Moment With Mel: Bob Barker Was Such A Good Babysitter For Gen X’ers
Hearing that ‘The Price Is Right’ iconic host Bob Barker passed away made me a bit sad. He was 99 years old, so it wasn’t shocking, but it was sad. If you grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, you watched Bob Barker and ‘The Price Is Right’. Thinking about his passing took me down the road of nostalgia, and if you’re a Gen X’er, you’ll totally understand.
As a kid in the 70’s and 80’s, if you were sick and had to stay home from school, then you saw ‘The Price Is Right’. You’d end up on the family couch in the den or living room, with tissues on the floor beside you, watching Barker take contestants through numerous games so that they could try and win money. At some point your mom would bring you a bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, accompanied by some saltine crackers. You’d eat that, drink some ginger ale, and drift off to sleep while hearing the game show’s theme music playing.
This was a scenario that was happening in homes all over the country. Streaming wasn’t a thing, so all you had were a few main TV channels. Barker and ‘The Price Is Right’ came on at 11 a.m. on CBS when I was a kid. In 1972 Barker began hosting the game show, so if you are a Gen X’er, then grew up with him. Bob Barker hosted the show from 1972-2007. In 1972, I was two years old. In 2007, I was 37. ANY time I was sick while in elementary, middle, or high school, Barker was my babysitter!
When I was in fifth grade, I ended up with a bad case of bronchitis. Unfortunately, it turned into pneumonia, and I was out of school for a month. I think I watched Barker on TV every weekday I was home. It’s been a long time, but I can remember laying on the couch in our den in pink pajamas, covered up by a blanket, watching ‘The Price Is Right’. I’m not great with geography and I think it’s because I missed so much school in fifth grade. Although, I bet ya I can still win the showcase at then end of the show! LOL!
I used to love watching folks ‘come on down’ when their name was called, and I loved watching folks spin the big wheel. You’d giggle watching some 5-foot grandma trying to give the wheel a big spin. I’m smiling now just thinking about it. Watching the show also happened during the summer. If you were lucky, you’d be able to catch some of the game show before your parents kicked you out for the day.
Barker was an avid animal rights activist, and I’m pretty sure I learned what spaying and neutering meant from him. Beginning in 1982, every time he ended the show by saying, ‘This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population–have your pets spayed or neutered.’ I love that he was so passionate about animals, and love that he would remind us all to be responsible. While he was alive, Barker donated millions of dollars to numerous organizations to help animals.
We’re getting older and sadly, so are the folks we grew up watching on TV and movies are too. It’s odd that most of us have a connection to someone we don’t know whether they’re on TV, movies, or musicians. But we do! Thanks to Bob Barker for the ‘sick’ memories from my childhood. He made sick days fun! If you grew up during the 70’s and 80’s, Barker was your babysitter at least once!
