Bob Barker to retire in June 2007

[davepeck]

Bob Barker retiring after 50 years on TV
By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES - Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final "Come on down." 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."

[FreeSpirit]

wow!  I can\'t believe he\'s only 83... he will be missed.

[Stephengencs]

Who wants to wager that he passes away before he retires in June 07?

[davepeck]

:no: :no:

[derickw]

Who wants to wager that he passes away before he retires in June 07?

i\'ll give him till the summer of 07\'

who is he gonna womanize now.....

[Stephengencs]

My guess is April 29, 2007......
and lets remember it\'s the closest without going over that wins the showcase

[derickw]

My guess is April 29, 2007......
and lets remember it\'s the closest without going over that wins the showcase

OK i\'ll go with August 7, 2007

[FreeSpirit]

:lol: the man won\'t die - he\'s a robot.  I swear, I\'ve been watching the show for 25 years, and he\'s NEVER gotten any older!!!

[kindm's]

Calling in sick from work and/or staying home from school will never be the same

"The Price is wrong. Bitch"

[Todd]

I\'ll go with August 8, 2007. :lol: Sorry Derick, had to do it!!!

[derickw]

I\'ll go with August 8, 2007. :lol: Sorry Derick, had to do it!!!

BASTARD...... 1 dollar Bob........

[davepeck]

just a reminder that next friday will be the airing of bob\'s final TPIR...

...or will it?

Bob Barker Offers to Be `Price\' Fill-In
By SANDY COHEN
AP Entertainment Writer
 
LOS ANGELES -- After 35 years as the host of "The Price Is Right," Bob Barker hung up his microphone for good on Wednesday. Or did he?

After taping his last show, the 83-year-old icon said he would happily return to the "Price" stage if a replacement host isn\'t found by the time the new season starts in the fall.

"They\'re having trouble finding someone to do the show," Barker told reporters during a post-show press conference. "And I\'ve told members of the staff here that ... if they wanted me to do it for a few more months, I would do it.

"I don\'t want to walk out on CBS or the company if they\'re in that position because they\'ve been too good to me."

The production company left the door open Thursday on the possibility of such a return.

"I am glad to know that Bob is thinking about coming back!" said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. "We haven\'t made our final decision yet because, as you can imagine, we want to make sure that we leave no stones unturned."

Barker taped his last episode -- his 6,586th -- of the popular CBS game show Wednesday, retiring after five decades on national television. The episode is scheduled to air twice June 15: once at its usual time and again that evening.

The silver-haired host ended his record tenure by blowing kisses and working in the same low-key, genial fashion that made him one of daytime TV\'s biggest stars. He closed the show with his usual, "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered. Goodbye everybody."

Once 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.\'"

Reruns of Barker-hosted shows will play throughout the summer.

A new host 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.

[SlimPickens]

They shouldn\'t get a replacement host.  They should just loop it.  The Monday after he retires they should show the Sept. 4, 1972 episode and just let them run in order.  They could probably get another 30 years outta the show.

When is Bob eligible for the National Robotic Host Hall of Fame?

[kindm's]

I would love to be the host of TPIR.

Where do I audition. ?

[postom]

i\'m so glad i was on this show when i had the chance