Bob Barker to Retire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Justin24]

Bob Barker retiring after 50 years on TV

By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer
10 minutes ago

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061031/ap_en_tv/tv_bob_barker_retires

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.

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"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."

 

[tiny dancer]

I just heard this a minute ago on the news!

 

[Westport]

My favorite Bob Barker moment will always be Happy Gilmore.

 

[bono_212]

that's so weird I Was just thinking earlier today how sad it would be if he were no longer hosting this show

 

[LMP]

Is he being spayed and neutered?

 

[Edgette]

My favorite Bob Barker moment will always be Happy Gilmore.

"The price is WRONG, bitch!"

Seriously though, this is sad. I wonder if they'll get someone to replace him. And if they'll still use that skinny mic.

 

[Numb1075]

The Price is Right will always remind me of being sick in grade school. You'd stay home and watch the Price is Right.




I wonder how many trailers they gave away.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Jaysus, it's about time

 

[Bonochick]

On the phone with my mom last night:

Mom: "Bob Barker died!!!!!!!!!"

Me: "What??????????"

Mom: "Oh, wait, he's just retiring."

Mother!

Oh, how I love Price Is Right.

 

[LarryMullen's POPAngel]

The Price is Right will always remind me of being sick in grade school. You'd stay home and watch the Price is Right.




I wonder how many trailers they gave away.

Yep, either that or after my mom picked me up from kindergarten we'd watch it right after Sesame Street. Those were the days, lol.

A friend of mine told me about this the minute I picked up the phone last night. He sounded devestated, the poor guy. Well, for about a minute.

 

[BonosBaby12]

He's one of the best game shows hosts ever. Love watching "The Price is Right"

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

The Price is Right will always remind me of being sick in grade school. You'd stay home and watch the Price is Right.

i think a lot of us have that memory .

 

[Canadiens1131]

They say time is the fire in which we burn.

 

[bono_212]

Yep definently reminds me of being sick from school and I'm not alone, a lot of my friends feel that way too.

 

[RavenBlue]

I love Price is Right. It's one of my daily routines at lunch. He'll be missed. I wonder who his replacement will be

Tom Bergeron wouldn't be a bad host

 

[U2Girl416]

Well I was planning to go to CA in April because I have a free plane ticket. Although I wasn't sure of which area we'd be going to, I think now trying to get on the Price is Right might be on our "to do" list!!!


I Plinko!

 

[BonosBaby12]

Well I was planning to go to CA in April because I have a free plane ticket. Although I wasn't sure of which area we'd be going to, I think now trying to get on the Price is Right might be on our "to do" list!!!


I Plinko!

You should go for it! Plinko is one of my favorite games too.

 

[randhail]

I Plinko!

Anyone who doesn't like Plinko doesn't like life.

 

[U2Girl416]

how freakin would I be if we actually got in for a show let alone picked! Not sure if I could be like all those other women and kiss him on the cheek.

but man, to play Plinko or punch out (not sure of the name, the one where you punch the holes and pull out the money slips) would be awesome!!

 

[bono_212]

Plinko

but this guy http://youtube.com/watch?v=HDkjaCCzTpE&mode=related&search=

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_-NGIfjN2Us&mode=related&search=