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The Price Is Right - The '70's

R

RadioMan203

A today in TV history thread started me on a never ending nested search on YouTube for various TPIR episodes which brought me to some confusion.

Of course any reader here who can recall this version of the show remembers Bob Barker as the host of the series. I came across this episode on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ody3K4TJPs

According to the slate at the head of the linked video, this program was taped the day the series premiered on CBS (which, according to another RD thread, was Labor Day). This episode was hosted by Dennis James and not Bob. There's no mention of this being the "nighttime" edition of TPIR, so what's the story here?

Something else I noticed between this as what little video of the premiere episode footage is that the production music seems more up-tempo in the Dennis James version when compared to the first episode. Also, the audience contestant solicits didn't use the title theme but a different music bed. Also, if you listen to the showcase music in the James version the rhythm tracks sounds identical with different instrumentation on top - suggesting perhaps Goodson/Todman didn't venture into having Score Productions make a boat load of music for the new show - perhaps waiting for it to get some traction.

On an aside, it's a trip to see the models back then. As a teen I had such a crush on Janice. I also miss annoucner Johnny O's golden voice, too.
 
Bill DeFelice said:
According to the slate at the head of the linked video, this program was taped the day the series premiered on CBS (which, according to another RD thread, was Labor Day). This episode was hosted by Dennis James and not Bob. There's no mention of this being the "nighttime" edition of TPIR, so what's the story here?

Something else I noticed between this as what little video of the premiere episode footage is that the production music seems more up-tempo in the Dennis James version when compared to the first episode. Also, the audience contestant solicits didn't use the title theme but a different music bed. Also, if you listen to the showcase music in the James version the rhythm tracks sounds identical with different instrumentation on top - suggesting perhaps Goodson/Todman didn't venture into having Score Productions make a boat load of music for the new show - perhaps waiting for it to get some traction.
Click to expand...

From my understanding Bob was off sick on the days Dennis James hosted tapings. In later years they just didn't have tapings if Bob was sick.

The music evolved on TPIR over the years, with a bunch of cues debuting during the 1980s, some from Ed Kalehoff.
 
Goodson tended to mix and match the stock music they used. The Family Feud theme started out as a cue recorded for TPIR.

Edd Kalehoff appeared in a beer commercial in the '70s, Old Milwaukee, I think (it's on YouTube).
 
Dennis James hosted nighttime TPIR 1972-76, but also filled in three days for Bob in daytime, I believe, in 1973. ISTR one of these shows featuring the "Hi-Lo" game, where Dennis said, "We don't play this one on the nighttime show....." and apparently tried to explain it as best as he could.

I think it was the only time Bob was temporarily replaced, until Drew took the reins. I think they would cancel taping later on, on the days Bob was unable to perform.

BTW, the show that aired today (Sep 4, 2012) was a 40th anniversary salute, featuring contestants that appeared on past shows, including the very first Showcase winner 40 years ago. He even played (and won) the same game he played back then (Bonus Game).

Sadly, because of increased commercial time, no extra time was given to more anecdotes. :(

cd
 
cd637299 said:
Sadly, because of increased commercial time, no extra time was given to more anecdotes. :(

cd
Click to expand...

I had linked a YouTube video of the original commercials on the first Barker TPIR 40 years ago today. These included the likes of Certs, Shredded Wheat, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Tupperware, Hostess Twinkees, Bic Pens, Frito-Lay and Pepto-Bismol. Silly question, but what were today's ads during the 40th anniversary special? Anyway, link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfd5CeI0qgs
 
MCarney said:
Dennis James hosted the syndicated version in the 70s. I actually preferred him to Bob Barker.
Click to expand...

The only problem is when I see Dennis James I think of all work that he did! I remember he hosted some show that appeared local to me (WOR-TV 9, NYC) many, many years ago. Just seems a little out of place unless it's an episode of "Nighttime" PIR. It was a refreshing break from the daily dose of Bob on the show.

I think the Edd Kalehoff music is some of the finest and most memorable. As with Family Feud, the theme for the 80's retread of Match Game / Hollywood Squares hour was actually a music theme often used on TPIR for car reveals. I love that theme and I think I'm in the minority of those who actually like MGHS Hour.

Speaking of Edd Kalehoff and Score Productions, years ago I found a 45 rpm single of "Score" the original theme of ABC's Monday Night Football. I ended up wearing it out using it as the theme when we use to broadcast Pop Warner football on our high school FM station back in the 70's. I think that was a great theme that still holds up for sports ... and I didn't discover it was mastered in stereo until a handful of years ago when I was finally able to replace my old, worn and lost copy of that 45.
 
EJM said:
That said, Bob Stewart may have been a bigger recycler of music: The theme for Shoot for the Stars resurfaced as the theme for the later (USA and syndicated) versions of Jackpot!, while the theme for Blankety Blanks was reused as the theme for (Celebrity) Double Talk (which, ironically, was a semi-revival of Shoot).
Click to expand...

Someone at Major League Baseball Productions must've liked the theme from the original (NBC) version of Jackpot!, because it resurfaced in the late '70s as the opening theme (under Mel Allen's teasers) for This Week in Baseball.

ixnay
 
ixnay said:
Someone at Major League Baseball Productions must've liked the theme from the original (NBC) version of Jackpot!, because it resurfaced in the late '70s as the opening theme (under Mel Allen's teasers) for This Week in Baseball.

ixnay
Click to expand...

How About That?? ;D
 
EJM said:
I didn't get a chance to view the video until now, but it looks like it is for the nighttime version: Notice that Johnny O's opening spiel is, "A fortune in fabulous prizes may go to these people tonight--if they know when the price is right." Apparently, there was no "nighttime" used before "Price Is Right" at this time. (My hunch is that it would've been confusing to use both "New" and "nighttime".)
Click to expand...

Very good catch, as I missed that. I think your hunch is right on as it would have been a mouthful. Also, would it be the "Nighttime, New Price is Right" or the "New, Nighttime Price is Right?"

Thanks for the links to the pitch film presentation. I never saw that before and it gives some good insight on what Goodson and company were figuring for the program.
 
Bill DeFelice confessed to having a crush on Janis. ;) Mine was on Holly (Price [and Feud] were staples of my school vacation/snow day/teacher in-service day viewing during my HS days in the late '70s).

ixnay
 
rnigma said:
Goodson tended to mix and match the stock music they used. The Family Feud theme started out as a cue recorded for TPIR.

Edd Kalehoff appeared in a beer commercial in the '70s, Old Milwaukee, I think (it's on YouTube).
Click to expand...

Schaefer. :D
 
ixnay said:
Bill DeFelice confessed to having a crush on Janis. ;) Mine was on Holly (Price [and Feud] were staples of my school vacation/snow day/teacher in-service day viewing during my HS days in the late '70s).
Click to expand...

Funny part is that later on I developed a crush on Holly - sort of like the Ginger vs Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island. Janice may have been quite attractive but Holly appeared to give off more wholesome vibes, at least with her screen presence.
 
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