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Bob Barker

Game Show Host / Executive Producer

"How would I like to be remembered? As the man who said, 'have your pets spayed or neutered.'"

About This Interview

Bob Barker was interviewed for three hours plus in Los Angeles, CA.  Barker talked about his childhood growing up on an Indian reservation in South Dakota.  He described his work in radio which led him to be “cast” as the host of the game show Truth or Consequences, by show creator Ralph Edwards.  Barker talked about his long run on Truth or Consequences in its network and syndicated runs.  Barker then discussed in detail the show for which he is most associated, The Price Is Right, which he hosted continuously from 1972 until the time of this interview (and eventually to 2007).  Barker also talked about his other hosting duties on such programs as the “Miss USA Pageant” and “The Tournaments of Roses Parade,” as well as his animal rights activism.  The interview was conducted by Fred Wostbrock on July 7, 2000.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres

Shows

  • $64,000 Question aka $64,000 Challenge
  • Dinah!
  • Emmy Awards, The (primetime and daytime)
  • Lucky Pair
  • Miss Universe Pageant
  • Pet Set, The
  • Pillsbury Bake-Off
  • Price is Right, The
  • Tournament of Roses Parade
  • Truth or Consequences

People

  • Dick Clark
  • Betty White
  • Vanna White

Topics

  • Bloopers
  • Emmy Awards
  • Historic Events and Social Change
  • Memorable Moments on Television
  • Pop Culture
  • Television Industry

Genres

  • Game Shows

Featured Content

Video: Bob Barker returns to The Price is Right on April 14, 2009.

Bob Barker was inducted into the 16th Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.Emmy Hall of Fame Logo

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  • Highlights
  • Chapters
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres

Highlights

  • <DIV contenteditable="true" class="gx_free">Bob Barker on <i>The Price is Right </i> catchphrase "come on down!"</DIV> (00m 46s)
    Bob Barker on The Price is Right catchphrase "come on down!"
    (00m 46s)
  • Bob Barker on the most memorable <i>Price is Right</i>  contestant (who lost her tube top) (01m 26s)Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top) (01m 26s)
  • <DIV contenteditable="true" class="gx_free">Bob Barker on the secret to <i>The Price is Right's </i> longevity</DIV> (01m 54s)
    Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
    (01m 54s)
  • <DIV contenteditable="true" class="gx_free">Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins</DIV> (02m 15s)
    Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
    (02m 15s)
  • <DIV contenteditable="true" class="gx_free">           <DIV contenteditable="true" class="gx_free">             <DIV contenteditable="true" class="gx_free" style="width: 99%;">Bob Barker on his roles in the feature films <i>Happy Gilmore</i>  and <i>Something So Right</i>  </DIV>           </DIV>         </DIV> (01m 55s)
    Bob Barker on his roles in the feature films Happy Gilmore and Something So Right
    (01m 55s)
  • Bob Barker on how he'd like to be remembered (00m 12s)Bob Barker on how he'd like to be remembered (00m 12s)

Chapters

  • Chapter 1
  • On his early years and education
  • On his military service during World War II; his marriage to Dorothy Jo; and his first jobs in radio and audience participation shows
  • Chapter 2
  • On hosting audience participation shows in Los Angeles and his first television jobs
  • On getting the job hosting Truth or Consequences and how the show was structured
  • Chapter 3
  • On hosting Truth or Consequences
  • Chapter 4
  • On the syndication of Truth or Consequences and how the quiz show scandals did not affect the program
  • On hosting the Miss Universe Pageant for many years before eventually leaving due to his anti-fur animal activism
  • On hosting  The Tournament of Roses Parade; creating Lucky Pair; and hosting The Pillsbury Bake-Off
  • On becoming host of The Price is Right; on Johnny Olson; on some of the popular Price is Right games
  • Chapter 5
  • On everything you'd ever want to know about The Price is Right
  • Chapter 6
  • On the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
  • On his "look" and on studying karate with Chuck Norris
  • On appearing on Dinah!; taking his live audience participation show on the road
  • On his multiple Emmy wins
  • Bob Barker on his roles in the feature films Happy Gilmore and Something So Right
  • On his animal activism and the origin of his closing line "have your pets spayed or neutered"
  • On his proudest achievement; his advice to aspiring hosts; and his views on being a celebrity
  • Chapter 7
  • On his legacy and how he'd like to be remembered
  • On some photos taken throughout his career

Shows

  • $64,000 Question aka $64,000 Challenge
    • Bob Barker on how Truth or Consequences was not affected by the quiz show scandals (01m 24s)
  • Dinah!
    • Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah! (01m 35s)
  • Emmy Awards, The (primetime and daytime)
    • Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins (02m 15s)
    • Bob Barker in a publicity photo taken with his Emmy Award
      (00m 15s)
  • Lucky Pair
    • Bob Barker on his local show Lucky Pair, which was his mother's idea (02m 21s)
  • Miss Universe Pageant
    • Bob Barker on hosting the Miss Universe Pageant for many years before eventually leaving due to his anti-fur animal activism (06m 48s)
  • Pet Set, The
    • Bob Barker on his appearance on The Pet Set (with photo) (00m 35s)
  • Pillsbury Bake-Off
    • Bob Barker on hosting the Pillsbury Bake-Off (01m 51s)
    • Bob Barker in a publicity photo for the Pillsbury Bake-Off (00m 20s)
  • Price is Right, The
    • Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right (09m 54s)
    • Bob Barker on the many aspects of The Price is Right (27m 50s)
    • Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity (01m 54s)
    • Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right (02m 24s)
    • Bob Barker on his animal activism and the origin of his closing line "have your pets spayed or neutered" (03m 03s)
    • Bob Barker in a publicity photo taken for  The Price is Right
      (00m 17s)
  • Tournament of Roses Parade
    • Bob Barker on hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade (04m 23s)
  • Truth or Consequences
    • Bob Barker on getting the job hosting Truth or Consequences and how the show was structured
    • Bob Barker on hosting the gameshow Truth or Consequences
    • Bob Barker on Truth or Consequences being the first show produced for syndication (00m 47s)
    • Bob Barker in an early publicity photo taken for Truth or Consequences (00m 22s)
    • Bob Barker in a photo taken for Truth or Consequences
      (00m 29s)

People

  • Carol Channing
    • Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah! (01m 35s)
  • Dick Clark
    • Bob Barker on Dick Clark (00m 25s)
  • Bill Cullen
    • Bob Barker on Bill Cullen (00m 24s)
  • Geoff Edwards
    • Bob Barker on his local show Lucky Pair, which was his mother's idea
      (02m 21s)
  • Gail Fisher
    • Bob Barker on hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade (04m 23s)
  • Mark Goodson
    • Bob Barker in a photo with producer Mark Goodson (00m 24s)
    • Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
      (09m 54s)
  • Chuck Norris
    • Bob Barker on his "look" and on studying karate with Chuck Norris (05m 49s)
  • Johnny Olson
    • Bob Barker on Price is Right announcer Johnny Olson (02m 00s)
  • Dinah Shore
    • Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah! (01m 35s)
  • Bill Todman
    • Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
      (09m 54s)
  • Betty White
    • Bob Barker on his appearance on The Pet Set (with photo)
      (00m 35s)
  • Vanna White
    • Bob Barker on The Price is Right contestant Vanna White (00m 37s)

Topics

  • Bloopers
    • Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top) (01m 26s)
  • Emmy Awards
    • Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins (02m 15s)
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television
    • Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right (02m 24s)
  • Memorable Moments on Television > We Laughed
    • Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top) (01m 26s)
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Bob Barker on The Price is Right catchphrase "come on down!" (02m 03s)
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Quiz Show Scandals
    • Bob Barker on how Truth or Consequences was not affected by the quiz show scandals (01m 24s)

Genres

  • Game Shows
    • Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
      (10m 04s)
    • Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity (01m 54s)
    • Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right (02m 24s)
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  • Game Show Genres

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Submitted by eshaw2115 on Sun, 2011-07-03 20:07.

Didn't the interviewer say 3 people?

Submitted by glizabeth1 on Fri, 2011-05-27 01:19.

Thanks so much for uploading these archives. You are awesome!

Submitted by DMenase24 on Thu, 2011-03-31 23:38.

@Diane81000 Because he's awesome you idiot

Submitted by DMenase24 on Mon, 2011-03-28 22:26.

@Diane81000 not at all

Submitted by whewfan on Sat, 2010-10-16 20:31.

This was just a few years shy of when the original beauties were axed. Very complimentary of Janice but was not asked about Holly or (understandably of course) Dian.

Submitted by travis7310 on Sun, 2010-08-15 07:34.

I love watching these interviews! Bob's a wonderful man! He's a great host! He needs to make another appearance on TPIR. It would really boost the ratings!

Submitted by ukebec on Wed, 2010-07-21 02:08.

TorC was "appointment TV" or "must-see TV" before those phrases were ever thought up. Mr. Barker is correct...you could watch day after day & still be surprised by what they came up with. He was so personable, not "Hollywood" or "New York" - he came across as a real person, not a phony show-biz type. As a child I would be outside playing & realize it was getting close to TorC time and race into the house, throw myself in front of the tv and be thrilled to hear "we've been waiting for you".

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