I'm not sure I agree with that. Granted, the sample size for Dennis James is low, but I always got the impression that both Barker and James had a similar stereotypical '70s game show host slickness to them. Barker was just better at establishing a rapport with contestants and prodding them to make a decision in a less aggressive way.

I wonder how much of this is down to the fact Dennis only hosted the show in the half-hour format. Watching the available episodes from his run as host nearly half of the runtime is dedicated to the showcase round. The show always felt like it was in "hurry-up" mode to squeeze in the longer showcases. One of the circulating episodes even has audio from the breaks not completely muted out and you can hear Dennis engaging with the audience and it seems like he does have a decent enough rapport with interacting with them when not rushing to the flow of the 23 minute runtime.

2802K (02/10/2004)

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Episode Number: 2805K (02/13/2004)
Airdate: February 13, 2004
Barker's Beauties: Gabrielle, Rachel, Candace

Here it comes! From the Bob Barker Studio at CBS in Hollywood! Television’s most exciting hour of fantastic prizes! The fabulous, 60-minute Price Is Right!

TELEVISION'S FASTEST HOUR!
PRIZES GALORE!
HAPPY WINNERS!

First Four: Blue, Yellow, Green, Red
Microphone Handoff: Gabrielle

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1st IUFB - An exciting day sailer: American Sail's Pennant 10-foot long day sailer designed for the young at heart, complete with main and jib sails, oar lock sockets, auxiliary motor mount block, and colorful Dacron sails (Candace)

|	EDNA	|	LAUREN	|	DESIREE	|	DANIEL	|
|	$750	|	$2500	|	$870	|	$1000	|

Actual Retail Price: $2,695!

Lauren is playing Master Key for gorgeous flatware, a lovely pedestal, and a new car:
1: Oneida flatware in fine silver plate service for 12 in the King James pattern, a classic elegant style perfect for entertaining (Gabrielle)
2: Pulaski Furniture Corporation pedestal featuring latte stone finish, curved and scrolled wrought iron, and richly detailed relief on the cast stone base (Candace)
3: Ford Focus SE with standard features including 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and air conditioning (Rachel)

Lauren can earn up to two keys by guessing the prices of two items.

1. Grater that grates, shreds, and shaves your favorite cheeses, vegetables, and spices; electric, cordless, and rechargeable

2 4 8

Lauren thinks the price is $24.

2 4 ░
2 4 ░

Correct! Lauren picks key 5.

2. Handy breadmaker featuring 17 different programs to make everything from bagels to pizza dough to whole wheat breads

5 9 0

Lauren thinks the price is $90.

5 9 ░
░ 9 0

Wrong! She'll have to make bread the hard way.

To the locks!

FLATWARE	–	PEDESTAL	–	CAR
┌┐ ██	|	┌┐ ██	|	┌┐ ██

Lauren tries key 5...

FLATWARE	–	PEDESTAL	–	CAR
WIN ██	|	WIN ██	|	WIN ██

It's the Master Key! Lauren wins all three prizes!

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Bob had just said hello to the next calldown, Brenda, during the last commercial. Bob was going around identifying all the different groups from colleges and universities in the audience, including a large group from Purdue in Brenda's case.

2nd IUFB - A beautiful garden bench: The Intimate Gardener Sumatra teak wood garden bench (Rachel)

|	Edna	|	BRENDA	|	Desiree	|	Daniel	|
|	$750	|	$900	|	$650	|	$450	|

Actual Retail Price: $1,100!

Brenda is playing Freeze Frame for a new barrel sauna: Almost Heaven by Great Lakes Home & Resort freestanding barrel sauna milled from red cedar and built with solid construction that can be used inside or out (Gabrielle).

	81 95
75		60
36		52
	29 45

Brenda freezes at 52 and 45. Reveal the price!

	52 45
60	$5245	29
95	––––	36
	81 75

Brenda wins the sauna!

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Bob notices that we have another Lauren in the previous Lauren's spot.

3rd IUFB - A new washer/dryer: Washer and electric dryer both with extra-large doors making loading and unloading a breeze, features including 9-hour delay wash and 5 temperature dryer settings (Candace)

Also going to the winner is a supply of Anbesol pain reliever (Candace)

|	Edna	|	LAUREN	|	Desiree	|	Daniel	|
|	$1148	|	$1099	|	$1350	|	$1351	|

Actual Retail Price: $1,888!

Daniel is playing Danger Price for a new motor scooter, a stylish bar set, a cat tree tower, and a lovely pewter collection:
1: Yamaha Vino motor scooter that's charming and economically chic and supports a 49 CC air-cooled engine with great gas mileage, a stylish single seat, and eye-catching accents (Rachel)
2: Johnston Casuals 3-piece bar set including granite and steel bar and 2 swivel bar stools featuring some of the most innovative contemporary bar designs (Rachel)
3: sittingprettykitty.com unique 6-foot cat-climbing tree, each handmade tower featuring a hollow trunk and inner shelves, solid wood construction (Gabrielle)
4: Jon Margeaux 37-piece handcrafted Fleur de Lis pewter collection with its ability to go from freezer to oven to table; practical, elegant, and impressive, and never needs to be polished (Gabrielle)

The Danger Price is $2910.

BAR SET	| |	CAT TREE
MOTORSCOOTER	| |	HOSTESS SET

Daniel picks the cat tree.

BAR SET	| |	$599
MOTORSCOOTER	| |	HOSTESS SET

Daniel picks the hostess set.

BAR SET	| |	$599
MOTORSCOOTER	| |	$1060

Daniel picks the motorscooter. He first said the bar set after confusion over his friends saying it's not that...in Danger Price.

BAR SET	| |	$599
$1748	| |	$1060

Daniel wins all four prizes!

$2910	| |	$599
$1748	| |	$1060

---

Bob jokes that Brenda bought that shirt at a thrift shop, but he believes she really was from there. She is currently an assistant principal at a middle school, and there's no school today.

1st Showcase Showdown:

|	CONTESTANT	|	SPIN 1	|	SPIN 2	|	TOTAL	|	RESULT	|
|	Brenda	|	.10	|	.65	|	.75	|		|
|	Daniel	|	.65	|	.50 .20	|	.85	|		|
|	Lauren	|	.60	|	.30	|	.90	|	SHOWCASE	|

Bob doesn't even want to stand beside Daniel after a weak spin like his second attempt.

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4th IUFB - A beautiful collection of lamps: Quoizel Lighting Lafayette Collection unique 3-piece lamp group featuring a pineapple motif with Gold Coast finish (Gabrielle)

|	Edna	|	Lauren	|	Desiree	|	HELEN	|
|	$950	|	$951	|	$952	|	$795	|

Actual Retail Price: $1,122!

Desiree is playing Time is Money for a stylish seating group: Berkline seating group with comfort, style, and function (Rachel); plus a Dimplex Rhapsody electric stove that offers style, ambience, and realistic flame effect of a wood stove without the mess or costly hook-up (Candace); a prize package worth $2,498.

The grocery products are:
1. Udderly Smooth Hand and Body Lotion with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera
2. Capzasin-HP Deep Penetrating Odor Free Arthritis Pain Relief
3. Little Debbie Honey Buns
4. Nestle Carnation Malted Milk Original flavor
5. Viactiv Soft Calcium Chews

|	LOTION	|	PAIN RELIEF	|	BUNS	|	MALTED MILK	|	CALCIUM	|
|	––––––	|	––––––	|	––––––	|	––––––	|	––––––	|

Desiree has 15 seconds to place the items on these shelves:

|	––––––	|	––––––	|	––––––	|
|	$3 ↓	|	$3-$6	|	$6 ↑	|

Desiree takes the first chance, and MRRRRRRRP!

|	BUNS	|	MALTED MILK LOTION	|	CALCIUM PAIN RELIEF	|
|	$3 ↓	|	$3-$6	|	$6 ↑	|

Correct! Desiree wins the seating group!

|	LOTION	|	PAIN RELIEF	|	BUNS	|	MALTED MILK	|	CALCIUM	|
|	$3.88	|	$12.00	|	$1.39	|	$4.39	|	$7.49	|

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5th IUFB - A new home theater speaker system: JBL 6-piece home cinema speaker package (Candace on the Turntable)

|	Edna	|	Lauren	|	JOSHUA	|	Helen	|
|	$1005	|	$1006	|	$1635	|	$999	|

Actual Retail Price: $1,030!

Lauren is playing Ten Chances for a handy pizza oven, a cool snare drum, and a new car:
1. Presto distinctive appliance that acts as a countertop appliance with a rotating pan that spins frozen pizza into a bubbling hot treat, plus it's non-stick for easy clean-up (Rachel)
2. Tama large snare drum and stand, a diamond-plated monster with impressive power to stand up to any rock star (Rachel)
3. Pontiac Grand Am SE Sedan, includes 2.2-liter twin cam 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 15-inch cast-aluminum wheels, rear deck spoiler, engine block heater, and anti-lock brakes (Gabrielle)

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Lauren starts writing!

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Lauren starts writing!

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Lauren wins all three prizes!

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6th IUFB - Charming baby furniture: Delta LUV baby furniture including Riviera crib and mattress as well as all the practical accessories (Gabrielle)

|	Edna	|	JOHN-PAUL	|	Joshua	|	Helen	|
|	$1551	|	$1500	|	$890	|	$1550	|

Actual Retail Price: $1,135!

It's not Edna who will bring us the perfect show, as she's going to the First Four Breakfast Club.

Joshua is playing Barker's Bargain Bar for a handcrafted cupboard and a gorgeous dinette set:
1: Bucks County Collection Marlborough cupboard, a handcrafted antique reproduction with generous display area and plenty of room for silverware (Rachel)
2: furnitureofamerica.com Stone Country Ironworks Waterbury Collection heirloom quality iron dinette set featuring elegant flowing lines and glass top (Candace)

Cupboard	–	Dinette
$2,953	|	$1,745

Joshua picks the cupboard. Reveal the prices!

$3,253	|	$2,345
$300	|	$600

MRRRRRRRP! We can't be let down much harder than this. Blame the cupboard, as Bob also thought Joshua won.

Joshua will be back for the Showcase Showdown after the break.

---

Contestants not appearing onstage will receive a Bulova desk clock and a Jennifer convertibles gift certificate.

2nd Showcase Showdown:

|	CONTESTANT	|	SPIN 1	|	SPIN 2	|	TOTAL	|	RESULT	|
|	Joshua	|	1.00	|	––	|	1.00	|	$1,000!	|
|	Desiree	|	.50	|	.20	|	.70	|		|
|	Lauren	|	.30	|	.15	|	.45	|		|

|	BONUS SPIN	|	SPIN	|	RESULT	|
|	Joshua	|	.15	|	*$5,000!* SHOWCASE	|

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Lauren is the top winner, and Joshua is the Runner-Up!

SHOWCASE 1: Filled with Valentine's Gifts for Her!
1. And it starts with a new Rolex watch! (Gabrielle)
- Rolex Oyster Collection lady's watch sculptured in 18-karat gold, the epitome of class and elegance

2. And to go out on the town, how about a lovely new gown? (Rachel)
- Claire's Collection gown that exudes sophistication, elegance, and romance, for the celebrity in you

3. And for some first-class pampering, we're sending the lucky lady on a fabulous spa vacation in Arizona! (Candace)
- Fly with a guest round-trip coach from L.A. to Flagstaff then drive to Sedona for a 6-night stay at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa amidst the beauty of the magnificent Red Rock formations in surrounding Sedona, a hotel that offers breathtaking views and superb accommodations; a rental car is included

4. And finally, treat the lady in your life to the ultimate vacation...a cruise of the Mediterranean! (Candace)
- Fly with a guest round-trip coach from L.A. to Venice to begin a Costa Cruises 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise aboard the 5-star Costa Classica, cruising Italian style on Europe's #1 cruise line

Lauren Bids: $14,000.

SHOWCASE 2: Filled with Valentine's Gifts for Him!
1. And it starts with a matching Rolex watch! (Gabrielle)
- Rolex Oyster Collection man's watch sculptured in 18-karat gold, the epitome of class and elegance

2. And then we have a great gift for any guy...a selection of power tools! (Candace)
- Black & Decker 9-piece power tool package including the latest innovative products like the Bullseye laser, wet/dry vacuum, and Mega Mouse sander polisher, packed with power and performance

3. And next, send the man in your life to sports lovers' paradise...Dodger Baseball Camp! (Gabrielle)
- Fly with a guest round-trip from L.A. to Orlando courtesy of Spirit Airlines, for a 6-night stay including all instruction, uniforms, and meals at the L.A. Dodgers Adult Baseball camp, a fantasy camp where you'll live, play, and train with baseball greats for an action-packed fun-filled week

4. And finally, give your Valentine the gift that keeps on giving...rides, that is, in a brand new convertible! (Candace)
- Chrysler Sebring LX convertible, includes 2.7-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, Inferno Red tinted pearl coat paint, and premium cloth bucket seats

Joshua Bids: $41,555.

Showcase bids:

|	Joshua	|	Lauren	|
|	$41555	|	$14000	|

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ARP of Lauren's Showcase: $20,395, for a difference of $6,395.
ARP of Joshua's Showcase: $42,517, for a difference of $962!

Difference of:

|	CONVERTIBLE	|	CRUISE	|
|	$962	|	$6395	|

Joshua wins $49,652 in prizes!

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Bob Barker reminds you to help control the pet population, and have your pets spayed or neutered!

I haven't been watching all of the episodes, as two hours of season one is difficult to sit through. It doesn't help Pluto when, for example, I sat down shortly before 6:00 Pacific this evening only to be greeted with yet another airing of the tribute special. If I had known that was going to happen, I would have made a point of jumping in an hour earlier. Instead, Pluto doesn't get my ad impressions.

The problem with the TW/RU format is that it was often impossible for the third onstage contestant to make it to the Showcase, even if they won their pricing game. This was especially true in the first two years or so, when the third slot was almost exclusively reserved for quickies (which usually offered a much cheaper prize/prize package than the car and fee games). I understand rewarding big winners, but it seemed totally unfair to the third onstage contestant, especially if it was someone who was called sixth (therefore never having any chance of winning their way up to play game 1 or 2).

Somebody correct me if I'm misremembering, but wasn't one of the original plans for The New Price Is Right to have three showcases, allowing all three onstage contestants to participate? It would make sense based on both the number of pricing games as well as the fact that there are three doors on the stage (in the earliest episodes, each showcase always seemed to be contained entirely within one door). It was only when the producers realized that there wasn't enough time in the half hour for three showcases that they had to cut it down to two and create a rule that unfortunately left the lowest winner out in the cold.

I imagine there were a lot of last-minute rule changes that came about when the producers realized they had too much show for their time slot. I know that one of the plans was to sometimes determine who would win their way up on stage by playing a variant of the original Bullseye with all four people in Contestants' Row. But just imagine how much time that would have taken. And the asterisks on the original One Bid displays imply that having a bid-bid-bid-bid-freeze auction like the original Price Is Right was a consideration.

This is slightly off the Pluto topic but is an interesting point of comparison none-the-less. I had said that Barker wouldn't hit his stride until years later. What is interesting to me, looking at 1972, is that Dennis James hit his stride right out of the gate and watching early James episodes is a ton of fun.

I'm not sure I agree with that. Granted, the sample size for Dennis James is low, but I always got the impression that both Barker and James had a similar stereotypical '70s game show host slickness to them. Barker was just better at establishing a rapport with contestants and prodding them to make a decision in a less aggressive way.

It's almost hard to believe that the prices of the prizes offered [in Give or Keep] had a scenario where a tie could have even occurred, but again, the show was in its infancy, so it's presumably not something the producers had given much prior thought to.

They gave enough thought to it to have the "tie goes to the contestant" rule in the first place. Especially in the early days, the producers were largely bound by the companies willing to pay for a spot in a fee game like Give or Keep. I'm guessing that with everything else they were trying to manage on a show with so much to coordinate, they were content just to get three pairs of small prizes whose prices were close enough to not make the game insultingly easy and didn't have time to also try to work the prizes into pairs that couldn't create a tie.

Overall, the first season just feels like a big work in progress

This is a very apt description. No show hits its stride right out of the gate, and while it's fascinating to watch season one from a historical perspective, from an entertainment perspective, two hours straight is too much.

On the November 29th episode: I remember watching Jackee Harry play the Dick Clark version of Pyramid. She looks great.

“When it rains, it…” for Pores.

“Umbilical” was a perfect clue for Types of Cords, better than my “extension”. I also thought starting with “your fate” was good for Things You Accept. How about “your expected package delivery” or “your responsibility”? Any fantastic clues out there?

A $100K try! Too much time spent on Places You See Lions. I would have added “his den” to “the zoo” and “an African safari”.

The second half-hour was a repeat. 

Frances Sternhagen, known for various roles including as Cliff Clavin’s mother on Cheers and, to me, characters in two Stephen King adaptations, died:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/frances-sternhagen-cheers-and-sex-and-the-city-actor-dies-at-/ar-AA1kKLbq?ocid=sapphireappshare