Backstage at The Price Is Right: Memoirs of A Barker Beauty (4 page)

Chapter 5

It’s All About Bob

“
H
elp control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.” Those were the words with which Bob Barker ended every episode of
TPIR
. This closing line will probably go down as one of the most famous phrases in television history.

Barker was born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington. My grandson Kingyari was born on the same day in 2007, so ironically, my family and I celebrate on Barker’s birthday every year—in honor of my grandson, not Barker, of course. Barker was only six when his father died. Shortly after, he and his mother Matilda, moved to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where she taught school. His mother was said to have an strong spirit, and she was a very well-educated and accomplished woman. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. The family eventually moved, and Barker went to high school in Missouri. Bob is known for his passion and devotion as an animal rights activist. He largely attributes his love for animals to his mother’s influence. His mother died in 1989 at the age of 92.

He went to college on a basketball scholarship and later joined the Navy to fight in World War II. Barker was always so proud of his Navy roots and would be exceptionally caring to the men and women in the audience who were in the armed forces. In 1956, Barker hosted an audience participation radio show in Los Angeles with his wife, Dorothy Jo as producer, when legendary broadcaster
Ralph Edwards
happened to be listening and liked Barker’s voice and style. Barker took over as host of the popular game show
Truth or Consequences
within a few weeks. His version of that show ran eighteen years; and while it was still running, in 1972, Barker started a new version of
The Price Is Right
.

Dorothy Jo, Barker’s wife for more than thirty-six years, once said, “I love Bob Barker, and Bob Barker loves Bob Barker.” It was said that she was pretty much the only person he would listen to or from whom he would take criticism. While she was still alive, he was very pleasant and even-tempered at the show. In 1981, when his life partner and fellow animal lover died of lung cancer, Bob was never the same. It nearly tore him apart. Barker has stated in many written interviews, “I never got over her death
.
Thank God for the show.”

Since he and Dorothy Jo never had children, the reality of going home to an empty house, with the exception of his longtime housekeeper and dogs, made for a sad and lonely Bob. But as time went on, being the trooper and dedicated professional for which he was known, Barker slowly began to feel more alive and started occasionally hanging out with the Beauties after the show. Janice, Dian, and Holly told me that those were the good old days on the set for everyone, not only for Barker, but great times and unity amongst the Beauties as well.

When I first started working on the show, I enjoyed being in Barker’s presence, as did most everyone in the studio. He was such a charming, debonair gentleman, with a great sense of humor and quick wit. He treated me with the utmost respect and was very complimentary if or when the moment was warranted. He appeared genuinely pleased that there was a new Beauty on the scene; the fact that I happened to be black didn’t seem to faze him in the least. When any of the models or staff had friends or family members visit the set, Barker was always gracious in taking time out to meet them and take photos backstage either prior to the show or when it was over.

Barker actually introduced my mother and father on the air and had them stand as he stated, “This is our newest Beauty the lovely Kathleen’s parents, Winifred and Albert Bradley, all the way from Ohio. I know you must be proud of your lovely daughter. We kind of think she’s going to work out okay around here.” The audience chuckled. That meant the world to my parents and me.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to experience some of the happier days at
TPIR
. It was exciting to be a Barker Beauty with all of the perks. It was equally exciting prior to our upcoming breaks during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, when Barker would invite his Beauties and a few select production staffers to dine out at some of the fanciest restaurants in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. We always had a great time out with Barker. We were able to share special moments with each other in a more relaxed and fun environment.

A devout vegan, one of Barker’s favorite restaurants was Gaylord India, an upscale restaurant located in the heart of Restaurant Row on La Cienega Blvd in Beverly Hills. There was also another wonderful Italian restaurant that Barker liked to frequent, Il Covo on West 3
rd
Street across from Cedar- Sinai Medical Center. The food was exquisite and the ambiance was typical Tuscan-style at its finest. The patrons and entire restaurant staff were in awe of our presence during our visits to the various restaurants. When people came over to shake Barker’s hand, he would graciously acknowledge his Beauties. He made the introductions individually
—
by seniority
—
starting with the lovely Janice, and then the lovely Dian, the lovely Holly, and the lovely Kathleen, which made us feel very special. It was magical at that time, being a Barker Beauty, when everything appeared to be in perfect harmony.

One day, as I was headed to the CBS commissary for breakfast, I spotted Barker down the long hallway, walking toward me with vigor, headed for his dressing room. He was delighted to be off to do what he loved best
—
entertaining his audience and making people happy. Barker declined any limousine or pick-up service that the studio offered him and elected to drive himself to and from work in his American-made car. He would carry his own wardrobe with him, draped over his shoulder. He was wearing the most interesting blue and yellow striped shirt that day as I greeted him in the hallway with my usual, “Good morning, Bob. How are you today?”

“Great, Kathleen. And how are you?”

“Feeling good,” I replied. I couldn’t help but to comment on the shirt. “I love your shirt, Bob
.
It’s striking.”

He replied, “Thanks, Kathleen. Glad you like it!”

Barker rarely came out on the set during rehearsals prior to the first show. However, that particular day, he came out to talk to his Beauties about something, and I made another comment about how great his shirt was in front of the girls. Holly said, “Yeah, Barker, it makes you look ten years younger.” We all laughed at Holly’s remark, but everyone agreed that it was a stunning shirt and it looked good on him.

After the tapings of the two shows, Barker would always depart the studio still dressed in the suit he had worn on the last show that day, and he would carry the clothes he had worn earlier over his shoulder. As I was going to my upstairs dressing room
,
while Barker was on his way home
,
I made one more comment on the shirt. “Hey, Bob, if you ever grow out of that shirt or decide that you no longer want it, please let me know.” We both chuckled.

He then took it off his shoulder and said, “Here, it’s yours.”

I was absolutely floored.
WOW! What just happened?
This was a scene reminiscent of the Coca-Cola commercial starring Mean Joe Green
,
when he tossed the little boy his football jersey and said, “Hey, kid, catch!” As I imagine, I had that same look of surprise and gratitude on my face as did the kid in the commercial. What an amazing act of kindness, one I’ll never forget. I can say that Bob was the kind of guy that would literally give you the shirt off his back. That was the good ol’ Bob Barker I had come to know, admire, and respect.

In 1987, after nineteen years of hosting the Miss USA Pageant, Barker quit because contestants wore real fur coats during the presentation. That same year, executive director and president of the United Activists for Animal Rights, Nancy Burnet, invited her dear friend Bob Barker to join forces in support of her organization
,
of which he became an active member. Nancy and Barker first met in 1983 at an animal shelter event in Orange County, meant to attract a crowd, and hopefully, find homes for some of the shelter’s dogs. They were both single and had a lot in common. They became very close friends and enjoyed an on-and-off romantic relationship for many years. Burnet lived an hour away from Barker’s Hollywood Hills home in San Bernardino.

“I’m very active in my work, and I don’t have a great deal of time for a full-time relationship with anyone,” Nancy had once stated in an interview with
People Magazine
. “When I do have time, Barker is the person I’m interested in spending it with. We are very, very comfortable together.”

Nancy would visit the set on several occasions when
TPIR
hosted special events
.
One such event was our end-of-the-season wrap party. We were allowed to invite our family members and special guests to come join us for the summer hiatus party. Initially, the wrap parties were held in one of the larger CBS executive rooms on the premises, with a different theme and incredible set decorations each year
;
however, during the latter years, it was relocated and held right there at Studio 33. Immediately following the last show and as the set was being dismantled, the art department began to work their magic with decorations that would transform the studio into a semblance of an elaborate nightclub or disco. Everyone who participated in making the show a big success during that season was invited to have a good time at this lavishly catered event with music blaring from the live sounds of DJ Danno Metoyer.

When Nancy and Barker were seen together, they would display a moderate amount of affection toward each other. It was apparent that Nancy brought joy into Barker’s life. I found Nancy to be a warm and compassionate person. She was in her early sixties with a modestly-shaped figure and dressed smartly for her age
—
a size twelve perhaps. She was an attractive woman and actually reminded me of one of my maternal aunts in Ohio. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was aware of Barker and Dian’s extremely close personal relationship. I noticed during these special events that Dian had the tendency to dodge Nancy for the better part of the evening after they had politely said, “Hello.”

In August 1989, the American Humane Association (AHA) and its west coast director, Betty Denny Smith, filed a $10 million libel lawsuit against Bob Barker and Nancy Burnet. The suit accused Barker and Nancy Burnet’s organization of libel, slander, and trade libel, interference with prospective business relations, conspiracy, and false light invasion of privacy. According to a
Los Angeles Times
article
,
“Barry Langberg, an attorney for AHA, said the suit contended that Barker and other animal rights organizations had conducted a two-year vendetta against the Association and its west coast director, Smith. The suit maintained that Barker began his campaign in 1987, after the AHA had refused to support him in a dispute with the Southwest Missouri Humane Society.”

The lawsuit dangled over Barker and Nancy’s heads for over four years until 1994, when Barker’s insurance company settled the lawsuit for $300,000 over Barker’s objections. When interviewed by the media, Barker denied all allegations and Nancy was not available for comment.

Chapter 6

Mark Goodson

M
r. Mark Goodson had coined the term “Barker Beauties.” When he was around us, he would gaze admiringly with a slight grin and say, “I really should have named you gals ‘Goodson’s Girls.’”

There is much to be said about the charming, witty, genius of Mr. Mark Goodson. He was an extraordinary man and well-loved by
The Price Is Right
production staff, cast, and crew. When I found out that he was a Capricorn like me—born January 14, 1915 (my birthday is January 10)—I automatically took a liking to him and could understand why he was destined for greatness. Mark Goodson and his longtime partner, Bill Todman, had produced some of the longest-running game shows in US television history, including:
Beat the Clock, Family Feud, Match Game, Password, To Tell the Truth, I’ve Got a Secret, What’s My Line,
and
Card Sharks
. Of course, their most popular and longest-running show was and still is
The Price Is Right
. Most of the shows endured through the decades, many over multiple runs, because of Goodson’s innate ability and exceptional talent for production and presentation. Todman was the overseer for the company’s profitable businesses outside of television, while Goodson handled the creative aspects of producing the game shows. A few years after Bill Todman’s death in 1979, Goodson acquired the Todman heirs’ share of the company. In 1982, the company was renamed Mark Goodson Productions. Traditionally, the shows’ announcers would sign off with, “A Mark Goodson-Bill Todman television production.” It was later changed to “A Mark Goodson television production.” That same year, on May 23, 1982, Goodson received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1990, Goodson’s longtime friend, actress Betty White, presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Daytime Television at the Daytime Emmy Awards in New York City. He also won the National Television Award in Britain, the Sylvania Award, and three other Emmys.

The two Mark Goodson Productions offices were located in Los Angeles, on Wilshire Boulevard, and in New York, where Mr. Goodson spent most of his time.

It was a rare but joyous occasion whenever Mr. Goodson would visit the set of
TPIR
. Everything would come to a standstill when he arrived backstage
;
it was almost like the president of the United States was in the building
.
He had such a commanding presence. He would greet the models backstage with big hugs and kisses on the cheek. I can still smell the rich aroma of his cologne and feel the softness of his cashmere jacket against my body when we hugged. He always had a longer, more sincere kind of embrace with Dian. Goodson and Dian had dated a few times in the past and had been romantically linked. But Dian attested that it was only a few friendly dinners, so he didn’t have to dine alone when he was in town.

To ensure that each new season got off to a great start, it was standard protocol for Mr. Goodson to make his annual appearance before the bidding began. For me, being a vital part of history as the show’s twentieth season premiered was still surreal and very exciting. All four the Barker Beauties were patiently waiting on stage, concealed by the turntable flanking Mr. Goodson as he sat in a director’s chair. We were quietly talking his head off, vying for his attention before our cue to slowly turn around to greet Barker and the audience. After Barker so eloquently introduced Mr. Goodson as the creator of the show, he joined us on the turntable to share in the conversation with Goodson. Mr. Goodson congratulated Barker for his twenty years on the show.

Goodson was always pleasant and attentive to the models’ needs. He was genuinely curious to see how we were getting along and if there was anything he could do to make sure everybody was happy. I imagine that everyone on the set was trying to give Mr. Goodson the impression that all was well backstage at
TPIR,
and everything appeared normal. We were one big, happy family.

I have always been an open book and could never keep quiet when something was on my mind, especially if it had a direct effect on someone or something I was involved with. While Mr. Goodson was present, asking how everything was going, I thought it may be my chance to let him know firsthand that there were some uncomfortable vibes between the models that needed to be addressed. When the moment presented itself and there were very few ears around, I took the liberty to briefly mention the situation going on backstage between Dian, Holly, and Janice. He listened intently, and I appreciated the fact that he didn’t shrug it off or dismiss what I had shared. I didn’t elaborate
—
at that time. However, the issue would soon resurface, and all that were concerned would address it very shortly thereafter.