Final showcase next June for Price is Right's Bob Barker
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 | 5:34 PM ET
CBC Arts
Come on down, game show lovers. Bob Barker is to host his last Price is Right in June.
The daytime game show host announced his plans to retire on Tuesday.
Game show host Bob Barker stands alongside the big wheel during a live taping of The Price is Right. He plans to retire in June 2007.
(Ric Francis/Associated Press)
"I will be 83 years old on Dec. 12…. and I've decided to retire while I'm still young," he said.
In June, Barker will celebrate 50 years on television and 35 as host of the game show that asks people to guess the retail price of items in its showcases.
"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."
Barker began his TV career in 1956 as the host of another game show, Truth or Consequences.
He first appeared on The Price is Right on Sept. 4, 1972 and has been the face of the show ever since.
Barker said he plans to take it easy for a while but he would be ready to take on a film role with one proviso.
"I refuse to do nude scenes," he joked. "These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body."
Although Barker seems to be synonymous with the show, Freemantle Media, which owns The Price is Right has been looking for a replacement for him, he said.
Barker has some advice for whoever takes the job: learn the show's 80 games thoroughly.
"The games have to be just like riding a bicycle," Barker said.
'Daytime legend'
"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."
CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves said Barker has left an enduring mark on the network.
"Bob Barker is a daytime legend, an entertainment icon and one of the most beloved television personalities of our time," he said in a statement.
The network plans a special honouring Barker.
But Barker has no special plans for his final TV goodbye.
He plans to say what he always says at the end of the show: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."
Share Tools
FILM REVIEW: Men in Black 3 by Eli Glasner May. 25, 2012 11:40 AM Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back in the action sequel Men in Black 3, a third instalment of a series now 15 years old. Though new addition Josh Brolin manages some amazing mimicry as a younger version of Jones, the story doesn't measure up to the weird and wonderful charms of the original, says film reviewer Eli Glasner.
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- 32 Syrian children die in artillery attack, says UN
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico, organization says
- Two Winnipeg children, reported missing and possibly in Mexico, have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Seniors float above Montreal's Quartier Latin
- In Montreal this weekend, an unusual performance series will have seniors indulging in their favourite hobbies, but perched on chairs suspended five metres above the ground. more »
- Modern and traditional art scores at Joyner auction
- Both traditional and modern works fared well at Joyner Waddington's spring art auction in Toronto, with buyers snapping up lots by Group of Seven members as well as more contemporary artists. more »
- Prophetic Cosmopolis premieres at Cannes
- David Cronenberg says he didn't anticipate the Occupy Wall Street movement as he prepared to shoot Cosmopolis, his new film which made its world premiere Friday at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France. more »
- Jennifer Egan's newest story debuts on Twitter
- The latest short story from Pulitzer-winning writer Jennifer Egan is emerging 140 characters at a time via Twitter. more »
Q Blog
Toni Morrison on her two selves May. 25, 2012 5:57 PM Jian speaks with the celebrated African American author and academic about her two conflicting selves, and her new novel, Home.
CBC Books
Talking about war May. 25, 2012 4:57 PM The public conversation around war has always been complex and thorny. How does Canada's military approach differ from that of other countries? Are we a society of peacekeepers or warriors? These are some of the questions that Noah Richler explores in his new book What We Talk About When We Talk About War.
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
