About
"How would I like to be remembered? As the man who said, 'have your pets spayed or neutered.'"
In his over three-hour interview, Bob Barker (1923-2023) talks about his childhood growing up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He describes his work in radio which led him to be "cast" as the host of the game show Truth or Consequences, by show creator Ralph Edwards. Barker talks about his long run on Truth or Consequences in its network and syndicated runs. Barker then discusses in detail the show for which he is most well-known, The Price Is Right, which he hosted continuously from 1972 until the time of this interview (and eventually to 2007). Barker also talks about his other hosting duties on such programs as the Miss USA pageant and the Tournament of Roses Parade, as well as his animal rights activism. Fred Wostbrock conducted the interview on July 7, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
Bob Barker on his roles in the feature films Happy Gilmore and Something So Right
Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top)
Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
Bob Barker on how he'd like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and education
On his military service during World War II; his marriage to Dorothy Jo; and his first jobs in radio and audience participation shows
Chapter 2
On hosting audience participation shows in Los Angeles and his first television jobs
On getting the job hosting Truth or Consequences and how the show was structured
Chapter 3
On hosting Truth or Consequences
Chapter 4
On the syndication of Truth or Consequences and how the quiz show scandals did not affect the program
On hosting the Miss Universe Pageant for many years before eventually leaving due to his anti-fur animal activism
On hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade; creating Lucky Pair; and hosting The Pillsbury Bake-Off
On becoming host of The Price is Right; on Johnny Olson; on some of the popular Price is Right games
Chapter 5
On everything you'd ever want to know about The Price is Right
Chapter 6
On the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
On his "look" and on studying karate with Chuck Norris
On appearing on Dinah!; taking his live audience participation show on the road
On his multiple Emmy wins
Bob Barker on his roles in the feature films Happy Gilmore and Something So Right
On his animal activism and the origin of his closing line "have your pets spayed or neutered"
On his proudest achievement; his advice to aspiring hosts; and his views on being a celebrity
Chapter 7
On his legacy and how he'd like to be remembered
On some photos taken throughout his career
Shows
$64,000 Question
Bob Barker on how Truth or Consequences was not affected by the quiz show scandals
Dinah!
Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah!
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
Bob Barker in a publicity photo taken with his Emmy
Lucky Pair
Bob Barker on his local show Lucky Pair, which was his mother's idea
Miss Universe
Bob Barker on hosting the Miss Universe Pageant for many years before eventually leaving due to his anti-fur animal activism
Pet Set, The
Bob Barker on his appearance on The Pet Set (with photo)
Pillsbury Bake-Off
Bob Barker on hosting the Pillsbury Bake-Off
Bob Barker in a publicity photo for the Pillsbury Bake-Off
Price is Right, The
Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
Bob Barker on the many aspects of The Price is Right
Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
Bob Barker on his animal activism and the origin of his closing line "have your pets spayed or neutered"
Bob Barker in a publicity photo taken for The Price is Right
Tournament of Roses Parade
Bob Barker on hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade
Truth or Consequences
Bob Barker on getting the job hosting Truth or Consequences and how the show was structured
Bob Barker on hosting the gameshow Truth or Consequences
Bob Barker on Truth or Consequences being the first show produced for syndication
Bob Barker in an early publicity photo taken for Truth or Consequences
Bob Barker in a photo taken for Truth or Consequences
Topics
Bloopers
Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top)
Characters & Catchphrases
Bob Barker on The Price is Right catchphrase "come on down!"
Emmy Awards
Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
Quiz Show Scandals
Bob Barker on how Truth or Consequences was not affected by the quiz show scandals
Representation on Television
Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
We Laughed
Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top)
Professions
Hosts
Bob Barker on his advice to aspiring show hosts
Genres
Game Shows
Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
People
Carol Channing
Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah!
Dick Clark
Bob Barker on Dick Clark
Bill Cullen
Bob Barker on Bill Cullen
Geoff Edwards
Bob Barker on his local show Lucky Pair, which was his mother's idea
Gail Fisher
Bob Barker on hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade
Mark Goodson
Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
Bob Barker in a photo with producer Mark Goodson
Chuck Norris
Bob Barker on his "look" and on studying karate with Chuck Norris
Johnny Olson
Bob Barker on Price is Right announcer Johnny Olson
Dinah Shore
Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah!
Bill Todman
Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
Betty White
Bob Barker on his appearance on The Pet Set (with photo)
Vanna White
Bob Barker on The Price is Right contestant Vanna White