Television Game Show Hosts: Biographies of 32 Stars

[Zoneboy]

Link

After 14 years of research and dedication, an Emory & Henry employee is able to share with the world his fascination with some of the most popular programs in television history.

Kelly Library Circulation Assistant David Baber, a former resident of Clifton Forge, Va., shares his knowledge of game shows in a new book, “Television Game Show Hosts: Biographies of 32 Stars,” which is being published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publisher.

The book, which includes interviews with many well-known game show personalities, is the first comprehensive look at the history of American game shows and their hosts. The book profiles the careers and private lives of 32 American game show hosts, including the originals, the classics and the contemporaries.

Baber was first attracted to game shows at the age of three. He recalls watching game shows with his grandmother, Doris, to whom the book is dedicated. “I watched ‘Wheel of Fortune’ before there was Pat.”

Including nearly 80 photos and organized alphabetically by host, each chapter begins with a personal profile, including dates and places of birth, family information and a complete career history. Immediately following is a detailed biography highlighting the most significant developments of each host’s early life and career, complete with successes, failures and scandals. Frequently, the biography is accompanied by personal interviews with the host or family and closest friends.

Some of the most recognized names include Bill Cullen, Peter Marshall, Bob Barker, Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek, Peter Tomarken, Monty Hall and Wink Martindale.

“I never thought I’d be talking to these people I saw on TV as a child,” said Baber.

He had the advantage of speaking with Anne Cullen, the widow of his favorite host, Bill Cullen, who hosted 23 game shows, including “The Price is Right.” Baber said, “Bill was like a broadcast text book. He was so modest. That’s what I liked about him.”

Baber describes the longtime host of “Jeopardy,” Alex Trebek, as low key and pleasant. “We talked about his life and certain rumors that surrounded his career.”

The host of “Press Your Luck,” Peter Tomarken was fatally injured in a plane crash while serving as a volunteer pilot for low-income cancer patients nearly a year after an interview with Baber. “I was one of the last people who interviewed him. He spoke about his lack of respect for today’s reality game shows.”

Baber had help throughout his research from Bob Stewart, the creator of several classic shows such as “The Price is Right” and the “$25,000 Pyramid.” Stewart called Baber on numerous occasions with information to include in this rare book. “Bob gave me many anecdotes, including one about Bill Cullen's battle with lung cancer, ‘Password’ host Allen Ludden meeting actress Betty White on the show and later marrying her, and Dick Clark going through a blinding snow storm to make it to New York in time to tape episodes of ‘The $25,000 Pyramid’ in the 1970s.”

The faculty and staff at Emory & Henry College also played a major role in helping Baber achieve his goal. “The staff, past and present, really helped. Not one time did I give them an item they couldn’t find during my research,” said Baber. “I thank God too for guiding me through the past several years and giving me the faith to press on during the difficult times.”

“Some people thought I was a nut for doing this, but I’d rather see a winner on a game show than a loser on a talk show,” Baber said.

Television Game Show Hosts: Biographies of 32 Stars is available at www.Mcfarlandpub.com, www.Amazon.com, Target, Books-A-Million, Emory & Henry Kelly Library and can be ordered at bookstores nationwide.

[dawsongirl]

Neat. I'll have to check it out. I'm curious who all the people in the book are.

[OH Nuts!]

Thank you for this interesting post & info