Bob Barker

Game Show Host / Executive Producer
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"How would I like to be remembered? As the man who said, 'have your pets spayed or neutered.'"

People Talking About ...
Bob Barker
Highlights
Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
02:15
Bob Barker on his roles in the feature films Happy Gilmore and Something So Right
01:55
Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top)
01:26
Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
01:54
Bob Barker on how he'd like to be remembered
00:12
Full Interview

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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

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Bob Barker on how Truth or Consequences was not affected by the quiz show scandals
01:24

Dinah!

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Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah!
01:35

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
02:15
Bob Barker in a publicity photo taken with his Emmy
00:15

Lucky Pair

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Bob Barker on his local show Lucky Pair, which was his mother's idea
02:21

Miss Universe

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Bob Barker on hosting the Miss Universe Pageant for many years before eventually leaving due to his anti-fur animal activism
06:48

Pet Set, The

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Bob Barker on his appearance on The Pet Set (with photo)
00:35

Pillsbury Bake-Off

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Bob Barker on hosting the Pillsbury Bake-Off
01:51
Bob Barker in a publicity photo for the Pillsbury Bake-Off
00:20

Price is Right, The

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Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
09:54
Bob Barker on the many aspects of The Price is Right
27:50
Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
01:54
Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
02:24
Bob Barker on his animal activism and the origin of his closing line "have your pets spayed or neutered"
03:03
Bob Barker in a publicity photo taken for The Price is Right
00:17

Tournament of Roses Parade

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Bob Barker on hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade
04:23

Truth or Consequences

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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
00:47
Bob Barker in an early publicity photo taken for Truth or Consequences
00:22
Bob Barker in a photo taken for Truth or Consequences
00:29
Topics

Bloopers

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Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top)
01:26

Characters & Catchphrases

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Bob Barker on The Price is Right catchphrase "come on down!"
02:03

Emmy Awards

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Bob Barker on his multiple Emmy wins
02:15

Quiz Show Scandals

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Bob Barker on how Truth or Consequences was not affected by the quiz show scandals
01:24

Representation on Television

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Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
02:24

We Laughed

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Bob Barker on the most memorable Price is Right contestant (who lost her tube top)
01:26
Professions

Hosts

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Bob Barker on his advice to aspiring show hosts
02:00
Genres

Game Shows

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Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
10:04
Bob Barker on the secret to The Price is Right's longevity
01:54
Bob Barker on the success and inclusiveness of The Price is Right
02:24
People

Betty White

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Bob Barker on his appearance on The Pet Set (with photo)
00:35

Bill Cullen

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Bob Barker on Bill Cullen
00:24

Bill Todman

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Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
09:54

Carol Channing

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Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah!
01:35

Chuck Norris

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Bob Barker on his "look" and on studying karate with Chuck Norris
05:49

Dick Clark

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Bob Barker on Dick Clark
00:25

Dinah Shore

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Bob Barker on his frequent appearances on Dinah Shore's Dinah!
01:35

Gail Fisher

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Bob Barker on hosting The Tournament of Roses Parade
04:23

Geoff Edwards

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Bob Barker on his local show Lucky Pair, which was his mother's idea
02:21

Johnny Olson

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Bob Barker on Price is Right announcer Johnny Olson
02:00

Mark Goodson

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Bob Barker on the origin and premise of the game show The Price is Right
09:54
Bob Barker in a photo with producer Mark Goodson
00:24

Vanna White

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Bob Barker on The Price is Right contestant Vanna White
00:37

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