Bob Barker

[Dbacksfan12]

I was discussing this with another member on AIM and thought it might make for an interesting discussion topic.  It seemed like at one point (perhaps I'm misguided in this thought) that Bob Barker was well-liked by almost every active member in the "online game show community".

It seems that tide has turned.  Were there specific instances that made your turn on Bob, or have you not liked him in the first place?

Discuss.

[Steve_Bier]

Many things soured my opinion of Barker over the years. However, the one thing that stands out in my mind, was when Barker's ego grew to where he'd no longer allow Rod Roddy to be shown on camera--simply because Rod was becoming as popular as Barker (heaven forbid...). Suffice to say, I can't wait for Drew to come on board.

[tpirfan28]

You asked, so I shall tell.

I'd say 2000...when Dian and Kathleen were unjustly fired.  That seems to be the time when Barker's head started to swell (at least for me).

[ChrisLambert!]

[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'163861\' date=\'Sep 14 2007, 07:33 PM\']
You asked, so I shall tell.

I'd say 2000...when Dian and Kathleen were unjustly fired.  That seems to be the time when Barker's head started to swell (at least for me).
[/quote]

Same here... Dian? Floozy had it coming. Holly? Well, perhaps she could be difficult. Janice AND Kathleen? Now wait just a freakin' minute...

[The Ol' Guy]

My personal aversion goes back a little farther. Some have stated his dislike of children almost borders on the pathological. When I read some time back that Barker refused to do a TorC taping when he found a large group of Cub Scouts in the audience, my dislike began. It took quite a push to get him out. If that's the case...why on earth did he take on being host of Barris' The Family Game? To keep me from passing on what could just be someone else's sour grapes, I'd appreciate anyone with B.E. (Barker Experience) shedding light on this.

[LA the DJ]

[quote name=\'The Ol' Guy\' post=\'163886\' date=\'Sep 14 2007, 11:37 PM\']
My personal aversion goes back a little farther. Some have stated his dislike of children almost borders on the pathological. When I read some time back that Barker refused to do a TorC taping when he found a large group of Cub Scouts in the audience, my dislike began... To keep me from passing on what could just be someone else's sour grapes, I'd appreciate anyone with B.E. (Barker Experience) shedding light on this.
[/quote]

Hmm... I'd never heard of this, but it sounds like something of urban legend, though I'm curious to see what those who've been near him say...

Personally, my liking of him isn't what it used to be, but I never soured on him completely. I think he's been an excellent emcee, outlasting many others, but I also think his time has passed, and I'm glad to see new blood taking over.

One thing that hurt my vision of him was the fact that he was making many mistakes on air (which makes me wonder how many flubs were cut from the show) in recent years.

[whewfan]

I have an ep. of T or C where they have a baby race. Each baby wore a shirt with a number, representing dollars, and that money would be split with the mothers. Obviously, the baby with the highest number had to cross first in order to win a fair amount of money. Unfortunately, none of these babies were in much of a mood to "race", some of them crying probably because they were scared of the live audience. Bob kept saying "please stop the babies from crying, that breaks my heart".

So, if anything, Bob seems uncomfy with infants. I do remember an ep. of TPIR where they had a young girl, probably related to someone on the staff, and Bob actually held her and didn't seem uncomfy. He was smiling, actually.

I do think that even the casual TPIR viewer noticed that Rod was suddenly not shown on camera. While Stan Blits doesn't address Rod not being shown on camera, he did say that the showcases were sort of "downplayed" because they felt Bob was entertaining enough and the length of the showcase skits was shortened to give Bob more time to interact with the contestants (I'm sure increasing commercial time is a factor as well)

I hope with Drew taking over, that perhaps the showcases can become more entertaining and wacky again. Considering that Drew has worked with ensembles in his own show and Whose Line, he doesn't seem to be afraid of being upstaged.

[tvwxman]

[quote name=\'The Ol' Guy\' post=\'163886\' date=\'Sep 14 2007, 11:37 PM\']
My personal aversion goes back a little farther. Some have stated his dislike of children almost borders on the pathological. When I read some time back that Barker refused to do a TorC taping when he found a large group of Cub Scouts in the audience, my dislike began. It took quite a push to get him out. If that's the case...why on earth did he take on being host of Barris' The Family Game? To keep me from passing on what could just be someone else's sour grapes, I'd appreciate anyone with B.E. (Barker Experience) shedding light on this.
[/quote]
My experience : Not true at all.

I was 10 years old when the "Bob Barker Fun and Games Show" came to Miami. My father had connections to someone at the Jackie Gleason Convention Center where the show was done, and was able to get me a minute with Bob before the show...it was my birthday present.

He was, to a ten year old, the kindest, most gracious celebrity you'd find. I don't know what he was like away from kids, but for those 5 minutes, he was a God. And he made that birthday extra special.

I've met too many celebs in my career who are assholes as soon as the red light turns off. I'm not suggesting Bob was or wasn't in his PIR years, but for one day in February 1983, he was a gem.

[BMaurice06]

I always thought the reason Rod wasn't shown on camera anymore was because of his illness.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'BMaurice06\' post=\'163925\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 11:50 AM\']
I always thought the reason Rod wasn't shown on camera anymore was because of his illness.
[/quote]
You were wrong.

[Ian Wallis]

It seems that tide has turned. Were there specific instances that made your turn on Bob, or have you not liked him in the first place?

For me, part of it is that we all know these stories about some of the off-set actions.  Once you've heard about them, it's hard not to think of it while watching the shows.  For example, it's hard not to watch Family Feud and not think what an ego-maniac Richard Dawson became.

Personally, I think Barker is/was one of the best to ever get into the business.  When I think back to that Best Game Show Host poll we did last year, I probably should have ranked him higher than I did.  On air, he's great.

But there's more to being a host than being smooth on-air.  Especially if he's executive producer, he should make sure it's a happy place to work because I think you get more out of people when they're happy to be there.

I have nothing against Barker, but somehow I feel a bit more comfortable watching his '70s and '80s appearances that the more recent ones because that was well before all of this started happening.

[The Ol' Guy]

Thank you all for the information and taking me up on my request. There's enough crap floating out there about game shows 'n stuff. Don' wanna be part of making it thicker.
Later...

[eday_2010]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'163931\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 03:41 PM\']
[quote name=\'BMaurice06\' post=\'163925\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 11:50 AM\']
I always thought the reason Rod wasn't shown on camera anymore was because of his illness.
[/quote]
You were wrong.
[/quote]


As are you. I read from many sources that it was FremantleMedia who stopped allowing Rod Roddy to be shown on camera as a rule of theirs.

Bob Barker will awlays be super in my eyes, regardless of any lawsuits, allegations or rumours.

[dzinkin]

[quote name=\'eday_2010\' post=\'164148\' date=\'Sep 18 2007, 10:28 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'163931\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 03:41 PM\']
[quote name=\'BMaurice06\' post=\'163925\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 11:50 AM\']
I always thought the reason Rod wasn't shown on camera anymore was because of his illness.
[/quote]
You were wrong.
[/quote]
As are you.
[/quote]
Er, considering that Chris didn't actually give a reason, how can you say that he's wrong?

Bob Barker will awlays be super in my eyes, regardless of any lawsuits, allegations or rumours.

You certainly have a right to your opinion, just as our other members have a right to theirs.

[Steve Gavazzi]

[quote name=\'eday_2010\' post=\'164148\' date=\'Sep 18 2007, 10:28 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'163931\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 03:41 PM\']
[quote name=\'BMaurice06\' post=\'163925\' date=\'Sep 15 2007, 11:50 AM\']
I always thought the reason Rod wasn't shown on camera anymore was because of his illness.
[/quote]
You were wrong.
[/quote]

As are you. I read from many sources that it was FremantleMedia who stopped allowing Rod Roddy to be shown on camera as a rule of theirs.[/quote]

Did it ever occur to you that this "international policy" only seemed to apply to Rod Roddy?

There is no policy.  It was fabricated to keep Barker from looking like an asshole.