Bob Stewart
Game Show Creator/Producer
About This Interview
Bob Stewart 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.
Related To This Video
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 creation of The Price is Right (08m 06s)
Bob Stewart on the creation and production of Password (10m 45s)
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood and early years growing up in New York during the Depression era
- On first seeing television at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair
- On his military service during World War II
- 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
- Chapter 2
- On his early television work including Songs for Sale and local New York broadcasts
- On The Sky's the Limit and The Morey Amersterdam Show
- On learning of the Blacklist
- 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
- Chapter 3
- On asserting control on The Price is Right
- On his panel show To Tell the Truth
- On the genres of game shows versus panel shows
- On the concept and production of The Price is Right, the initial prizes and showcases, and the selection of host Bill Cullen
- Chapter 4
- On working with host Bill Cullen and his feelings about The Price is Right's more current versions
- On the Quiz Show Scandals
- On the creation and production of the game show Password
- On leaving Goodson-Todman and starting his own production company and launching The Face is Familiar
- Chapter 5
- On the panel show Personality and his opinions on using celebrities on his game shows
- 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
- On the genesis and early production of The $10,000 Pyramid
- Chapter 6
- On how production on the Pyramid game shows were done and how disputes were resolved; on the show's Emmy wins
- 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)
- On moving to the West Coast; his shows The Love Experts and The 80s Woman; working with David Letterman and Barbara Feldon
- 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
- Chapter 7
- On how he would like to be remembered
- On some of the people he's worked with in his career
- On some photos featuring his work
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
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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