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The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: wkyken on March 31, 2010, 08:20:58 AM

Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: wkyken on March 31, 2010, 08:20:58 AM
I have Peter Marshall's "Backstage" memoir, but are there others around, whether in print or electronic form? Tom Kennedy has always been one of my favorites, and since he just turned 83, if he hasn't done one, I know a lot of game-show fanatics -- including me -- who would love it if he did.

What about other memoirs? Does anyone know if there are others available?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: BrandonFG on March 31, 2010, 03:06:38 PM
There's Bob Barker's book "Priceless Memories", which came out last year or so. Wink Martindale also wrote one called "Winking at Life".

And don't forget the classic "Vanna Speaks" from the late-80s.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: chad1m on March 31, 2010, 05:25:50 PM
More recently, Tom Bergeron and Howie Mandel have also put out books, though of course they don't center around their hosting days. Even if you have a slight interest in either one of them, I recommend their books (especially if you can get it in audiobook format)
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Neumms on March 31, 2010, 05:46:13 PM
[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'238643\' date=\'Mar 31 2010, 04:25 PM\']More recently, Tom Bergeron and Howie Mandel have also put out books, though of course they don't center around their hosting days. Even if you have a slight interest in either one of them, I recommend their books (especially if you can get it in audiobook format)[/quote]

Does Howie show off by using a lot of long, difficult words?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: chad1m on March 31, 2010, 06:59:14 PM
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'238644\' date=\'Mar 31 2010, 05:46 PM\']Does Howie show off by using a lot of long, difficult words?[/quote]Like what? Watusi (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v5aGwjWIQs\")?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: mmb5 on March 31, 2010, 08:32:54 PM
There's Monty Hall's from the early 70s.  Be prepared for his complete salary history and whole bunch of self-loathing.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Winkfan on April 03, 2010, 09:38:31 PM
There's also Bob Eubanks' It's In The Book, Bob; the title is a slight reference to that so-called "urban legend," that became not-so-urban after the first Most Outrageous Game Show Moments special in 2002.

And Betty White has written a couple of books about her life and career; I have both of them in paperback.

Hugh Downs and Merv Griffin have also put their life stories to pen and paper.

Cordially,
Tammy
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: WarioBarker on April 04, 2010, 09:13:02 AM
There's Bob Barker's book "Priceless Memories", which came out last year or so.
It's a good book, unless you're one of those who picked it up expecting Barker to go over the lawsuits he got in his last 15 years as emcee. Would've been nice to hear what he had to say on it.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: clemon79 on April 04, 2010, 08:17:54 PM
[quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'238857\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 06:13 AM\']unless you're one of those who picked it up expecting Barker to go over the lawsuits he got in his last 15 years as emcee.[/quote]
...and if you did that, you're an idiot.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Tim L on April 04, 2010, 08:20:52 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'238867\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 08:17 PM\'][quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'238857\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 06:13 AM\']unless you're one of those who picked it up expecting Barker to go over the lawsuits he got in his last 15 years as emcee.[/quote]
...and if you did that, you're an idiot.
[/quote]

Agreed (though I would not have worded it that strongly)what would you expect Barker to say?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: BrandonFG on April 04, 2010, 09:07:08 PM
[quote name=\'Tim L\' post=\'238868\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 08:20 PM\']Agreed (though I would not have worded it that strongly)what would you expect Barker to say?[/quote]
"She came on down, and they came on out..."

;-)
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Vahan_Nisanian on April 04, 2010, 10:54:19 PM
I've never read Barker's autobiography (nor do I intend to), but I do wonder this:

Even though he never mentions his lawsuits, does he at least mention when they hired some of the original models (Dian, Holly, and Kathleen), and Rod Roddy?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: WarioBarker on April 05, 2010, 12:14:33 AM
unless you're one of those who picked it up expecting Barker to go over the lawsuits he got in his last 15 years as emcee.
...and if you did that, you're an idiot.
Agreed (though I would not have worded it that strongly)what would you expect Barker to say?
I would've expected Barker to at least admit that he did run into legal problems on occasion, and tell his side of what happened. I actually was one of those who wanted to see what he had to say on the subject, but he said in interviews that he didn't want to throw dirt at anybody.

Typically, if somebody writes an autobiography, they'll want to lump both the good and bad stuff together -- it presents a more complete and honest picture of the writer.

*pops balloon*

Even though he never mentions his lawsuits, does he at least mention when they hired some of the original models (Dian, Holly, and Kathleen), and Rod Roddy?
The old models aren't mentioned whatsoever, IIRC. Rod is only mentioned when Bob goes over the show's announcers since 1972 (the line goes "Johnny Olson, Rod Roddy, Rich Fields"), although that mention was probably the work of Diehl.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: clemon79 on April 05, 2010, 12:27:54 AM
[quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'238873\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 09:14 PM\']I would have expected Barker to at least admit that he did run into legal problems on occasion, and tell his side of what happened.[/quote]
Then....yeah.
Quote
I actually was one of those who wanted to see what he had to say on the subject
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.
Quote
but he said in interviews that he didn't want to throw dirt at anybody.
On the advice of his attorneys, I'm sure.
Quote
Typically, if somebody writes an autobiography, they'll want to lump both the good and bad stuff together -- it presents a more complete and honest picture of the writer, regardless of whether the facts presented therein are true or not.
Are you friggin' kidding me?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: TLEberle on April 05, 2010, 12:31:31 AM
[quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'238873\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 09:14 PM\']Typically, if somebody writes an autobiography, they'll want to lump both the good and bad stuff together -- it presents a more complete and honest picture of the writer, regardless of whether the facts presented therein are true or not.[/quote] Like, for example...go ahead, I'll make a sandwich while I wait.

Quote
*pops balloon*
A popping balloon is comparable to "an unfinished list" in terms of labored catchphrases.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: BrandonFG on April 05, 2010, 12:32:04 AM
[quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'238873\' date=\'Apr 5 2010, 12:14 AM\']I would have expected Barker to at least admit that he did run into legal problems on occasion, and tell his side of what happened. I actually was one of those who wanted to see what he had to say on the subject, but he said in interviews that he didn't want to throw dirt at anybody.

Typically, if somebody writes an autobiography, they'll want to lump both the good and bad stuff together -- it presents a more complete and honest picture of the writer, regardless of whether the facts presented therein are true or not.[/quote]
Although that's an interesting point, I just don't see Bob including such a stressful incident in a book called Priceless Memories. I'm guessing Bill Clinton's autobiography (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Life_%28Bill_Clinton_autobiography%29\") doesn't talk about a certain intern in a certain dark-colored dress for just about the same reason(s). That much controversy has no place in a book talking about one's life, mainly because there's so much info that it begins to take away from the rest of the book. (Googles for confirmation...) Okay, from what I picked up on Google, there's a very casual mention, as one might expect.

Besides, wouldn't there be some legal issues preventing Barker or Clinton from going into detail?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: clemon79 on April 05, 2010, 01:51:06 AM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'238876\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 09:32 PM\']Besides, wouldn't there be some legal issues preventing Barker or Clinton from going into detail?[/quote]
Yes. Way yes. Very yes. OMG yes.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: TLEberle on April 05, 2010, 02:08:49 AM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'238876\' date=\'Apr 4 2010, 09:32 PM\']I'm guessing Bill Clinton's autobiography (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Life_%28Bill_Clinton_autobiography%29\") doesn't talk about a certain intern in a certain dark-colored dress for just about the same reason(s). That much controversy has no place in a book talking about one's life, mainly because there's so much info that it begins to take away from the rest of the book. (Googles for confirmation...) Okay, from what I picked up on Google, there's a very casual mention, as one might expect.[/quote]I tried to read it, I really did. I could not make it through Bill's childhood.

I would commend someone for writing an autobiography that covered everything good or bad, but I just don't expect that. I'm not sure I would want to read all the seedy details; that's what Kitty Kelley is for. Plus there's that whole NDA thing hanging out there.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Vahan_Nisanian on April 05, 2010, 09:08:10 AM
NDA? Non-Disclosure Agreement, or No Data Available?
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: MikeK on April 05, 2010, 09:16:53 AM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'238876\' date=\'Apr 5 2010, 12:32 AM\']Although that's an interesting point, I just don't see Bob including such a stressful incident in a book called Priceless Memories. I'm guessing Bill Clinton's autobiography (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Life_%28Bill_Clinton_autobiography%29\") doesn't talk about a certain intern in a certain dark-colored dress for just about the same reason(s). That much controversy has no place in a book talking about one's life, mainly because there's so much info that it begins to take away from the rest of the book. (Googles for confirmation...) Okay, from what I picked up on Google, there's a very casual mention, as one might expect.[/quote]
Pulling out my copy of My Life, there are two mentions of those events, within about 25 pages of each other.  There's no cigar or stained blue dress talk, not that I expected to read about those events.

I made it a little further than Travis, to Bill's college days.  Something had to occupy me while waiting in line for 7 hours for Clinton to sign my copy of the book.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Mr. Armadillo on April 05, 2010, 11:04:17 AM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'238879\' date=\'Apr 5 2010, 12:51 AM\']Yes. Way yes. Very yes. OMG yes.[/quote]
That's what *she* said?

/Except in this case, the 'she' isn't all that indefinite...
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: BrandonFG on April 05, 2010, 02:43:49 PM
[quote name=\'gameshowlover87\' post=\'238882\' date=\'Apr 5 2010, 09:08 AM\']NDA? Non-Disclosure Agreement, or No Data Available?[/quote]
The former.
Title: Game-show host memoirs
Post by: Joe Mello on April 05, 2010, 03:00:28 PM
[quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'238873\' date=\'Apr 5 2010, 12:14 AM\']Typically, if somebody writes an autobiography, they'll want to lump both the good and bad stuff together -- it presents a more complete and honest picture of the writer, regardless of whether the facts presented therein are true or not.[/quote]
And typically, those people live in the land of candy canes, rainbows, and unicorns where everyone is perfect and don't care about stuff like money or image.