It's a good thing I had waited to work on this post...

I had planned on writing up a lengthy post, detailing my frustrations over how golden-road.net member Voltron was treated in May by the staff of The Price Is Right. While I'll still touch on that, that clearly was more a sympton of what's going wrong with The Price Is Right, rather than being the biggest problem with the show.

We'll start with what happened with Voltron first, and go from there.

His saga began when he had his fifteen minutes of fame back in February, when millions of people saw him run up on stage and celebrate with Adam Rose to close out the first Million Dollar Spectacular of the Drew Carey era. Thanks to Voltron's help, Adam missed his Showcase by just $880, winning not only two Showcases but a million dollars.

It'd been all downhill for him ever since.

He had been in the audience for at least one other MDS, and was forced to sit in the back of the audience to try to keep him from assisting contestants - which, with this being an audience participation show, isn't the audience supposed to help the contestants and participate?

Well, after that, Voltron decided to take a chance and returned in May to attend two more tapings, this time bringing his family along. He had figured with it not being an MDS, and with his family there, there is no way they would put him through that again.

Think again.

Despite being the first people in line, Voltron and his family found themselves being told (just before entering the studio, no less) that he and his family would need to sit in the back. After raising a stink, they finally reached a compromise where they would be able to sit near Rich Fields and his podium, where they would not be seen as easily by contestants who were up on stage.

Needless to say, he and his family were not happy in the least. Despite that, though, Voltron still found ways to help contestants - which while I can't say I blame him, it may not have been the best thing to do under the circumstances.

Already having the trip planned, and already having tickets for the next day, they figure despite their frustrations to attend another taping (which aired, of all dates, June 2). At the least, they were hoping they would get answers...

Did they ever.

Roger Dobkowitz spoke to all of them, letting them know there were concerns over him helping the contestants - especially after being seen on TV, celebrating with Adam after he'd won the million dollars. And that there would be certain conditions that would have to be met for him to attend future tapings - among them, being seated in out of the way spots, not assisting contestants, and not even speaking to people while waiting out in line.

In other words, he had effectively been gagged.

Needless to say, he was deeply upset by the situation, and he nearly decided to not go through with the taping, though he did anyway. He was not only upset for his own situation, but that his family had to be punished over it as well. His relatives left feeling like this was not something they would want to do again, and at this point, I'm not so sure Voltron would like to, either.

I can't blame him. After all, the policy on the issue always has been that nobody should have a physical price list on them. I don't blame them for not wanting audience members coming in with several pages, listing the prices for Beachcomber hot tubs and Senakot laxatives and what-have-you. But this is punishing someone for having a great memory.

Bob Barker's old line about how it pays to watch The Price Is Right everyday? Apparently, not anymore.

Instead, it's now a situation where everyone else in the audience is encouraged to shout out prices and help contestants - except for people who might just know too much, and might just be too damned good. Those who might just foul up the precious budget because they give GOOD advice - instead of screaming "ONE DOLLAR!" or messing their pants when they see they are about to play Plinko need not apply. We don't need people like Voltron participating. Or...

People like me?

That was the second thought that went through my head after I became aware of what had happened.

The first was that this never would've happened with Bob Barker still there. Not because of any difference between Bob and Drew as a host, but the difference between Bob and Syd(iot) Vinnedge, who replaced Bob as the show's executive producer last summer.

Say what you want about Bob, but he always went out of his way to show appreciation to the loyal fans and followers of the show (Loyal Friends And True, as he'd call them). That mentality and believe is exactly why he'd be genuinely thrilled whenever he'd get a contestant who'd been watching for decades and already knew the rules to pricing games, or why he'd be estatic when a contestant watched everyday and knew the prices (like the woman who played Hole In One several years ago, and when saying which order to put the grocery items in, would follow it up by telling us all the exact price of each one - well before any of those prices were revealed!).

And, yes, I truly believe that is why he went out of his way to have Dennis' helpers put on camera last May. There is no doubt in my mind Michael and I had already earned a reputation around Television City by that point - we were loud, enthusiastic, had fun with the staff, knew our share of stuff, and even turned Chuck Dukas into a celebrity. Maybe it's possible that if had been two other "people in that corner right there" helping Dennis, Bob might've put them on camera like that. But I can't help but to think that upon realizing it was us two loudmouths guiding Dennis, Bob decided to reward our passion and loyalty by getting us on camera.

The only major changes that had taken place since then have been the host (Drew taking over for Bob), and the executive producer (Syd taking over for Bob). Roger Dobkowitz? There this May, there last May - hell, been there since August, 1972.

So, while it was Roger who delivered the bad news to Voltron, I never once thought "Yep, this is Roger's bright idea". My feeling the whole time is someone higher up decided to bust Voltron down, and sent Roger to do their dirty work.

How many people are there above Roger? Yeah. You guessed it. One. And that one person had no real authority with the show until Bob Barker rode off into the sunset last June.

Steve Gavazzi had put it quite well in October of ***6, when he said he was far more scared about who would replace Bob as the executive producer of the show than who would take over the hosting duties. Of course, we were all hoping they would do the right thing and promote Roger to the position, knowing Roger would stay the course and keep things as they were, since he'd been around the show long enough to know what made it work.

Sadly, no such luck. We got the Sydiot.

So, now, where do I fit into this, you ask?

During my eight trips to Game Show Mecca, I had been put on camera while helping a contestant - though, that was a disaster (also, that was the second time that had happened with Michael - as he was put on camera helping a contestant play Push Over in a previous taping), I had helped a contestant win a nearly $10,000 boat on Bullseye (and no doubt everyone caught my loud ass talking her into taking ten soups after she only wanted to take five), we'd given advice that would've given contests a new car in One Away (one contestant listened, another did not), I've shouted out more than a few bids that would've gotten someone a $500 bonus had they listened ($999 JBL sound systems, $3,495 hot tubs, etc. etc. etc.), and had given at least two bids that came extremely close in the Showcases (the $15,500 that would've given Dennis both Showcases, and the $16,700 that would've gone over by just $56 on Robert's Showcase last October). We've held court out in line, grabbing people's attention because of our knowledge of the show, told some of the tricks to some of these games (like all prices in Ten Chances ending in 0), and had more than one person out in line say "If I get picked, I'm looking to you!".

In other words, have the higher ups looked at us as a potential threat, like Voltron? That our memories and big mouths could lead to destroying the budget if a contestant were to listen - or, worse yet, if one of us wound up a contestant ourselves?

Because the second thought I had once Voltron shared his trials and tribulations with us? "We're done. We're finished. We're fucked!"

If I had to guess my odds of ever being a contestant on the show? Pretty damned close to ZERO now. All the lucky boots and caffeine and energy in the world wouldn't help at this point. They're not going to pick me because they see me and think I could blow up the budget - nevermind the fact that I would likely forfeit anything I won, because I'd have no use for most of the prizes, and probably couldn't pay the taxes unless I won a ton of cash to go with all of them.

Michael had expressed these same feelings and thoughts on G-R.net, and was blasted by some people for it. They thought we were overreacting, and the way he expressed himself was overboard. But how can I not think I'm in the same boat as Voltron (at least as far as chances of ever being picked), and damned close to being in the same boat as far as being seated in the audience? The only differences between us at this point is Michael and I have shown ourselves as being imperfect (see: Dennis playing Lucky $even), and we haven't helped a contestant win a million dollars.

But, you'd have to think they are thinking the potential for such damage is there.

That alone took a great deal of the wind out of my sails when it came to TPIR. Little did we know the worst was yet to come...

As of late last week, the number of people involved with The Price Is Right who had been there since 1972: ZERO.

Roger Dobkowitz, who began with the show as a production assistant, later becoming the show's producer, the man who was the glue that kept The Price Is Right together for many years now, and the man who should've been promoted and put in charge of leading TPIR into it's post-Bob years, was DISMISSED last week.

36 years of hard work, loyalty, and genuine love for the show and it's fans, all rewarded with a boot to the ass.

To many people, Roger is a name in the credits, and that guy we'd see 5-6 times a year or so, anytime something extrodinary happened and Bob would ask "When is the last time that happened, Roger?" or "How many times has that happened, Roger?". But to those of us who have treated this show like a religion, we knew Roger was the crew chief of the best pit crew in television, the conductor who helped bring it all together, the guy who would go out and shake hands with people in Camp Barker last spring, and the guy who would congratulate or console contestants after they had just won or lost their pricing game.

Bob (and now Drew) may have been the high-profile "captains" of the team, the guy the cameras and lights focused on, but neither one would look anywhere near as good without all that Roger did behind the scenes to keep the "fastest hour in television" running so smoothly.

If Bob (and now Drew) were the show's wings, Roger was the wind beneath them. Often unseen, and severely underrated, but so much of what this show is is thanks to Roger's 36 years.

Roger should've been in the same position as Bob - where he had a job as long as he wanted it, and he could walk away on his terms. He earned it.

But, I get the feeling that is the problem - that he had been there TOO long, and understands the show TOO well. According to some people who had attended tapings last summer, The Sydiot wanted to American Idle-ize the show - totally re-do the set, the music, EVERYTHING. And time and time again, Roger would speak up, telling them you can't do it, that radical change will KILL The Price Is Right because the very thing that makes the show work is how it has remained the same for so long.

Or, in other words: If it ain't broke, don't fucking fix it.

Despite that, of course, we got "minor" changes (ones which I never totally grew comfortable with, by the way). Re-composing the music. Changing some of the music cues. The altered turntable and door frames. All of which I felt was too much, especially since we'd be turning on the show and seeing someone not named Bob Barker up on stage after 35 years.

No doubt, though, Sydiot and the rest of the morons at Dismantle have been dying to do more - much more - and have wanted to since day one (see: The god-awful Hollywood mural we briefly had on the turntable several years ago). Sydiot has been dying to bring in a new theme song for years. And he and the rest of his goons have been going on and on about wanting to "modernize" TPIR, with their major resistance being Bob and Roger.

Well, they lost one obsticle last summer, when Bob retired. Now they just unceremoniously shoved the other one out on his ass.

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

The disgraceful treatment of Roger alone has me so pissed off that, as far as I'm concerned, The Price Is Right is going to end on July 17th (the finale show of season 36). Anyone who follows this blog knows the respect and appreciation I have for Roger, and you're damned straight I'm pissed off at the way he's been fed to the lions.

But it gets worse...

So far, it has been confirmed that they will introduce a video wall to the show next season. No word on how it will be used (behind one of the doors? Replacing the turntable?). That alone is enough to have LFAT's asses tighter than a walnut - because the one thing that stood out the most with that god-awful, prime-time TPIR in 1994 (that was hosted by Doug Davidson and lasted a whopping 16 weeks) is the video wall that dominated the set, and was used far too frequently.

But, then, you get to some of the rumored changes we might see for season 37: A new theme song. A totally redesigned set. The show being cut down to four pricing games and only one Showcase (where the contestants bid back and forth until someone wins it).

And... NO MORE "COME ON DOWN!", because the contestants will already be down in Contestant's Row before the cameras start rolling.

That is a piece of Americana, as big as (if not bigger than) Big Wheels and Plinko and new cars. Johnny Olson's legacy to the show, a catch-phrase so ingrained into our culture that it made TV Guide's list of greatest catch phrases. And, like Roger, it too may find itself a part of TPIR's PAST.

If I'm Rich Fields, right now I'm plotting how to give Sydiot Vinnedge a boot to the head - not only for taking away part of his involvement with the show, but for spitting all over the memory of the great Johnny O. like that.

Even if ANY of these rumors turn out to be true (and it would not shock me if all of them did), the show will never be the same for me. Modernize The Price Is Right? More like castrate it! And, for what? Who says the show needs to be modernized?!

Talk to people waiting out in line. Talk to people who watch the show regularly. Most of them will tell you (and definitely would've told you before season 36 started) that they love the show the way it is. Don't change ANYTHING. Don't change the set. Don't change the music. Don't do anything insane with the show. It's great as it is.

Ratings are down 18% from this point last season? Well, guess what. That was to be expected. Ratings were WELL up last season compared to season 34, thanks to everyone tuning in for the Bob Barker Farewell Tour. I would imagine if you compared season 36 ratings to season 34 ratings, you would not find such a drastic difference.

Have some people quit turning in? Of course. To some people, Bob Barker WAS The Price Is Right, just as Johnny Carson WAS The Tonight Show. Wouldn't have mattered who came in and replaced them. They were not going to go on without Bob. There was nothing you could've done to fix that, outside of cloning Bob Barker.

This is not the solution, though. As rough of a future as I thought the show would have without Bob, I always felt it would have a tougher time surviving without Roger.

Now, it's without BOTH.

So, this is what I see happening to the "new and improved" TPIR that will live on in the 21st century, if these changes all go down:

I expect people to tune in and see how it will go, and ratings to stay the same for a couple weeks... Okay, maybe a week... Maybe a day... Maybe about 25 minutes... The changes will succeed in alienating everyone who has followed the show over the years, which is understandable when you take a show that people love and change EVERYTHING about it. The ratings will speak. The letters will start rolling in. They'll have to pay more and more people to sit in the audience. They'll probably cave in, and change SOME of it back to where it was.

But, by then? Too late. The damage has been done. The show will probably get beaten by The View everyday of the week. Ratings will probably wind up 50% of where they are now (MAYBE). And if the show makes it to season 38 (which I would not bet on at this point), I fully expect Drew Carey (who also has spoken out against change to the show, but sadly lacks the power or influence of Bob and Roger) to be the scapegoat for the terrible ratings. He'll be fired, and replaced by Sydiot's boyfriend Ryan Seacrest.

That's right. Watch your ass, Drew. You're next. We all know it. And the sickest thing is, you deserve better...

Just like Roger did.

I will sit down on Thursday and watch season 36 - and The Price Is Right as we knew it and loved it - come to a close. In some ways, that is going to break my heart worse than watching Bob Barker say goodbye, because despite the sadness, there was always a chance of finding the right host to take over and the show living on.

But this? This is the end of a true American tradition. Everything that made the show special and unique is about to blown up in the name of progress. The show's identity and charm is about to replaced with modernization. What will exist in it's place is a show that may be called The Price Is Right, but will no longer truly be The Price Is Right. The house that Bob, and Roger, and Frank Wayne (the show's first producer), and Johnny, and Janice Pennington, and Mark Goodson, and so many others built is crashing to the ground as we speak. In it's place will be a fraud that may as well be named The Price Is Right '08, or The Price Is Wrong.

Whatever the hell you want to call it, it is not The Price Is Right. Because in five days, we will say goodbye to that.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. But, what a ride it was...

Thank you for 36 priceless seasons.

Thank you, Roger, for all you've done for all of us. We will forever be grateful.

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, Corporate Assholes, The Drew Is Right, The Price Is Wrong... bitch, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob

While I like Star Trek, and while some people feel they have learned a great deal from the show, I think it goes without saying that there has been much to learn from The World's Greatest Master of Ceremonies and his priceless show over the years.

And here is what they have taught me:

I've learned you never want to overbid. Overbidding can keep you in Contestant's Row, it can cost you that lovely Showcase, or it can just keep you stuck paying too much on eBay.

I've learned that a handshake, a hug or a kiss can bring far more joy than a new refrigerator, a living room group or even a new car - shouldn't we treat life the same way?

I've learned that life does reward smart shoppers. Smart shopping can help you win your way up on stage, give you a trip to Cancun, or just help you save money every month.

I've learned that if something doesn't cooperate in life, KICK IT. Jammed Master Lock keys? Uncooperative Squeeze Play numbers? That stuck closet door? Just give it a boot.

I've learned that any kind of music can be good, if you give it the right setting. Just as most people only enjoy yodeling when the mountain climber is heading to his doom after someone thinks a toy guitar is $800, "Barbie Girl" too can be entertaining in the right setting (like New Year's after 13 drinks).

I've learned there are some things in life you just can't control, whether it be the weather, or Plinko chips.

I've learned sometimes that big gambles can pay off, whether it's taking a long trip just to see a concert, or giving back $5,000 on the Punchboard like Bryan did.

I've learned false reveals can be fun, whether it's keeping people on their toes while sharing priceless moments, or making a poor contestant anxious before revealing the actual retail price.

I've learned that age is only a number, which is why I sometimes feel old at 32, and Bob Barker wants to retire "while he's young" - at 83.

I've learned that sometimes the oldest things are indeed the bestest, whether it's using the same turntable and giant doors for 35 years, or when comparing "Borderline" to "American Life", or even an octogenerian still running circles around hosts who could be his grandchildren.

I've learned golf is cool. Who needs Tiger Woods when you have Arnold Palmer and the greatest putter ever, Bob Barker?

I've learned that if you have a beloved but uncooperative piece of equipment - like a Commodore 64 or the Hurdles set - sometimes you just need to let it go and put it out to pasture.

I've learned there are benefits to eating right, whether it's losing weight or having the energy to work the same job for 50 years.

I learned that the house hits on 16 and below and stays on 17 and above - not because of GSN's World Series Of Blackjack, but from Hit Me.

I've learned that writing a check can be a real adventure, whether it's because you're flirting with overdrawing, or yet another contestant who doesn't know how to play Check Game.

I've learned that simple yet classy does have it moments, whether it's Bonus Game and Five Price Tags, or jeans and 3" heeled boots.

However, I've also learned flashy and outrageous has its moments, too, whether it's Rod Roddy's jackets or a pair of 6" heeled boots.

I've learned how powerful the words "Come on down!" can be - an invite to see a special person, or an invite to become the next contestant on The Price Is Right!

I've learned that illusion can be a powerful thing, whether it's things not turning out in life the way they appeared they would, or the fact that that tiny set looks so big on TV.

I've learned that patience takes you far in life, whether it's waiting for a dream to come true, or trying to explain the rules of a pricing game to yet another contestant.

I've learned that sometimes people do come together in life, whether it's getting support from surprising places, or 320 people trying to help you win even though they wish they were in your shoes.

I've learned that sometimes you just have to let it all out and scream "THAT'S TOO MUCH!", whether it's life getting to be a bit too much to handle, or when trying to walk away with a new car.

I've learned you can express a lot with a T-Shirt, whether it's telling the world you love Bob, or that you have a Madonna complex.

I've learned that picking a fight with the wrong person can be a mistake, whether it's Happy Gilmore thinking he can take on Bob, or me thinking... nevermind. I won't go there.

I've learned you can make the world a better place with something as simple as telling people what they mean to you, or making people smile for 60 minutes a day for five days a week.

I've learned not to act until your ready. Not only may things not go the way you want, but if you stop the range finder too soon, they can't start it again for 37 hours.

I've learned to always give everything your best effort. It not only increases your chance of succeeding, but it also saves you from getting booed for failing to get the wheel all the way around.

And, I have learned that you can make the world a better place for animals, whether it's bringing a bundle of joy into your home, or by helping to control the pet population by having your pets spayed or neutered.

But there is one thing that I wasn't taught fron The Price Is Right, but it has been reinforced in recent months: While sorry seems to be the hardest word, it's not.

The hardest word is goodbye.

Yesterday afternoon, episode #6,731 of The Price Is Right was taped from The Bob Barker Studio. It was the 6,728th episode of Bob's career...

And his final one.

It kicked off at 6:00 am with Chuck Dukas stepping outside the gates to hand out order of arrival wristbands to people wanting a front-row seat for television history - from people who had been in line just a few hours to people who camped out for four days, from everyday people to a NASA engineer (Mark Dub) to at least on celebrity (KCBS news did a piece on the final taping, and pictured among those in the audience holding area was none other than Henry Winkler with a yellow nametag on the coat of his suit!). All of them together for one reason - to say goodbye to a television legend.

By late afternoon, it was all over. Bob had signed off, the credits had rolled, the cameras were stopped, and a 50 year career had come to a close.

Much like with the 35th season premiere, the press was there in droves. Radio and television crews - both local and national - were there to cover the ending of an era. Quite a few people got a few seconds of fame and spoke to the press, including Philip Barrett (who started the line on Saturday), and golden-road.net's own Willy Tynan.

Except, of course, unlike with the season premiere, the media was not there to kick off a glorious, historic, promising season. This time, it was to witness the final chapter on what may go down as the most incredible career in the history of television.

I know little about the grand finale itself at this point, as I was not there. From the numbers I got from Willy, it's very likely I could've gotten in. And I kind of wish I had been there. But could I have handled it? Around 3:30 pm, when the taping was scheduled to end (though, Willy himself said it was closer to 4:30), I lost it. I knew an era was coming to an end, one that had brought a great deal of joy into my life.

I do know, though, that Bob closed off his career with one last plug to help control the pet population. It sounds like from there that the emotions finally began to come out...

Willy walked outside, sat down on those benches which had marked so much happiness (meaning it's almost time to enter the studio) and lost it.

Rich Fields, according to another person who made the taping, was barely keeping his emotions in check.

And even Bob himself, who had tried so hard to maintain his composure during the final stretch of his career, spoke of how it all hit him when a longtime colleague and friend (I would assume Roger Dobkowitz) came to his dressing room to hug him and say goodbye. He also was quite choked up during the press conference, saying "I can't talk about it. Sorry. To say goodbye... is tough."

He summed it up quite well. This has been a tough goodbye. We've invited him into our homes for 50 years. He's made us laugh, he's made us smile, he's been like an adopted grandfather. And it's very painful for me to think that it's all over, that this time he didn't sign off for the day, or the week, or the season - but for good. That the next time they fire up those cameras and cue the music and open those doors that someone besides Bob Barker is going to walk out onto that stage.

There'll never be another one like him.

While the final episode won't air for another 8 days, yesterday hurt. Yesterday was the day the ride truly ended. Yesterday officially became the day that I had to acknowledge something I never wanted to think about:

Bob Barker, retired game show host.

And worse yet, there's the feeling of how there's nothing left but the memories. The studio is dark and the set has been struck. It's a show now in limbo - no host, but a giant shadow hanging over it from the one that just departed.

And Camp Barker is no more, literally and figuratively. I think back to my three trips since the announcement, of hundreds of people camping out on the streets to get in. Then I think about Willy's final line report at 5:30 pm yesterday: 0 priorities, 0 standbys.

The Camp is now deserted. Truthfully, for good - for even should the show resume, it won't be with Bob, and I don't think we'll see 200 people sleeping on Fairfax ever again.

It's just hard to believe that time has finally run out. It's hard to believe that next Friday, we'll turn on the TV and watch him sign off one last time.

I do hope he has a long and happy retirement. He certainly has earned it. But, I'm going to miss the hell out of him. Thank you for 50 priceless years, Bob!

It may not be the end of the world as we know it, but it sure as hell is the end of television as we knew it... "To say goodbye... is tough."

Fortunately, though, I'll always have May 17, 2007.

Now, I need to go try to find out what's going on with my boot order, and start shopping for potted plants for my television set.

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, That's What Friends Are For, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob

There are people who feel that everything that happens in life is for a reason, that for all our own actions that destiny is in control of things, so you may as well sit back and enjoy the ride. While I must say that it seems odd to me to believe that we're here no for purpose than to follow a pre-determined role, there are times where I do think destiny does kick in, where everything that happens has a purpose and you may as well enjoy the ride.

I've had few moments in my life that have felt this way. But if there has been one common thread throughout all of them, it's that they all turned out to be complex chains - where I look back and think if I did one little thing differently, where if one thing even barely fell out of place, everything would've turned out differently.

May 17, 2007 was my seventh trip to the Bob Barker Studio. As with the previous six, I entered with great anticipation and energy. Even after Jeanette's Corvette Showcase, or Vickiann's Double Showcase Win, I always try to find something unique and special to take home with me, to make each experience unique and priceless.

Believe me, at 2:30 pm on the 17th, I had no idea what was in store for me, or 330 other people.

Get This Party Started!: Rich calls out for Susan, Dennis, Cristel and Jon to come on down, which they all do with a great deal of excitement and energy.

The Man, as he has done for the previous six tapings, makes his entrance through door #2, and is greeted by 330 screaming lunatics - and two giving him the "We're not worthy!" routine. Seven tapings or not, I'm STILL NOT WORTHY!

The first item up for bids on today's show is a hot tub, one I recognized and knew the price of. I kept screaming "$3,495! $3,495!". Nobody took that advice, though, with Jon's bid of $2,300 being the closest.

Just before did reveal the actual retail price, I pulled a Barney Stinson. I looked over to Mike and muttered "$3,495" under my breath - which, sure enough, was the actual retail price... Meaning that while Jon won that hot tub and made his way up stage, he left $500 on the table.

Rats.

Upside Down: Jon makes his way up onto the Stage Of Dreams to play Most Expensive. No, we were not playing for three cars again. This time, it was an HP computer, a wrought-iron cradle and a Rascal Scooter.

I figured the computer was around $2,000. I have seen brass cradles on the show for about $3,000, and figured the iron one would be less. And the only other time I've seen a scooter at one of my tapings, it was just over $3,000.

So, my guess was #3 (the scooter). Most of the audience went with that, as well, and Jon himself eventually did.

So, needless to say, it was a major kick in the gut when they revealed the price of the computer... $3,864. We're screwed.

The cradle was $3,225, only adding insult to injury... Because the scooter was $2,695.

Hey, we would've done great if this was called LEAST Expensive...

Sadly, we are not off to a very good start.

Higher And Higher: Adriane gets the next invite to Contestant's Row and trots on down - complete with her purse! Bob cannot pass up the chance to have fun with this, so he asks "You brought your purse! Why did you do that? You going to carry your prizes in there?!"

Next up for bids is those dreaded Daisy Rock guitars. Everytime I see an "assortment" of them, I think we're dealing with toys, and bid accordingly. I thought they were around $800, and kept shouting as much...

With no bid lower than $1,350, I was convinced we'd hear buzzers because everyone overbid.. So imagine my shock when we learned that Adriane's bid of $1,595 won her those guitars - which were $1,976! - and the chance to play the next pricing game!

I'm a doctor, not a musician...

Adriane soon learns that she is playing Cliff Hangers (one of my favorites, and one I've yet to see in person!) for a dining room group worth $5,720.

I'm thinking "Awesome! I haven't lost this game from home in decades! We've got ourselves a winner!". After all, all Adriane has to do is guess the prices of three small prizes, and not miss by a total of more than $25.

The three small prizes for today's game are a MP3 player holder than "dances" in tune to your music, an apple-shaped bowl for heating caramel, and a "purple" coffee maker.

First up is that MP3 player holder. I'm thinking $25. Adriane goes with $30 (after trying $29.95 and being told to use only dollars). Hans (the mountain climber) takes his two steps, after which we learn the price is $28.

Next is that caramel apple bowl. I've never seen the prize before, but I'm thinking $35 myself. Adriane also goes with $35, and we watch Hans take five more steps to reach 7. The bowl was $30. This means Adriane can miss the coffee maker by as much as $18 and still win. She's in fine shape.

She asks Rich for more info on the coffee maker. Sadly, though, all that Rich has on his sheet is that it's a "purple coffee maker".

While I am personally thinking $45 for the coffee maker, I'm shouting for Adriane to go with $50 - that way, she has a window from $32 to $68 to win. She goes with $50.

We watch - and clap along with the music - as Hans climbs... And climbs... And climbs...

And stops at 17! The coffee maker was $40, and we have our first winner of the day! And we're all hoping this is the start of a winning streak!

(Un)Lucky Star: Gloria, who (along with her husband) is wearing a shirt for the "Great Arkansas Pig Out", is summoned down to Contestant's Row. She and the other three contestants find themselves bidding on a desk.

This desk was another price I'd yet to see, but I'm thinking it looks kind of nice, and fancy, and... $1,495.

Two of the bidders go well above that, with Cristel bidding $1,090. At this point, I'm thinking Dennis (the last bidder) should go $1,091. I was horrified when he bid $1 instead....

Just goes to show I'm not flawless. The actual retail price was only $498, and Dennis wins his way out of Contestant's Row with that $1 bid!

Obviously, having played for three prizes and a dining room so far, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know a car is coming. I'm just hoping it's a game I know what I'm doing on...

But, that Dodge Caravan comes rolling out on stage, and I know exactly what is coming... Lucky $even.

Okay. I'm trying to think positively. Maybe I'll give better suggestions this time around than I did the last time!

The first number is revealed, which is a 2.

Now, knowing that Caravans usually run between $19,000 and $21,000, depending on options, I know the second number is going to be low. However, Roger Dobkowitz hasn't used 0's in Lucky $even in decades, so I know this is a 1...

Dennis goes with a 4, costing him $3.

I'm thinking a 4 for the third number. Dennis chooses a 6. They slide the door to show that the third number is a 5, costing Dennis another dollar. He now has three dollars left.

While waiting for Dennis to guess the fourth number, Bob notices that Dennis seems to be looking toward two particular people for help. Dennis then tells Bob that he's seeking help from "a couple people he met in line last night". I hear this, and I start clapping for your new friends, hoping they are offering lots of help....

That is, until one of the cameras gets turned around and is aiming directly at two yokels - one of which is wearing a T-Shirt that lets the world know that she has a Madonna Complex!

(At this point, a dozen people on the East Coast, watching this episode while sitting in the golden-road.net chat read my shirt and type up some variation of "HOLY CRAP! IT'S MADDIE!")

Hoo boy. No pressure, Maddy. No pressure. It's just you. And Dennis. And Bob. And that van. And 5.5 million people!

So, at this point, I'm thinking "There's one pretty low number. One middle number. Let's try a high one", and America watches as we stick up seven fingers for Dennis.

Dennis goes with 7...

That door opens...

2.

The game is over. No van for Dennis. We didn't even get a chance to guess the last number. Of course, this van wasn't going to be won, anyway, because the last number was 9 - and nobody in their right mind picks a 9 for the last number in Lucky $even!

I stood there, shaking my head, hiding my face in shame. While doing that, Mike sees Roger Dobkowitz, looking at us, his arms out to this side, with this "I'm so sorry" smile - though you could almost tell that underneath that he was cackling to himself.



I just learned on national television that I CAN'T STOP THE DOB, EITHER!

Though, I swear, if it's the last thing I ever do... I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME, ROGER! NEXT TIME! *as Mad Cat growls and hisses*

We're now 1 for 3 on the day, with the first Showcase Showdown coming up.

Wheel In The Sky: It's now time for the Showcase Showdown, and I for one am hoping this goes better than the first half has so far... Dennis, Jon and Adriane are spinning for a spot in the Showcases, and possibly as much as $11,000 in cash.

Dennis leads us off, getting 90 cents on his first spin. He obviously stays, feeling like he's in pretty good shape.

Jon takes the next crack at the big wheel. He gets only 55 cents in his first spin, and obviously needs his second spin...

His second spin stops on 60, giving him $1.05 and putting him over by a nickel! All I could do after that was shake his hand as he walked by to fill out his paperwork and say "I'm sorry, man. Just hasn't been your day."

He took it better than I did.

Next up is Adriane, the only winner from the first half. Her first spin stops on 30 cents, and she took needs to spin again.

Her second spin gets to 60, and the flapper just barely holds onto that peg, giving her 90 cents and forcing a spinoff with Dennis.

Dennis' spin gives him 60 cents - a decent, but not great score for a spinoff.

Adriane's spin is another one that flirts with fate - but this time, not in a good way. It stops on 30 cents - a bit harder, and she would've had 65 and the spot in the Showcases. Instead, it is Dennis who will be in the Showcases at the end of the show.

Poison Arrow: After Bob points out the mother of 9 daughters in our audience, Jeffrey gets the next invitation to Contestant's Row, and this time around we're bidding on a set of luggage.

I was thinking $899 myself. The contestants themselves didn't even think it was that much, as the highest of the first three bids was $576.

Susan wisely bid $577. Bob told us that the actual retail price was $970, and Susan took the southpaw steps up to the stage for our next game.

Susan got the chance to play Bullseye for a day sailer, worth $9,955.

Just like with Cliff Hangers, I'm stoked! Another game I'm good at! I know grocery prizes! Please listen to me, Susan! I know exactly how to get you between $10 and $12!

Rich finishes describing the grocery items. Susan then turns to the audience for help after Bob asks her what she wants to try first. I am loudly screaming for her to take the soup, which she chooses with some hesitation.

Bob then asks her "How many soups do you want to get between $10 and $12?" I'm holding up all ten fingers and screaming "10! 10! 10!".

At first, though, Susan thinks I'm saying five, holds up five fingers and mouths "Five?" at me. I shake my head frantically, start wiggling my fingers, and again scream for 10 soups.

Susan gives me this "Are you crazy?! Ooooookay." look, then tells Bob she wants 10 soups.

Just before Bob reveals the price, I mutter "$1.07", then start giggling as Bob lifts the cover to reveal that the soup is indeed $1.07, meaning 10 soups is $10.70, and we have ourselves another winner!

The Advisor has redeemed herself!

We're now 2 for 4, with more coming up in the second half!

Never Enough: Daniel is called on down to join the party, and next up for bids is an English wall clock. Another prize I've yet to see, but I'm thinking it looks fancy and expensive, and go with $1,700.

That was closer than any of the four bids than counted, though, as the clock was $2,160. Jeffrey (a soldier in the Army) wins the clock and the next trip up the steps with his $800 bid.

Jeffrey not only gets the chance to play for a truck, but plays a pricing game that should be perfect for him: THAT'S TOO MUCH!. After all, Bob wants contestants to tell him "That's too much!" with vim, vigor and vitality - and who better to do that than a soldier?!

Thinking that we are playing for a Dodge Dakota (which is not a Ram), the price of $19,000-20,000 comes into my head.

Unfortunately, that price didn't come to Jeffrey - he stopped clear back at $15,206. I am sorry to say this is a Dakota, not a Ford Ranger, and this doesn't look good...

And it wasn't. Jeffrey stopped way, WAY too soon (even I would've), as this truck was $22,854. OUCH!

We just can't seem to get a streak going. Lose, win, lose, win...

Opening Credits: Debi (the wrong Debi/Debbie) is the last contesant for the day. She joins the three remaining holdovers in bidding on on a treadmill.

I've seen some fairly expensive treadmills on the show. This, sadly, was not one of them. My $1,599 bid would've been way too high on this particular $1,299 treadmill.

Daniel, though, didn't make that mistake. He bid $1,201, earning himself some exercise equipment and the chance to play the last pricing game of the day.

Daniel got to play Credit Card, for a recliner, floor lamps, chainsaws, crystal stemware and Igloo coolers. All he needed to do to win all five was pick the three that would total less than his $2,000 credit limit (in other words, pick the three least expensive).

Hey, I should be good at this! I picked the least expensive in Most Expensive, right?!

I knew the coolers (I was guessing around $600) and the chainsaws (which I knew were less than $450) were gimmes. Daniel did indeed go with both of those, too, leaving $977 for his credit limit.

At this point, I knew it was not the recliner. I have seen stemware packages for less than $977, so I was having a tough time deciding between the stemware, and the lamps.

Finally, figuring the lamps looked less expensive than the stemware, I urged him on to go with them, which he did...

The lamps were... $750, leaving a credit limit of $227, and not only giving Daniel all five prizes, but our third win of the day!

And, as Bob put it, three out of six is not a bad day's work.

Dreams: During the commercial break between the last pricing game, and the second Showcase Showdown, Mike raised his hand - not to ask a question or to make a joke...

Mike, of course, knew my birthday was coming up. He also knows that my birthday comes in a rough time of the year for me, and knew this one would be especially rough - because Bob's final taping will come nine days after my birthday.

Bob called on him, and here is what was said:

Mike: "My friend Deborah has her birthday coming up. In fact, it's the Sunday after this episode airs."
Bob: "I'm not kissing Deborah. Only one kiss a day!" (see: The kiss Barkerism in the last post)
Mike: "No, not a kiss. I was just wondering if she could come up and shake your hand?"
Bob: "You know I'm busy up here! I have things to do!" *someone at that point says "Ten seconds", to let Bob know they're about to resume* "Duty is calling me now, you see?", but then Bob turns around, smiles and says "Happy Birthday, Deborah!"

I yelled back "Thank you, Bob!", and I was touched. Genuinely touched. Touched not only by Mike's efforts, but Bob's birthday wishes. I knew it was a longshot - because if Bob let me shake hands, there would be 330 hands popping up, wanting a handshake, or an autograph, or a hug, or a kiss.

But, at the same time, I didn't know (and still don't know) if that will be the last time I'll step into the Bob Barker Studio for Bob Barker's Price Is Right - especially with just 14 tapings left after today.

I know at this point I won't be a contestant on today's show. I know I couldn't get a handshake during that commercial break. Deep down inside, I'm wondering if the dream - the dream I've had for 28 years - has indeed passed me by.

At this moment, I'm a mixture of touched, and shaken up. I understand, yet I was disappointed. I'm thinking "Maybe fate has another chance for me", yet "Maybe the dream is over."

Or, as Ray Kinsella put it in Field Of Dreams: "...For five minutes you came within... Y-you came this close. It would KILL some men to get so close to their dream and not touch it. God, they'd consider it a tragedy."

Right now, though, I need to get it together. This show isn't over, and I still owe it to everyone to be my loud, enthusiastic self.

Spinning Wheel: It's time for Showcase Showdown #2. We have Jeffrey, Daniel and Susan vying for that second spot in our Showcases.

Jeffrey leads off, getting a mere 20 cents in his first spin. To nobody's surprise, he spins again, getting 75 cents this time around for a total of 95 cents - a very tough score!

Daniel is up next. Getting only 45 cents in his first spin, he must spin again... Sadly, for the second time this show, he goes over painfully - getting 60 cents for $1.05, and ending his day.

Last up is Susan - she of the Bullseye win - and her first spin earns her only 40 cents. She takes her second spin - and wouldn't you know it! - hits 65 cents, becoming the third person today to go over by a nickel!

Jeffrey moves onto the Showcases, while I again find myself shaking hands and giving condolences to two more contestants who had a rough day at the famous Big Wheel.

Over And Over: And now, once again, it's Showcase time on The Price Is Right! The time where I have seen so much magic in my past trips, and where I'm hoping to see some more...

Of course, as the top winner, Jeffrey has the choice to bid on the first Showcase, or pass it to Dennis and go for Showcase #2.

The first Showcase involved the desk as "Consumer Retorts". It consisted of a dishwasher, a 42" plasma television, and a 2007 Ford Fusion.

Jeffrey, to nobody's surprise, decided he wanted this Showcase. I was thinking $20,500 would be a good price. Jeffrey instead went with $23,600, which I felt was over.

This left Showcase #2 to Dennis. Dennis found himself with a fireplace, a living room group, and a trip to Buenos Aries. Despite not getting a shot at that car, Dennis was quite excited and happy to see these prizes. Not that this surprises me, as Dennis just seemed to be thrilled to be there!

Dennis at first looked to some others for help, perhaps a little leery after that Lucky $even disaster earlier in the show. Someone, or something, at first gave him the idea to bid $26,000 - which I loudly and animatedly tried to talk him out of. Fortunately, it worked.

For years, I swore that if I was ever a contestant, and reached the Showcases, and I thought my opponent overbid, I would bid $1 - unless I thought I had a reasonable shot at a Double Showcase Win.

This was one of those moments.

I kept shouting to bid $15,500. I knew it'd be close.. DAMNED close. Yet, at the same time, it wasn't a do-or-die bid - I felt it left enough wiggle room that if it didn't lead to a DSW, it'd only be $400-500 short - and still give Dennis that Showcase.

Dennis, after thinking some more, offered a bid of $15,750.

Now, I was nervous. Damned nervous. That bid took the wiggle room out. I didn't feel this Showcase would reach $16,000, so this meant Dennis was either going to go home with both Showcases.... Or overbid.

It's now time for one last commercial break. I'm thinking this is a real good time for a smoke, but of course, I can't light up in there... And this would be a dumb time to walk outside.

Bob starts off with Jeffrey's Showcase. The actual retail price is... $21,287. Jeffrey is over.

Bob then walks over to Dennis... He points out that as long as he doesn't go over, he is a winner. And, the actual retail price of Dennis' Showcase is.....

$15,655! It's a Double Overbid! Dennis was over by a mere $95!

I stood there, shell-shocked. The ladies in Dennis' group are staring at me, in shock, thinking had he used my bid, he would've won BOTH Showcases.

All I could do was shake my head in a state of shock, wishing more than anything that I could've turned the clock back five minutes, could've more forcefully told Dennis to go with $15,500.

This is the first time I'd ever witnessed a DOB in person, and I'm in pain for Dennis' sake. He seemed like such a nice kid, so thrilled to be there, and it truly would've made me day to see him win both those Showcases.

Instead, it was the 15th double overbid of the season.

Bob then offered some words of consolation to both contestants, before signing off with his spay and neuter plug.

At which point, I found myself shocked, for another reason...

Miracles: I don't know exactly when the tradition began. I don't know if it dates back to 1972, or came later, but for nearly 30 years now, whenever we have a double overbid in the Showcases, Bob climbs down those steps, walks down the right aisle, and shakes hands with the people in the audience.

And, so, after signing off, Bob took that walk that he had taken so many times before.

He reached over and shook hands with a few of the people in the front row - the people who got into line at 5:30 am on the 16th.

He then reached the second row, where he shook hands with one of the VIP's who attended today's taping.

Then he reached the third row, stuck his hand out, and gave one of those million dollar smiles of his - not only his face, but his eyes. A genuine, heartfelt smile - as if he was as thrilled to be shaking hands as the other person is.

I had seen so many of these handshakes over the years, but this wasn't an ordinary handshake. This wasn't an ordinary moment....

Because at 3:28 pm, on Thursday May 17, 2007, a dream - a moment that took 28 years to occur, had finally became reality.



There were 330 people cheering and screaming. There was a television camera aiming at me. And while I knew this was going on, I was oblivious to it.

Because, at that moment, the only thing I was conscious of was Bob Barker looking me right in the eyes. His left hand reaching out to Mike for a handshake, his right hand between both of mine.

And the flood of emotions. Gratitute. Euphoria. Relief. I want to laugh, smile, and cry - all at the same time.

A million things run through my mind - things I want to say, want to express. For a few seconds, it's a moment I want to last forever. I'm caught up in a moment that is a million times sweeter than my dreams ever were. A moment I had dreamt of since 1979, a moment that I'd flirted with, one that had eluded me, one that I sometimes worried would never come, and a moment that would be one of the most overwhelming of my life.

But, I know there are others waiting. Others who deserve their priceless moment. So, I reach over and pat Bob on the shoulder - not only out of affection, but to lean in so he can hear me over all the chaos...

"Thank you, Bob. Thank you for 35 amazing years, and the best of luck to you!"

The whole moment lasted about 10 seconds, but while it was going on, time stopped - literally and figuratively. For not only was I oblivious to everything going on around me, but I felt in my heart that this moment, this handshake across time, wasn't just for me. I felt I was shaking Bob's hand for my mother and my grandparents, none of which ever had this chance, none of whom were still on this Earth.

Alongside February 15, 1992... Alongside October 21, 1999... Alongside June 3, ***6... May 17 will always remain a day I will never forget.

And, to think back on the chain of events: Gutting out that day in Los Angeles despite grueling pain. Getting that aisle seat. The low-point of wondering if my dream would remain a dream. Dennis' painful overbid. It's just overwhelming to look back at everything, look back at what felt into place.

It was almost as if fate decided "You waited long enough. It's time."

I'd had a dream, a wish, a hope since I was 4. I'd be called down to Contestant's Row. I'd make that perfect bid. I'd run up on stage - touching the floor, the turntable, the big doors. I'd greet Bob Barker, and experience my moment in a show that has brought me so much joy. I'd spin that big wheel. I'd get into those Showcases.

Maybe that is all destined to happen. Maybe not. Only time can tell.

All I know is this... On May 17, 2007, I ended up walking out of Television City with a "prize". A truly priceless prize. I didn't get called down to Contestant's Row. I didn't make my way up on stage. I didn't get to putt a ball or give a price or play a game. I didn't win a car, or a living room, or a refrigerator. I didn't touch that big wheel, or stand behind that Showcase podium.

But, if that was my last trip to see Bob Barker host The Price Is Right, I will spend the rest of my life with no regrets...

The prize I left with was the prize I wanted to win all along.

John Kinsella: "Is this heaven?"
Ray Kinsella: "No... It's Iowa!"
John: "That's funny... I could've sworn this was Heaven?"
Ray: "Is there a heaven?"
John: "Oh, yes.. It's the place where dreams come true."
Ray: "Maybe this IS heaven..."

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob

Quite bluntly, there are days I wonder how Bob Barker has done what he has for so long, and is still doing it (well, for 19 more days, sadly).

Because when I woke up Wednesday morning, my hip was killing me, my back was killing me, and my toe (which I accidentally cut up on Monday) was a mess. Drinking quite a bit on Tuesday night to try to settle my nerves made Wednesday morning a bit of an adventure, too.

I have to admit that the first thought I had dragging myself out of bed is "I am too old for this" - and I'm not quite 32 yet! Another 50 mile trip to Camp Barker? Another night of semi-homelessness? I didn't even want to take a trip to my own bathroom that morning!

But, I did - and nearly regretted that, too. When we climbed off the Metrolink at 12:30 upon hitting Union Station, I felt even worse. Hotel room or not, I was ready to just head right back home.

Mike rather wisely talked me into heading the rest of the way, and at least taking a nice long soak in the tub and/or getting some sleep before waving the white flag.

For this, I will be eternally grateful.

Camp Barker - Population 17 (so far): We made our arrival at Television City around 1:30 pm, and decided to go check out the line for laughs. We were, quite honestly, shocked that there were only 15 people ahead of us.

The original plan was to get to the room and relax before going out in line, but after seeing how short the line was, I decided "Fuck it. Let's mark our territory. I'll wait in line, you go get the red tape done with the room."

I was also, honestly, trying to motivate myself to carry on with all of this, and nice, close seats would do more to help me grit my teeth and keep going than the Ueckerville seats we had for the last show.

While Mike did that, I set my bag down and began chatting it up with the people around me - not only discussing the show, but finding out when they got into line.

The people at the front of the line? 5:30 am! Meaning they would spend 24 1/2 hours in line just to get their order of arrival slips...

One of the people I met had come from Baton Rouge to finally get his chance to see Bob, and was quite knowledgable and passionate about the show himself. He just seemed to be thrilled with the whole experience - even the fun of camping out on a Los Angeles street.

We also had the fun of shocking the hell out of people walking or driving by, thinking we were there for the American Idle show being broadcast that night - people who could not believe people would camp out that long just for The Price Is Right!

Mike finally returned about an hour later, and I made a dash (about as quickly as I could move) back to the room for a nice, long soak and to pop a Tylenol with codeine.

I don't know if the psychological thrill of making it back to Camp Barker did it, or the 60 minute soak in the tub, or the Tylenol, or all of the above, but I returned feeling far better, now thinking "I think I can do this. I may really hate myself tomorrow afternoon, but I think I can hold out."

While I was gone, we had a group of 10 from DC show up, not only full of energy (the advantages of youth!), but with a rather novel idea: Chalk. They marked their territory with chalk, they wrote things all over the sidewalk, such as "WE *heart* BOB! HONK IF YOU DO TOO!", and all signed their names.

We spent the next 90 minutes or so chatting with our neighbors, chatting with and applauding people leaving WEDNESDAY'S taping, and slowly watching the line grow. Quite honestly, the 40 or so people in line were slowly becoming intrigued with us, after finding out we had attended six previous tapings and followed the show religiously.

However, around 4:45 pm, we would no longer be the ones holding court - and deservedly so.

You can't stop The Dob, but you can MEET him!: Roger Dobkowitz, the show's longtime producer (and, along with Bob, the only person from the show who has been there since August 1972) came out to check out the line and make the rounds at Camp Barker. I had heard that he was doing this (and, apparently just missed him at last month's taping), but the chance to meet The Dob himself was quite a thrill.

I had certainly seen my share of Roger on TV over the years, with some of his memorable moments being the 1980 Cliffhangers blunder, as well as being "abused" by Gene Rayburn on Match Game (Roger was a production assistant on MG at the time as well). And, of course, we got Roger on camera several times a season, such as when Bob asks Roger if that is a historic moment, or tries to figure out when the last time an odd occurance had happened.

The most unstoppable force in television (my play on "Can't stop The Dob!", a regular statement on G-R.net's forums) slowly made his way up the line - chatting, shaking hands, and even signing autographs and hugging people.

Roger finally reached us, and we greated him in the only way that seemed right.. "Dob! Dob! Dob!"

Roger got this huge smile on his face and said "You know the name!" - him having no doubt at this point that we are members of golden-road.net, as that's where the nickname originated.

He shook both our hands - very sincere, genuine two-handed handshakes, then we spent a few minutes discussing the show, Bob, and us crazy fans who spend a day on the streets just to see Bob. He was also pleasantly surprised when we told him that everytime we saw him in the studio before the show started, we were chanting "Dob! Dob! Dob!" - he must have assumed we were shouting "Bob! Bob! Bob!".

I was just amazed the whole time - not only amazed that I was meeting someone who played such a huge role in creating the magic of this show, but how truly nice Roger is (not that that SHOULD have amazed me, as I've been told that for years!).

Roger worked his way down the line, shaking more hands, signing more autographs and genuinely enjoying his visit to Camp Barker. But what surprised me is after he reached the end of the line, he worked his way BACK toward the front - some more handshakes, some more hugs, a few last words with everyone.

When we got back to him, we thanked him and everyone else for all their hard work, saying that while we all love Bob and he is the high-profiled "captain" of the team, this show would never work the way it does without the work of the people like him, "Fingers" Greco, Rich, Stan Blits, and the pages.

There was certainly a flash of sadness in Roger's eyes, though, when we briefly touched on all these people coming to see Bob before he retires. Roger recently admitted in an interview he is "in denial" still about it, and there is no doubt that June 6 is going to hurt him more than it'll even hurt me - he is about to watch someone he greatly respects professionally, and considers to be a friend, call it a career.

He promised us he would do everything he could to fight any efforts to drastically change the show, because he knows that as much as they love Bob, they love the simple, fun, retro feel of the show as well.

We shook hands one last time as I "promised to tell his friends on the Internet that he said 'hi'", and thanked him for coming out to spend time with us.

You want to talk about an adreneline boost? For years, I've gone on and on about wanting a chance to be part of the show. And while the thrill of playing a pricing game would be awesome, the true prize for me would be getting to meet Bob, and then after walking off the stage to get to meet Roger and "Fingers" and the people who work so hard behind the scenes to make what we see on camera work so fluidly.

And there, at about 5:10 pm, I got to cross one of them off my list - without even being called down to Contestant's Row, without getting up on stage.

I was absolutely thrilled and in a state of awe just after meeting Roger. And, of course, I felt pretty much the same way after meeting Rich last August.

At this point, I am thinking "If I'm this overwhelmed meeting The Dob, what would it feel like to meet The Bob?"

All I know is it's not even 5:30 pm, we're still 21 hours away from showtime, and I already feel like a winner.

Roger, again, thank you! Thank you for all you do for the show, and thank you for your love and respect toward us crazy fans!

Going to LA - to see TPIR on TV?: Mike and I made the decision that I would go ahead and take the first sleep shift, and told me to go ahead and make use of the hotel room to watch Wednesday night's MDS while he held down the fort at Camp Barker.

I sent him off around 5:45 pm to go take care of his dinner, take a break, whatever, and that I'd keep our spot warm for awhile.

He returned a little after 7:00, and I shuttled off to grab dinner at Subway and get comfortable while waiting for Bob's final MDS. The MDS itself was pretty good, though it was disappointing to not see someone win $1,000,000 on the Big Wheel, meaning that Bob would never get the chance to give away a million dollars on television.

I returned to line just after 9:00 to fill everyone in on the MDS, then spent a bit of time trying to relax and unwind.

Around 9:45 pm, Mike had asked me when I wanted to go to sleep, because he wanted to grab more food for his stakeout. I said "About 45 minutes or so. Go ahead, take care of what you need to. I'll hold out while you do so."

During that time, I chatted with the group behind us - discussing the show, and helping them come up with crude and crazy Mad-Libs. Not only were we laughing it up, we had everyone else around us laughing it up.

I certainly was hoping that everyone could keep that up come tomorrow afteroon, and that they wouldn't wear themselves out before showtime.

I made my way back to the room around 10:30 for a quick shower and three hours of sleep, with the line not yet reaching the corner of Beverly and Fairfax. Mike was concerned about me oversleeping, so I told him "If I'm not back by two, get someone to keep an eye on our spot and come knock on the door."

I'm back: Thank goodness for internal alarm clocks. I woke up out of a dead sleep after a weird dream, rolled over, and checked the clock..

1:44 am.

I got up, grabbed a couple things and got back into Camp at 1:55 am (it had now stretched to the first bus stop on Beverly), where I asked Mike to give me 5-10 minutes to buy a bottle of water, then he was "relieved of duty" to get some sleep himself.

The next few hours started off fairly slowly. With little to do but stare across the street, meditate and play Madonna songs in my head, time was not going by too quickly at that point.

I did overhear one of the people who got into line just before us trying to check up on her daughter on her cellphone. All I know is that her daughter was "passed out on the bathroom floor" - either from getting sick or drinking too much. When her aunt returned around 4:00 (where we killed the next hour chatting), she was not sure her niece could make it down at 6:00 am.

Fortunately, she did.

One of the young ladies from the DC group returned around 5:00, and started having more fun with the chalk - writing "GOOD MORNING BOB" on the sidewalk, and "From DC to LA, let us play!" on the street right in front of them (I later found out that the nine girls from the group wrote that on their shirts).

Around 5:20, a little worried that Mike hadn't shown up yet, I headed to the room (one last bathroom break before 6 would help, too). I ran into him along the way, took care of nature, then got back.

Get the ball rolling: 6 am finally rolls around, with loud cheers (the DC group chanting "We want Bob!", no less). Greeting us this morning were Joe and Markus, which killed our chances of chanting "Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!" at 6 am.

Pleased that all that effort paid off by getting numbers 16 and 17 (and told to return at 7:30), we headed back to the room for breakfast and to spend an hour in more pleasant weather than we endured throughout the night.

After killing an hour, we made our way back around 7 am (why take crazy chances after camping out for 16 1/2 hours?!), and spent the next 30 minutes checking out shirts and chatting with some of the other Campers.

Just after 7:30, Joe begins to explain the whole process - while battling with a cranky microphone. The darned thing acted up more often than not - when it wasn't giving us feedback, it was buzzing. Even stepping away from the metal detector just didn't help. Joe did make a valiant effort, and was rewarded with - you guessed it... "Joe! Joe! Joe! Joe!"

We were seated in order on the benches when we noticed something quite unnerving - the DC group wasn't back! We were looking around for them, shaking our heads and thinking "Did they all collapse? Did they just camp out all the time for nothing?!"

They returned around 7:50, and had it not been for Joe's problems getting people in the low to mid 100's seated ("For some reason, we just can't fit 50 of you on this bench. Too much cheesecake last night?! Okay, then let's get 45 of you on that bench..."), they probably would've NOT been there to get their priority numbers! They had made the mistake of thinking they needed to be back by 8, and almost got left in the cold by doing so.

Needless to say, they did not make that mistake again.

While receiving our priority numbers, we were once again told to direct all our questions at Markus - clearly, this is an inside joke at CBS. And, you know, I can't resist temptation like that... So, when we reached Joe and Markus, I hit Mr. Answers with:

"Markus, tell me. Does YOUR chewing gum lose its flavour on the bedpost overnight?!"

Markus' response, sadly, was "That's not my area of expertese." The youth of today!

Now with priority numbers in hand, we return to the room for one last of relaxation, last-minute cleaning up, and to checkout.

Come 9:00, we've done all we can with the room, and turn ourselves over the CBS for the next several hours.

10:00 rolls around, and now it's ticket collecting/ID checking/nametag time. Knowing they usually assign four pages for this, we're hoping that someone we all know and love shows up to join us. Sadly, though, he was not. Assisting Joe and Markus were two female pages (one named Vanessa. I didn't catch the other.)

Figuring we needed to have our fun, we started with "Joe! Joe! Joe! Joe!" (which caught-on somewhat) and "Mar-kus! Mar-kus! Mar-kus!" (no such luck. I am starting to think it only works with one syllable names). Joe took it in stride and had fun with it - waving, raising his arms, and high-fiving us. I joked around that "Since Chuck isn't here for us anymore, I need to create a new Chuck."

Joe certainly had some spirit himself - commenting as he gave out contestant cards, commenting on everyone's names ("D-E-B... O-R-A-H? That's the cool spelling of it!"), and having fun while fighting with the "exploding microphone".

But, it just felt like something was missing.

After getting my famous yellow price tag (#7 now), I went off to kill some time - potty breaks, smoking, chatting with some of the other crazies. We had some more crazies (sitting outside the restroom) shouting out names and cheering everyone who walked by.

Ahh, the advantages of youth.

HE'S HERE!: Just after 11:30, one of the pages picks up the microphone (just around the corner from us) to make an announcement. For a couple seconds, I was trying to pay attention to WHAT he was saying, as opposed to HOW he was saying it.

"HELLO! And WEEEEEEEELLLLLCOOMMEE to CCCCCCCBBBBBBBSSSSS!"

That voice... That delivery... It can't be.

Mike looks at me and asks "Is that who I think it is?!"

I sit there, listening and giggling, until we hear the following: "My name is Chuck Du...."

CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!

And if you don't believe me when I say the Legend Of Chuck has grown, all I have to say is this... "Mar-kus!" didn't catch on. "Joe!" kinda caught on... But when we started shouting "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!", 300 people immediately joined in!

Chuck went on to tell us how he normally isn't here in the afternoons to do Price, and how thrilled he was to be there (he obviously wasn't the only one!). He explained the whole contestant interviewing/selection process, and urged us all to have fun (like that would be a problem now?!) before coming around the corner to do his warm-up for us.

The second he came around the corner, he was greeted with a thunderous chant, high-fives, handshakes and even a few hugs. He grabbed our hands and said "Great to see you two again!"

He told us the story about how he came to love the show, how he got his job after being a contestant ("That doesn't mean if you win that you'll work at CBS, too!", to which I replied "There's only one Chuck Dukas!"), and told us about his experience as a contestant (I think he was shocked when he asked us if we knew what game he played, and I shouted "IT'S IN THE BAG!"). He talked about the thrill he had greeting such great fans when he worked Price (while pointing at Mike and myself, no less), and even autographed a woman's shirt (telling her "Now, I don't want to see this shirt listed on eBay tonight!") .

He talked about why we were all here - to see the one and only Bob Barker (of course, I just had to yell out "And we're here for you, too! Chuck! Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!"), as he went on about the World's Greatest Master of Ceremonies.

He spoke of life-changing wins, like what it would mean if Stephanie (sitting right next to me) won a new car, or if a "loyal friend and true" like Deborah (Who? Little ol' me?!) needed money to pay off her debts and won $50,000 on Plinko (Or $50,000 to go boot shopping? :P) However, after one contestant said they "wanted to win enough to retire on", Chuck burst their bubble by telling them "Not off what we give away!"

And, of course, he preached the greatness of TPIR and it's 35 years on television, and coached us on how to greet The Man when he entered at 2:30 as he played Rich, introducing Bob.

Once again, like with the season premiere, the place was going nuts, proving once again the greatness of Chuck!

And, of course, the last time The Chuck and The Maddy got together, amazing things happened. You just had to figure that once again, there was greatness destined for this day.

Finished with our side, he made his way over to the other side as Stan came out for interviews. And, figuring "why the hell not?", I tried to start up a "Stan! Stan! Stan!" chant.

Just being myself: It was now time for attempt #7 to wow them over with my contestant interview.

When Stan said it'd been a while since I was there, I said "You're right. It's been a whole month!", and when asked what I'd been up to, I laughed and said "Sleeping on streets, watcing too much Price Is Right. You know, the usual!".

Mike's interview was also pretty off-beat, then Mike surprised me by reaching over to shake Stan's hand afterwards. At this point, not knowing if this is my last chance to visit Camp Barker as we know it, I reached over and also shook his hand.

Why not? Even though my previous six interviews had yet to pan out, Stan is a hilarious guy and I do enjoy our brief little chats.

It was now time to make our way around the corner and pass through the metal detectors as Chuck was waiting for us. After giving him another little chant, he smiled and said "You're alright. Thanks!" before making his way into the studio.

A few minutes later, we got the chance to start cheering on other potential contestants as they came around, and yet another chance to give some love to Roger, as he came out of the studio and walked across the alley... "Dob! Dob! Dob! Dob!"

Emboldened by the woman who had Chuck sign her shirt, and pumped up that showtime was just around the corner, I sneak off for one last smoke and decide "If Chuck comes back out, I'm having him sign my contestant card!" Thirty minutes later, he came out, chatted with us some more, so I held my contestant card up so the back was to him and asked him to sign it - which he did, complete with urging me "not to list it on eBay tonight!"

We got The Dob, we got The Chuck... Now if we can just get The Bob...

After another hour of chanting, cheering, chatting and having fun, it's now that time. Time to climb those 22 steps into Mecca itself.

The return to The Temple: We make our way in, with Chuck ushering people to their seats. I give him another chant, and he gives a wave as I make my way toward the front of the audience.

The last time we had numbers like these, we were seated in the middle of the first full row (behind the fourth spot in Contestant's Row). However, this time around, thanks to a large number of VIP's, we ended up being the first people on the second full row - with me sitting right next to the left aisle.

As Chuck continues to file the crowd in, we try to get everyone fired up - cheering, clapping, chanting "Dob! Dob! Dob!" and "Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!" and "Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!" for Jeff Thisted. Jeff, sadly, seemed to think we needed to save it for the show.

Believe me, I had plenty left for the show.

Two rows behind us, a guy named Michael - attending his first taping - starts shouting "I don't believe it! I'm really here! I'm in Game Show Mecca!". I reached back, grabbed his hand and said "Believe it! You're here! You really are in Mecca! CHERISH THIS!"

Finally, we're all seated (or at least assiged to seats). We're clapping, we're dancing, we're screaming "Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!" as he runs around the audience carrying the airdate sign (May 25, 2007). I'm high-fiving Chuck everytime he runs by. Hell, I even gave him a "We're not worthy!" one of the times he passed by!

This party is pretty much in full swing now. All it needs is two more guests to make their way in...

Rich has entered the building!: Fire up Crystal Waters, because he comes the voice of The Price Is Right himself!

Rich is greeted once again with a standing ovation, a chant, and two idiots doing "We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"

After giving us today's dance team (and all that fun), he tells us to take a seat. Noticing two particular lunatics in the audience, he points at us and smiles.

He then tells us how he heard that "some of you have been waiting outside for... an hour?!". After everyone starts shouting, he adds "That isn't true. You haven't been waiting an hour?!", so some of us shout out how long we had been in line... Rich then looks down at the first people in line.. "Over 24 hours?! That's psychotic!"

I scream back "Hey! That's the nicest compliment anyone has ever given me!"

After some last minute jokes and instruction, we're now ready to go. Fire up Pink. Watch Jeff grab the cue cards.... Once more unto the breach, dear friends.

Showtime!: Bob enters to the thrill and delight of 330 lunatics - standing, chanting, screaming, and of course us two and our "We're not worthy!", which he noticed and seemed to get a kick out of.

It's hard to believe he (including this taping) is now 15 shows away from the final page on a 50 year career...

Despite that, I try to have fun, give all the energy I ever can, and enjoy this experience. The fact that this may be my last chance is still in my mind.

Over the next 60 minutes or so, we of course get prizes, games, fun, our time with Bob, and of course, those Barkerisms.

And, here are the ones shared with only those of us in the studio:

During the first commercial break, a guy asked Bob if he could come down and give his mother a kiss. He did, then said "I've been waiting a long time for that kiss!"

When a guy later asked if he would kiss his girlfriend: "No more kissing! I only pucker up once a day. At least, I only try to. Though at my age, sometimes I wind up puckered up anyway!"

On the camera and it's red light (when it's taping): "I've been trained over the years to smile whenever I see a red light. So, the other night, I was driving home, and a cop pulled up behind me, flashing his lights. I started smiling and kept going. He finally pulled me over and said 'That'll be $60', so I looked and him and said 'Lower!'"

Bob was asked what he would do after he retiring: "Drink!" After the audience went nuts: "I get the feeling some of you like booze!", which brought on more screaming and cheers.

Someone asked Bob his favorite drink: "Depends on what you're going to give me!"

On who will take over: "When I retire, The Price Is Right will be history. Television will be history. You'll all have to read books, or use your set for potted plants!". Perhaps that means it's time for you to write some books then, Bob? :P

Someone asked Bob about Happy Gilmore: "I guess I can finally tell you now. Tonight at 8 pm on CBS, they will air the celebration of my 50 years on television, and Adam Sandler surprised me and came out from behind a piece of scenary. Adam was being a smart aleck, so I had to knock him out again!". After rubbing his hand, he said "I'm kidding. Adam is really a nice guy, and he read a very nice poem that he had written for me!"

After Bob saw a small group of officers: "Is anyone else here in the service?" After a woman in the Air Force - and in an orange shirt instead of her uniform - said she was, Bob commented "That is the strangest uniform I've ever seen!"

Bob tried to coach us on ooh'ing and aah'ing for the Showcases. When we couldn't perform to his satisfaction, he asked a woman who had nine daughters (all in the audience) to do so, saying "A mother of nine should have perfected ooh'ing by now!"

After Bob made a blunder at the start of the Showcases, saying "That isn't right!", we all "oooh!"'d him. He looked at us and said "Not now! You're supposed to 'ooooh' for the prizes! Let's start over!"

And as for the last Barkerism... No. Not yet. This one ties into something that happened on-camera, and I can't spoil this. You'll have to watch the episode for yourself next Friday and wait for the rest of this story.

I wish I could tell you all, but I don't post spoilers. You'll just have to wait a few more days...

After the close of another fun, special hour, Bob once again asked for applause for the best announcer in the business. Someone left with $100 and the DVD game as a door prize, and we made the slow trek out of Mecca as Rich re-recorded part of the description for the Showcases (and when he finished, Mike and I cheered him as he bowed at us).

Yet another trip to Camp Barker is now in the books, as we all made our way home with special memories.

I repeat: FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007. Be there!

I'm glad I was.

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, Chuck, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob

I've returned from yet another trip to the 8th largest city in California, the place where people from all over the country meet to share a homeless night together.

This, of course, was for a very special, unique taping: "A Celebration Of 50 Years On Television For Bob Barker". Of course, we would love to do this again in another 50 years, but Bob's career barely has another 50 days left in it.

We hit the line just after 5:30 pm on Monday, with Mike rather quickly apologizing for thinking we were crazy for showing up so soon...

See, we thought we might be near the front of the line. Not quite... Try #91 and #92.

The first person in line showed up at 9:30 pm.... SUNDAY. Which has got to be pretty close to the record for most time spent homeless in LA when you do have a home in history.

Of course, we know it isn't really the record. Because, when he went to go rent our chairs for the night, the guy running the bagel shop told us they started lining up at noon on Saturday for the Million Dollar Spectacular taping on Monday!

What was even more surprising is that some of the people in line had just gotten out of the MDS taping. Three days of being homeless in LA to attend two tapings? They are either desperate for a new car, nuts, or damned dedicated!

We also quickly found out they have moved the lines - they are now north of the gate on Fairfax, wrapping around onto Beverly. This became necessary because the lines are so darned long now they were blocking the Farmer's Market to the south. I would imagine this may also be the routine for the rest of the season.

After getting comfortable for about an hour (as comfortable as you can get in plastic chairs on Fairfax), we took turns going to pick up dinner at Subway. You'd have to imagine the local businesses are dreading Bob's retirement - though not for the same reason we are. They are making a killing in business off Camp Barker!

Then came the fun of settling in for the night. Easier said than done when:

1. People kept driving by, slowing down, gawking and asking "What are you here for?". Gee. You would think they've driven by Camp Barker more than once over the years and know exactly why they were there.

Believe me, I was becoming tempted to start tossing out stupid answers, like "We just got together on the Internet and decided to all be homeless together for the night!" or "This is a homeless people convention!" or something.

Of course, I'm not sure if I can complain about one of the gawkers. Let me say I am still up in the air about this, because my eyesight isn't great and my night vision isn't what it used to be, but...

A little after nine, someone drove by rather slowly in a dark Lexus, looking over at us. An elderly looking man that, if my eyes weren't fooling me, appeared to be none other than Bob Barker himself.

Hey, if I were Bob, I'd drive by and check out Camp Barker myself.

Maybe it was him. Maybe not. But if it was him, that was damned cool!

One person, though, needed to pay a little more attention to the road... because he hit Mike!

Around 10, we decided to walk down Fairfax and check out the line. Well, someone had their tent completely blocking the sidewalk at the corner. Mike steps down into the street to get around, and someone clipped him in his left hip with their side mirror!

He's fine, obviously, but was quite irked... Irked over the tent (which was eventually pushed back, after security saw how far it was), irked over the driver, and irked over the fact the driver just kept on going...

California drivers. Ugh.

2. Honking. That's funny, I thought they put horns on cars to warn people to get out of the way or look out because you may hit them, not to hit 20,000 times while driving past people waiting to get into a game show.

3. Shouting. Some of them were pleasant, though annoying, like "Bob rules!" or "The Price Is Right! Woo hoo!". Though, we got a few morons who wanted to show what big men they were by shouting insults at 20 mph.. "Fuck you! You suck! Fuck you! You suck!". It warms my heart to think the maturity challenged like him will be running this country in 30 years.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

4. Three star wanted levels. A police helicopter spent about 30 minutes circling the area, shining their spotlight a couple blocks away. I still don't know what that was about. I wish I had taken the time to count the round trips it took, though, because at one point I made the joke that the person nearest the actual number of circles is the winner!

Despite all this, I did manage some sleep this time, curled up on the sidewalk... Yes, an incredible two hours of sleep! Somehow, someway, I managed to function the rest of the time off that.

We had the usual chit-chat, filling the virgins in on the whole process, talking about Bob, and watching the line grow... Insanely slowly.

One big disappointment we both had was the line. We've seen 400-500 people turned away for a late January taping of the daytime show. We had MAYBE a few dozen turned away for a tribute to Bob Barker.

Where was the "I love Bob!" crowd?! Were they chased off because, oh damn!, only six people were going to be contestants, and only three pricing games were played, and the big wheel never came out?

Really makes me wonder.

All I know is this: Sure, I'd love to be a contestant. Sure, pricing games are fun. Sure, the big wheel kicks ass. But I don't care if they would've done NO pricing games, and it would've been a 60 minute love-fest for Bob Barker. I would've been honored to be there!

Around 4 am, I definitely needed something hot to drink. It was a little chilly, so I made my way over to the bagel shop and got a cup of hot chocolate - and a laugh. Because in the bathroom, above the toilet, is a sign "Hold the handle for 3 seconds when you flush. Remember it's a long way to Crawford, TX!"

I came out of the bathroom and thanked the owner for the laugh. He added "People voted for him, knowing what kind of president he was, because 'He was the only Christian running!' Yeah, well, he's the only Christian sending your kids off to die!"

I couldn't have said it better myself.

6:00 finally rolled around, as Camp Barker finally was awake. Of course, a couple people (right in front of us) decided to take a real chance by deciding that was the time to running their camping supplies back. Had they not gotten back soon enough, and their spot in line would've reached the pages, they would NOT have gotten Order Of Arrival slips and probably not gotten in.

They did get back, fortunately.

When we reached the front of the line, we were greeted by two pages. Brittany was giving out the slips, and Mark was answering questions. When I heard this, I decided it was time to be my usual wiseass self: "Mark, you're here to answer questions? How do I get a date with Madonna?! Oh, sorry... Not those kinds of questions."

He got a laugh out of it, though, meaning I did my job.

How short was the line, though? People who got into line as late as 6:15 am got into the show! 6:15?! After the cutoff point was basically 2:30 am for the January 30th taping?!

Ugh.

After we got the OoA slips, we decided to take a walk around the block to loosen up a bit, and returned to Television City around 6:30, where the security guard not only asked for our ID's (that's routine), but became the third person that night to question me over my Arizona iced tea bottle, thinking it was a bottle of something with a proof about zero.

Trust me, I am sure TPIR would be fun live while drunk, but I am not stupid to show up drunk. Why would I want to spend 12 1/2 hours on the streets to be denied entrance between I'm trashed?

With nowhere else to go, we killed 90 minutes at TVC, waiting until 8:00 for our priority numbers. Brittany was now wearing a nametag saying "Don't ask me!", and I should've walked up her and said "So I DON'T ask you how to get a date with Madonna? My bad!"

Finally, 8:00 am rolls around, and we're seated in order on the benches. We were definitely in good shape, once again getting #91 and #92 as our priority numbers - and once again facing two more hours to kill at TVC.

10:00 rolls around, and now CBS owns us for the bulk of the day. We figure that we must carry on tradition, and start chanting "Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!" (Chuck, sadly, works Dancing With The Stars on Mondays and Tuesdays... Booooo!). Brittany gives us an amusing run-through of the rules and regulations, tossing in a few jokes, so we decide afterwards to start chanting "Brittany! Brittany! Brittany!" - which didn't catch on, of course, because every attempt to chant a page's name besides Chuck's just hasn't worked.

Brittany had a sense of humor about it, at least. When she finally reached us to write out our nametags, she said "We should've known you two would be looking for Chuck!" and added "No need for that!", referring to the chants. "I don't need to be a celebrity 24 hours a day.", to which I added "No. Only 23 hours a day!".

Outside of doing the wave a few times, though, this crowd just didn't have the energy. No cheering, no screaming, no chanting the names of potential contestants walking around wearing their nametags.

After we all receive our famous TPIR price tag nametags, it's now time to wait for Stan to make his appearance and conduct interviews. He came out just after noon, and was his usual witty, energetic self.

This time around, though, there would be one big difference for the interviews. See, Stan normally interviews us in groups of 10-14 (the number seems to vary), and the cutoff for one of the groups was... me. Meaning I'd close out our group, and Mike would lead off the next one.

I think Stan tried to trip me up with mine, because here was how my interview went:

Stan: "Hi Deborah... Deborah! You're back! How are you doing?"
Me: "Hi Stan. Yes, I have returned! I'm doing great!"
Stan: "Here to win a million dollars today?!"
Me: "No, not today. I'm here to pay tribute to Bob! And you know what, if we keep meeting like this, people are going to become suspicious!"
Stan: "I think they already are!"

First off, the MDS was the day before. Nice try, Stan. Gotta wake up earlier than that to pull one on me! :P

I do hope he got a kick out of that, though. He's thrown enough witty comments at me that I felt it was my turn!

Mike led off his interview telling him about the hit and run the previous night. Stan, being the kind-hearted man he is, checked him to make sure everything was still there.

Finally, we're off to the side benches, where we get to wait to finally enter Mecca... Among one of the least lively crowds I've been part of. New groups of just-interviewed people would walk up, and only two people who cheer (guess who?). We'd tried to inject some energy, and people would just stare at us like we were nuts.

Mercifully, they rushed us into the studio a little early - we still had a few groups left to interview. A few others high-fived us. One of the pages did not, so I booed him.

Twenty-two steps later, my jaw hits the floor. It's not just entering The Bob Barker Studio, but... What they did to it for this show!

I can't tell you. I'd love to, but I don't want to spoil it. Besides, words cannot do this justice. But I was absolutely blown away, and I am sure any of you who see it on May 17 will have the same reaction!

I carefully make my way to my seat - carefully, because I didn't want to trip while paying more attention to the set than where I was going. We needless to say were sitting a bit further back than normal on this day, but the seats were still pretty good.

Though, the hopes that entering the studio would fuel the crowd were unanswered. Some of us got up on our feet to cheer and clap to the music, but most of the people weren't quite ready to flip the switch yet.

Roger Dobkowitz walked across the stage a few minutes after we got in, and got his first "Dob! Dob! Dob!" chant of the day. He took it in stride, as usual. I am sure it has to warm his heart to know after all these years, he finally has a fan club.

At last, it's time for Crystal Waters. You know what that means... It means Rich is on his way out! Of course, it also means that for fifteen seconds, only two people were on their feet - screaming, cheering, clapping and getting ready to party.

Yes... Two people! Mike and I were on our feet, while 330 others just sat there for five, ten, fifteen seconds... Hell, 30 seconds into it, we still only had about 70% of the audience on their feet.

Rich makes his grand enterance, and we greeted him appropriately... He, too, received the "We're not worthy!" routine as we chanted "Rich! Rich! Rich!"

He soaked in the applause, then told us to go ahead and sit. Rich quickly saw the two leaders of all that affection and said "Hi Michael! Hi Deborah!". Yes, let's just say we're getting to be known around Television City...

Rich goes through the warm-up (once again without the story about his first trip to see TPIR in person. Maybe because he knew I'd tell him he was 22 again?). And, at last, it's time...

Fire up Pink. Watch Marty Wagner groove. Listen to two bozos chant "Marty! Marty! Marty!"... See the look on Marty's face, like he's wondering what the fuck we're doing? C'mon, Marty... If you're going to dance to Pink at your age, expect to be shown some love!

We really got to work on Marty over the next two tapings.

Finally, it's time. Time to go nuts, because here comes The Man yet again!

Bob makes his grand entrance, to another thunderous "Bob! Bob! Bob!" chant and more "We're not worthy!" - because we sure as hell weren't worthy for a show like this.

As I said, this show was quite different. It was quite unique to see Bob walk over to the big doors after each pricing game to introduce a series of clips. But, I wasn't complaining. As I said, this was Bob's night, and it was a honor to share it.

The clips were a blast to watch... Some of which we've seen before. Some of which were new. Many of them had us laughing and cheering, though.

One I wish hadn't have been shown, though, was a brief interview clip about his pending retirement. My eyes were getting a bit moist, my lip was trembling and I was thinking "Don't do this to me yet, Bob! Please! We still have seven weeks to go!"

We had the usual fun and talk of memories past during the commercial breaks, of course.

Bob pointed out some notable names in the audience for the show. Gary Edwards (Ralph's son) and his wife were they. So were Bob's brother Kent, and Kent's son Bobby. So was Bob Boden (former head of CBS Daytime). So was the person who created the game 1/2 Off (didn't catch his name). And so were none other than John and Marc from golden-road.net!

All of them received two person standing ovations, of course. Gary got one on behalf of Ralph (rest his soul). Kent and Bobby got one on behalf of the whole family (especially those no longer with us). And John and Marc... Well, they took theirs in stride. They looked over and nodded at us (beyond a doubt knowing who those two standing idiots were).

And, of course, we were treated to Barkerisms...

Woman: "Can I get a kiss today, Bob?"
Bob: "Can't you see I'm working up here?! I'll meet you in the parking lot after the show!"

Man: "Bob, would you consider running for President?"
Bob: "No, not president. I'll tell you what I'm going to do after I retire. I'm going to get into bodybuilding... And then I'm running for Governor of California!"

Earlier in the day, Bob shook the hand of a 76 year old man named George. After another woman asked for a kiss, Bob told George to turn around and kiss those ladies for him. After that, I shook George's hand for the second time that day and said "You've had one helluva day, sir!"

Bob on more of his retirement plans: "I got myself a rocking chair. I'll sit down in it, with a shawl on me. A TV in front of me. I'll have my dog on my right, and be petting her. And in my left hand, I'll have tequilia!"

After a woman swore that her boyfriend looked like Bob when he was younger (and showed him a picture), he said "He does look like me. What a great looking guy. You better hold onto him!"

On the future of The Price Is Right: "When I retire from The Price Is Right, that's going to be it. The Price Is Right is going to end. In fact, television will end completely. You will just put potted plants in your TV's from now on!"

(No, the show is not going to end. That is a joke.)

One guy had a shirt, with an old picture of Bob on it. Bob told us the story of how that was a promo picture from just before he started hosting Truth Or Consequences, then added "I was so cute back then!"

On Happy Gilmore: "I've been into karate for years, and of course Chuck Norris was my teacher. I could never beat him in a fight. So once a week, he would show up and beat me up. When Adam Sandler told me he had written a fight scene for me in Happy Gilmore, I was reluctant to take the part. Then he told me I'd win the fight, so of course I took it. I finally got to win in a fight!"

Bob, after he had a hair out of place: "The woman who does makeup wanting to pull it out. I told her no way! I am guarding my hairs with my life!"

After congratulating and saying Happy Birthday to a woman celebrating the big 9-0: "I love it when there are people in the audience older than me!"

We had a blunder during the taping of the first showcase. They stopped tape. Bob asked the contestant "Okay, so what do you bid on that showcase?" The contestant said "One dollar!"

Rich got in on the act himself, during a break in the taping... "Anyone here watching Dancing With The Stars? When it started, I thought Heather Mills didn't have a leg to stand on. Now I'd say she has a leg up on the competition!". Despite that off-color joke, though, he did say he thought Heather was a fine dancer.

Rich was asked if he was going to stay on after Bob leaves. "That's a good question. Let me ask a CBS executive. Les? Bob? Someone? I have a question. Well, there are a number of CBS executives at that table, but they're busy. I'm wondering myself!"

Overall, a very fun, very special night. A lot of love in the air - especially once the audience got it going.

The episode, again, will air in prime time on May 17. Definitely worth a watch.

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob

Or, shall I say, buses east...

Wednesday morning, I am going to board a Greyhound, and set off on my 33 hour trip that will have me stepping foot in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for the first time in my life.

(I have briefly crossed THROUGH a corner of Arizona, back in 1999, on the Denver-to-Vegas leg of my Sherrie Road Trip, but never actually stood in it.)

I'm going back to see my father for a few days. It's the first time I'll be seeing him since May ***5, before all hell broke loose with his health.

I'm a little nervous about doing so. I'm not sure what kind of shape he's in. But, I know I'd regret it even worse if I didn't go. It's been two years since I've seen him, and who knows how many other chances I'll have?

I'm also somewhat dreading Dallas itself. I mean, I am finding my own lovely little city to be too conservative for my liking. Dallas may scare the shit out of me...

...Or I may be somewhat pleasantly surprised by it. And that could be important, considering I'm eight months from moving, and I can't rule out the possibility of moving close to my father.

Yes, moving. And, I don't have much of a choice on the matter... The Powers That Be in this god-forsaken city are trying to yuppiefy downtown. New shopping centers, $40 million to renovate a decrepit old theater, and more damned Starbucks than you'll ever need.

(Then again, ONE is too many if you ask me...)

The asshole who owns this property apparently hears cash registers, and has come up with the crafty idea to start charging utilities on top of the rent. In other words, he finds $800 for a studio apartment with only water and trash included to be reasonable.

Where the fuck does he think we are - San Francisco? Beverly Hills?

Worse yet is his lame excuse: Blaming it on people who move in, then sneak three, four or even FIVE of their friends in to live with them and "running up the bills." Or the people who think they need two air conditioners to cool a studio apartment.

The closest thing I have to having people live with me are Lil' Maddy and Lil' Breathless. They don't run up any bills. They just stand there striking poses until I give them new ones.

Or, to put it bluntly: It ain't MY fucking fault you won't enforce your own goddamned rules and do something about the people who move in everyone whose numbers are saved in their cellphones. Why should I be punished?

The only reason they haven't nailed me yet is that I signed a one year lease last November. They can't do shit until November 1 (though, don't be shocked if they try. They did, after all, try to increase people's security deposits after they moved in, which is against the law).

Hopefully I'll find something far more affordable - and a place with a normal paint scheme, to boot. Truthfully, I'm growing more and more disgusted with looking at the Homer Simpson paint job here anyway...

I'm slowly working on labelling the posts. I've gotten about 2/3 of them labelled so far, and should be finished sometime soon..

My latest episode aired on Thursday. Not much extrordinary about it, outside of America getting to watch me get bear-hugged after Nicholas was called down to Contestant's Row.

I'm sick to my stomach over TPIR, though, for two reasons...

The first involved my taping. I've always wanted to see Hole In One played in person... Well, guess what was played the day after I went down to Mecca? You guessed it: Hole In One!

I missed my game by ONE DAY! One fucking day!

The second is my growing frustration with the audience search. You all know I am not thrilled with Dave Price. Well, now it gets worse...

On Monday the 12th, they will be doing another audition taping. This one will feature George "Toasted" Hamilton, Mike Richards (host of Beauty And The Geek, not n-word/Kramer Michael Richards), and.... MARIO LOPEZ.

Yes, you read that right. A.C. Slater himself. Mario "I cheated on Ali Landry" Lopez.

Great. What's going to happen if he gets hired? Do we hire Tiffani Theissen, Lark Voorhees and Elizabeth Berkeley to become the new models? Maybe we can replace Rich Fields with Screech. Better yet - let's fire Roger Dobkowitz and replace him with Mr. Belding!

Well, after a few days of stewing over this, I decided to make a mockery of the candidates by creating a new avatar for the golden-road.net forum, suggesting an equally outrageous choice to replace Bob:



This isn't the only TPIR-related parody I've come up with this week, either...

I'm sure you've played Grand Theft Auto III... And Vice City... But you've never experienced GTA at its finest until you've played Grand Theft Auto: Television City!

Uncyclopedia rules!

Well, keep your fingers crossed I have a safe, enjoyable and uneventful trip. I'll fill everyone in on it when I get back (which will be the 12th).

Take care, and until then: This is Madonna, urging you to help control the pest population. Have dumb host candidates spayed or neutered!

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, Corporate Assholes, Lil' Maddy, Madge Collecting, Madge Worship, Mi Vida Loca, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob

Yesterday, I attended my fourth taping of The Price Is Right. However, this wasn't just any taping... This was a piece of television history - the premiere episode for TPIR's 35th season!

Needless to say, spirits were high, and the energy from this crowd could've powered all of Southern California. I thought the first three tapings were energetic and passionate... NOTHING could've prepared me for this. Not only was there more energy and passion yesterday than the previous three tapings combined, but Michael and I both did our share of fueling that energy throughout the day.

We all knew this was big, but we didn't realize just how big until we saw the media attention that our little party was about to get. A crew from Entertainment Tonight Canada showed up just after 10:00 am to speak to little ol' us. Countless pictures were snapped of the audience members as they waited to enter. And when we did enter, we were greeted with a number of cameras (both still and video) up on stage.

When I attended my first taping back in November, I had spoken of the feeling of walking into a piece of history. That was magnified by about 10,000 yesterday. This truly was a celebration of 35 seasons of history, of a show that started off as a game show and has turned into a true piece of American culture.

No matter what would happen during those 60 minutes that all of America will see, I knew I was taking part in a truly unforgettable, one of a kind experience...

And I'll do my best to take you through some of it with us.

Chuck ROCKS! Poor Chuck. He seemed so happy and excited on April 27, when he posted on Golden-Road.net and told us he had just been hired to be a page at CBS, and would get to work TPIR occasionally...

I don't think ANYTHING could've prepared him for what he was about to face.

Chuck, just after 10:00 am, went through the rules and regulations with an over-the-top speech (I jokingly referred to it as "Shatner on crack"). During that speech, he touched on the fact that you must put your LEGAL first name on your contestant card, citing the example that he would put "Charles"...

However, he made the mistake of saying "Don't call me Charles!", so of course once he finished his speech, I shouted "THANK YOU, CHARLES!"

Poor Chuck. We were only getting started... Because a couple of idiots *sweet, angelic smile* at the end of the first bench started up the first "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!" chant of the day as he walked by to start collecting contestant cards. And, sure enough, a few seconds later that chant of two had turned into a chant of about 120 as everyone joined in...

Michael had his fun with Chuck's delivery of the rules, by greeting him with an equally over the top "HERE I COME TO SAAAAAAVE THE DAY!" when Chuck came by to collect his contestant card.

Chuck's response? A flat, sarcastic "Thank you, Michael."

Chuck disappeared for about 30 minutes (probably trying to get away from us), then was greeted with yet another chant when he returned. I then chimed in with "What were you doing, Chuck? Calling security on us?! Because I would if I were you!"

Oh, boy.

It carried on all day...

Chuck walked around the corner (and past me as I was out there smoking)? I start up, and next thing you know 20 other people join in... "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

He walks over to fire us up around noon? "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

He tells us about his own experience as a contestant (which aired March 31 of last year)? "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

He asked how many Yankees fans were here, so he could insult the Yankees? "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

I think (though I can't say for certain) that he decided to get us to chant something else, so he encouraged us to chant "BOB! BOB! BOB!" when Bob entered the studio that afternoon... Which worked for a while.

Because, of course, when he went over to warm up the people around the corner, he left hearing - you guessed it! - "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

Poor, poor Chuck...

Michael and I tried to get chants started for the other pages as well ("SA-RA! SA-RA! SA-RA!"), but these just didn't take off...

Of course, the wait in line consisted of more of the usual insanity: Cheering other potential contestants after their interviews completed, cheering people as they came around the corner after completing their interviews, cheering people as they entered and exited the restrooms, and so many high-fives it's a miracle our hands didn't fall off...

I don't think at this point Rich needed to warm us up after we entered the studio - any hotter, and we would've set Bob on fire!

Next stop: Television history! Fifteen minutes later than usual, we finally make that walk into Mecca itself - with the obligatory high-fives on the way in.

Usually upon entering the Bob Barker Studio, we enter to the lights dimmed and a fairly empty stage... Not today.

Instead, the lights are on, and we're greeted with three people with video cameras and a still photographer. And, the staff wasted no time cranking up the music and trying to get 334 people even more fired up.

It certainly worked...

People clapped, people screamed, people danced, the only thing missing from this party (at this point) were Bob, Rich and an assortment of prizes.

But at the moment, we didn't need them... We had energy. We had music.

And we had Chuck!

Yes, Chuck was in the studio, having the honor of working inside the Bob Barker Studio for this historic day...

And, sure enough, two people greeted him with "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"... Which turned into 334 people chanting his name...

He paraded around, carrying the sign which stated the air date for this episode... "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"...

He then did it again, and you guessed it - another chant!

Finally, they cranked up Crystal Waters' "Come On Down", briefly dimmed the lights, and out came Rich Fields to warm us up, greeted with not only a standing ovation, but you guessed it...

"RICH! RICH! RICH!"

Well, sure enough, he got us even more fired up. He drilled us on what to do upon hearing the phrase "Bob Barker" (a thunderous standing ovation and chant), and set himself up again for yet another Madgeism...

Rich: "27 years ago, I was sitting right there in the back for my first taping. It was 1979, I had just turned 18. You do the math..."

Maddy: "19!"

Rich: "Bless your little heart! Deborah, you said that? Get her name down, I need to send her a Christmas card! Deborah, what's your last name?"

Maddy: "Gibson!"

Rich: "Gibson.. Wait a minute.. That makes you Debbie Gibson!"

Maddy: "Uhh.. Yeah!"

He went through the story about his first "turn" as announcer (when Johnny let him take the microphone before the show and shout "Johnny Olson, come on down!".. The good news/bad news routine ("The bad news is, we have rules. The good news is, I just saved a bunch of money on my insurance by switching to Geico!"), and the usual drill ("Yes, you can hug." "Yes, ladies, you can kiss." "Ladies, no sloppy kisses. Guys, no kissing!")

And, now, it was finally about that time.. After hours of cheering Chuck, and Rich, and each other...

Bob has entered the building! The Man himself makes his entrance, greeted with a thunderous ovation and an equally thunderous chant of "BOB! BOB! BOB!" - one which didn't stop until the first item up for bids was revealed...

He was then greeted with yet another after the first pricing game, and his usual response of "Please, thank you. One standing ovation a day is enough for a man like me!" received the response of "No, it's not!" from Michael...

And it certainly wasn't.. Not today. Not kicking off your 35th season of The Price Is Right... And not kicking off your 50th season on television!

Bob was in prime form today, no doubt fired up as well.

During the commercial breaks, we heard requests ("Bob, can you wish my mother a happy 85th birthday?" "You tell your mother when you get home that Bob Barker said 'Happy 85th birthday!'"), we heard compliments (Thanking him for all the great years, and one who thanked him for all his animal rights work, saying the world would be a better place with more people like him - greeted with yet another "BOB! BOB! BOB!" chant), and of course... Barkerisms!

After the THIRD standing ovation of the day: "First, you're going to spoil me. Second, we still have an hour to go!" Rich replied to that by yelling "They love you, Bob!"

Boy, did he have that right... I think we tried to give him more applause that day than the previous 34 seasons COMBINED!

In response to those of us who were born AFTER The Price Is Right debuted: "Can you imagine what your parents did BEFORE The Price Is Right?" (after a pregnent pause) "They watched Truth Or Consequences!"

After a mini-group (we had no full, official groups yesterday) calling themselves "Barker's Dirty Dozen" got his attention: "There's more than a dozen of you!" (There were 13, as in a baker's dozen - or would that be a baRker's dozen?)

Another group, calling themselves "Bob's Adopted Kids" got his attention: "That's a scary sight to wake up to!"

Another mini group wearing orange shirts with the Texas flag, saying "Don't mess with Barker": "You're not a group. You're just a bunch of people in orange shirts!"

In response to the three mini groups: "So I have Bob's Dirty Dozen, Bob's Adopted Kids, and Bob's guys in orange shirts!"

Two people try to pass themselves off as a group: "You're not a group! You're just two people!"

Four others try it: "You're not a group! You're just four people who went drinking together last night!"

On why he hasn't done anymore movies: "I refuse to do any nude scenes!"

After a few people brought gifts for Bob: "If any of you are embarassed because you didn't bring a gift, money will do quite nicely!"

After one of the "Dirty Dozen" asked for a kiss: "Can't you see I'm working up here?! However, I'll meet you in the parking lot after the show!"

A man posed a trivia question to Bob (What is Quamba, and where is it). Bob and everyone on stage plays pass the question ("Uhh, you take this one, Rich." "No, this is yours, Marty!"). Bob finally suggests it's a beer, Rich thinks is tequilia. Once they're given the answer (a town in Minnesota with 89 people), Bob slaps his thigh and yells "Damn! I knew that! Wait, are you sure it's 89 people? I could've sworn there were only 88!"

After the second person asked for a handshake "If I shook everyone's hand, I'd be here all night! I may as well run for office at this point!" (But, yes, he shook her hand)

(The first person to ask for a handshake was a handicapped person who walked with a cane. Bob said "Of course!", shook his hand, then he walked over to get a hug from Rich - and was warmly applauded by the audience.)

Bob also made the mistake of trying to share the applause by urging us to give a round of applause to the staff there at CBS. This led to - you guessed it - one last chant of "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!".

At this point, Chuck must've either felt 15 feet tall, or looking to crawl into a hole and bury himself!

Another person asked Bob how they could get Rich's job: "You can't. Rich is staying with me forever!" (I was sitting right near Rich, and looked over to see him shaking his finger at the person who asked)

Poor Roger Dobkowitz even got it during the show. Why? Because someone in the audience kept running up and throwing confetti throughout the show, and did so right after Bob entered... Bob thought (at first) that it was cooked up by Roger, and said "I thought you told me everything you were going to do!", which inspired a two person chant of "DOB! DOB! DOB!"

Roger was looking right over at us, and then wasn't seen for a few more minutes after that. We must've scared him off..

What can I say but I did it! I stopped The Dob!

But, we got two great ones...

"Bob, what's your secret to looking so young and being so healthy?"
"What's my secret, you ask? Booze!"
(Audience erupts, and yet another "BOB! BOB! BOB!" chant begins)
"You're only doing that because you're a bunch of drunks! I was joking!" (he then went on to say it's his diet and exercise)

But, you can't have a historic, monumental episode of The Price Is Right without THE Barkerism, the one that started it all...

"Bob, speaking of movies, can we hear a line from Happy Gilmore?"

"That would not be appropriate! I can't say that here! There are women here! See Fingers Greco over there? I don't think she should hear that!" *audience cheers some more, egging him on* "And we have the vice president of CBS Daytime over here too!" (Sorry, I didn't catch her name) "Okay, I'll ask her if I should say it..." *audience erupts again* "Don't do that! Don't try to sway her!"

"Okay.. These young people over here want me to say 'The price is right, bitch!'" *audience goes nuts, drowns out the rest of what Bob says, as he is greeted with yet another chant*

And not only that, but Bob is now aware of the whole concept of Barkerisms!

Michael raised his hand at one point to ask a question, and this was the exchange that took place:

Michael: "We get a kick out of all the jokes and stories you tell during the commercial breaks - in fact, we refer to them as Barkerisms. Have you ever considered taping them, releasing them on DVD, and giving the proceeds to animal rights organizations?"

Bob: You know, that is a great idea! Thank you!"

Michael: "Just a second. Bob? Actually, that wasn't my idea. It's her idea!" *pointing at me*

Bob *looking at me*: "It is a great idea. Thank you!"

Talk about high praise! Wow...

Just an unbelievable day, with a surreal ending... After the show wrapped up, Bob walked up (greeted with one last standing ovation), thanked everyone, and asked for us to give a round of applause to "the best announcer in the business, Rich Fields" - with Bob surrounded by nearly a dozen cameras and microphones from the various media agencies here to cover this piece of history.

Rich, of course, got more than applause, as he too got a standing O, and one last chant as he and Bob briefly hugged.

What a day!

As for the show itself, a contestant... No. I can't tell you. I can't share what happened. I won't play the spoiler. All I will say is if you are a fan of The Price Is Right, you MUST watch this episode, which will air September 18. You won't want to miss this! Consider this Must See TV! Watch it! Tape it! Tivo it! Just make sure you watch!

No, I wasn't picked. My involvement with this historic day consisted of cheering, screaming, chanting and watching everything in person.

Oh, yes... And getting an autograph.

After the show, I walked up to Rich Fields, shook hands, and then got him to sign the back of my contestant card. So, now I have a neon pink card, with a giant "044" on it (how fitting as a lifelong Reggie Jackson fan), signed by Rich Fields. :)

But you know what? I wouldn't have missed it for anything...

Except maybe a date with Madonna.

Here's to 35 amazing seasons, and here's hoping for 35 more!

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, Chuck, That's What Friends Are For, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob