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It's in the Book, Bob!

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What about Bob (Eubanks)?

October 3, 2004

BY PAIGE WISER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

THIS WEEK'S ARGUMENT: That Bob Eubanks is a pop culture god.

I admit that I requested a review copy of Bob Eubanks' new autobiography for one reason: I wanted to read the inside scoop on the dirtier episodes of "The Newlywed Game."

But now I am ashamed. As I've learned from It's in the Book, Bob! (Benbella, $24.95), one game show does not a man's career make.

I had no idea that Eubanks was instrumental in bringing the Beatles to L.A., or that he founded the first public relations firm for rock groups. He's bad-mouthed Barry Manilow, stood up to Elton John and had a mysterious falling out with Dolly Parton. By the end of the book, I pictured Eubanks as a musical Zelig.

And yet Eubanks has suffered a whopping inferiority complex. He writes, "I couldn't shake the feeling that my life's work could be capsulized as a guy who pushed young couples to answer suggestive questions about their personal lives for the price of a toaster."

In short, he hates ignorant people like me.

So I'd like to remedy the situation, and give some of you a crash course in all things Bob:

*As an L.A. deejay in the '60s, his station attracted groupies. Eubanks writes: "Dick Biondi, who came on board in 1963 to do 9 to midnight, asked me years later if I remembered a long-haired guy who was a lot older than the rest of the kids and used to sit on the steps and hold court." Eubanks didn't remember him. "'His name,' Dick told me, 'was Charlie ... Charlie Manson.'"

*Eubanks used to hang out with Sonny Bono, pre-Cher.

*Eubanks suggested to Brian Wilson's manager-father that the Beach Boys change their name. (The suggestion was ignored.)

*Eubanks guest-starred on the "Ozzie & Harriet" TV series as a bicycle shop owner. Coincidentally, the role was offered just as Ricky Nelson had a new record coming out that Ozzie wanted played on Eubanks' station.

*Eubanks swore by hair stylist Jay Sebring, who pioneered the use of hairspray on men. Sebring was later murdered with Sharon Tate by Charles Manson's gang.

*As a concert promoter, Eubanks made about $1,000 on the Beatles' first concert at the Hollywood Bowl. He'd wised up by the time the Beatles came back to town in 1966 for a concert at Dodgers Stadium. For that event, Eubanks made "a decent profit," but estimates that each of the Beatles made less than $4,000 for the gig. They stopped touring almost immediately thereafter.

*Eubanks once caught Keith Moon smuggling an underage girl backstage in a bass drum case.

*At his first meeting with Merle Haggard, the country star's cigarette ignited the crotch of Eubanks' black-and-white herringbone slacks. His leg was singed, but it didn't discourage Eubanks from going on the road with Haggard for years.

*When he auditioned for zany producer Chuck Barris, Eubanks thought that "The Newlywed Game" was "the dumbest idea for a show I'd ever heard." And those confessions of Barris' dangerous mind? "I will also say that if he was a CIA assassin, then I'm Mary Poppins."

*He was featured in Michael Moore's movie "Roger & Me," and, like many, doesn't have anything nice to say about the filmmaker. Moore interviewed Eubanks in Flint, Mich., for what he was told would be a local TV news story. Eubanks assumed the cameras were off at one point, and told two tasteless jokes. They, of course, made it into the film. Eubanks says that he swore to friends that if he ever happened upon Moore in a men's room, "I would rearrange his dentition." But he's over it now. Really.

*Eubanks was hired for Jessica Simpson's variety show, with an initial offer of $800 that he negotiated up to $7,500. His bit was cut.

That, my friends, is a full life in the entertainment industry.

You're still curious about the dirt, though, aren't you? If you persist in wanting the answer to the "Newlywed" question "Where's the strangest, most unusual place the two of you have ever made whoopee?" -- you'll find it on page 365.

For years, Eubanks told people the infamous episode (where a woman described a part of her body rather than an actual place) never happened -- until someone showed him the clip and proved him wrong. He says that he simply didn't remember it.

And who can blame him?

This book was a really amazing read. I personally had no idea that Bob Eubanks was anything other than a gameshow host from the 70s. But if you read his book, you'll find that he was not only a well-known host but an instrumental part of many famous muscians lives, including the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and Stevie Wonder. He also talks about many other funny anecdotes that happened between he and Cary Grant, the Rolling Stones, and the guy that Bob Eubanks is apparently always being mistaken for--The Price is Right's Bob Barker. (He also devotes a whole chapter to his troubles with Michael Moore and a chance to hear about the other side of what happened with "Roger and Me.") If you enjoy reading biographies and are interested in rock 'n' roll, television and celebrities, then you'll really enjoy this book.

Bob Eubanks, best known as host of various versions of the classic game show "The Newlywed Game", playing daily at 9 am on GSN, wrote his memoirs in 2002 titled "It's in the Book, Bob!"

In this book that is a must for game show junkies everywhere, Bob Eubanks tells his own version of his own story from birth, high school, college, radio, concert promotion, and eventually, television.

Each copy is signed by Bob Eubanks himself.

So, in the words of Bob Eubanks, purchase this book. Thanks for playing!

I truly enjoyed reading this book. Having been a fan of Bob Eubanks for decades, and especially his TV series, Newlywed Game, I was astounded to find that he had such a varied life. His anecdotes and stories were laugh-out-loud funny, and sometimes eye-opening. My only complaint is that the book is so short. Something tells me that he could have written ten such books, and I would want to read every one of them. Well done, Bob. I wish all The Newlywed Game episodes were available for purchase.

I recently bought this book on this website, adn being the fan of The Newlywed Game that i am, I liked it quite a bit. I thought he was a little bit long winded in one particular chapter, but that is how it goes sometimes. I was disappointed in how little he told about his personal life. He never mentions how he meets his two wives, or when hemarried or anything. I thohgt some of the episodes from the ABC run are still in tact although not been aired in several years. I always say about game shows is that you can't mess with the original-having Paul Rodrigez and Gary Kroger as hosts was a big mistake in my opinion.

This story-filled book is not quite what one expects--it alternates between an interesting view of pop culture history and a foul-mouthed set of stories from a man who makes himself look bad.

Eubanks certainly has a lot of stories in him--but many of them are disappointing. He cheated to get his radio license in order to get into the business. He beats up a guy and loses his job. He tells trashy jokes. He gets in legal trouble. He steals the Newlywed Game Christmas tree. And he spews some naughty words.

Then he talks about God and dedicates the book to his young grandchildren, saying that he wrote it so that they will learn more about him! What Grandpa would tell his grandkids these type of stories?

Yes, there are things here about his radio career and TV game shows. There are also some interesting side trips about his work in the music business and some unusual friendships he had with famous people. He booked some Beatles concerts and also booked concerts for the Lennon Sisters! (He really rips on Lawrence Welk!)

But then he barely mentions his first wife's death and only has a couple sentences about his second wife and newborn baby (that he has in his 70s).

Namely, very odd choices were made in assembling this book. He should have edited himself more instead of repeating the anti-Semitic joke that Michael Moore captured Eubanks telling on film. The book ends up being a defense of his trashy nature while trying to promote him as a God-fearing family man. By the end of the book the reader is unsure just who Bob Eubanks is.

Totally self serving Ghost written Bio,on a not very interesting man,But if you think this guy is worth a book..go ahead at your own risk