Bob Barker and “Price Is Right” Announcer Rod Roddy Were 'Not Friends' by the End of Their Mutual Time on the Game Show

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NEED TO KNOW

• Bob Barker served as host of The Price Is Right for 35 years, from 1972 to 2007

• Rod Roddy became the show's announcer after being among those who auditioned for the gig after the death of original announcer Johnny Olson in Oct. 1985

• Friend of Roddy opened up about the evolving relationship between Barker and the announcer for an episode of Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia

There was a lot going on behind the scenes ofThe Price Is Right.

When Rod Roddy came into the game show family in 1986, he had big shoes to fill. The show's original announcer, Johnny Olson, had died in Oct. 1985. Olson had a special bond with hostBob Barker. Early on, Roddy and Barker got along well.

Roddy's friend, fellow announcer Randy West, talked about the tides turning during an appearance onNostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia.

"If I may be so bold and disrespectful, Bob Barker liked him because he was not a leading man. Bob, as he was getting on in years, always the alpha male on any show that he did, was very conscious of his appearance and certainly didn't want a leading man type to be competing with," West shared.

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"And Rod, of course, offered no threat for his leading man appearance. So he liked Rod for his second banana look. They liked him for his delivery and his style of voice."

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After over a decade of working together, the shift between the two became palpable for those around the production.

"They were great for the first... 13 or 14 [years]. That was great and they fit together perfectly, top banana and sidekick. It was wonderful. But... there was a strained relationship between the two of them as the years went on," West noted.

"Toward the end, there was not a lot of off-air camaraderie. They were not in a position... Barker would never dismiss Rod from the show because he was such a fan favorite. He was an integral part of the program, but no, they were not friends at the end, and that was a great frustration to Rod, who would talk about it with me. He didn't want to be on anybody's bad side and he felt bad that the relationship had evolved to where they took him off the air."

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While Roddy remained on the show, camera shots of him were limited, which "upset Rod," especially because there was "no single incident" that changed the dynamic between host and announcer.

Craig Kilmore, who hostedThe Late Late Showalso recalled hearing of discord between Barker and Roddy.

"I think one of his friends told me some of the problems with Bob, but Rod didn't really complain about it. But I do know that there was some friction."

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byAlex Wise

in

February 21, 2026

Bob Barker and “Price Is Right” Announcer Rod Roddy Were 'Not Friends' by the End of Their Mutual Time on the Game Show

American Broadcasting Companies via Getty; CBS via Getty NEED TO KNOW Bob Barker served as host of The Pric...

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“Toy Story 5”: Everything to Know About Buzz and Woody's Return to the Big Screen

Pixar/YouTube

NEED TO KNOW

• Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, 2026

• The fifth installment will see Tim Allen and Tom Hanks reprise their roles as Buzz and Woody, respectively

• Toy Story 5 explores how technology is reshaping childhood — and leaving traditional toys fighting for attention

Woody, Buzz and the crew are staring down their most formidable foe yet inToy Story 5.

Directed by Andrew Stanton, the fifth installment — starringTim Allenas Buzz Lightyear andTom Hanksas Woody — will tackle contemporary issues, particularly the impact of technology on childhood play.

"InToy Story 5the toys' jobs get exponentially harder when our toy crew goes head to head with what kids are obsessed with today: electronics," Stanton shared at Disney's D23 expo in August 2024.

Toy Story 5will also focus more on Jessie (Joan Cusack), according to Allen, who spoke withWIVBin April 2025.

"I can tell you that it's a lot about Jessie," he said. "Tom [Hanks] and I do — Woody and I — do realign. And there's an unbelievable opening scene with Buzz Lightyear. I can give you that, but I can't give you much more."

As the franchise prepares to explore new themes and challenges, the excitement is growing. Here's everything we know so far aboutToy Story 5.

How didToy Story 4leave off?

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Toy Story 4concluded with Woody and Buzz parting ways when the former joined Bo Peep (Annie Potts) to live a life as a "lost toy," free from the constraints of being owned by a child.

Throughout the film, Woody struggled to find his place with Bonnie, as she no longer needed him as much as Andy did. Buzz, understanding Woody's choice, assured him that Bonnie would be okay without him and supported Woody's decision to start a new chapter.

Meanwhile, Buzz stayed with Bonnie, continuing to live with Jessie, Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger) and other toys, including the new addition of Forky (Tony Hale).

When willToy Story 5be released?

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Toy Story 5is slated for release on June 19, 2026.

Who is in the cast ofToy Story 5?

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All the beloved characters are returning forToy Story 5, and fans will be thrilled to know that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are reprising their roles as Woody and Buzz, respectively.

Joan Cusack is back as Jessie, while Blake Clark once again lends his voice to Slinky Dog. Tony Hale returns as Forky, Wallace Shawn voices Rex and John Ratzenberger reprises his role as Hamm.

Following the death ofDon Ricklesin 2017, Mr. Potato Head was recast, with Jeff Bergman stepping into the role. The same change was made for Mrs. Potato Head afterEstelle Harrisdied in 2022, with Anna Vocino taking over the part.

Meanwhile, Bonnie will now be voiced by Scarlett Spears, succeedingMadeleine McGraw(Toy Story 4) and Emily Hahn (Toy Story 3).

New to the cast isGreta Leeas the voice of Lily Pad.

What is the plot ofToy Story 5?

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Toy Story 5director Stanton revealed that the central conflict of the latest film will involve the toys grappling with staying relevant in the age of technology.

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The concept art revealed at D23 showed the toys looking sadly at their owner, engrossed in a tablet, hinting at the emotional and humorous struggles they will face as they try to reclaim the child's attention.

In June 2025, Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter teased that the fifth film in the three-decade franchise will lean into a "toy meets tech" dynamic.

Picking up afterToy Story 4, Woody has left the kids' room behind to help lost toys, while Jessie is now running Bonnie's room with Buzz serving as her deputy.

But Bonnie, now 8, is more focused on staying socially connected — prompting her parents to buy her a tablet called Lily Pad. The device lets her chat with friends and play games, but it also proves to be a not-so-friendly presence, subtly convincing Bonnie that she's outgrowing her toys.

Woody is ultimately called back to help, though it's been some time since the gang has reunited — and as Docter hinted, Woody and Buzz don't exactly see eye to eye, making for some classic sparring between the old pals.

Is there a trailer forToy Story 5?

Thefirst official trailerforToy Story 5debuted on Feb. 19, 2026 — and it quickly makes clear that playtime is in jeopardy.

The two-minute clip reunites Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang as they grapple with Bonnie's newest obsession: a sleek smart tablet called Lily Pad, gifted by her parents.

"Extinction — not again!" Rex panics as Bonnie's focus shifts away from her toy box and onto the glowing screen.

Meanwhile, Woody — still out in the world rescuing abandoned toys — checks in with Jessie over a walkie-talkie. "Toys are for play … but tech is for everything," he says somberly. Jessie doesn't sugarcoat the stakes: "I'm losing Bonnie to this device."

Determined to turn the tide, Woody heads back to Bonnie's room, ready to rally the crew and fight to save playtime once more.

Who is directingToy Story 5?

Stanton, a longtime Pixar director known for classics likeFinding NemoandA Bug's Life, will directToy Story 5.Stanton has been a key creative force behind theToy Storyseries since its inception as a writer on all the formerToy Storyfilms.

He will co-direct with McKenna Harris, who producedElementaland directed the Disney+ animated shortCiao Alberto, based onLuca.

In August 2024, Harris posted onInstagramabout her excitement in working on the film.

"YEEE-HAW! i'm co-directing toy story 5, and we've been having the best time with the best team ever! 🤠⭐️ ," she wrote. "so happy to be working with Andrew Stanton and my girl @jesschoismyth on this sweet, sweet movie!! 🥰."

Where can I watchToy Story 5?

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Toy Story 5will be released in theaters on June 19, 2026. In the meantime, fans can catch up on all theToy Storymovies onDisney+.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Wise

in

February 21, 2026

“Toy Story 5”: Everything to Know About Buzz and Woody's Return to the Big Screen

Pixar/YouTube NEED TO KNOW Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, 2026 The fifth installment will see Tim A...

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“The Pink Panther ”Director Shawn Levy Shares How the Crime Comedy Inspired His Marvel Movie (Exclusive)

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NEED TO KNOW

• Director Shawn Levy learned a lot about using the camera for comedy while filming 2006's The Pink Panther

• Sharing how the crime comedy helped his work with Marvel, Levy explains that "the camera is a participant in the joke telling. And more often than not, the simpler approach is the funnier approach"

• The Pink Panther celebrated its 20th anniversary in February

While Shawn Levy has had a long career spanning many different movies,The Pink Pantherhad a big impact on him as a director. The 57-year-old filmmaker shares that he learned about how to use the camera as part of the joke for more comedic scenes while working on the 2006 crime farce.

One scene from the movie, he tells PEOPLE, changed how the director framed particularly funny moments on screen.

Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) is followingBeyoncé'scharacter, Xania, around New York City. When he believes he is found out, he yells, "Newspapers," and pulls out a large newspaper to hide his face. After he pulls out the prop, he doesn't see the subway entrance and then falls down the stairs.

"I remember that because that movie was pretty early in my career, and it's the film that got me thinking about how the frame helps tell the joke," Levy shares.

Entertainment Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo

"I remember considering a bunch of other angles where I would've shown a stuntman tumbling down the stairwell from behind and then from the front towards the lens," he continues. "That was an epiphany moment where I realized, 'Oh, the camera is a participant in the joke telling. And more often than not, the simpler approach is the funnier approach.' "

The director —who has gone on to helmNight at the Museum,Date Night, episodes ofStranger Thingsas well as the upcomingStar Wars: Starfighter —says he "learned this the hard way on other movies."

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"I've tried a complex camera move in the midst of a joke, and it muddies the laugh. Steve not seeing stairs approaching because his face is hidden by the newspaper. That was an example of one uninterrupted frame that makes the joke land in a funnier way," Levy says.

Years later, when he was filming 2024'sDeadpool & Wolverine,there was a massive scene in which Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) fought over 60 other Deadpools.

"That's a similar shot, one uninterrupted, laterally moving wide shot. ButThe Pink Pantherwas where I first started my education in film comedy and how the camera needs to be a participant," Levy recalls.

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In addition to Beyoncé, 44, and Martin, 80,The Pink Pantherstarred Jean Reno, Kevin Kline, Emily Mortimer and Henry Czerny, to name a few.

When it come to rebooting the crime comedy movie franchise as the the time, Levy shares that "everybody came with a respect for the legacy we were inheriting and respect for the screenplay that Steve Martin had written."

There was also "a commitment to have fun and try to parlay that fun off-screen into fun on-screen for audiences," Levy adds. "When the movie became such a big hit, it was really gratifying. We knew we would take our shots critically. You don't touch a classic like that and not run that risk. The way audiences embraced the movie and Steve in this new incarnation of Clouseau was really affirming."

The Pink Panther, first released in theaters on Feb. 10, 2006, is available to stream on Kanopy and Roku TV.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Wise

in

February 21, 2026

“The Pink Panther ”Director Shawn Levy Shares How the Crime Comedy Inspired His Marvel Movie (Exclusive)

Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock NEED TO KNOW Director Shawn Levy learned a lot about using the camera for comed...

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US military strikes another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing 3

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Friday that it has carried out anotherdeadly strike on a vesselaccused of trafficking drugs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Southern Command said on social media that the boat "was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations." It said the strike killed three people. A video linked to the post shows a boat floating in the water before bursting into flames.

Friday's attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration's strikes on alleged drug boats to at least 148 people in at least 43 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

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President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in "armed conflict" with cartels in Latin America and hasjustified the attacksas a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing "narcoterrorists."

Criticshave questioned the overall legalityof the strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S.over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The boat strikes alsodrew intense criticismfollowing the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers andlegal experts saidthe killings were murder, if not a war crime.

byAlex Wise

in

February 21, 2026

US military strikes another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing 3

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Friday that it has carried out anotherdeadly strike on a vesselaccused of traff...

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The Tragic True Story of “The Iron Claw”: All About the Von Erich Family and Their Wrestling Dynasty

Brian Roedel/A24

NEED TO KNOW

• The Iron Claw stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson as three of the Von Erich brothers

• The Von Erichs were a dominant wrestling dynasty in the 1980s until a series of tragedies

• Sean Durkin's A24 film premiered in 2023 and is now available to stream on Netflix

The Iron Clawdelivered more thanchiseled physiquesandskimpy wrestling gear— it brought a devastating true story to the big screen.

The A24 film, written and directed by Sean Durkin and now streaming onNetflix, follows the rise and fall of the Von Erich wrestling family and the immense pressure placed on them by their patriarch, Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany).

At the center ofThe Iron Clawis Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron) alongside his siblings Kerry Von Erich (Jeremy Allen White), David Von Erich (Harris Dickinson) and Mike Von Erich (Stanley Simons). Under Fritz's relentless drive to build a wrestling dynasty in Texas during the 1980s, the brothers rise to fame in the ring — becoming local heroes and national stars.

Known for their outlandish personalities in the ring — as well as the forehead-squeezing iron claw and other trademark maneuvers — the clan became equally renowned for a series of accidents and deaths that came to be called the "Von Erich curse." When Fritz died in 1997, five of his six sons had predeceased him, each from different circumstances.

Today, Kevin Von Erich is the only living brother. In 2009, he represented his entire family as they were collectively inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame.

Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of the movie's December 2023 premiere, Kevin joked that Efron "had a tough job. It's not easy to be me." An actor portraying a wrestler with decades of experience means "a whole lot to cram into a movie," he added, "but he was able to do it... he's a real star."

Here's everything to know about the true story ofThe Iron Claw.

Who was Fritz Von Erich?

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Jack Barton Adkisson Sr., born in Texas in 1929, created the ring name Fritz Von Erich in the 1950s as he transitioned from discus throwing and football to playing villainous characters in professional wrestling. Fritz worked his way up to a record-setting 20 wins at the Texas-based NWA American Heavyweight Championship and many other victories in the United States and Japan.

By the 1980s, he had also established himself as a promoter and entrepreneur. Fritz owned the World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) which broadcast live matches from the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas.

InThe Iron Claw, Fritz is portrayed by McCallany. Playing his wife Doris J. Smith is Tierney.

Who were the Von Erich brothers and how did they become popular wrestlers?

Eric Chakeen

Fritz and Doris married in 1950 and had a total of six children, all sons: Jack Barton Jr., Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike and Chris.

Most followed in their father's footsteps and began honing their stage personas at the Sportatorium. As regional wrestling matches grew in popularity thanks to syndicated TV, Kevin, David and Kerry established a dynasty, wrestling against each other or against rivals includingRic Flair, Chris Adams and The Fabulous Freebirds.

In the film adaptation, Dickinson plays second-eldest David, while White plays third-eldest Kerry. Simons plays fourth-eldest Mike, who allegedly had less interest in the family's wrestling legacy than his brothers. Nevertheless, he stepped into the ring briefly in the mid-1980s — as tragedy began to strike the Von Erichs.

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What is the "Von Erich curse" and how did each of the brothers die?

Unfortunately, the Von Erichs became just as well-known for a series of events that occurred outside the spotlight as for their victories within.

Although Kevin grew up the eldest Von Erich brother, it was Jack Barton Jr. who was born first, in 1952. Hediedin 1959 after a freak accident, electrocuted by a live wire and drowning in a puddle of melting snow.

So the family was no stranger to loss when David was found dead in 1984, at 25 years old, of ruptured intestines resulting from acute enteritis while on a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling.

In 1985, Mike, who had begun wrestling to fill the void left behind by David, injured his shoulder during a match in Israel. The resulting surgery led to toxic shock syndrome and allegedly brain damage. He returned to the ring beforedyingat age 23 from a fatal dose of tranquilizers in 1987.

Youngest son Chris, who was asthmatic and smaller than all his brothers, then died by suicide in 1991 at age 21, reportedly depressed over a lack of success and injuries suffered in the ring.

Kerry, who claimed the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship not long after David's death and became the family member's most accomplished wrestler, suffered from a motorcycle accident in 1986 that resulted in the loss of his right foot. The amputation was kept a secret and Kerry continued wrestling while wearing a prosthesis. In 1993 he died at age 33, also by suicide.

"Not only have I lost a brother, I lost all of them," Kevin said inThe Last of the Von Erichs, an episode of docuseriesDark Side of the Ring. "There was talk about there being a curse on the family. It's ridiculous. A curse. What happened was just a terrible terrible thing, but no curse."

What is Kevin Von Erich up to now?

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Kevin, who in addition to being a popular character in the ring inherited the WCCW from his father, married Pamela J. May in 1980. They now live in Hawaii, and together have four children — including championship wrestlers Marshall and Ross Von Erich — and 11 grandchildren.

On Nov. 8, 2023, in Dallas, the WWE Hall of Fame inductee joined Durkin and the cast ofThe Iron Clawto celebrate thefilm's premiere.

IsThe Iron Clawa faithful biopic?

The Iron Clawpresents the important moments in the Von Erichs' story from the 1960s through the 1980s, save for one big omission: Chris does not appear in the story. PerEntertainment Weekly, writer-director Durkin cut the youngest brother from the script to keep his film's runtime to a manageable length.

To recreate real-life wrestling matches, Durkin filmed many in one take in front of a live audience, according toEW. Efron, White, Dickinson, Simons and McCallany studied archival footage of the Von Erichs and trained with pro wrestler and stunt coordinator Chavo Guerrero Jr. in order to play the athletes faithfully.

At the Dallas film premiere in November 2023, Kevin revealed to PEOPLE there were "painful spots" in seeing his life story on the big screen. "But there are beautiful ones too. I think they were good to show the love we had amongst each other and the love I had for my father. It's going to come off like he was a really hard man, but he was a hard man. But back then, a lot of fathers were."

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Wise

in

February 21, 2026

The Tragic True Story of “The Iron Claw”: All About the Von Erich Family and Their Wrestling Dynasty

Brian Roedel/A24 NEED TO KNOW The Iron Claw stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson as th...

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