Priceless Memories - Bob Barker [24]
So Bill’s error cost Ralph $10,000. That was just an example of what kinds of things could happen on T or C, and, it is also a fine example of Ralph Edwards’ good judgment and integrity.
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We always had great prizes on our shows. When we first started on Truth or Consequences, we gave away cars occasionally. In those days, a brand-new car was a really big deal. Later on, on Price, we would give away whole living-room sets, dining-room sets, incredible vacations, and state-of-the-art appliances, and offered at least two cars on every show. Our ratings were so good that we were coveted by advertisers and prize donors were lining up to place prizes on our show.
On the subject of cars, we eventually made a decision on Price to give away only American-manufactured cars on the show. Roger Dobkowitz, the producer of the show, and I were sitting in my dressing room in the early 1980s talking about all sorts of things, and we got to talking about how the American automobile manufacturers were having a tough time. The foreign cars were doing more and more business in the states, so we decided as a gesture to help out the U.S. manufacturers and to support our automobile industry and economy, we would start giving away only American cars. I called Mark Goodson and suggested the change. He liked the idea, and we made the change right away.
Some years later, after Mark Goodson died, there was an executive at Price who thought it would be a good idea to start giving away foreign cars as well on the show.
“You could have more of a variety of cars to give away, and they’d be easier to get,” he said.
“No, I don’t think it is a good idea,” I replied. I preferred to stay with what we had been doing.
A little time passed, and he continued to push for the idea. I think he sent me literature and explained that some of the foreign cars were being built in the United States. After he called me a few more times, I continued to stand firm and said, “No, let’s stick with what we’re doing.”
Finally, Roger Dobkowitz came in one day and said he’d been getting calls from the executive suggesting that we start giving away foreign cars.
Then I had an idea. I picked up the phone and called the West Coast branch of the United Automobile Workers, the UAW, and got the top man. Believe it or not, his name was Bruce Lee. I thought, “This is perfect—if I need help, Bruce Lee is the man I want to get.”
I said, “We’re giving away American-made cars on Price, and we are getting pressure to add foreign-made automobiles.” I explained the situation to him, and I gave him the executive’s name. I asked him if he would give the gentleman a call and let him know that he strongly supported our idea of featuring only American-made cars on Price. Mr. Lee said he’d be happy to talk to him, and he would let me know how the conversation went.
Within an hour Mr. Lee called me back and said, “I had a long talk with this fellow, and I don’t think he’s going to be bothering you anymore. But if he does, you call me again.”
I never heard from that executive again. And Price is still giving away American cars.
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I could not begin to list all of the celebrities that we had on shows I’ve hosted, especially Truth or Consequences, but we definitely had many legendary entertainers and superstars. Sometimes the celebrities made brief guest appearances or performed, and sometimes they were participants in games and pranks. Certainly, celebrities were always wildly popular with the audience, and it was a privilege and a pleasure to meet so many of Hollywood’s giants, as well as sports heroes, record holders, and various other high achievers in assorted fields. Since we were always in the business of getting laughs, we had more than our share of comedians on Truth or Consequences. Not surprisingly, they were consistently funny and quick on their feet.
I’m thinking of people like Bob Hope. He was a class act, a marvelous man. We had him on the show. In fact, at one time I had the same agent as Bob Hope. His name was Jimmy Saphier, and he was