{{infobox television | show name

Card Sharks | image | caption Logo for the 1986–1989 versions of ''Card Sharks''. | format Game show | runtime 22–26 minutes | location NBC StudiosBurbank, California (1978–1981)CBS Television CityHollywood, California (1986–1989)Tribune StudiosHollywood, California (2001) | creator Chester Feldman for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions | presenter Jim Perry (1978–1981)Bob Eubanks (1986–1989)Bill Rafferty (1986–1987 Syn.)Pat Bullard (2001) | narrated Gene Wood (1978–1981, 1986–1989)Gary Kroeger (2001) | country United States | picture format 480i NTSCSDTV (GSN reruns) | audio_format Mono (NBC)Stereo (CBS/Syn.) | network NBC (1978–1981)CBS (1986–1989)Syndicated (1986–1987, 2001–2002) | first_aired –(NBC Daytime) –(CBS Daytime) –(Daily Syndication) | last_aired (Daily Syndication) | status Ended | num_episodes 864 (NBC)826 (CBS) 195 (1986–1987 Syn.)65 (2001 Syn.) }}

''Card Sharks'' is an American television game show created by Chester Feldman for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. Two contestants compete for control of a row of oversized playing cards by answering questions posed by the host and then guessing if the next card is higher or lower in value than the previous one. The concept has been made into a series four separate times since its debut in 1978, and also appeared as part of CBS's ''Gameshow Marathon''. The primary announcer for the first three series was Gene Wood.

Gameplay

Two contestants, one of which was typically the returning champion, were assigned an oversized deck of 52 playing cards and were dealt the first five cards for their row. The champion (or champion-designate if there were two new contestants) played the red cards on top while the challenger played the blue cards on the bottom. Each contestant's row of cards had a bracket atop it, which was used to mark their "base cards."

Questions

Contestants alternated responding to questions to gain control of the cards. Survey questions were posed to groups of 100 people, all of whom were typically in a common demographic group (e.g., of the same profession, all male, all over the age of 50, etc.). Contestants were asked to predict how many of those 100 people responded in a specific manner. Their opponent was then asked whether the actual number was higher or lower than the previous contestant's response. The actual number was then revealed, and if the opponent was correct, they played their cards first; otherwise the contestant to whom the question was posed played first. Later, a $500 bonus was awarded to any contestant who provided the exact number of people responding to a specific question.

The CBS and syndicated versions from 1986–1989 featured two new varieties of questions in addition to the traditional survey questions:

The audience poll was a question asked of a group of studio audience members (usually 10 members) selected for a shared characteristic such as gender or occupation. If a contestant guessed the exact number of audience members who made a certain response to one of these questions, he or she won a $100 bonus and the poll group was given $100 to share. The same poll group was used for a week's worth of episodes.

The educated guess questions were general knowledge trivia questions which had numerical answers. Exact guesses won a $500 bonus for the contestant. Guesses and responses were originally registered on the displays; this later changed to the guesses and responses superimposed on the displays, as they could be more than 99, which was the highest number the displays could register.

Playing the cards

The contestant in control was shown the first card in the row of five, the so-called "base card," and could either keep it or replace it with the next card off the top of the deck, which they ''had'' to play. The contestant then guessed whether the next card in the row was higher or lower, and continued to do so as long as he or she guessed correctly. If two duplicate cards appeared (i.e., two consecutive Aces) or the contestant made an incorrect guess, that contestant lost of control and whatever cards they had played were discarded and replaced. The opposing contestant then had a chance to play from his or her base card, but without the opportunity to exchange first. Either contestant could also elect to "freeze" their position if they were unsure of the next card; this would both prevent the opponent from playing and reset the contestant's base card to the frozen card and whatever cards that were turned in that instance were not discarded. In the final few months of the NBC ''Card Sharks'', if a contestant was able to complete their row without freezing, he or she won a $500 bonus.

If neither contestant had guessed all the cards in his or her row correctly, or if one had frozen his or her position, play continued with another toss-up question. The first two rounds consisted of a maximum of four questions each, and the third tie-breaker round contained a maximum of three questions. If the contestants still had not cleared their row of cards prior to the last question of the round, that question was played as "sudden death." The winner of the sudden death question could either play their cards and change their base card if they desired or pass to their opponent, who had to play without changing. If either contestant guessed incorrectly, their opponent won by default.

The 1970s and 1980s ''Card Sharks'' matches were best two-out-of-three, with the third match being played with three cards per contestant and three high-low questions until 1988, when it was replaced with a tiebreaker round which consisted of a single sudden death question. The controlling contestant was shown both base cards before being given the option to play the cards and change their base card if desired or pass to the opponent, who had to play without changing.

Initially $100 was awarded for each game won, and the match's winner advanced to play the Money Cards bonus game. Beginning on September 29, 1986 on the syndicated version, several cards with tangible prizes such as cash amounts, trips and electronics were introduced. Each prize revealed during the course of play was placed in a holding area for that contestant, each prize card was replaced with the next card off that contestant's deck, and the match's winner received the prizes he or she revealed. The CBS version still airing at this time continued to award $100 for a win and did not feature prize cards. On both 1980s versions, there was no bonus for running the board.

2001 version

In 2001, both contestants played the same row of seven cards. Each incorrect call gave the other contestant control of the remaining cards. A contestant won the game and $500 by guessing the last card correctly or by an opponent calling the last card incorrectly. The first contestant to win two games competed against the winner of the second match. Both contestants kept their winnings if they won a game. If both contestants were tied with one game each, a three-card tiebreaker round was played to determine the winner.

Contestants were also given "Clip Chips," which allowed them to replace a card if they correctly guessed the outcome of a video.

The championship match consisted of one game with seven cards, played as before. The winner of the championship match won $1,100 and played the Money Cards and the losing contestant won a trip to Las Vegas in addition to their prior winnings.

Bonus rounds

Two types of bonus rounds were used during the evolution of the program: the Money Cards and a round with a car as the prize.

Money Cards

The winner of the main game played the Money Cards bonus game for a chance to win additional money. The Money Cards board consisted of a series of eight cards on three levels. On the 1970s ''Card Sharks'', a contestant was able to change the base card on each of the three levels (originally only the base card at the beginning of the game). The 1980s series gave the contestant a choice of three pre-dealt cards to use for changes. Contestants were originally allowed to change cards at will (even three times on one card), but the rules were changed to one card per line in early 1986.

$200 ($700 in 2001) was given to the contestant at the beginning of the first level, and they would use that money to wager on whether or not the next card was higher or lower. Making a correct guess added the value of the wager to the contestant's bank, while an incorrect guess cost the contestant the wager.

When the contestant cleared the first level or ran out of money ("busted"), the last played card was moved up to the second level and the contestant received additional money ($200 on the NBC series, $400 on the 1986–1989 editions, and $700 in 2001) to bet with. Minimum bets on the first two levels were $50 and had to be made in increments of $50 ($100 on the 2001 edition). If a contestant still had money left after clearing the second level, the last card was moved to the top line for the "Big Bet" ("Major Wager" on the 2001 version, and reaching this level also added another $700). There, the contestant had to wager at least half of their remaining bank on one last call. However, if a contestant busted on the second or third row, the game ended. The most a contestant could win on the NBC version was $28,800, which was accomplished only once by contestant Norma Brown. Contestants could win up to $32,000 on the 1980s series; the highest amount won was $29,000. Contestants on the 2001 edition could win up to $51,800.

Originally, if a contestant turned over a duplicate card (i.e., two consecutive Aces), it was counted as a loss. Beginning on October 20, 1980, a contestant was no longer penalized in the Money Cards for duplicate cards. After that, the hosts encouraged contestants to bet all their money on Aces and twos as they were guaranteed not to lose any money. This rule was abolished partway through the 2001 version.

Car games

A secondary bonus game was introduced on both 1980s ''Card Sharks'' series which gave a winning contestant a chance to win a new car. During these series' runs there were two different car games, one involving Jokers and the other the audience poll group.

Beginning on September 29, 1986 in syndication and October 27, 1986 on CBS, a winning contestant received one Joker for winning the match. Three more were added to the Money Cards deck, and if a contestant uncovered them they received an additional chance to win the car. After the Money Cards round was over, a row of seven numbered cards was wheeled out and the contestant placed whatever Jokers they'd earned over the cards in the hopes that behind one of them was the word "CAR". During the special weeks when children played, the top prize was usually a trip to Hawaii (with either "WIN" or "HAWAII" displayed on one of the cards) and the children were given two Jokers to start. On the last episode of the 1986 syndicated version, all four Jokers were given to the final champion at the outset. This bonus round was played until July 1, 1988.

Beginning on July 4, 1988, the winning contestant had to correctly predict one final audience poll question. To record their guess, the contestant used a special prop with a dial and the numbers 0 through 10 on it. The contestant moved the dial to the number they thought was correct, and if it was they won the car. Missing by one in either direction won the contestant $500 as a consolation prize, while any other incorrect guess won nothing.

Gameshow Marathon version

On ''Gameshow Marathon'', a contestant started with $1,000 in betting money for the first two rows and had to wager at least half the money on the Big Bet. Minimum bets were still $50 and contestants could change one card per line by using one of the three pre-dealt cards in the numbered slots. The rule of not penalizing contestants when duplicate cards appeared was also used. The maximum payoff was $144,000.

Returning champions

On the original series, contestants could return until they either lost a game or won seven consecutive matches. On the CBS version, contestants played until they either won five consecutive matches or reached the network's winnings limit, which was originally $50,000 when the series debuted and extended to $75,000 in the fall of 1986. An unspecified winnings limit existed on the 1986 syndicated series, as well as a rule that limited the amount of cars a champion could win. A contestant was originally retired after winning a car, but this was later changed to three cars and later two. These changes corresponded with changes in the types of cars given away- the first several weeks of the car game saw luxury cars given away, but was changed to mid-price sports cars and later to base model cars.

The 2001 version was self-contained, with no returning champions.

Tournaments

''Card Sharks'' held many themed tournament weeks, including competitions for children, celebrities, and game show hosts. The hosts who participated in that event were Allen Ludden, Gene Rayburn, Bill Cullen, Wink Martindale, Tom Kennedy, Alex Trebek, Jack Clark and Jim Lange.

Pilots

1978

''Card Sharks'' recorded two pilots on March 17, 1978; the only difference in gameplay was that the tiebreaker rounds used four cards instead of three.

1996

In 1996, All-American Television, who had just purchased the Mark Goodson Productions library, shot a pilot for an attempted revival that did not sell. Denver-area sportscaster Tom Green, who previously hosted ''Sports on Tap'' for ESPN in 1994 and 1995 and is currently a news anchor for KWGN, hosted and actress Dee Dee Weathers was the dealer. Two contestants competed in a version of ''Card Sharks'' that was unlike any of the other series.

In order to gain control of the cards, the contestants had to guess survey questions that were asked to a group of ten Playboy Playmates. They then faced ten cards dealt into a pyramid shape and had to correctly call higher or lower. The contestant who turned over the final card in the pyramid won $250 and the game, and an extra $250 if they correctly called every card.

The Money Cards round was not used on this pilot- instead, four cards were dealt which included an Ace and the winning contestant was then shown three video clips where celebrities were asked questions. The winning contestant had to correctly predict the outcome of the clip, and if successful was given one of the cards. After all three video clips were played the contestant's cards were turned over. If they kept the Ace, they won $5,000. Otherwise, the value of the cards was added up and the contestant won the sum multiplied by $100.

2000

Another pilot was shot on November 17, 2000. Pat Bullard was the host and the dealer was Daphnee Lynn Duplaix. While many elements of the eventual aired series came from this pilot, this pilot also contained elements that were not used in the subsequent series. All rounds used the "Hidden Camera" question format, where contestants predicted the outcome of a situation to win control.

Round one was played similar to blackjack. Each time a contestant took control they earned a card and could stand upon reaching 12 or above. The opponent then kept receiving cards until they either beat the standing contestant or busted. $200 was given to the winner of the round

Round two saw contestants play a game similar to the original series' sudden death rounds. Upon obtaining control of the cards a contestant was shown the first card in the row and could either elect to play or pass. If either contestant failed to complete the row, money was awarded to their opponent. Three sets of cards were played, with three, four, and five in each row. The first row was worth $300, the second $400, and the third $500.

Other than a lack of surveys, the third round was played the same as the front game on the original ''Card Sharks'' series, with each contestant playing a row of five cards. Completing the row won a contestant $1,000, and the first contestant to reach $1,500 won the game and advanced to the Money Cards.

The Money Cards game from the pilot was eventually carried over to the 2001 syndicated series, with the contestant's main game winnings divided evenly among three tiers.

Broadcast history

The original ''Card Sharks'' aired on NBC from April 24, 1978 to October 23, 1981. From its debut until June 20, 1980, ''Card Sharks'' aired at 10:00 am Eastern. The series was one of the few respectable daytime performers on NBC under Fred Silverman's tenure as network president, which at the time was struggling to gain ratings in both daytime and primetime. After a scheduling shuffle necessitated by the debut of ''The David Letterman Show'' on June 23, 1980, ''Card Sharks'' moved to Noon eastern, a timeslot where it faced the #1 game show in daytime, ''Family Feud'', on ABC, the first half of ''The Young and the Restless'' in certain markets on CBS, and preemptions on local affiliates due to many stations electing to air local newscasts, talk shows, or other syndicated programming in the noon hour. ''Card Sharks'' remained in the noon slot until its cancellation.

The CBS revival of ''Card Sharks'' debuted at 10:30 am Eastern on January 6, 1986, in place of ''Press Your Luck'', and stayed in that timeslot for its entire run; ''Press Your Luck'' relocated to Body Language's old 4:00 PM EST/3:00 PM Central slot. Until January 1987, ''Card Sharks'' faced off against its original host Jim Perry's game show ''Sale of the Century'' on NBC in the time slot. ''Blockbusters'' (with then Syndication host of Card Sharks Bill Rafferty) and then Alex Trebek's ''Classic Concentration'' followed as competition for ''Card Sharks''. The revival ended its run on March 31, 1989, and was replaced by a short-lived revival of ''Now You See It''.

The 1986 Bill Rafferty-hosted syndicated series debuted on September 8, 1986. For the first half of the season this syndicated ''Card Sharks'' series had fairly decent clearances, but this changed due to the show's ratings struggles in an overcrowded syndicated game show market. At the midseason point the syndication ''Card Sharks'' disappeared from quite a few of its markets, and many of the stations that continued to air the series moved it to a very undesirable timeslot such as the late-night or early morning hours. The series continued to air until June 7, 1987, in the markets that kept it, with reruns airing until September 4, 1987.

The most recent regular ''Card Sharks'' series, the Pat Bullard-hosted 2001 series, debuted on September 17, 2001 and aired new episodes until December 14, 2001. Four weeks of reruns aired following that, and the series was cancelled altogether on January 11, 2002. In most of its markets the 2001 ''Card Sharks'' was either paired with or aired on the same station as one or both of the Pearson Television-produced shows that were airing at the time, ''To Tell the Truth'' or ''Family Feud''.

On June 15, 2006 the series was the fifth of seven game shows used in the CBS series ''Gameshow Marathon'' hosted by Ricki Lake. The set was modeled after the Perry version and also used its theme, opening sequence and logo; the use of "audience poll" questions and the car game were taken from the Eubanks/Rafferty versions.

Gene Wood was the primary announcer on both the original and 1980s ''Card Sharks'' versions. Bob Hilton filled in for him on occasion on all three versions, Johnny Olson (also announcing the pilots), Jack Narz, Jay Stewart, and Charlie O'Donnell also filled in for him on the NBC version, and O'Donnell, Johnny Gilbert, and Rod Roddy also filled in for him on the CBS version. Gary Kroeger was the announcer for the 2001 version, and the ''Gameshow Marathon'' episode was announced by Rich Fields.

Music

The theme for the NBC version was previously used on the Goodson-Todman series ''Double Dare'' with host Alex Trebek that aired in 1976 on CBS. Edd Kalehoff wrote that theme and the theme for the 1980s version of ''Card Sharks'', both through Score Productions. Composer Alan Ett was responsible for the 2001 series theme.

Recording locations

The NBC version was taped at NBC Studios in Burbank, California in the same studio which housed Perry's next game, ''Sale of the Century''. Both 1980s versions were taped at Studio 33 (known as the Bob Barker Studio since 1998) at CBS Television City in Hollywood, California. The 2001 version was taped at Tribune Studios, now known as the Sunset Bronson Studios, which are part of KTLA. The ''Gameshow Marathon'' version of ''Card Sharks'' was also taped at CBS Television City in Studio 46.

Home game versions

The first ''Card Sharks'' home game was a computer-based video game released by Sharedata, Inc. and Softie, Inc. in 1988 for the Apple II and Commodore 64 units and all IBM compatible computers. Although the host was based on Jim Perry, the game's logo and gameplay were based on the CBS version of the 1980s ''Card Sharks'' series, using the single sudden-death question tiebreaker in the main game and the Joker car game following the Money Cards. If a contestant got an exact guess on a question in the main game, he or she won a $100 bonus, instead of the $500 bonus on the show. Also, unlike the show, the game did not use the educated guess or audience poll questions.

Endless Games released a board game adaptation in 2002. Again, a mixing of elements from different versions occurred, as the game logo/fonts from the 2001 version was used on the majority of the game elements but employed the Perry-era front-end gameplay (awarding $500 for a main game win) and the Eubanks/Rafferty-era "Money Cards" format.

A version for mobile phones was released on June 1, 2005 by Telescope Inc., which also used the logo, music, and rules from a variety of television variants. More survey questions were also available for download.

Foreign versions

The most significant difference to foreign versions of the television game was the use of contestant couples instead of individuals. They were produced by Reg Grundy.

''United Kingdom:'' The British version was known as ''Play Your Cards Right'' and was hosted by Bruce Forsyth. The series ran from 1980–1987, 1994–1999, and 2002–2003 on ITV. Reruns of Bob Eubanks' ''Card Sharks'' series aired on satellite channel Sky One in the 1990s.

''Germany:'' Hosted by Elmar Hörig, ''Bube Dame Hörig'' ("Jack, Queen, King") aired on Sat.1 from 1996–1999.

''Sweden:'' ''Lagt kort ligger'' aired on SVT.

''Belgium:'' A Dutch-language version called ''Hoger, Lager'' ("Higher, Lower") aired on the national television BRT (now called VRT) with Walter Capiau (of the Belgian ''Wheel of Fortune'') as host.

''Australia:'' ''Play Your Cards Right'' was hosted by comedian Ugly Dave Gray for Seven Network for a brief time in 1984.

''Turkey:'' ''Aşağı Yukarı'' aired aTV with Meltem Cumbul as host.

''Indonesia:'' ''Super Rejeki 1 Milyar'' aired antv with Dave Hendrik in 2007.

References

External links

Category:American game shows Category:NBC network shows Category:CBS network shows Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Category:1978 television series debuts Category:1970s American television series Category:1980s American television series Category:1981 television series endings Category:1986 television series debuts Category:1989 television series endings Category:2000 American television series debuts Category:2000s American television series Category:Television series by Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions Category:Television series by FremantleMedia Category:English-language television series

de:Bube, Dame, Hörig simple:Card Sharks sv:Lagt kort ligger

name	Bob Eubanks
birth name	Robert Leland Eubanks
birth date	January 08, 1938
birth place	Flint, Michigan, U.S.
occupation	Game show hostTelevision personalityRadio personality
years active	1956–present
spouse	(her death)Deborah James (currently married)
homepage	http://www.bobeubanks.com
notable role	''The Newlywed Game'' (ABC) and (Syndication)''Card Sharks'' (CBS) }}

Robert Leland "Bob" Eubanks (born January 8, 1938) is an American television/radio personality and game show host, best known for hosting the game show ''The Newlywed Game'' on and off since 1966, where he was known for using the catchphrase, "Makin' Whoopee". It was Eubanks who coined the term from the song of the same name, in an attempt to keep parents with young children from the need to explain the facts of life because of a television show. While his network was comfortable with the term "making love", they did not allow the use of the word "panties". Eubanks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his television work in 2000. The star is in front of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, where Eubanks worked during the first years of his broadcasting career. In 2005, he received a lifetime achievement Emmy award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Early life

Eubanks was born in Flint, Michigan, but was raised primarily in Pasadena, California, where he grew up listening to music, most notably favorites like Frank Sinatra and Doc Watson. His parents, John and Gertrude (nee McClure), were originally from Missouri. They moved to Flint during the Great Depression, where their only child was born, before moving on to California. The young boy became a child model, doing photo shoots for ads and meeting his idol, Gene Autry, when he was scheduled to do an ad photo shoot with him.

He watched popular classic television and quiz game shows. Also growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, he was influenced by Cary Grant, Howard Hughes, Buddy Hackett and Bill Cullen. He attended Pasadena High School, where he graduated in 1955. After graduation from high school, he would become one of California's most popular disc jockeys. In 1956, his first radio exposure was at KACY Radio in Oxnard, California. For most of the 1960s, while working the midday shift at KRLA in Pasadena, he was also a producer of concerts, such as The Beatles 1964 and 1965 Hollywood Bowl performances, The Rolling Stones, during the first two years of the American tour. While still in Los Angeles, he also produced such artists as Barry Manilow, The Supremes, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, Elton John and Merle Haggard, among others.

Personal life

Eubanks married Irma Brown, an avid athlete, ranch forewoman and artist, on September 10, 1969. They had three children: Trace, a retired firefighter; Corey, a stuntman; and Theresa. In 1970, Bob & Irma purchased a portion of a working cattle ranch, and later expanded it to . The entire family enjoyed roping and riding, with Eubanks participating in rodeos during his spare time. Eubanks is a gold card member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys association. Irma handled interior decorating, landscaping, and mounting one to two equestrian shows a year. Irma died in 2001 after a prolonged illness.

At some point after 2001, Bob married Deborah James. She is a wedding/events coordinator in Ventura, California. She has her own company called Bella Vita Events. The couple has a young son, Noah. In October 2010, Eubanks and his wife put their Westlake Village, CA home on the market.

''The Newlywed Game'' and Country Music business

In 1966, he received a phone call from Chuck Barris to host a new game show, ''The Newlywed Game'', which premiered on ABC that same year. During its debut, it was an immediate hit, and the show's popularity led the network to expand the prime-time lineup, where it had run on the air for five years. Only 28 years old when he started hosting, Eubanks became widely popular for bringing a youthful energy to daytime television, pressing contestants into giving embarrassing and hilarious answers. ''The Newlywed Game'' was also ranked as one of the top three daytime game shows, for five consecutive years, between 1968 and 1973, and was ranked in the top three prime-time game shows, also for five years, between 1966 and 1971.

While not taping, he also pursued a career in the country music business, where he served as manager of such artists as Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and Marty Robbins. The same year, he also signed Merle Haggard to an exclusive live-performance contract, producing more than 100 dates per year with the performer for almost a decade. His first ending of his first-run network TV show, ''The Newlywed Game'', ended in 1974, after 2,195 episodes, making Eubanks one of the most beloved and bankable game show hosts to date. He also hosted various editions in syndication, from 1977–80, 1985–88 and 1997-99. For Series Two of the 2009 GSN revival, Bob hosted a celebrity charity episode with first host Carnie Wilson and her husband Rob Bonfiglio playing against Carnie's sister Wendy and her husband Daniel Knutson, and their mother Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford and her current husband Daniel Rutherford. In spring 2010, Eubanks hosted another episode of ''The Newlywed Game'', subtitled the "Game Show Kings" episode. This episode featured Monty Hall and his wife Marilyn Hall, Peter Marshall and his wife Laurie Stewart, and Wink Martindale with his wife Sandy Martindale. This makes him the only person to host the same game show in six different consecutive decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s).

In 1988, Eubanks left the Newlywed Game to pursue other things (even though he was still hosting ''Card Sharks'' on CBS for another 7 months) and was replaced by Paul Rodriguez and The Newlywed Game began using the 1958 hit Record Book Of Love by The Monotones as it's theme song.

Other game shows

After ''Newlywed Game'', he hosted a number of other game shows in his career, including ''Rhyme and Reason'', ''Dream House'', ''The Diamond Head Game'', ''Trivia Trap'', and ''Powerball: The Game Show''.

In 1985, Mark Goodson hired Eubanks, a second time (the first being the aforementioned ''Trivia Trap''), to host a revamped version of the show ''Card Sharks'' for CBS. Eubanks hosted ''Card Sharks'' throughout its CBS run until its demise in 1989. Prior to hosting ''Card Sharks'', he appeared as a special guest on the original version alongside Jim Perry, promoting his 1979 game show ''All Star Secrets'', which he also produced.

His final network game show he hosted was ''Family Secrets''. In recent years, he has hosted or co-hosted all five of NBC's ''Most Outrageous Game Show Moments'' specials. Eubanks was one of three rotating hosts (along with Chuck Woolery and Jamie Farr) of the "$250,000 Game Show Spectacular" at the Las Vegas Hilton until the show closed in April 2008.

Besides producing Hill-Eubanks's ''All Star Secrets'', the company also produced Guinness Game in 1979-80, Toni Tennille Show in 1980, Buddy Hackett's You Bet Your Life revival in 1980, and Infatuation (which Eubanks also hosted) in 1992. Between 1994 and 1995 Eubanks also travelled to Britain to host a British version of this series, Infatuation UK, (produced by Thames TV) for UK cable station, Living TV. Eubanks tried acting, but found he was not good at doing lines; he also learned the game show business was far more lucrative and less confining.

Radio

Prior to entering game shows, Eubanks was a popular radio DJ at station KRLA 1110 in Los Angeles as well as a music promoter and manager, between 1960 and 1968. He was responsible for bringing The Beatles to Los Angeles for their first West Coast performances in 1964 and 1965 (mortgaging his house to do so), all of which took place at the famed Hollywood Bowl, with fellow KRLA DJs Dave Hull and Reb Foster joining Eubanks in introducing them. He also operated the ''Cinnamon Cinder Club'' on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, California.

He stood in for Casey Kasem twice on radio's ''American Top 40'': January 9–10, 1982 (that year's first regular episode), and April 16–17, 1983.

Other appearances

In 1992, Bob appeared on the TV sitcom ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' in the episode "Eyes on the Prize" hosting the game show "Double Trouble."

He has also hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade on Los Angeles television channel KTLA since 1976 and with Stephanie Edwards from 1978–2005. In 2006, Eubanks continued to host with Edwards' replacement, KTLA Morning Show anchor Michaela Pereira. Edwards returned to her co-hosting position alongside Eubanks in 2009.

On July 6, 2007, Eubanks sat in as a celebrity "Mob Member" on the NBC game show ''1 vs. 100''.

His autobiography, ''It's in the Book, Bob'' (ISBN 1-932100-28-8), was published in 2004.

He also appeared on the TV sitcom ''Kenan & Kel'' in the episode "The Honeymoon's Over" in August 1999.

He also appeared on the TV sitcom ''That '70s Show'' in the episode "Eric's Stash" in 2000.

Bob appeared as a guest on ''GSN Live'' on April 4, 2008 and returned on May 18, 2010.

He also appeared on ''The Amazing Race 17'' on December 12, 2010 in the season finale.

Controversy

He appeared in Michael Moore's 1989 documentary ''Roger & Me''. The film documented Moore's attempts to track General Motors CEO Roger Smith to confront him about the harm he did to Flint, Michigan with his massive downsizing. Eubanks, a native of Flint, was interviewed about his views on the downsizing, and was filmed reciting an off-color anti-Semitic joke about AIDS.

References

External links

World Poker Tour Profile

Category:1938 births Category:American game show hosts Category:American radio personalities Category:Living people Category:People from Flint, Michigan Category:People from the Greater Los Angeles Area

fullname	George Alexander Trebek
birth name	George Alexander Trebek
also known as	Kebert Xela
birth date	July 22, 1940
birth place	Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
occupation	Television personalityGame show host
years active	1963–present
spouse	Elaine Callei (1974–1981)Jean Currivan-Trebek (1990–present)
signature	AlexTrebek.png }}

George Alexander "Alex" (formerly "Alec") Trebek (; born July 22, 1940) is a Canadian/American game show host who has been the host of the game show ''Jeopardy!'' since 1984, and prior to that, he hosted game shows such as ''Pitfall'' and ''High Rollers''. He has appeared in numerous television series, usually as himself. A native of Canada, he became a naturalized United States citizen in 1998.

Early life

Trebek was born in Sudbury, Ontario, the son of Lucille (née Lagacé, which was the name of the street on which he grew up), a Franco-Ontarian, and George Edward Trebek, a Ukrainian immigrant. He was educated at a Jesuit school before graduating from Toronto's Malvern Collegiate Institute in 1958, and later the University of Ottawa with a degree in philosophy. As a student at the University of Ottawa, he was a member of the English Debating Society. Interested in a career in broadcast news, he began his broadcasting career working for the CBC as a newscaster and sportscaster. Trebek specialized in national news and covering a wide range of special events for the CBC's radio and television divisions, including curling and horse racing.

Trebek once attended Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canada, but for only six days. Trebek briefly talked about his military school experiences in a 2003 interview in ''Esquire'' magazine.

Rise in television

Trebek's first hosting job was on a Canadian music program called ''Music Hop'' in 1963. In 1966, he hosted high school quiz show ''Reach for the Top''. In 1973, he moved to the United States and worked for NBC as host of a new game show, ''The Wizard of Odds''. A year later, Trebek hosted the popular Merrill Heatter-Bob Quigley game show, ''High Rollers'', which had two incarnations on NBC (1974–76 and 1978–80) and an accompanying syndicated season (1975–76). In between stints as host of ''High Rollers'', Trebek hosted the short-lived CBS game show, ''Double Dare'' (not to be confused with the 1986 Nickelodeon game show of the same name), which turned out to be both the only CBS network show Trebek hosted and the first show he hosted for what was then Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, as well as the second season of the syndicated series ''The $128,000 Question'', which taped in Toronto. Since the second incarnation of ''High Rollers'' premiered while ''The $128,000 Question'' was still airing and taping episodes, Trebek became one of two hosts to emcee shows in both the United States and Canada, joining Jim Perry, who was hosting ''Definition'' and ''Headline Hunters'' in Canada and ''Card Sharks'', which coincidentally premiered the same day as ''High Rollers'' in 1978, in the United States. Trebek's Francophone side was put on display in 1978, in a special bilingual edition of Reach for the Top and its Radio-Canada equivalent ''Génies en herbe''. In this show Trebek alternated smoothly between French and English throughout.

Like other hosts of the day, Trebek made several guest appearances as panelist or player on other shows; one of his guest appearances was on a special week of NBC's ''Card Sharks'', in 1980, where he and several other game show hosts (including Allen Ludden, Bill Cullen, Wink Martindale, Jack Clark, Gene Rayburn, and Jim Lange) competed in a week-long round robin tournament for charity. Trebek won the tournament, defeating Bill Cullen in the finals. Trebek also appeared as a celebrity teammate on the NBC game show The Magnificent Marble Machine in 1975, as well as the Tom Kennedy-hosted NBC word game To Say The Least in 1978. Both of those shows were produced by Merrill Heatter-Bob Quigley Productions, who also produced High Rollers, the show Trebek was hosting during both of those guest appearances.

After ''High Rollers'' was cancelled in 1980, Trebek moved on to ''Battlestars'' for NBC. The series debuted in October 1981 and was canceled in April 1982 after only six months on the air. In September 1981 Trebek took the helm of the syndicated ''Pitfall'', which taped in Vancouver and forced him to commute as he had while hosting ''High Rollers'' and ''The $128,000 Question'' in 1978. After both series ended, Trebek hosted a revival of ''Battlestars'' called ''The New Battlestars'' that ended after thirteen weeks, then shot a series of pilots for other series for producers Merrill Heatter (who he had worked for on ''High Rollers'' and ''Battlestars'') and Merv Griffin. The Heatter pilots were ''Malcolm'', an NBC-ordered pilot featuring Trebek with an animated character as his co-host, and ''Lucky Numbers'', an attempt at a revival of ''High Rollers'' that didn't sell. For Griffin he shot two pilots for a revival of ''Jeopardy!'', which he began hosting in 1984 and has done ever since.

In 1987, while still hosting ''Jeopardy!'', Trebek returned to daytime television as host of NBC's ''Classic Concentration'', his second show for Mark Goodson. He hosted both shows simultaneously until September 20, 1991, when ''Classic Concentration'' aired its final episode. In 1991 Trebek made broadcast history by becoming the first person to host three American game shows at the same time, earning this distinction on February 4, 1991, when he took over for Lynn Swann as host of NBC's ''To Tell the Truth'', which he hosted until the end of the series' run on May 31, 1991.

Trebek also appears in many Colonial Penn Life Insurance commercials, and reprises his role as host of ''To Tell the Truth'' in a 2010 advertisement for DirecTV.

In December 2010, Trebek guest-starred on ''How I Met Your Mother''.

Personal life

Divorced from his first wife, Elaine Callei Trebek, who was married to Trebek from (1974–1981) along with her 6 year old daughter Nicola "Nicky" Trebek whom Alex lovingly raised and gave his last name to.He has been married to Jean Currivan Trebek, a real estate businesswoman and the mother of their two children Matthew and Emily, since April 30, 1990.

Trebek became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998. He now lives in Studio City, California with his wife, Jean, and two children, Matthew (born 1990) and Emily (born 1993). In an interview with a talk show host, Trebek joked that "I had only been a citizen for two weeks when I received a summons to appear for jury duty!"

In 1996, Trebek ran the Olympic Torch in Jacksonville, Florida, through a leg of its journey to Atlanta.

In late 2001, during ''Jeopardy!'''s 18th season, Trebek shaved the mustache that he had worn for over 30 years. He wore a fake mustache for the first half of the April 1, 2008 episode as an April Fools' joke.

Trebek and Pat Sajak, host of ''Wheel of Fortune'', traded places on April Fools' Day 1997. Sajak hosted ''Jeopardy!'', and Trebek hosted ''Wheel of Fortune'' with Sajak's wife, Lesly, as Trebek's co-host. Sajak and Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White played contestants at the Wheel, with winnings going toward charities.

On Friday, January 30, 2004, Trebek escaped major injury after falling asleep behind the wheel of his pickup truck while driving alone on a rural road in the Central Coast town of Templeton, California, returning from a family home in Lake Nacimiento. The truck sideswiped a string of mailboxes, flew 45 feet over an embankment, and came to rest against a utility pole in a ditch. Trebek was not cited for the accident and returned to work taping ''Jeopardy!'' the following Tuesday.

Trebek appeared on Celebrity Poker Showdown in 2005. He came in second place in his qualifying game, losing to Cheryl Hines. On May 9, 2008, Trebek was a guest on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'', on which he discussed his 24-year career as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' Kimmel's other guest was Kelsey Grammer, who had won an episode of Celebrity Jeopardy 17 years earlier. The segment included a video clip from that episode.

Trebek formerly owned and managed a 700-acred (2.8 km²) ranch near Paso Robles in Creston, California previously owned by Fred and Helen Sahadi, parents of trainer Jenine Sahadi. The property was known as Cardiff Stud Farm but Trebek renamed it Creston Farms where he bred, trained and provided state-of-the-art care for Thoroughbred race horses. Among Thoroughbreds raced by Trebek, his colt, Reba's Gold, is a stakes-winning son of Slew O'Gold.

Health problems

On December 11, 2007, Trebek was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a minor heart attack in his home. He was released on December 15, 2007. Trebek returned to the production of ''Jeopardy!'' as scheduled on January 14, 2008 to tape the Teen Tournament.

Hotel break-in

It was reported on July 27, 2011, that he was robbed in a hotel room in San Francisco. He told a crowd at Google's HQ, while hosting the National Geographic World Championship that he "snapped an Achilles tendon early Wednesday morning, while chasing a burglar at a San Francisco hotel. He woke up to sounds of a woman in his room, going through his things. He said he then got out of bed put on his underwear and chased the robber down the hall. During the chase, Trebek was injured, but he hobbled back to his room to call security, and the woman was apprehended. Trebek says all was recovered except cash and a bracelet (a gift from his mother). He expects to be in a cast for close to six weeks."

Honors and awards

Alex Trebek has been awarded five Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (located at 6501 Hollywood Boulevard, near those for Ann-Margret and Vincent Price).

He hosts the annual ''National Geographic Bee'' in the U.S. and ''The Great Canadian Geography Challenge'' in Canada. Active with the World Vision charitable organization, he has traveled to many Third World countries with World Vision projects, taping reports on the group's efforts on behalf of children around the world.

In 1995, Trebek and the entire ''Jeopardy!'' crew became involved with the USO, and have appeared on several military bases throughout the world, both in an attempt to find contestants, and as a morale booster for the troops.

The American Federation for the Blind in 2001 awarded Trebek with one of six Access Awards for his role in accommodating notable Jeopardy! champion Eddie Timanus.

In the 2003 film S.W.A.T starring Samuel L Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell & LL Cool J, on the Hollywood walk of fame Alex Trebek's Star is shown when a convict (Olivier Martinez) is handcuffed after being pinned down by the S.W.A.T team.

In March 2006, it was announced that he would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. He is the second game show host to be inducted (the first being Monty Hall of Let's Make a Deal and the third being Howie Mandel of Deal or No Deal). His star is located on King Street West near those of the Crazy Canucks and Eugene Levy.

On November 4, 2010, Trebek received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal, for his contribution to geographic education and the popular study of geography. Previous recipients of this award include the author and anthropologist Wade Davis (2009), Peter Gzowski (1997), and Mary May Simon (1998), among others.

In 2011, it was announced that Trebek would be one of the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards.

Television and film appearances

Shows hosted

''Music Hop'' (1962–1972) - Host from 1963–1964

''Vacation Time'' (1964) - Co-host

''Reach for the Top'' (1966–1973) - Quizmaster

''Strategy'' (1969) - Host

''The Wizard of Odds'' (1973) - Host

''Double Dare'' (1976–1977)

''High Rollers'' - Host (NBC, 1974–1976, 1978–1980)

''Stars on Ice'' (CTV, 1976–1980) - Host

''The $128,000 Question'' (1977–1978)

''Wall $treet'' (1980–1981)

''Battlestars'' (1981–1983)

''Pitfall'' (1981–1982)

''Starcade'' (1983 pilot)

''Malcolm'' (1983 pilot)

''Jeopardy!'' (1984–present)

''Lucky Numbers'' (1985 Pilot)

''VTV-Value Television'' (1987) - Co-host with Meredith MacRae

''Classic Concentration'' (1987–1991)

''Super Jeopardy!'' - Host (1990)

''To Tell the Truth'' (1990–1991) - Host from February to May 1991

''Wheel of Fortune'' - Host for April Fools' Day episode in 1997, also a substitute host in August 1980

''Barris & Company'' - Co-host/Announcer

''Outside/Inside'' - Host

''Pick and Choose'' - Host

''T.G.I.F.'' - Announcer

''Live from the Hollywood Bowl'' - Host of annual live broadcasts.

''The Red Badge of Courage'' / ''Heart of Courage'' - Canadian-produced show highlighting brave individuals

The National Geographic Bee national finals - Host (1989–present)

The Pillsbury Bake-Off - Host (1996–1998)

Cameo appearances

''Mama's Family'' (1987) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''For Keeps'' (1988) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Cheers'' (1990) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Predator 2'' (1990) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (voice)

''Wrestlemania 7'' (1991) - himself as a ring announcer and interviewer

''The Golden Girls'' (1992) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''White Men Can't Jump'' (1992) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Short Cuts'' (1993) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Groundhog Day'' (1993) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Rugrats'' (1993) - as Alan Quebec, the host of ''Super Stumpers'', on which Didi Pickles is a contestant (Season 2 Episode 37 - Game Show Didi)

''The Nanny'' (1995) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (1995) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''The X-Files'' - himself as a Man in Black with Jesse Ventura (1995-96 season: episode "Jose Chung's From Outer Space")

''Seinfeld'' (1996) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (Season 8 Episode 9 - The Abstinence)

''The Magic School Bus'' (1996) - Announcer (voice) (Season 2 Episode 6 - Shows and Tells)

''The Simpsons'' (1997) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' in ''Miracle on Evergreen Terrace'' (Voice)

''The Weird Al Show'' (1998) - himself, as the Host of ''Jeopardy!'' (Voice)

''Finding Forrester'' (2000) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!''

''Saturday Night Live'' (2000) - himself

''Arthur'' (2000) - as Alex Lebek, the host of ''Riddle Quest'', on which Arthur is a contestant

''Pepper Ann'' (2001) - as himself in the 2001 finale. His character was to have married the title character's mother Lydia Pearson sometime during the fifteen year span between the events of the series and the futuristic final episode.

''Family Guy'' (2006) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (voice)

''The Bucket List'' (2008) - himself as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (voice)

References

External links

Alex Trebek at the Notable Names Database

Alex Trebek's Charity Work

Q&A; with Alex Trebek

Category:1940 births Category:American game show hosts Category:American racehorse owners and breeders Category:American people of Canadian descent Category:Canadian horse racing announcers Category:Canadian game show hosts Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States Category:Canadian people of Ukrainian descent Category:Curling broadcasters Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners Category:Franco-Ontarian people Category:Living people Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States Category:People from Greater Sudbury Category:People from Ottawa Category:University of Ottawa alumni Category:American horse racing announcers Category:American television sports announcers

de:Alex Trebek es:Alex Trebek fr:Alex Trebek ja:アレックス・トレベック pt:Alex Trebek ru:Алекс Требек simple:Alex Trebek fi:Alex Trebek uk:Алекс Требек

Name	Bob Barker
Birth name	Robert William Barker
Birth date	December 12, 1923
Birth place	Darrington, Washington, U.S.
Occupation	Game show host
Years active	1956–2007
Spouse	Dorothy Jo Gideon (1945–1981; her death) }}

Robert William "Bob" Barker (born December 12, 1923) is a former American television game show host. He is best known for hosting CBS's ''The Price Is Right'' from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, and for hosting ''Truth or Consequences'' from 1956 to 1975. After holding the ''Price is Right'' job for 35 years and being in television for 50 years, Barker retired in June 2007.

Barker has been a long-time supporter of animal rights, and of animal-rights activism, including groups such as the United Activists for Animal Rights and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Personal life

Barker was born in Darrington, Washington, and spent most of his youth on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The U.S. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940, list Barker as an official member of the Sioux tribe. His mother, Matilda ("Tillie") Valandra ( Matilda Kent Tarleton), was a school teacher; his father, Byron John Barker, was the foreman on the electrical high line through the state of Washington. Barker is 1/8 Sioux. While in Washington, his father fell from a tower and sustained an injury which resulted in his death in 1929. Barker has a half-brother, Kent Valandra, from Matilda's subsequent re-marriage. In 1931, the family moved to Springfield, Missouri, where Barker graduated from Central High School in 1941.

Barker attended Drury College (now Drury University) in Springfield, on a basketball scholarship. He was a member of the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity at Drury. His education was interrupted by World War II. Barker served in the Navy as a fighter pilot. However, the war ended before he was assigned to a seagoing squadron. After the war, he returned to Drury to finish his education, graduating ''summa cum laude'' with a degree in economics. While attending Drury, Barker worked his first "media job", at KTTS-FM Radio, in Springfield.

Barker left Springfield and worked at a radio station in Florida before landing another radio job in California. He was hosting an audience-participation radio show on KNX (AM) in Los Angeles when game show producer Ralph Edwards happened to be listening and liked Barker's voice and style.

Barker married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Jo Gideon on January 12, 1945 and the couple remained married for 36 years up until her death on October 19, 1981 from lung cancer. The couple had no children. Barker has not remarried after her death; however, he was later involved in a relationship with model Dian Parkinson from 1989 to 1991, a relationship that ended in legal action.

Game show career

''Truth or Consequences'' (1956–1975)

Barker started hosting on December 31, 1956 and would continue with the program until 1975. The idea was to mix the original quiz element of game shows with wacky stunts. On the show, people had to answer a trivia question correctly (usually an off-the-wall question that no one would be able to answer correctly) before "Beulah the Buzzer" was sounded. If the contestant could not complete the "Truth" portion, there would be "Consequences", usually a zany and embarrassing stunt. In addition, during Barker's run as host, "Barker's Box" was played. Barker's Box was a box with four drawers in it. If a contestant was able to pick all three drawers with money inside before picking the empty drawer, he or she won a bonus prize.

In many broadcasts, the stunts on ''Truth or Consequences'' included a popular, but emotional, heart-rending surprise for a contestant, that being the reunion with a long-lost relative or with an enlisted son or daughter returning from military duty overseas, particularly Vietnam.

It was on ''Truth or Consequences'' that the salute became his trademark sign-off; he ended each episode with "Bob Barker saying goodbye, and hoping all your consequences are happy ones!"

''End of the Rainbow'' (1957–1958)

On December 4, 1957, Barker began hosting a new Ralph Edwards creation, the short-lived ''End of the Rainbow'' for NBC. On this show (similar to Barker's ''Truth or Consequences'' and Edwards' ''This Is Your Life''), he and co-host Art Baker went out to various places in America and surprised the less-fortunate who helped others when they could barely help themselves.

For example, the first episode featured a Minneapolis grocer who, in return for his community service, was given a complete makeover to his store plus new furniture and appliances for his home. In addition, his landlord (who was in on the surprise) announced that the current month's rent was free and that the grocer's rent would never increase.

''The Family Game'' (1967)

In 1967, Barker hosted the short-lived game show ''The Family Game'' for Chuck Barris, where he would ask children contestants questions about their families' lives, and the parents had to guess how they answered, similar in fashion to ''The Newlywed Game''.

''Simon Says'' (1971)

In 1971, Barker was tapped to host a pilot for NBC entitled ''Simon Says'', which required him to interact with a giant computer called "Simon" in ''Let's Make A Deal''-style "trades". The pilot was produced by Wesley J. Cox of DUNDAS Productions, and its theme was "The Savers" (the theme used on ''The Joker's Wild'', which has led some to believe that Cox or DUNDAS was an alias for Jack Barry or Dan Enright, since ''Joker'' used the theme in its original 1968 pilot). There is at least one (somewhat low-quality) clip of the pilot on YouTube.

''That's My Line'' (1980–1981)

In 1980, Barker emceed a series called ''That's My Line'' for Goodson-Todman. The series was not a game show, but rather a program along the lines of ''Real People'' and ''That's Incredible!'' The show's second season in 1981 focused more on unusual stunts, and was cancelled in September.

''The Price Is Right'' (1972–2007)

On September 4, 1972, Barker began his most famous assignment hosting the CBS revival of ''The Price Is Right''. In the 35 years of the CBS version, he has become far more associated with the series than first host Bill Cullen was with the 1956–1965 original. In September 1977, he hosted the last three seasons of the syndicated nighttime version, originally hosted by Dennis James.

On October 15, 1987, Barker did what other MCs almost never did: renounced hair dye and allowed his hair to turn gray. Fellow hosts Monty Hall, Alex Trebek, and Richard Dawson would do the same in the late 1980s.

Barker took over the role of executive producer for the show in 1988, following the death of the original executive producer, Frank Wayne. In this capacity, Barker created several pricing games, instituted a prohibition on foreign cars and animal-based products (see "Animal rights" below), and launched a prime-time series of specials known as ''The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular''.

In 2006, ''The Price Is Right'' marked its 35th consecutive year on the air. It is the longest-running game show of all time in North America, and at the time was the last surviving show in the daytime game show genre, having survived (at the time) twelve years after its last competitor had been canceled. (CBS would later revive daytime game shows in 2009). Overall, in daytime programming (excluding Saturday and Sunday), ''The Price Is Right'' is ranked sixth among the longest-continuing daytime television programs (NBC's ''Today'' ranks the longest, followed by four daytime soap operas: ''Guiding Light'', ''As the World Turns'', ''General Hospital'', and ''Days of our Lives''), and moved into fifth in September 2009 after ''Guiding Light'' aired its final episode on CBS. It has won its time slot (11:00 a.m. Eastern) for the past 25 years with its closest competitor (currently ABC's ''The View'') normally getting about half of ''TPIR's'' ratings.

On October 31, 2006, Barker made his announcement that he would retire from ''The Price Is Right'' in June 2007. However, Barker has revealed that FremantleMedia, the company that owns the show, had been looking for a successor in the last two to three years, and also that he had considered retirement for a while, but he had so much fun that he continued to do the show. He taped his final episode on June 6, 2007, with the show airing twice on June 15. The first airing was in the show's normal daytime slot and the second airing was in primetime as the lead-in to the ''Daytime Emmy Awards''. Repeat episodes from Barker's final season continued to air until October 12, 2007, ending with a repeat of his final episode. On July 23 it was announced that comedian Drew Carey would take Barker's place as the new host for the show beginning on October 15, 2007.

During Barker's tenure as host, three pricing games were introduced that used his name: Barker's Bargain Bar, Barker's Markers and Trader Bob. Of the three, none are actively played on the show – Trader Bob was retired from the show in 1985, Barker's Marker$ was renamed following Barker's retirement, and subsequently retired, and Barker's Bargain Bar has been disassembled, and is currently on hiatus.

Barker made a guest appearance on the show for an episode that aired on April 16, 2009 to promote his new autobiography, ''Priceless Memories''. He appeared in the Showcase round at the end of the show.

Animal rights

Barker became a vegetarian in 1979. That same year, he began promoting animal rights. He was named national spokesman for "Be Kind to Animals Week" in May 1985. On A&E;'s ''Biography'' program, he credited his wife, Dorothy Jo, with causing him to become more aware of animal rights and becoming a vegetarian, because she had done so. Bob remarked that Dorothy Jo was way ahead of her time as far as animal rights were concerned and that shortly after her death in October, 1981, he took up animal rights in order to keep doing something that she had done.

Barker began ending some episodes (later every episode) of ''The Price Is Right'' with the phrase: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered." After he retired, Drew Carey continued his signature sign-off advocating neutering. Fellow game show hosts Jack Barry and Bert Convy eventually followed Barker's lead in promoting animal rights on the air.

Barker hosted the Miss USA/Universe Pageants from 1967 to 1987. In 1987, he requested the removal of fur prizes and stepped down as host when those in charge of the pageant refused.

Bob Barker's DJ&T; Foundation, founded in 1994 and named after his wife, has contributed millions of dollars for animal neutering programs and to fund animal rescue and park facilities all over the United States. He worked closely with Betty White as an advocate for animal rights. However in 2009, reports indicated that Barker threatened to not attend the 2009 Game Show Awards (but was seen in the audience), where he was to receive a lifetime achievement award, because White would be attending. The reason for the conflict, according to the report, was over the proper treatment of an elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo. White instead did not attend and pre-recorded her comments that she was scheduled to make about Mark Goodson.

In 2004, Barker donated $1 million to Columbia University School of Law to support the study of animal rights. The gift has funded an adjunct professorship in animal rights law at Columbia and helped fund a student clinic in environmental law.

Barker also supported United Activists for Animal Rights, and together with the group, publicly accused several media projects and the American Humane Association of animal mistreatment or the condoning of animal mistreatment, a tactic which resulted in a major lawsuit against him and the group, accusing him of spurious allegations.

In June 2009, Barker wrote Chief Michell Hicks of the Cherokee asking that their reservation's bear exhibit be closed. On July 28, 2009, he visited the reservation and saw one of the three zoos, calling the bears' living situation "inhumane". PETA set up the visit after Barker heard from Florida congressman Bill Young, whose wife had been "appalled" by what she saw. Annette Tarnowski, the tribe's attorney general, said a federal inspector had found nothing wrong in May 2009 at two of the zoos, and that the tribe had dealt with the few violations at the third. Hicks made no promises and threatened to ban PETA if they made more trouble.

In January 2010, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society announced that it had secretly purchased and outfitted a ship to interdict Japanese whaling operations in the Southern Ocean using $5,000,000 provided by Barker. The ship was then named the MY Bob Barker, and its existence was first revealed when it helped discover the location of the Japanese whaling fleet. In 2010, Barker began funding the cost of a helicopter, named the Nancy Burnet (after the president of United Activists for Animal Rights); the helicopter accompanies the society's fleet.

In March 2010, PETA announced that it received a $2.5 million donation from Barker to help establish a new office in Los Angeles.

TV longevity records

Barker set a longevity record as holding a weekday TV job continuously for 51 years, which included his years on ''Truth or Consequences''. Only sportscaster Vin Scully, who is four years younger than Barker, and farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson, who is ten years younger, have held a job longer than Barker in the American entertainment industry.

Barker has also had the second-longest run as the host of a single entertainment broadcast show (sports excluded), a few months short of Don McNeill, who spent 35½ years as host of ''Don McNeill's Breakfast Club''.

Barker, who was 83½ years old at the time of his retirement, holds the record of being the oldest man ever to host a regularly scheduled television game show and the oldest man ever to host a weekday television program since the inception of American network television. Barker also hosted or appeared on a five-day-a-week television program longer than anyone else in the history of television.

Filmography

In 1996, Barker played himself in the Adam Sandler comedy ''Happy Gilmore''. In one scene, Barker beats up Gilmore after an altercation arising from their teaming up in a Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Gilmore fights back and briefly gets the upper hand, declaring, "The price is wrong, bitch!" Bob then gets up, holds Gilmore in a strangle hold and continues to punch him before delivering a high kick to Gilmore's chin that knocks him down a grassy hill, declaring "Now you've had enough...bitch!" Barker reportedly accepted the role when he learned he would get to win the fight with Sandler. He and Sandler won the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight for ''Happy Gilmore'', making Barker the oldest winner of any MTV award at 73.

In 2007, during a CBS prime-time special commemorating Barker's career, the entire, unedited fight scene from ''Happy Gilmore'' was played during the show, and afterward, Adam Sandler made a surprise appearance to thank Barker and read a poem in his honor.

In the late 1990s, Barker played the father of Mel Harris' character on a few episodes of the NBC sitcom ''Something So Right''. He appeared in two animated television series as himself: in the ''Futurama'' episode "The Lesser of Two Evils" in 2000, followed by the ''Family Guy'' episodes "Screwed the Pooch" in 2001, "The Fat Guy Strangler" in 2005, and "Tales of a Third Grade Nothing" in 2008.

Barker appears briefly in the Canadian documentary ''Come on Down: Searching for the American Dream'' (2004), directed and written by Adam Liley and produced by Steven James May of Manifestation Television. Mr. Barker gives a special in-studio message pertaining to Liley's search for the elusive American Dream. The documentary also features Hunter S. Thompson and Chris Gardner.

Barker was a semi-regular panelist on the game shows ''Tattletales'' (with wife Dorothy Jo) and ''Match Game''. Barker sat in Richard Dawson's former place during the first week of Dawson's permanent absence from ''Match Game''. Barker also played on ''The Price Is Right'' team against ''The Young and the Restless'' on ''Family Feud'' in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Barker co-hosted CBS' coverage of the Rose Parade from Pasadena, California for several years during the 1970s and 1980s.

He created and hosted ''The Bob Barker Fun and Games Show'' from 1978–1986 which was a combination of stunt participation in the style of ''Truth or Consequences'' and pricing games such as ''The Price Is Right'' in which he traveled throughout the United States and Canada in various arenas and venues.

In the 1970s, he was the host of the annual/biennial ''Pillsbury Bake-Off'' (the bake-off occurred every two years starting in 1976). In 1978, he was the first host to have a male category champ.

He was a guest host on ''The Tonight Show'' back in 1966, when he was a regular on NBC hosting ''Truth or Consequences''.

He appeared on ''Bonanza'', playing a character named Mort in the 1960 episode "Denver McKee". He has appeared on various talk shows such as: ''Dinah!'', ''Larry King Live'', ''The Arsenio Hall Show'', ''Crook & Chase'', ''Donny & Marie'', ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'', ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'', ''The Wayne Brady Show'', ''The Late Show With David Letterman'', and ''The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson''. Barker also made cameo appearances on ''The Nanny'', ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' in 2002, ''Yes, Dear'', and ''How I Met Your Mother'' with announcer Rich Fields in 2007. About one year after retirement, Barker appeared in a public service announcement promoting the transition to Digital Television in the United States. The advertisement was produced under the first proposed date of February 16, 2009 for the transition. On September 7, 2009, Barker was a special guest host for ''WWE Raw'' (called "The Price is Raw") in Rosemont, Illinois. Barker has reportedly agreed to a semi-regular position as a rotating guest co-host on ''The Huckabee Show'', a daily TV talk show hosted by Mike Huckabee. Barker first appeared on the show July 29, 2010. Barker appeared in a commercial for State Farm Insurance's "Magic Jingle" campaign, where he made "a new car" appear for a woman whose previous car was totaled by a giant concrete cylinder.

Awards and recognition

Barker has won 19 Emmy Awards in total. Fourteen were for Outstanding Game Show Host, more than any other performer. He has also won four for Executive Producer of ''The Price Is Right'' and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Daytime Television in 1999.

On April 9, 1998, on the occasion of the ceremonial five thousandth episode of ''The Price Is Right'', CBS dedicated the sound stage where the show has been produced since 1972 in honor of Barker.

In 2004, Barker was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.

In 2007, Barker was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians, and a bronze bust depicting him is on permanent display in the rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol.

On April 14, 2008, Barker was inducted to the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

On June 6, 2009, during GSN's 2009 Game Show Awards, Barker was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Tom Bergeron. However, prior to the taping of the awards, Barker and Betty White were involved in a feud between the two of them over a plan to relocate an elephant to a sanctuary in San Andreas. In response, Barker threatened that he would not show up at the ceremony if White was there. White did not appear at the ceremony, however taped a dedication to Mark Goodson.

On December 14, 2009 Barker won the 2009 WWE Slammy Award for Best ''Raw'' Guest Host.

Health

Barker has suffered some minor health problems early (he suffered a herniated disc and sciatica) around 1982, however, his bigger health problems started in 1991 after he complained of having vision problems while exercising. After a visit to the doctors, they sent him to see a neurologist, where the doctors told Barker he had a mild stroke. He soon recovered and went back to work.

On September 16, 1999, Barker was in Washington, D.C., to speak about HR 2929, the proposed legislation that would ban elephants from traveling shows (i.e., circuses). While preparing for the presentation, Barker experienced what he called "clumsiness" in his right hand. He was admitted to George Washington University Hospital and diagnosed with a partially blocked left carotid artery. Barker underwent carotid endarterectomy to remove the blockage. The procedure went well enough that he was able to return to work within the month.

Three years later, Barker had two additional health crises after taping the 30th season finale of ''The Price is Right''. While lying down in the sun, Barker was hospitalized with a stroke on May 30, 2002; six weeks later, on July 11, Barker underwent prostate surgery, both at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Both surgeries were successful.

In July 2006, Barker suffered a minor injury to his right hand. On the July 15, 2006 episode of ''The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'', he jokingly stated that he broke it by karate chopping "countless desks," something he later proceeded to do to host Craig Ferguson's desk.

Barker has also had several mild bouts with skin cancer, which is a result of his frequent tanning. He consults a dermatologist regularly to make sure any cancers are caught and removed before they spread; they do not pose a threat to his life. In an interview, Barker told people at home:

On September 17, 2010 Barker collapsed at a LA shooting range. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was treated for an adverse drug reaction and released.

Controversy

In 1994, former model Dian Parkinson filed a lawsuit against Barker for sexual harassment following a three-year affair while working on ''The Price Is Right''. Parkinson, who alleged that the relationship was extorted by threats of firing, later dropped her lawsuit, claiming the stress from the ordeal was damaging her health.

In 1995, model Holly Hallstrom exited ''Price'' and later filed suit against Barker for wrongful termination and malicious prosecution claiming Barker had launched a media attack against her, allegedly saying that she was disruptive to the working atmosphere of ''Price''. Barker dropped his case, while Hallstrom did not, finally ending in settlement in 2005.

Following their testimonies in Barker's failed lawsuit against Hallstrom, models Janice Pennington and Kathleen Bradley were fired and later received out-of-court financial settlements. Director Paul Alter was also removed from the show. Production assistants Sherrill Paris and Sharon Friem, who were also dismissed at the same time, each sued Barker for wrongful termination, as well as sexual harassment and sex discrimination. Both women ultimately received financial settlements.

In October 2007 Deborah Curling, a CBS employee assigned to ''The Price Is Right'', filed a lawsuit against CBS, Bob Barker and ''The Price Is Right'' producers, claiming that she was forced to quit her job after testifying against Barker in a wrongful-termination lawsuit brought on by a previous show producer. Curling claimed that she was demoted to an "intolerable work environment" backstage which caused her to leave the job. Curling, who is black, also alleged that the show's producers (including Barker) created a hostile work environment in which black employees and contestants were discriminated against. A few months later it was announced that Barker was removed from the lawsuit for the time being, but in September 2009 a judge tossed out the lawsuit. Curling's attorney stated that he plans to appeal the dismissal of the lawsuit.

Autobiography

Bob Barker has written his autobiography, assisted by former ''L.A. Times'' Book Review editor Digby Diehl, titled ''Priceless Memories''. It was released April 6, 2009. It features stories from his early life as well as stories and experiences in the 50 years of his television career. An audiobook is also available, read by Barker himself.

It was also then reported that Barker would appear on ''The Price is Right'' to promote his book. His initial appearance was scheduled for the March 2, 2009 taping, however, the taping was postponed until March 25 due to host Drew Carey contracting pneumonia. The episode aired on April 16, during which Barker appeared during the Showcases to promote the book. Drew Carey stated in an interview that the show stopped taping for over an hour as the crowd continued to give Barker a standing ovation and to allow the audience to ask questions about what Barker was doing post-retirement.

References

External links

Bob Barker at Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

DJ&T; Foundation

Bob Barker Interview at Archive of American Television

Category:1923 births Category:Living people Category:People from Snohomish County, Washington Category:American game show hosts Category:American television actors Category:American vegetarians Category:American people of Native American descent Category:Native American actors Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners Category:The Price Is Right Category:Stroke survivors Category:Animal rights advocates

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