After Rod died, it just hasn't been the same

November 1, 2006 2:29 AM

Long rumoured, after 35 years on the show, Bob Barker is leaving the Price is Right. His first ever show was September 4th, 1972 (note how much less spazzy the audience is on that intro?). No longer will we hear his reminder to have your pets spayed or neutered, but there's still the DJ&T Foundation that he started to help distribute vouchers and help support low cost spaying and neutering of pets.
posted by antifuse (24 comments total)

He's been the source of some controversy, as well, at the center of lawsuits by former "Barker's Beauties" for sexual harrasment and wrongful dismissal. To me, though, he'll always have a place in my heart for his role kicking the crap out of Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore (which he apparently only accepted once he found out that he would win the fight).
posted by antifuse at 2:29 AM on November 1, 2006

Come on down!
posted by furtive at 3:47 AM on November 1, 2006

I'm old enough to remember his Truth or Consequences days. I'm not sure what kind of fellow he is off-stage, but on-stage, he's one of the all-time best at reacting to and enhancing the unusual live moment.
posted by mania at 4:32 AM on November 1, 2006

A lot of French Canadians in Maine are going to be very sad today. The old/unemployed ones know it's time to eat lunch because Bob Barker's face is on the TV.

I don't know why Francos like him so much. Perhaps Bob Barker and the French Mainers have a special covenant.
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:54 AM on November 1, 2006

I just lost a half hour watching TPIR videos. Good link antifuse!
posted by EastCoastBias at 5:06 AM on November 1, 2006

Spazzy? Come on can't you think a little harder than that?
posted by bouncebounce at 5:38 AM on November 1, 2006

.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:45 AM on November 1, 2006

Bob Barker touched me in my swimsuit area.
posted by Meatbomb at 5:54 AM on November 1, 2006

I don't know why Francos like him so much. Perhaps Bob Barker and the French Mainers have a special covenant.

Who else in this day and age cares if a can of Spaghettios costs 59 cents or 69 cents? That'll feed a family in Lewiston for three days!


(excellent video clip, BTW)
posted by briank at 6:24 AM on November 1, 2006 [1 favorite]

I had the occasion this summer to see TPIR with some frequency since I was unemployed. I love that show because stylistically it hasn't changed since the 60's. It makes me nostalgic. However, I noticed that Bob is really struggling hearing wise. Almost every episode he would mishear the someone bid, and there would be general confusion. He just isn't as sharp as he used to be, although he is still a consummate showman.
posted by kimdog at 6:42 AM on November 1, 2006

Every day after kindergarten (half-day) I'd have lunch with mom and watch Price is Right. I remember the day years later when I tuned in and suddenly Bob had gone grey. And the Playboy issue with Diane. My dad always had Holly as his favorite though (redheads).
posted by ao4047 at 6:48 AM on November 1, 2006

I don't know why Francos like him so much. Perhaps Bob Barker and the French Mainers have a special covenant.

Not only in Maine. In the years before he died the one show my otherwise intelligent and accomplished French Canadian grandfather absolutely refused to miss was "The Price is Right". He even had one of those huge magnifying glass thingies installed in the front of his TV when his eyesight was failing so he could take in every detail of the Grand Prize Showcases.

That said, I think it's well past the time for that leering, overly preserved centenarian to put down the mike.
posted by Turtles all the way down at 7:43 AM on November 1, 2006 [1 favorite]

Don't you wanna do it with a little horn?I wanna do it with a little horn!
posted by banishedimmortal at 8:13 AM on November 1, 2006

March 1973 - As a small town Canadian boy on vacation in California, I attended a taping of Truth or Consequences. I still remember thinking "that's actually Bob Barker walking right beside me!" as he made his way up the aisle.
posted by davebush at 8:22 AM on November 1, 2006

March 1973 - As a small town Canadian boy on vacation in California, I attended a taping of Truth or Consequences. I still remember thinking "that's actually Bob Barker walking right beside me!" as he made his way up the aisle.

My grandfather would have shit his pants.
posted by Turtles all the way down at 8:34 AM on November 1, 2006

My grandfather would have shit his pants.

Well, he did that anyway, but you know what I mean.
posted by Turtles all the way down at 8:34 AM on November 1, 2006 [1 favorite]

I always thought Bob would die doing that show. He's been doing it since before I was born! This show brings back memories from my childhood.. during the summer break, I would always tune in everyday to watch TPIR... I've always wanted to be a contestant.. it would be a dream come true to actually be on the show and win some prizes.
posted by triolus at 8:49 AM on November 1, 2006

I heard he bought nine cemetery plots and erected a big Plinko device and when he dies, they will drop his body down the Plinko chutes.
posted by Falconetti at 8:57 AM on November 1, 2006 [3 favorites]

Falconetti wins!
posted by wolftrouble at 1:13 PM on November 1, 2006

[SELF-LINK] The Barker's Call
posted by Eideteker at 2:26 PM on November 1, 2006

my favorite TPIR clip - YouTube
posted by glycolized at 7:37 PM on November 1, 2006

I was always a fan of this clip...
posted by joedan at 9:02 PM on November 1, 2006

One of the most egregiously oleaginous men ever to appear on television.
posted by Twang at 11:48 PM on November 1, 2006

the price is wrong Bobby
posted by matimer at 4:17 PM on November 2, 2006