2004, 09:44 AM\']
When they first went to hour-long shows, didn't they do three shows one day and two the next, at least for the first little while? I remember seeing a GSN rerun where a contestant finally got on stage, and stated "I was here for all three yesterday". I was thinking that in the beginning they might have done three on some days to get the week's taping overwith in just two days. [/quote]
UNless, of course, they taped two daytime shows and then Dennis came in(Dennis was still doing nighttime TPIR when the daytime show expanded to an hour) to tape a nighttime show.
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The fourth taping day was added to placate Barker who complained that two shows per day were tiring him out.
This I did know.
A similar issue arose when they first went to one-hour shows: Goodson wanted to do three shows per day. Barker refused and his agent got involved. The schedule they settled on was two daytime shows and one half-hour nighttime show if needed.
This I didn't know.
A couple of us tried to estimate the cost of the added taping day when they first implemented it. It was in the upper six figures, or close to one million dollars per year..
I think of it like this. The money they spent for the extra day is worth the money they get in revenue (No extra tape day, who knows what Barker would have done) to continue doing the show. Who knows how much longer Barker could have kept up the old schedule. Seems like a necessary evil.
When Barker hangs up his microphone don't be surprised if they go back to two shows, three days per week
I was hoping they would go back to that schedule now. I never figured they would ever go back to that schedule after Barker. Makes sense.
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I remember seeing a GSN rerun where a contestant finally got on stage, and stated "I was here for all three yesterday".
Two daytime + one nighttime = three shows.
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The money they spent for the extra day is worth the money they get in revenue (No extra tape day, who knows what Barker would have done) to continue doing the show. Who knows how much longer Barker could have kept up the old schedule. Seems like a necessary evil.
If Barker threatened to quit if they didn't change the schedule, then what other options did they have? Call it a form of extortion if you will, but he cost them beaucoup bucks with that move.