Barker's Beauties is a term coined by Mark Goodson used from 1972 through 2007 to refer to the collective group of models appearing on The Price Is Right. Since Bob Barker's retirement in 2007, the models are now simply referred to as The Price Is Right Models when making public appearances with current host Drew Carey.
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History
Over 25 women have appeared as models on Price Is Right since the show's debut in 1972. For the first three years of The Price Is Right, there were just two models: Janice Pennington and Anitra Ford. Dian Parkinson joined Pennington and Ford in 1975 after previously appearing periodically as a substitute model.
Ford left the show in 1976 and was later replaced by Holly Hallstrom who joined the cast in 1977. Pennington, Parkinson and Hallstrom appeared as the three principal models on both the daytime and syndicated versions of the show from the mid-1970's through the early 1990s.
In 1990 the three were joined by the show's first permanent African American model, Kathleen Bradley. During this period, Kyle Aletter-Oldham appeared as the substitute model whenever one of the principal models was unable to appear in a given episode.
Parkinson left the show in 1993 to "to pursue other interests" as stated by Barker, although speculation among some felt her departure was due to ongoing difficulties with Pennington. The following year, Parkinson filed a lawsuit claiming that host and executive producer Barker had been sexually harassing her beginning in the 1980s. Parkinson withdrew the suit in 1995.
Parkinson was replaced by several other women (including Cindy Margolis) until Gena Lee Nolin was hired in 1993. Hallstrom was dismissed from the show in 1995 by Barker on the basis of weight gain (due to prescription medication), although Hallstrom alleged that she was dismissed for her refusal to support Barker in his then-ongoing litigation with Parkinson. Barker sued Hallstrom for slander and libel and Hallstrom countersued Barker for wrongful termination and age, weight and medical discrimination. Hallstrom prevailed in 2005 and was awarded a multi-million dollar settlement.
After Hallstrom's termination and Nolin's departure that same year, Chantel Dubay was hired as the third model in 1996. Dubay left the show in 1999 and was replaced by Nikki Ziering.
In 2000, both Pennington and Bradley were dismissed from the show by the production company in (what was claimed as) an attempt to attract a younger demographic. Again speculation of ulterior motives abounded when it had been discovered that both women had been subpoenaed to appear as witnesses for Hallstrom in her ongoing litigation with Barker. Both Pennington and Bradley sued for wrongful termination and settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.[1]
Pennington and Bradley were replaced by Heather Kozar and Claudia Jordan in 2000. Ziering and Kozar both left the program in 2002. At this time, Jordan became the only "permanent" model and was joined by a rotating cast of additional models.
From Jordan's departure in 2003 until changes made in the fall 2008 tapings, the show no longer featured the same model or group of models on a daily basis. In addition to several models who are more-or-less a permanent part of the cast, new models appear every few weeks who sometimes eventually join the rotation, or other times appear for a single set of tapings. That procedure was changed in late 2008 as contracts expired.
Currently, the show uses four permanent models, three of which appear on any given episode – , Lanisha Cole, Rachel Reynolds, Amber Lancaster, and Gwendolyn Osbourne. Manuela Arbeláez, who participated in the 2008 model search, is currently assigned as the fifth regular model in the rotation, replacing Brandi Sherwood, who is on maternity leave. [2]
Drew Carey has indicated in an interview with USA Today that he prefers to simply refer to the models by name as opposed to giving them a nickname (this practice has also been used with production staff, notably producer Kathy Greco, whom Carey refers by name and not by the Barker-given nickname of "Fingers"). In addition, they are now referred as "The Price Is Right Models" when making public appearances with Carey, such as at the 2008 Pepsi 500, where Carey was the grand marshal, and the Seattle Sounders FC fashion gala where the Major League Soccer team, of which Carey is a minority owner, unveiled their new uniforms for the 2009 season.
Guest models
In February 2006, supermodel Tyra Banks appeared as a guest Barker's Beauty. She assisted with It's in the Bag and Card Game.
Since 2007, when Drew Carey began hosting, celebrities and sports professionals have appeared during specific segments on many episodes to promote prizes related to their professions, including Wayne Newton (Las Vegas trip), Lou Ferrigno (fitness equipment), Reba McEntire (Academy of Country Music Awards), Jim Nantz (NCAA Final Four trip), Heidi Newfield, and the United States women's national soccer team.
Most prizes on the show are offered as product placements. During Season 37, manufacturers of these products began offering their representatives to model the equipment, such as athletes signed to play with that brand's equipment or who represent a specific sports manufacturer, musicians under contract with the instrument's manufacturer or corporate representatives of another product or service. They have mostly appeared during One Bids but also during the Showcase. Carey will generally introduce the individual modeling the prize and their affiliation to the manufacturer or prize provider.
Staff members as models
In some cases, production staff and family members have modeled prizes. Kathy Greco modeled a rug and her husband Frank, a Los Angeles-area golf professional, modeled golf clubs. Sherell Paris, an executive assistant, helped model a karaoke machine.
Rod Roddy, the show's second announcer, modeled men's watches and suits used in One Bids. Roddy, Johnny Olson and Rich Fields also appeared in Showcase skits, sometimes modeling the prizes.
Production staff members' children have appeared on camera when items for children are offered.
Former FremantleMedia staffer Mandel Ilagan, who developed ½ Off, played a piano offered as a prize in 2009.
Conflicts with Barker
In addition to the litigation mentioned above, several other staff members have filed lawsuits against Barker and the program, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination.[3] After Parkinson brought forth sexual harassment allegations against Barker, he called a press conference to admit a past consensual sexual relationship with her.[4]
When asked in a USA Today interview about the four most famous Beauties, Barker replied, "They've been such a problem. I don't want to say anything about them. They're disgusting; I don't want to mention them." Barker gave praise to the models featured during his final years as host of the program, calling them "the best models we've ever had."[5]
All lawsuits, except for Hallstrom's, were settled out of court at the production company's insistence. Barker himself dropped his slander suit against Hallstrom, who immediately countersued and ultimately received millions in settlement.[6][7]
Nighttime versions
The daytime models appeared on the 1970s syndicated nighttime version as well, with a few notable exceptions. In the earliest episodes, a third model named Harriet was present; her last name is unknown, but she holds the distinction of being Price's first black model. Additional models besides Parkinson were also featured on the nighttime show, including Janice's sister Ann Pennington and a model named Jenny who even had a Showcase with her as the main character, in which she was an artist painting the contestant's prizes.
On the 1985 syndicated version Janice, Dian, and Holly appeared throughout the run.
For the 1994 syndicated show hosted by Doug Davidson, however, an entirely separate cast of models was featured: Julie Lynn Cialini, Ferrari Farris, and Lisa Stahl.
Since the debut of the CBS prime time series in 2002 and beginning with The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectaculars in 2003, there are often situations where four to seven models appear on each episode.
List of models on The Price is Right
| Name | Debut | Departure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Aletter | 1981 | 1996 | Substitute model. |
| Manuela Arbeláez | 2008 | present | First Hispanic model on the show, participated in 2008 Model Search. Substitute model during Brandi Sherwood's pregnancy. |
| Kathleen Bradley | 1990 | 2000 | |
| Starr Campbell | 2004 | 2005 | |
| Lanisha Cole | 2003 | Present | |
| Phire Dawson | 2005 | 2008 | |
| Chantel Dubay | 1996 | 1999 | |
| Jennifer England | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Anitra Ford | 1972 | 1976 | |
| Lisa Gleave | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Teri Harrison | 2003 | 2005 | |
| Holly Hallstrom | 1977 | 1995 | Left in '83, returned in '84. |
| Claudia Jordan | 2001 | 2003 | |
| Lauren Jones | 2007 | 2007 | On for five weeks. |
| Heather Kozar | 2001 | 2002 | |
| Amber Lancaster | 2008 | Present | |
| Cindy Margolis | 1995 | 1996 | |
| Tamiko Nash | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Gena Lee Nolin | 1994 | 1996 | |
| Gwendolyn Osbourne | 2005 | Present | Pregnancy acknowledged by Carey on-air in 2008; returned late in Season 36. |
| Dian Parkinson | 1975 | 1993 | |
| Janice Pennington | 1972 | 2000 | |
| Rebecca Mary Pribonic | 2004 | 2006 | |
| Rachel Reynolds | 2003 | Present | |
| Stephanie Leigh Schlund | 2008 | 2008 | |
| Brandi Sherwood | 2002 | Present | On maternity leave until early Season 38. Drew Carey announced she and husband Dean Cochran are expecting twins in the summer during a January 5, 2009 taping. |
| Shane Stirling | 2002 | 2008 | Maternity leave took place during host transition in 2007. |
| Gabrielle Tuite | 2003 | 2008 | |
| Natasha Yi | 2003 | 2004 | First Asian-American model on the show. |
| Nikki Zeno | 2005 | 2005 | |
| Nikki Ziering | 1999 | 2002 |
References
- ^ Jessica Su (2004-10-16). "Bob Barker to face courtroom battle after model's suit ruled valid". Court TV. http://www.courttv.com/people/2004/0917/barker_ctv.html.
- ^ [1] Who's On When (Models and Celebrity Appearances), Golden-Road.net
- ^ Joanne Weintraub (2007-05-09). "Barker still a prize: Durable host gave 'Price Is Right' a long spin". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=603699. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ "Interview with Bob Barker". Larry King Live (CNN). 2002-12-26. Transcript.
- ^ William Keck (2007-05-14). "The time is right for Barker". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-05-13-bob-barker_N.htm. Retrieved on 2007-10-16. (sidebar: "Game Show Family Had Its Share of Losses, Turmoil")
- ^ Mark Dawidziak (2007-05-16). "Right time for farewell: Specials mark end of career for game-show host Bob Barker". Cleveland Plain Dealer. http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1179312968209880.xml&coll=2. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- ^ Roger Catlin (2007-05-16). "The Time Is Right: At 83, Barker Departs 'Price Is Right,' And CBS Reminiscences With Two Specials". Hartford Courant. http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-bobbarker.artmay16,0,1891807.story?coll=hc-headlines-life. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
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