Bob Barker Tapes Final 'Price Is Right'
Jun 6, 8:38 PM (ET)
By SANDY COHEN
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Blowing kisses to the camera, Bob Barker signed off on 35 years on "The Price Is Right" and 50 years in daytime TV in the same low-key, genial fashion that made him one of daytime TV's biggest stars.
Barker, who had said before the taping on Wednesday of his final appearance that he would try to act as if it was "just another show," stuck to that promise. He ended the program as he always has, signing off with the words: "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered. Goodbye everybody."
After the cameras stopped rolling, he told the studio audience, "I thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your home for more than 50 years. I'm truly grateful and I hope that all of you have enjoyed your visit to 'The Price Is Right.'"
The hour-long taping began with the show's 83-year-old host entering the studio to a standing ovation from an adoring public and a giant shower of colorful confetti from his colleagues. The program is scheduled to air on June 15.
"This is over-the-top amazing. It's like a piece of Americana," said Terry Baldwin, 55, of Pebble Beach, Calif., who had camped out overnight to ensure she got a seat in the audience.
Barker went on to conduct the show like every other, presiding over his final Showcase Showdown and, during breaks for commercials, answering questions from the audience.
"Someone asked, will I spend my mornings watching 'The Price is Right'? In as few words as possible, no," he quipped. Then he acknowledged curiosity might get the better of him.
Barker said before the show he is looking forward to retirement, but added, "I know that I will miss the show terribly and miss the people on the show terribly. I know that I will have periods after I'm once retired when I'll think, 'Boy I wish I was going over there to do 'The Price Is Right.'"
But he will miss the show, he said: "How many 83-year-old men get up every morning knowing that they're going to have a standing ovation sometime during the day?"
Though Barker joked that "all of television is going to end" when he retires, "The Price Is Right" will continue in the fall with a new host, who has yet to be named. Among those reportedly in the running are Todd Newton of the E! network, Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight," George Hamilton and John O'Hurley.
"You're never going to be able to find somebody who's just like Bob Barker," said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of FremantleMedia North America, which produces "The Price Is Right.""They're very large shoes to fill."
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