Twentieth Century Talkers

 

Bob Barker (1923-) was born into a modest home environment in the state of Washington. Barker spent most of his youth, however, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota, enrolled as a member of the Sioux tribe. Somewhat typical of his generation, as a youth he enlisted for military service in WW2. After the war, he returned to Drury (College) University to finish his education, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in economics.

Baker worked part-time in radio while attending college. He moved to California in 1950 to pursue a broadcasting career. He was given his own radio show, The Bob Barker Show, which ran for six years. He began his television game show career in 1956, hosting Truth or Consequences until 1972. He hosted the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants from 1967 to 1987, giving him the distinction of being the longest-serving host of those pageants. Barker is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history. His popular 1987 decision to appear without black hair dye was immediately accepted by a cheering audience. Considering his salesmanship, it is no wonder he was destined to be a "barker."

Though officially retiring in 2007, Barker continued to make occasional public appearances until 2017. One of his best received was a 2015 April Fools' Day appearance on The Price Is Right, taking Drew Carey's place at the beginning of the show. 

Word Origins

*GELLIPEKIN

Often it is difficult—even impossible—for a later generation to understand their ancestors. Although Noah Webster tried to determine the sources of words included in his dictionary of the English language, a hundred-odd years ago, he went far astray at times. And this term, rarely used in America but formerly common in England, was an instance. It is the name of the wide, very loose breeches worn in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The intrepid Webster said that the name came about because "these trowsers were first worn by the Gallic Gascons, the inhabitants of Gascony." But it is really a greatly perverted form of Old French garguesque, which meant, "after the fashion of the Greeks," referring to a style of a Greek nether garment.

*Inspired by Charles Funk (1881–1957)

Television Ratings: 1960s Part 6

A most steady top 5 with The Red Skelton Hour still competitive in its 19 of 20 seasons. Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. ended its run at #2. Surprisingly, 1968 was the only year Mission: Impossible ranked in the top 30. (1968-70 Oct-Apr)

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Television Ratings: 1960s Part 5

The ups and downs of shows where Green Acres took the biggest tumble while The Dean Martin Show and Family Affair shot upward. The Fugitive (ABC) was not in the top 30, but the 1967 2-part finale was the most-watched show ever until 1983. (1966-1968 Oct-Apr)

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Television Ratings: 1960s Part 4

There were only three NBC series making Nielsen's top 20 for 1964-65. They gained one show the following season. Branded did not return and both Get Smart and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. fell from the top 20 after 1966. (1964-66 Oct-Apr)

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Television Ratings: 1960s Part 3

The mid-decade of loyal or new CBS viewers. These highlighted shows either increased in popularity or remained steady. (1962-64 Oct-Apr)

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Television Ratings: 1960s Part 2

Nielsen viewers made downward adjustments in their top 20 programs over two seasons (L-R: 1960-62 Oct-Apr). The Red Skelton Show is a noted exception. Shows ending their run in 1960-61 are irrelevant to the right column of shows.

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