I always got the impression he had complete contempt for ...

Not all of them, IMO...I think he didn't have a whole lot of sympathy for people who didn't know how to play the games. I think he expected a certain level of competence and intelligence from contestants. He could be pretty blunt about it at times when it didn't happen. But...it all worked for some reason.

I don't think he disliked most of the people on the show. And he was probably genuinely happy for them when they won, especially the putting game. But there were things they could do that would annoy him really fast, and even more so when he got older.

1) Touching him without permission. It was made clear to all contestants not to touch Bob, unless he initiated it. For the guys, just normal handshake, not to rough. And the ladies it was a kiss on the cheek, maybe a little hug from the younger ones. Don't give him a big bear hug, or pick him up, or jump on him when you win.

2) Don't disrupt the flow of the show. Over celebrating having the winning bid and not coming directly up to him, or not knowing where to go were pet peeves of his. Or taking too long to make a choice.

3) Not knowing the rules of the games. Yeah, this might have partially been him being a cranky old man, and thinking everyone should just know all the rules to all the games. Not like they changed much over the years. But even still he would carefully explain them to every contestant, and if you still screwed it up then you won his disgust.

Not true at all. The only people he ever had (thinly-veiled) contempt for were the audience members who didn't cheer for him when he made his grand entrance at the start of the show. He'd always make sure to point them out! I went to a live taping of TPIR back in 2005 or so and Bob was awesome. Exactly the same guy off camera (during the commercial breaks) as he was when the cameras were on. He loved talking and joking around with the audience during the breaks. Cool guy who clearly loved his job! Pat Sajak too. Vanna was a frigid betch.

i never got that feeling.

Who ever watched that show unless they were home sick from school?