Celebrity
The “Price Is Right” Host, Bob Barker, Has Died at 99
![The "Price Is Right" Host, Bob Barker, Has Died at 99 "Price Is Right" Game Show Host Bob Barker Passes at Age 99](https://www.vornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/GettyImages-74428499-1040x771-1.jpg)
Bob Barker, the durable, suave game show presenter who became a national figure throughout a half-century hosting “Truth or Consequences” and “The Price Is Right,” has died. He was 99.
According to publicist Roger Neal, Barker, a veteran animal rights campaigner, died Saturday morning at his Los Angeles home.
“I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker and I did together to expose animal cruelty in the entertainment industry, including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally,” said Nancy Burnet, his long-time friend and co-executor of his estate.
Barker announced his retirement in June 2007: “I thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your home for more than 50 years.”
In 1956, Barker was working in radio when producer Ralph Edwards invited him to audition for the new host of “Truth or Consequences,” a game show in which audience members had to do wacky stunts — the “consequence” — if they failed to answer a question — the “truth,” which was always the silly punchline to a riddle no one was ever meant to supply. (Q: What did one eye tell the other? A: Something smells between us.)
Barker told The Associated Press in 1996, “I know exactly where I was, I know exactly how I felt: I hung up the phone and said to my wife, ‘Dorothy Jo, I got it!'”
Bob Barker was with “Truth or Consequences” for 18 years, including several years in syndication.
Meanwhile, in 1972, he began hosting a “The Price Is Right” revival on CBS. (Bill Cullen was the original host in the 1950s and 1960s.) It would become TV’s longest-running game show and the last on a broadcast network of what had once been dozens.
“I have grown old in your service,” the silver-haired, always-tanned Barker remarked during a mid-’90s prime-time television retrospective.
In a statement, CBS noted that one of its “most iconic stars” has died.
“We lost a beloved member of the CBS family today with the passing of Bob Barker,” the network announced, adding that he “made countless people’s dreams come true and everyone feel like a winner when they were called to ‘come on down.'”
Throughout his tenure, he taped almost 5,000 shows. He announced his retirement: “I’m just getting to the age where the constant effort to be there and do the show physically is too much for me.” It’s better to leave a year early than a year late.” Drew Carey, a comedian, was picked to take his place.
Barker reunited with Carey for one episode in April 2009. He was in town to promote the release of his memoir, “Priceless Memories,” in which he described his enjoyment of presenting the event as the opportunity “to watch people reveal themselves and to watch the excitement and humour unfold.”
“There hasn’t been a single day on set that I haven’t thought of Bob Barker and thanked him.” “I will cherish his memory for the rest of my life,” Carey wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Bob Barker understood the appeal of “The Price Is Right,” in which audience members — asked to “Come on down!” to the stage — competed for prizes by attempting to guess their retail value.
“Everyone, including the president of the United States, can identify with prices.” “Because everyone has an opinion on the bids, viewers at home become involved,” Barker once said. Barker played it straight — friendly, cordial, and humorous — refusing to make fun of the game show structure or his participants.
“I want the contestants to feel as though they’re guests in my home,” he declared in 1996. “Perhaps my respect for them comes across to viewers, which could be one of the reasons I’ve lasted.”
As a TV personality, Barker kept things old school — no cordless microphones for him, for example. Like the mic itself, the mic wire served him well as a prop, insouciantly flicked and finessed.
He attributed his job longevity to being content. “I had the opportunity to do this type of event and found out I liked it… People that do something they love and started doing it when they were young, I don’t think they want to stop.”
Barker also hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants for 20 years. A long-time animal rights activist who regularly advised his viewers to “have your pets spayed or neutered” and successfully pushed to prohibit fur coats as prizes on “The Price Is Right,” he left the Miss USA Pageant in 1987 in protest of the winners receiving fur coats.
Among his animal-related efforts was a $250,000 donation to Save the Chimps, according to an emailed statement from the Fort Pierce, Florida-based organization on Saturday.
“Bob Barker’s kind spirit lives on at Save the Chimps, where we walk every day on the road named for him after his game-changing contribution,” said Ana Paula Tavares, CEO of Save the Chimps. Barker stated at the time of the contribution that he hoped chimps abused “physically and mentally” for years while employed in laboratory studies would discover “the first peace, contentment, and love they have ever known at Save the Chimps.”
Barker refused to be a presenter at the Daytime Emmy Awards presentation 1997, claiming that it disrespected game shows by not airing awards in the category. He referred to game shows as “the pillars of daytime TV.”
In 1996, he made a famous cameo appearance on the big screen, arguing with Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore.” “I did ‘The Price Is Right’ for 35 years, and they’re asking me how it was to beat up Adam Sandler,” Barker quipped later.
Sandler paid tribute to Barker on Instagram on Saturday, posting photos of the two of them together. “He’s the man. The legend. The very best. He’s such a kind and entertaining guy to hang out with.” Sandler captioned the photo. “I had a great time talking to him. I had a great time laughing with him. I loved it when he kicked the snot out of me.”
Dian Parkinson, an 18-year “Price is Right” model, sued the widowed Barker for sexual harassment in 1994. Barker admitted to “hanky panky” with Parkinson from 1989 to 1991 but claimed she started the connection. Parkinson abandoned the claim in 1995, citing health concerns.
Barker became entangled in a feud with Holly Hallstrom, another former “Price Is Right” model who claimed she was sacked in 1995 because the show’s producers thought she was fat. Barker disputed the charges.
Neither outburst affected the audience’s goodwill.
Barker was born in Darrington, Washington, in 1923 and spent a portion of his boyhood on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where his widowed mother worked as a teacher. His family eventually relocated to Springfield, Missouri, where he finished high school. During WWII, he served in the Navy.
He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon, who died in 1981 after 37 years of marriage. They didn’t have any children.
In 1999, Barker received a lifetime achievement award at the 26th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He signed off his acceptance speech with, “Have your pets spayed or neutered.”
Celebrity
2024| Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Washington – Pras, On Friday, a court denied a request for a fresh trial in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy lawsuit against Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly determined that his defensedefense attorney’s employment of a generative AI software during closing arguments and other errors made throughout the Washington, D.C. trial did not constitute a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel was found guilty of ten counts after a jury heard testimony from witnesses, including actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. On the most serious charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison. He is free until sentencing, which has yet to be decided.
The Grammy-winning rapper was accused of funneling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financier through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then attempting to deter a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China during the Trump administration.
The defense said Michel received lousy advice as he attempted to support himself while recreating himself in politics.
His defense attorney, David Kenner, who has previously represented rappers like Suge Knight and Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury evidence to reporters.
Michel hired a new lawyer, who claimed Kenner had made several errors, including deploying an “experimental” generative AI software that botched closing arguments by misattributing a lyric from his client’s influential 1990s group.
Judge Rejects Claims That Generative AI Tanked Political Conspiracy Case Against Fugees Rapper Pras
Michel, however, failed to prove that Kenner’s handling of the case influenced the jury, according to Judge Kollar-Kotelly.
She accepted that some of Michel’s faults were valid, but they did not neutralise the prosecution’s extensive evidence against him or render the nearly month-long trial unfair.
Michel’s representative had no immediate comment on the ruling.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Julian Ortega, a Spanish actor best known for his role in the popular Spanish-language Netflix drama series “Elite,” has died, according to the country’s actor and actress union. He was 41.
“Our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the union said in a statement Monday.
The sun
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
Ortega, the son of Spanish actress Gloria Muñoz, was born in Madrid in 1983. According to the organization, he attended acting school in the Spanish capital.
He began his career in Spanish-language films, including the 2000 drama “El Otro Barrio” (“The Other Side”) and the 2008 horror fantasy “La raíz del mal.”
He appeared in various Spanish television programs before becoming well-known internationally after appearing in six episodes of Netflix’s Elite.
Ortega played a restaurant manager in the murder-mystery-infused high school thriller, which follows privileged pupils at a prestigious school.
His most recent performances were in drama programs like “The Countryside” (formerly called “El Pueblo”) and “4 estrellas.”
“You were a great man; humble, always smiling, generous, and thoughtful…” I have a great colleague. “Thank you for everything,” wrote his “Countryside” co-star Ruth Diaz in an Instagram post.
Julian Ortega, Actor In Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Series, Dies Aged 41
According to the Spanish Theatre in Madrid, Ortega has worked on theatre ventures, including the 2021 play “Ira,” which he created and co-starred in with his mother.
The reason for the death has not been officially confirmed.
SOURCE | AP
Celebrity
Selena Gomez Reacts To Taylor Swift Cameo Rumors in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Selena Gomez has recently put a fun twist on rumors swirling about a potential cameo by Taylor Swift in the fourth season of Only Murders in the Building. In an interview with E! News, Gomez responded to the speculation with her signature humor and charm.
Laughing off the rumors, Gomez quipped, “You’re hilarious. She’s a little busy, you guys.”
Her playful tone continued as she added, “Oh dear, I love that,” while still chuckling. Gomez’s light-hearted response showcased her easy-going nature and her ability to handle fan speculation with grace.
Gomez’s co-stars, Steve Martin and Martin Short, also joined in on the playful banter. Martin, in a comedic twist, said, “Listen, she calls us every day. Here – she’s calling right now. Ahh I’ll take it later.”
‘Only Murders in the Building’ S4
Martin Short added to the jest, joking, “No, I was talking to Taylor around 3:00 a.m.” Their jokes highlighted the camaraderie and fun atmosphere among the cast.
Beyond the jokes, Martin took a moment to genuinely praise both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez for their poise.
He commented, “Taylor Swift handles everything perfectly and so does Selena. In the situations I’ve seen—politically, trolls, everything—she just seems to have a wisdom about how to do something quietly, effortlessly.”
The interaction underscores not only the strong bond between the cast members but also their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Gomez and Swift’s friendship, along with their shared ability to navigate public life with elegance, continues to be a topic of interest and admiration among fans and colleagues alike.
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