“Here it comes…” Retro episodes from Bob Barker for the first time The price is correct are now airing on daytime TV – and even though it wasn’t a sick day, I was watching.
Game show channel Buzzr has added the series, hosted by Barker for 35 years, to its retro viewing lineup, daily from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET. It debuted on May 28 with hour-long episodes from the 1980s.
Barker, who died in August at the age of 99, wasn’t shaking his silver hair yet — though his “Barker’s Beauties” were certainly there — when he called on hopefuls to “Come on down” to bid and win prizes like ‘a satellite system’. – also known as a big ugly TV dish – and an Oldsmobile Firenza, which was discontinued in 1988.
While TV’s longest-running game show continues to air on CBS with host Drew Carey, there is nostalgia for the Barker years, watched by kids of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s who were home sick from school with no streaming options or even a pause button. Fremantle, which produces The price is correct and owns Buzzr, and Pluto TV launched an online streaming channel in 2020 with “The Barker Era” classics — and the show has found new fans in Gen Zers, who watch together on Twitch — but Barker’s shows aren’t appeared more on TV.
Three models, a producer and a Saint Bernard leave Firenza
I watched the first episode of season 13, which aired on September 10, 1984. The title card that opened it said “Happy Anniversary,” and there were big festivities surrounding the start of the new season.
After a group of hopefuls were called to Contestant’s Row, the Price is good The doors opened elevator style, and a dark-haired and tanned Barker walked out to a standing ovation. For no other reason than to draw attention to one of the beauties, Janice Pennington – the longest-running model on the show, who said last year that working with Barker was a “joy” – seemed to give him a microphone. hand over before she disappeared.
There was a lot of anniversary hoopla during the episode, but no stranger moment than when the Firenza – which to modern eyes seems so dated it could have been a Model T – rolled out. All three Beauties – including show classics Holly Hallstrom and Dian Parkinson – sat elbow to elbow in the front seat, reflecting the ‘anything-goes’ style of driving at the time. (New York was the first state to require the use of seat belts – in 1984.)
Out the back jumped show producer Mark Goodson along with a giant Saint Bernard. The dog belonged to the local ASPCA when Goodson presented Barker with a $5,000 check for Barker’s animal activism, which was clearly already in full swing at the time.
But it was actually about the competitions: A total of two cars were given out, the Firenza (actual retail price: $8,768) and a Ford Mustang, touted for its perks including a “cigarette lighter” ($7,571). There was a six-night flight/hotel trip to New Orleans’ French Quarter ($1,750), a 20-foot camper ($4,295), and a KitchenAid trash compactor ($530).
The Showcase Showdowns were wild, including an Eipper plane, which looks like a bicycle with wings, not to mention terrifying. The other was presented in a sketch with the models, one of whom was excited to try out the award-winning lounger. The winner of the aforementioned giant satellite dish ($2,595) – which had the selling point of up to 150 cable channels – didn’t seem all that enthusiastic, but maybe he lived in an apartment.
And the games: A favorite over the years, Plinko won a woman $6,000 (although she missed out on $25,000). I would be lying if I didn’t say that as a child I wanted to write with the oversized Blank Check feather pen (renamed: Check Game in 1986). Unfortunately, no one spun a $1 on the wheel – or got dunked, my biggest fear of game shows. There was some tight bidding on Contestant’s Row, which led to some sideways glances, but otherwise it was all pretty cordial.
The kisses: All female competitors who reached the next level ran forward and planted a kiss on Barker’s cheek. It felt like a sign of a different time.
The cringe: Goodson was clearly a fan of having the Barker’s Beauties on the show. He joked about dumping the rescue dog and having the “girls” – who were actually women employed by him – leave with him. Later, as Parkinson unveiled a home spa in a bikini, Barker commented on her body. Goodson then reappeared to hug Parkinson, which was awkward. “Mark, leave her alone!” Barker told his boss. A female participant was also told that she had made the men in the audience happy when she came down.
The announcer: Johnny Olson, who announced several of Goodson’s shows at the time, was the original host. He held this job until his death in 1985, when Rod Roddy took over. Olson also took part in the Showcase sketch, dressing up as an angel and presenting wings to the models.
The ring: Barker wore a ring on his ring finger in the episode, which was apparently symbolic. His late wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, died in 1981 at the age of 57. She owned the ring, passed down from her grandmother, and Barker began wearing the diamond after Gideon’s death. By 1983, Barker had begun a new relationship with an animal rights activist, Nancy Burnet. They were together for forty years, never married and never lived together.
The sign-off: Barker became known for ending the show by reminding people to “get your pets spayed or neutered,” which he started saying in 1979, but this time he thanked Goodson for his contribution to Barker’s fund for animals. Carey, who took over from Barker in 2007, has continued the animal-friendly approach of his predecessor.
Barkers The price is correct now airing on Buzzr. Find out where you can watch Buzzr here.
