Barker Threatens to Be a No-Show at GSN Game Show Awards
Tuesday May 12, 2009
It's hard to believe that anyone on the planet could refer to Betty White as their "sworn enemy," but the game show world is a strange and wondrous place sometimes.Bob Barker, who retired from 35 years at the helm of The Price is Right and is scheduled to receive special recognition at the upcoming GSN Game Show Awards, has threatened to boycott the affair if his "sworn enemy" Betty White is in attendance. No, I'm not kidding. Apparently this little feud, which White has not commented on herself, is the result of Barker's attempt to have an elephant named Billy relocated from the Los Angeles Zoo to a sanctuary in San Andreas. White, on the other hand, fought to have Billy's current location expanded and improved, which is what was ultimately arranged for the elephant.
According to MSN Celeb Edge, Barker is still "livid with Betty over the issue and he doesn't want her presence ruining his big night." (Although my favorite quote from this report is, "It left Bob more upset than a cardboard mountaineer falling to his death.")
To give props where they're due, BuzzerBlog picked up this story and ran with it last night, and they've even got a groovy little graphic to illustrate the issue.
Honestly, I'm not sure why I find this story so amusing, but I can't stop giggling. One would think that Barker would be grown up enough to realize that he's acting like a big baby, and that Betty White is just as much of a game show legend as he is, if not more so. If this story is true, and we have to keep in mind that the original source is The National Enquirer, I would love to hear Betty White's take on the whole thing. Both stars are animal rights activists, but apparently that's just not good enough for Barker.
Update: It appears that Betty White will be pre-taping her tribute to Mark Goodson for the awards ceremony, so Barker may get his way after all.
Photo courtesy CBS
Comments
The National Enquirer isn’t exactly the most reliable source, although this story is kind of amusing. I don’t know much about Bob Barker but he simply doesn’t strike me as that petty.
I know a lot about Barker. And sadly, “petty” is one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of him.
If Barker wins this round, it is GSN’s lost as they are caving into a coward who doesn’t give a damn about anything except his own ego! Due to his attitude for women, he fired many people while he was Executive Producer of “TPIR”, and didn’t apologize for doing so – maybe now people will see his TRUE colors for the man he really is, and not the fraud he put on CBS for 37 years!
Bob Barker does wonderful things for animals with his own money, among other things using it to relocate zoo elephants to sanctuaries. He’s a remarkably enlightened person in this area, and he’s no hypocrite: he’s also a vegetarian. Betty White is no animal rights activist. At best she’s an animal welfarist, and Barker is right to publically express his displeasure with her. Animal rights activists oppose incarcerating animals in zoos and circuses, welfarists don’t.
Contrary to your statement that Betty White is as much of a game show “legend” as Bob Barker, she isn’t a patch on Bob. She used to be a regular contestant on “Password” but that’s only because her late husband, Allen Ludden, was the emcee. What has Betty White ever done for animals? Bob Barker puts his money and his actions where his mouth is and has donated vast amounts of money and time to help animals. Betty White sits on the Board of Directors for the L.A. Zoo and is one of the brainless nitwits who is keeping elephants on tiny parcels of land that endangers their health. When it comes to brains, Betty is truly a “Rose Nyland” type.
BRJ, you must be a BobBot. Betty White was on Password LONG before she married Al Ludden. She was championing “common sense” animal rights long before Bob adopted HIS WIFE’S CAUSE.
Brainless nitwit, Betty White is not.
BJR36JRG, normally I don’t give morons like you the time of day, but being an ardent Betty White supporter I must tell you how COMPLETELY wrong you were. Bob Barker didn’t take up his cause for animals until after 1982, following the passing of his wife who was involved. Before then, he really didn’t have much of a care for the issue.
Ms. White has been a supporter of animal rights and support since AT LEAST the 1950s (evidenced by her Intimate Portrait special) In fact, in 1971 Betty had her own program devoted to animals called “The Pet Set”.
For you to say that Betty cannot compare to Bob in the animal help department is simply asinine and you know it.
BJR36JRG, Betty White has been a staple on all versions of Password, as well as What’s My Line?, Pyramid, Match Game, To Tell the Truth, I’ve Got a Secret, Win, Lose, or Draw – I’m sure I’m forgetting a few. She was the first woman to win a Daytime Emmy award for hosting the game show Just Men. So let’s not knock her influence on the genre.
And, for the record, she was on Password well before she married Ludden.
As for animals, she’s always been involved with numerous charities and organizations benefiting them. The Morris Animal Foundation, Actors & Others for Animals – again, there are several I’m forgetting.
It’s fine to stick up for Barker, but let’s get the facts straight as well.
I’m sorry Bob! Someone should tell you to let go once in a while! Your ego is getting in the way again! After all this time you’re still sulking!! (i’ll bet you’re stamping your feet too!) Ha-Ha You lose some, and you win some! Grow up! From once a fan of yours but no longer! Joe Cody