Bart Eskander; apparently Not Fired, but Voluntarily Left The Show

[jimlange]

In the words of Bennett Cerf on the final episode of "What's My Line?",  ''I smell eight rats!!!"  Something just isn't right here.  I think this whole thing is being forced.  Since, his wife, Susan, is now posting here I hope some further light can be shed on the situation.  

Here's the thing.  Everything that has been posted about TPIR, as of late, has been pretty right on.  I am sorry, but something really isn't right here.  I don't know how many times I can emphasize that.  It just isn't.

[susan.eskander]

This is an interesting development.  If you are, in fact, Mrs. Eskander, than I wish you and your husband nothing but happiness together.  Many thanks for his years of service to the show. 

At the same time, I don't mean any dis-respect when I say that I hope you are who you say you are, and that this is reliable information.  Message boards are certainly places filled with so-called "experts" who often disguise themselves as legitimate information sources.  Unfortunately, the flow of verifiable information from TVC has certainly slowed with the new regime.  I hope our mods can post something definitive here.

This is the sort of post that causes mis-information.  WHY do you think he was fired?  What information do you have here?  Also, when you comment on professionalism, and the red squiggles on my spell-check go into over-drive, it becomes difficult to take you seriously.

I'm not sure how to validate my identify, other than to tell you that there is no agenda here other than to set the record straight.

[MrBill1978]

Its sorta of embarassing to see how he goes on and on about an apology over something so stupid.  I dont put much trust in that websight because thats not proffessional journalism.  I hope we will find out the truth here but I believe he was fired!

If you write an article with false or erroneous information, (regardless of intent) and it comes to light that your source was wrong, a correction notice and/or written apology is the best way to clear up the matter.  Thats what the pro's would do, and thats what Alex did here.  

Now let me ask you this:  Assuming Mrs. Eskander is indeed posting on the board here, what proof did Golden Road have to support it's claim that Bart was in fact fired?  

[sideshowPA]

... what proof did Golden Road have to support it's claim that Bart was in fact fired?  

If you go back and read the original thread about Bart's leaving, it begins with a "rumor" that Bart was fired, but nowhere in the thread is the a confirmation of this rumor:  http://www.golden-road.net/index.php/topic,9988.0.html

The thread led to much hypothesizing over what may have occurred, but the term "fired" is not used by any of the mods to describe the situation.

[jimlange]

Why would Bart leave mid season?  Most people who leave a show wait until the season is over. 

[MrBill1978]

If you go back and read the original thread about Bart's leaving, it begins with a "rumor" that Bart was fired, but nowhere in the thread is the a confirmation of this rumor:  http://www.golden-road.net/index.php/topic,9988.0.html

The thread led to much hypothesizing over what may have occurred, but the term "fired" is not used by any of the mods to describe the situation.

thats the thread I was looking for, thanks.  Best bet is to wait for Nanny to catch up and comment...it says there he heard the 'buzz around the studio'.   And Jim Lange makes a good point as well. 

[PriceFanArmadillo]

Why would Bart leave mid season?  Most people who leave a show wait until the season is over. 

Hmm...this is very much looking like a higher-up at the show went to Bart and said something like "You know, we're not going to fire you right now, but we'd really appreciate it if you went ahead and retired.  Like, next week would be nice."  Or Bart finally had enough of everything that was going on at the show and didn't feel like hanging around until he was fired. 

This is idle conjecture, of course; I have zero proof of anything.  I am basing that on absolutely nothing other than the fact that it seems to fit the greatest number of claims out there right now.

[nicholasdreyer]

I appreciated Barts Directing... I think people should quit bashing him.... He has history with the show so STOP IT... I wonder if Bart himself will release a statement?

[Marc]

Hi Susan, welcome to the site and thanks for joining the discussion.

Since you’ve cracked the door for us, I’m hoping that you can help us open it all the way.  I was of the opinion (and still am, quite frankly) that your husband was unceremoniously dismissed from The Price is Right.  I’ve seen your husband work many times, both on stage and behind the curtain, and I observed a man who appeared to be passionate about his job an in control of a difficult production day in and day out.  Call it a termination, call it a firing, call it a “resignation” -- I do not think that Bart would voluntarily walk away from a very handsome salary after nearly 4 decades of loyalty to the show.

Assuming, like you allude to, that Bart did retire from the show under his own volition, two things strike me as unusually odd.  First off, I have several contacts at the show, and not one of them mentioned to me that Bart was retiring – I actually learned that he was no longer with this show on this very site, a fact that I later confirmed.  Assuming that a professional two-week notice was provided prior to his retirement, how come there was no “buzz” around the studio in the days before Bart directed his last show?  Secondly, I’d need your help in understanding why nobody knew who your husband’s replacement would be until after he left the show.  I would expect there to be some transition period where Bart and his successor would work hand-in-hand – but we did not have that here…why?

I wish you & your family the best, but if you are truly here to “set the record straight”, I hope that you can help us complete the whole story and not just the part of it that you want us to hear.  I’m sure I speak for many when I say that we’d love to see some pictures / video from Bart’s retirement party – certainly there’d be one after 30 years!

Thanks,
Marc

[jimlange]

I appreciated Barts Directing... I think people should quit bashing him.... He has history with the show so STOP IT... I wonder if Bart himself will release a statement?

No YOU stop it. Everyone here is entitled to their own opinion.  Nobody is doubting his passion for the job, but if they did or didn't like his directing style then that is up to them and not you.

To Marc, you echo my sentiments 200%!!   

[JoePlinko]

Well at least we know he wasn't fired.  Thanks Susan.  I wish you and Bart well in your future endeavors.

There was actually half a thread, before it went south, that thanked Bart for his service.  http://www.golden-road.net/index.php/topic,10533.0.html  You may only want to read about half of those.

I wonder if Bart himself will release a statement?

Yeah, for the 25 people on this board who care or to the media who has know idea who he is? It's doubtful on the statement.  This is probably just a case of his wife getting upset reading incorrect posts dragging Bart through the mud and she just wants to set everyone straight.

[susan.eskander]

Well at least we know he wasn't fired.  Thanks Susan.  I wish you and Bart well in your future endeavors.

There was actually half a thread, before it went south, that thanked Bart for his service.  http://www.golden-road.net/index.php/topic,10533.0.html  You may only want to read about half of those.

Yeah, for the 25 people on this board who care or to the media who has know idea who he is? It's doubtful on the statement.  This is probably just a case of his wife getting upset reading incorrect posts dragging Bart through the mud and she just wants to set everyone straight.

Thank you for the positive and rational post.  You are right.

Marc,
If you would like to speak with Bart directly, please PM me and I will provide our home telephone number.  You can explain to him where you heard the rumors about him being fired and he will be happy to tell you himself about his retirement.  For all the years he worked on the show, he always said what a great crew it took to pull off taping the show three camera live with one ISO (did I explain that right?).  He never took his people for granted and said that once the show started taping, it was like being on a freight train - it took a tremendously talented group to pull it off.  He has no regrets.
Susan

[PIR85]

If, Susan, you turn out to be who you say you are, and it seems likely, then thank you for posting here.  I will be glad to hear any insight you or Bart would like to provide.

[JoePlinko]

She's calling you on the carpet Marc.  It'll be very good to know the whole truth once you speak to him.

[gameshowfan1987]

I'm probably one of few who never really saw much of a problem with Bart's directing other than removing the Plinko sign, but that's another matter entirely.  Welcome to the boards, Mrs. Eskander.  Hopefully you enjoy your stay here.  I wish Bart a happy retirement.