We’re sharing it again followingBarker’s death at age 99 on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
“It’s a lot more fun to do than a person might realize,” Barker tells EW.
“Each audience has its own personality.
Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
It’s like mining for gold.
I’m looking for little gems with whom I can create spontaneous entertainment.
It’s great satisfaction.”
‘The Price is Right’ host Bob Barker in 1985.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
The year was 1972.
I was asking Bob to follow [former Price host] Bill Cullen!
I also think he had a better show to work with than Bill did.
BARKER: I was 48 and didn’t have any thoughts about the rest of my life.
It was just another show I thought I would have fun with and be well paid for.
FRED SILVERMAN: With that big production, big stage, and Bob Barker how could you go wrong?
Janice Pennington was one of my best friends and she had introduced me to Goodson….
He didn’t want Carol Merrill fromLet’s Make a Deal he wanted sexy, classy New York models.
It was a job in a million.
The show has denied the connection.
Pennington declined to comment for this article.]
Walking into the studio was one of the most thrilling moments of my life.
To me, it looked gigantic.
Of course, people walk into the studio today and go, “God, this is small!”
We’d sit around his pool.
That sounds grand, but believe me, we were not swimming.
We worked very, very hard whileGoodsonswam in the pool.
[Goodson died in 1992.]
FORD: [Rehearsals] were like being in the Marine Corps!
We showed up early in the morning to mark and block every single prize.
I always gave my all for rehearsals so I’d look good, standing there holding the Rice-A-Roni.
In many ways, it was a role that we were playing.
We were there to act and to throw our passion into a microwave oven or a Broyhill sofa.
Bob has not changed.
We went to the Brown Derby in Hollywood.
After exchanging the usual pleasantries over coffee, Bob said he didn’t want to do the show.
I almost fell off the chair.
He said he’d doJoker’s WildorGambit, but notPrice.
He thought the show could be better produced.
You have far more talent!"
BARKER: I wore a dark green Bob De Chellis suit.
I didn’t have any anxiety about [the first show].
The adrenaline was probably running a bit more than it would be.
I was right at home onThe Price Is Rightthe way I was onTruth or Consequences.
But I dare say that I wanted to make it good.
DOBKOWITZ: He was a little stiff.
My impression was that it was very important for Bob to get through the show.
He did not become that talkative person until years later.
And the audience in the very first show wasveryquiet.
Johnny said, “Joe Smith, stand up!
Betty So-and-so, stand up!”
All four stood up with no applause andthenJohnny said, “Come on down!
You are the first contestants onThe New Price Is Right!”
BARKER: It was obviously better to have them get up and [immediately] get down there.
[Olson died in 1985.]
Then they called my name!
Without the Mouth, I never would have gotten on the show.
DOBKOWITZ: The very first prize on the very first show was a fur coat.
For many, many years Bob was almost embarrassed by that.
And he said, “I understand your position.
They’re gone.”
LEVINE: For my Showcase, there was an Exercycle, roller skates, and a piston-engine Mazda.
I bid $2,500 and the actual retail value was $2,504.
I think I was the closest one to the actual retail value from anybody ever on that show.
It seems so rinky-dink now.
It was going too fast!
I remember them saying, “Stop the tape!
What’s going on here?”
There was a lady who fainted during the Showcase.
That was a riot.
I’m basically on top of the girl, slapping her while the credits are rolling.
BARKER: I knew she was going, her eyes were just rolling up in her head.
It was really quite impressive, to put it mildly.
I looked down and there was my bikini bottom on the floor.
I turned around and Johnny had just disappeared.
We never spoke about it.
SILVERMAN: Daytime is a glacial medium.
When you make changes it can take forever for those changes to work.
But we didn’t miss a beat.
WOLPERT: Bob was different from minute one.
The audience just adored him.
There would be a huge roar.
They were just dazzled by him.
I mean, my God, he looked great.
BARKER: I’ve had hugs and kisses on every show.
I had one come up and say, “I’m going to kiss you on the lips.”
I said, “No, you’re not!”
The women just loved that look.
Swear to God, that turns a lot of women on.
SILVERMAN: It’s hard for me to envisionThe Price Is Rightwithout Bob.
I don’t know whether the numbers will totally hold up [after he leaves].
He is such an important part of the show.
GRANT: It was obviously a smart decision for Bob to stay for 35 years.
Why leave a show that’s highly successful and go to do something else?
Bob is a good businessman.
BARKER: There was one period when I did have a show idea that ABC was interested in.
It probably is hard to believe, but I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this show all these years.
I regret that I’m quitting now.
