About
"There are three kinds of people who host game shows. There are actors who are so used to using other people's words that they don't have any kind of spontaneity. There are comedians who don't listen because they're thinking of the next funny line. That's not a criticism, that's just born within them. And then there are hosts who listen and take whatever the contestant says, and make it bigger."
In his two-hour interview, Bob Eubanks discusses his early years as a radio DJ and his transition to television in the 1960s. He talks about his work as a concert promoter, his biggest show being the 1964 Beatles concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Eubanks then discusses his hosting of The Newlywed Game, for which he holds the record for hosting the same game show in six consecutive decades. During that time, he remained a concert promoter and manager -- working with such stars as Barbara Mandrell and Dolly Parton. He also details his work as co-host on the annual Tournament of Roses Parade as well as other shows including The Diamond Head Show and Card Sharks. Jim McKairnes conducted the interview on May 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Host Bob Eubanks on being hired as the host for The Newlywed Game and how the show was sold to the network
Host Bob Eubanks on the role of the host on The Newlywed Game
Bob Eubanks briefly on hosting Card Sharks.
Bob Eubanks on co-hosting the Tournament of Roses Parade broadcasts
Full Interview
Chapter 1
Introduction
On his early years; on his family moving to California (from Flint, MI) when he was two; on his interest in music; on his early work of modeling (where he did one session with Gene Autry) and roller skating
On his schooling; on beginning his career in radio; on working at radio station KACY and then moving to KRLA; on opening a chain of young-adult nightclubs; on beginning to work as a concert promoter with The Champs
On hosting his first television show Pop Dance Party; on being subpoenaed (just as he was about to host his first Newlywed Game) to testify about the payola scandals (where disc jockeys were paid to play certain records); on Ozzie Nelson hiring DJs on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
On producing The Beatles' August 23, 1964 concert at The Hollywood Bowl; on The Beatles' fans; on working with The Beatles; on forming a PR firm for rock and roll; rock and roll and television
On being hired by Chuck Barris to host The Newlywed Game; on hosting the show; on memorable moments; on his approach to the show; on also hosting the nighttime version
On continuing his music promotion career while maintaining his TV career
Chapter 2
On his work as a manager and concert promoter; on working with music legends including The Rolling Stones, Barry Manilow, Barbara Mandrell, and Dolly Parton
On working with Charlie O'Donnell; on bringing The Newlywed Game back into syndication (1977–80, 1985–88 and 1997-99) and as a traveling live show; on the short-lived game show The Diamond Head Game
On producing for television; on working with Buddy Hackett; on hosting Trivia Trap and Dream House; on the current state of game shows
On co-hosting the Tournament of Roses Parade; on his co-host Stephanie Edwards
On his negative portrayal in Michael Moore's feature documentary Roger & Me
Chapter 3
On hosting and producing Infatuation
On Chuck Barris; on his career achievements; on his advice to aspiring hosts; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows
Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet, The
Bob Eubanks on the radio "payola" scandals and how Ozzie Nelson would hire DJs to appear on his show; on being subpoenaed as he prepared to host his first Newlywed Game.
Card Sharks
Bob Eubanks briefly on hosting Card Sharks.
Diamond Head Game, The
Bob Eubanks on hosting the short-lived Hawaii-based game show The Diamond Head Game
Infatuation
Host Bob Eubanks on producing and hosting the short-lived show Infatuation
Newlywed Game, The
Bob Eubanks on the radio "payola" scandals and how Ozzie Nelson would hire DJs to appear on his show; on being subpoenaed as he prepared to host his first Newlywed Game.
Host Bob Eubanks on being hired as the host for The Newlywed Game and how the show was sold to the network
Host Bob Eubanks on the origin and premiere of The Newlywed Game
Host Bob Eubanks on the role of the host on The Newlywed Game
Host Bob Eubanks on the true story behind The Newlywed Game urban myth, "in the butt, Bob"
Bob Eubanks on bringing The Newlywed Game back into syndication (1977–80, 1985–88 and 1997-99) and as a traveling live show
Tournament of Roses Parade
Bob Eubanks on asking to host the Tournament of Roses Parade; on winning an Emmy
Bob Eubanks on co-hosting the Tournament of Roses Parade broadcasts
Trivia Trap
Bob Eubanks on hosting Trivia Trap; on working with Mark Goodson.
Topics
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Host Bob Eubanks on the origin of The Newlywed Game's euphemism "makin' whoopee"
Host Bob Eubanks on the true story behind The Newlywed Game urban myth, "in the butt, Bob"
Characters & Catchphrases
Host Bob Eubanks on the origin of The Newlywed Game's euphemism "makin' whoopee"
Professions
Game Show Host
Host Bob Eubanks on the role of the host on The Newlywed Game
Genres
Game Shows
Host Bob Eubanks on the role of the host on The Newlywed Game
People
Bob Barker
Bob Eubanks on pranking Bob Barker.
Chuck Barris
Bob Eubanks on Chuck Barris (and Barris' contention that he was in the CIA)
Stephanie Edwards
Bob Eubanks on co-hosting the Tournament of Roses Parade; on his co-host Stephanie Edwards.
Mark Goodson
Bob Eubanks on hosting Trivia Trap; on working with Mark Goodson.
Michael Hill
Host Bob Eubanks on producing and hosting the short-lived show Infatuation
Mick Jagger
Bob Eubanks on promoting Rolling Stones concerts in the '60s.
Paul McCartney
Bob Eubanks on promoting / producing The Beatles' 1964 Hollywood Bowl concert
Michael Moore
Bob Eubanks on the negative portrayal of him on Michael Moore's feature documentary Roger & Me.
Ozzie Nelson
Bob Eubanks on the radio "payola" scandals and how Ozzie Nelson would hire DJs to appear on his show; on being subpoenaed as he prepared to host his first Newlywed Game.
Beatles, The
Bob Eubanks on promoting / producing The Beatles' 1964 Hollywood Bowl concert