Bob Stewart
Game Show Creator/Producer
About This Interview
Bob Stewart (1920 - 2012) was interviewed for three hours in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Stewart spoke about his transition from radio to television, and his first television show, "Songs for Sale." In 1955, Stewart began his association with producers Mark Goodson and Bill Todman (Goodson-Todman). He talked about creating the game shows "To Tell the Truth," "The Price is Right" and "Password." He discussed the quiz show scandals and its impact on future game shows. Stewart continued his success with his show "The $10,000 Pyramid," which was later re-titled "The $100,000 Pyramid." He discussed the importance of game show host selection, the qualities of a perfect contestant, and the key to creating a fun and successful game show. The interview was conducted by Fred Wostbrock on September 11, 1998.
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Featured Content
Bob Stewart has been named as an inductee into the 19th Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.
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Highlights
Bob Stewart on the genesis of To Tell the Truth and The Price is Right
Clip begins at: 20:39, Duration: 05m 19s
Bob Stewart defines the genres of game shows versus panel shows
Clip begins at: 11:11, Duration: 01m 31s
Bob Stewart on the creation and production of Password
Clip begins at: 08:30, Duration: 11m 03s
Bob Stewart on how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 00:07, Duration: 00m 24s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early years growing up in New York during the Depression era
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On first seeing television at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair
Clip begins at: 11:17 - On his military service during World War II
Clip begins at: 12:56 - On his introduction to radio writing and his first jobs including WNEW radio game shows and soaps (We Love and Learn) and writing for Gene Rayburn; his short stint at Benton & Bowles advertising
Clip begins at: 17:18 - Part 2
- On his early television work including Songs for Sale and local New York broadcasts
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On The Sky's the Limit and The Morey Amsterdam Show
Clip begins at: 09:21 - On learning of the Blacklist
Clip begins at: 16:16 - On the genesis of The Price is Right, To Tell the Truth, and his uncredited work on the short-lived Stand Up and Be Counted; his relationship with Mark Goodson and Bill Todman
Clip begins at: 17:52 - Part 3
- On asserting control on The Price is Right
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his panel show To Tell the Truth
Clip begins at: 02:39 - On the genres of game shows versus panel shows
Clip begins at: 11:11 - On the concept and production of The Price is Right , the initial prizes and showcases, and the selection of host Bill Cullen
Clip begins at: 15:28 - Part 4
- On working with host Bill Cullen and his feelings about The Price is Right's more current versions
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the Quiz Show Scandals
Clip begins at: 03:25 - On the creation and production of the game show Password
Clip begins at: 08:30 - On leaving Goodson-Todman and starting his own production company and launching The Face is Familiar
Clip begins at: 19:33 - Part 5
- On the panel show Personality and his opinions on using celebrities on his game shows
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the panel show You're Putting Me On; on his production company and its staff; working with networks; and his first videotaped show Eye Guess
Clip begins at: 06:14 - On the genesis and early production of The $10,000 Pyramid
Clip begins at: 17:47 - Part 6
- On how production on the Pyramid game shows were done and how disputes were resolved; on the show's Emmy wins
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the game shows Jackpot, Shoot for the Stars; host Geoff Edwards; and some of the announcers he's worked with (Don Pardo, Joe Clayton, Jack Clark)
Clip begins at: 07:22 - On moving to the West Coast; his shows The Love Experts and The 80s Woman; working with David Letterman and Barbara Feldon
Clip begins at: 13:34 - On his then-current semi-retirement; how the industry has changed; his favorites of his game show creations; his opinion of the future of interactive game shows
Clip begins at: 18:56 - Part 7
- On how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some of the people he's worked with in his career
Clip begins at: 00:31 - On some photos featuring his work
Clip begins at: 06:37
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
Professions
A genius's genius. He will be missed. Enjoyed pieces of this historic interview.
RIP Bob Stewart - May 4, 2012
Mark Goodson was quoted in a book on the reason why rival game show producers don't like each other. "They are all jealous separatists."
Bob Stewart retorted that "Goodson was a jealous separatist. I don't care about him and he doesn't care about me."
When asked if he watched Goodson's shows, Stewart said "No...I have no interest."
The competition did make for better game shows.
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