May 05, 2004
Come On Down
The Price Is Right. I associate this show with two things - 1. childhood summers, and 2. adulthood unemployment. Lately I've been watching some of the show under the auspices of #2, but it isn't pretty. Bob Barker, bless his heart, is starting to look like a slowly melting wax statue of himself. The contestants have gotten simutaneously more obnoxious and slovenly. Honestly, they all dress like they just rolled out of bed. And they're dumb, too -- always staring at the audience, mouths open, for the right thing to say. Gone forever are the days when most TPIR contestants were savvy housewives who could instantly rattle off the retail prices of Turtle Wax, Rice-A-Roni, and Odor Eaters. But it is fun to watch Bob as he loses his patience with frat boys and sorority gals who could pass as his great-grandchildren. And I love how they haven't changed many of the games and music cues since the '70s - like the "new car" music. Man, I love the "new car" music.
Posted by mhinrichs at May 5, 2004 01:05 PM
The 'new car' music is good, but I WORSHIP the 'loser music'-you know, "buh, buh, buh, buh, buuhhhh". The homemade shirts the contestants wear are price-less as well. "Bob this is my 80th birthday present!" "I LOVE YOU BOB!" Fab!
remeber truth or consequences?
Poor Bob looks like he just forgets where he is half the time these days. Somebody convince him to go to pasture gracefully.
Who bellows out, "A new caaaarrr!" now that Rod's gone?? And does he wear similar guady outfits??
Robot Johnny: I think his name is Rich, though I can't remember his last name.
Rich Fields. He's a younger guy. That way he won't croak before Bob.
Gee, aint I a stinker?
When my wife and I went to a taping of Politically Incorrect a couple of years ago, we were seated next to all of the "Price" contestants waiting to get on the show. These folks were wired like they'd each downed a couple of dozen Pixie Sticks filled with crank instead of sugar. Every time one of the studio pages opened the door they started jumping up and down, twitching uncontrollably, and screaming at the top of their lungs.
The show is special for me because it's the show my mom and I used to watch together in the 70s, and now that I work from home I find myself watching it every day too. I remember that the prices of the new cars used to be something like $4000. I love how, except for the wheel and the new games, it hasn't changed it's basic look/structure in years. Even those flower-ish designs on the showcase showdown podiums. It won't be the same when Bobby B retires.
I've already mentioned this to Matt, but you folks might be interested in a TPIR piece I did last year:
http://sassone.tripod.com/priceisrightgames.html
It would be interesting to hear Bob Barker speak on how the contestants have changed over the years. I'm sure he would like to pull a "Happy Gilmore" on some of them and punch their lights out.
I remember "Truth or Consequences" from when I was a kid. I think the announcer on that show was Charlie Lion, but I'm going from childhood memory here. It was a great show and I used to dream of being caught on the "hidden camera."
This message is for Steve above stating that Bob should go out to pasture.
Steve,
I had the pleasure of a lifetime last month and met Mr. Barker in person at Studio 33. He was nothing but a kind, sweet and humble man with a heart who has fans that love him so much. While in line waiting to enter the studio, I saw him pull in to the parking lot daily in a plain black Cadillac, nothing fancy, wearing jeans and tennis shoes. We shouted, "We love you Bob", he waived and responded by saying thank you and enjoy todays show. Just thought I would say that comments such as yours are a bit upsetting. I am not meaning this to sound ugly, but, to let you know people out there that care for Bob ant him to stay and do PRICE IS RIGHT as long as he can.
Take care.
