Bob Barker, the former longtime host of “The Price Is Right,” died on Aug. 26. Some of you may have thought he was already dead. Now you know. Even so, “Dead or Alive” may have been a good guessing game for “The Price is Right.” It could have ranked right up there with “Plinko,” “Cliff Hangers” and “Punch A Bunch.” As much as “Dead or Alive” may fly today, it would not have at the time with Barker, as it just wasn’t his style.

Barker lived to be 99 years old, and he impacted generations of people. He earned 19 Emmys, and his advocacy for animal welfare issues made him an even more beloved fixture on television, including the wooden console set in the living room of my childhood home.

Most of us knew Barker as the host of “The Price Is Right,” but he got his game show start on NBC with another popular show called “Truth or Consequences,” which he hosted for 19 years. My mother-in-law, Lois Porath, was a contestant on that game show in the early 1960s. She won a hair dryer — one of those sit-down, over-the-head types.

As much as Barker loved his job, he often said his true passion was in advocating on behalf of animals to end animal cruelty and reduce pet overpopulation. Many of us recall his message to “The Price is Right” viewers at the end of each show: “Don’t forget to have your pets spayed or neutered.” That line became a bit of a joke to many of us, but it didn’t to Barker. Ironically, when the dogs I owned through the years would “bark,” I would say to them, “Who do you think you are, Bob Barker?” They didn’t laugh either.

What many of you may not know is that Barker was part Native American and was born in Mission, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. He never seemed to play that card, but he did deal with plenty of controversy later in his life, mostly stemming from a harassment and wrongful termination suit from Dian Parkinson, one of the models on the “The Price is Right” show. A judge dismissed the latter claim, and Parkinson dropped the former.

While I was in college sitting in my dorm room between classes, I watched my high school friend Brad Coulon “come on down” on the show and make us Iowa boys proud. He even won the “Showcase Showdown” by guessing the price of a living room set, bicycles, and a pop-up camper and winning more than $16,000 in prizes. Not too bad for a wrestler from Algona.

I don’t watch TV game shows today. In fact, I don't watch much TV at all. But I do miss the Hour Power and its most famous host. Rest in peace, Mr. Barker.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman 

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here.

CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines® readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best local rooftop bar

1. 300 Craft & Rooftop

2. The Garden Restaurant and Show Lounge

3. Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop

SEE BEST OF DES MOINES® EVENT PHOTOS HERE...

Meet Ted Ihns

Building community inside and outside the classroom.

By Becky Kolosik

Growing up, education was important to Ted Ihn’s family. As a student, many of his teachers and coaches impacted his life in a positive way, and he soon discovered that a career in education would be a natural fit — and a way he could make a difference.

Ihns completed his undergraduate degree at Concordia University and taught K-12 physical education for 13 years in rural, urban and suburban districts. He coached football, baseball and basketball and says he learned a lot being a teacher and coach.

“There is so much more to the school day than just the classroom,” he explains. “While some kids don’t shine in the classroom, they do in other areas and activities. Every student and athlete was unique, and I always wanted them to have fun learning, feel safe and work together.”

Read more in the August issue of Indianola Living magazine 

Happy Birthday Emily Tomlinson, Chris J Williams and Maria Jordan!

These celebrities were born on this date:Warren Buffett, Michael Chiklis, Cameron Diaz, Lisa Ling, Bebe Rexha, Ryan Ross, Johanna Braddy

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What happens when the skunk wrote a book? IT BECAME A BEST SMELLER!  - Rich Wicks. Or, NO ONE ODORED IT! - Rex Post

Today's riddle

What do you get when you mix an elephant with a rhino?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.

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