Posted on 10/31/2006 1:09:04 PM PST by presidio9
Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final "Come on down."
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The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he told The Associated Press Tuesday.
"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he said, "and I've decided to retire while I'm still young."
He'll hang up his microphone after 35 years as the host of "The Price Is Right" and 50 years overall in television.
Though he has been considering retirement for "at least 10 years," Barker said he has so much fun doing the show that he hasn't been able to leave.
"I've gone on and on and on to this ancient age because I've enjoyed it," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm going to miss it."
Reaching dual milestones, 50 years on television and 35 with "Price," made this an "appropriate" time to retire, Barker said. Besides, hosting the daily CBS program — in which contestants chosen from the crowd "come on down" to compete for "showcases" that include trips, appliances and new cars — is "demanding physically and mentally," he said.
"I'm just reaching the age where the constant effort to be there and do the show physically is a lot for me," he said. "I might be able to do the show another year, but better (to leave) a year too soon than a year too late."
Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation, said Barker has left an enduring mark on the network, calling his contribution and loyalty "immeasurable."
"We knew this day would come, but that doesn't make it any easier," Moonves said in a statement. "Bob Barker is a daytime legend, an entertainment icon and one of the most beloved television personalities of our time."
Barker began his national television career in 1956 as the host of "Truth or Consequences." He first appeared on "Price" on Sept. 4, 1972 and has been the face of the show ever since.
A CBS prime-time special celebrating the show's longevity and Barker's five decades on TV was already under way, a network spokesman said.
To kick off his retirement, Barker said he will "sit down for maybe a couple of weeks and find out what it feels like to be bored." Then he plans to spend time working with animal-rights causes, including his own DJ&T Foundation, founded in memory of his late wife, Dorothy Jo, and mother, Matilda.
He said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but filmmakers, take note: "I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body."
Freemantle Media, which owns "Price," has been looking for Barker's replacement for "two or three years," Barker said. And he has some advice for whoever takes the job: learn the show's 80 games backwards and forward.
"The games have to be just like riding a bicycle," Barker said. "Then he will be relaxed enough to have fun with the audience, to get the laughs with his contestants and make the show more than just straight games, to make it a lot of fun."
As for his fans, Barker said he "doesn't have the words" to express his gratitude.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank the television viewers, because they have made it possible for me to earn a living for 50 years doing something that I thoroughly enjoy. They have invited me into their homes daily for a half a century."
But when it comes to saying his final TV goodbye, Barker said he'll do it the same way he does each day on "Price": "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."
It would be nice if some of the other septugenarians at CBS would follow suit....Mike Wallace and Bob Schieffer to name two.
Geesh. I remember when the Price is Right debuted as "The New The Price is Right" way back in 1972.
I feel as old as Barker.
Well, not quite. But old.
Well at least with him the Price is Right models won't have to worry about being hit on by the host.
That isn't a very pollyannaish attitude. :)
I remember enjoying "Truth or Consequences" many years ago. Seems like an epoch.
I had a thing for Holly, my roommate had a thing for Janice.
But, we both dropped our jaws when Diane walked onstage.
If you could point me in the direction of a hardworking, non-narcissistic-appearing* beloved television star I would be most grateful. ;-)
*It's not that they weren't narcissistic before, they just were smart enough not to broadcast that fact.
So sorry Yo...but those Beauties were NOT the originals.
The original Barker's Beauties were Anitra Ford and Janice Penington.
We all know Janice but Anitra Ford is probably best remembered as Burt Reynolds' Sugar Mama in the first 5 minutes of the film "The Longest Yard".
My first choice would have been Andy Rooney, but he might be an octogenarian.
The next host should be someone with the same kind of folksy demeanor, but not someone who is trying to immitate Bob - and someone who respects the tradition of the show and won't try to make changes to the show - keep the old 70s jingle, the studio the same, and the pricing games. Bob Barker cannot be replaced. He's simply the best. I've watched this show my entire life.
He's staying through the end of the season - June 2007.
a bump for Bob
With who? that bald dude on "Deal or No Deal"?
He's both vegetarian and Republican (at least via his political contributions). He served in the Navy and is very supportive of the military.
Wink Martindale? The quintesential cheesy game show host.
I have a feeling that these three names are the top contenders for replacing Barker :
1. Marc Summers (a veteran, talented, and still relatively young)
2. Todd Newton (only 36, but already a veteran and has a lot of talent...plus he has youth on his side)
3. Rich Fields (the current TPIR announcer (he wouldn't be the first announcer to double as a game show host...remember Jack Narz? He did both)
Remember that Tom Kennedy game show from 1979/80 called "Whew!"? That show deserved a much longer run. Quite a few clips of the show on Google Video and YouTube, including the late Randy Amasia (former contributor to alt.tv.game-shows) successfully running the "Gauntlet of Villains" for $25,000.
Did you ever lay eyes on Chantel Dubay? She put Dian to shame.
I don't know any of those men, at least not by name. I like Chuck Woolery.
I dont think Bob is a vegetarian, just a advocate for keeping pet populations under control.(Last I knew he was a Republican also)
He is a vegetarian, but he is a Republican too. Can you do both? I think so.
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