How much sleep did Rich get the night before his TPIR audition? What was it like meeting Bob Barker for the first time? Who was instrumental in his getting the job? And what did Rich’s bosses at the TV station in Palm Springs say when he asked for time off to go to the audition? Or did he even tell them? What was it like pulling in to Television City? What happened when he first walked into CBS? Where was his dressing room? What did he say to “Mr. Barker.” And did Bob insist Rich call him that?
Before Geno and Rich get into all that, we answer a few of your follow-up questions from the first few episodes of Come On Down. Why did Rich’s pilot with Wink Martindale not work out? Another question was about the affectionate nature of 70’s and 80’s game show hosts with female contestants. Was it ever discussed behind the scenes? And what were the worst “consolation prizes?”