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Barker’s last bark
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rodney Ho reporting from Pasadena, CA: Bob Barker, who began hosting “The Price is Right” when the Watergate break-in was still considered a minor robbery, explained to TV critics Thursday afternoon that at age 83, he just felt it was time to step down.
“I want to retire while I’m still young,” he joked.
Then Barker got more serious about why he’s leaving now: “It marks the 50th anniversary of my time on television. And it marks the 35th year of the ‘Price is Right.’ And we’re way up there in the ratings, right on top. And we have people lined up, sleeping out there on the sidewalk, to see our show. And I want to go out on top.”
Though his gait has slowed, the engaging Barker still exudes warmth with a sharp glint in his eye.
His scariest guest: He said there was a Samoan woman who lifted him up and thrashed him about. “Frankly,” he said, “I was terrified.” Then a second Samoan woman did the same thing. When a third one came along, he told her not to touch him. But when she won a new car, he said she lifted him up even higher than the other two. “I’m never going to Samoa,” he cracked. “My feet would never touch the sand.”
His personal abilities at guessing prices: “I would be a terrible contestant. I know nothing about prices. I’ve never paid any attention because I can’t win. Why should I? So sometimes when I go and do interviews, the writer will show up with a brown paper bag and say, ‘I’m going to test you, Bob.’ And I make a damn fool of myself every time they do it.”
Why do college students love his show so much?: “If I could explain that, I could make millions of dollars!” He said one time 15 years ago, he saw a group of college students and pointed them out. Then other groups came and soon it became a tradition, with students wearing matching T-shirts and chanting his name. He said his hilarious appearance punching out Adam Sandler in the film “Happy Gilmore” a decade ago may have also fueled his popularity. Young adults are always asking him at tapings to say his line, “The price is wrong, b——!” (During the press conference, though, he kept misquoting the line, saying it was “The price is right, b——!”)
How does he stay so peppy?: “Booze.” Pause. “Not actually.” Pause again. “Well, actually yeah.” In reality, he says he exercises regularly and is a vegetarian to boot, which he thinks gave him the energy to stay on the show five extra years.
**Why did he settle out of court those spate of lawsuits by former employees?: “These were frivolous lawsuits based on distortions, exaggerations and outright falsehoods. And we could prove that in court.” But he said it made more sense to settle from a financial standpoint.
He and CBS are planning a huge “Price is Right” farewell special in May on primetime with a million-dollar wheel though his final original episode will likely air in June.
No replacement has been named.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Wayne
January 19, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
“Why do college students love his show so much?”
Who else is watching TV at 11 am (or 10 am Central), besides old people?
By casey
January 19, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Holly was always my favorite Barker Beauty.
By AR
January 19, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
If I remember right, it was actually Sandler who had the “the price is wrong…” line. The Price Is Right will always remind me of staying home from school when I was sick.
By Woodie
January 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
I always hated that show. But I like Bob Barker. So. We are square. Bob always reminded me of those carnival pitch men.
By John
January 19, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
I remember watching that man when I was 5 years old. Every weekday when school was out I had to watch “The Price is Right.” I don’t think that show will last long without him. It wasn’t the show that was succesful, it was Bob Barker (and of course those fine ass women.)
By OhioBuckeye
January 19, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
My great grandmother used to watch the show single day for years, until she passed!!! She was homebound but, man, she knew the prices of everything!!! If she could have ever gotten there and gotten called to “come on down,” she could have been a big winner!
By Chris
January 19, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Yeah ol Bob will be missed. I remember watching him during the summers growing up. Then rushing to the dorm room to watch his show then lunch then to my 1:00pm class. It’s like when you call in sick for work. You may be really sick but your going to watch the Price is Right. You find yourself screaming at the TV… Then whoever started doing that $1 deal makes me sick. I wish a contestant would kick some tail if the next person always bids $1 and wins.
Ive never seen someone win both show downs… that would be cool…
Have fun Bob. Remember to have your cat or dog spade or neutered
By Joe
January 19, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
College kids love it because it is like sports. You can be in a room full of people drinking and having a good time and use the Price is right just like a board game and compete against each other. The show is so simple that it just draws you in. I will miss Bob but I hope they keep the show.
By John in Jackson
January 19, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
Bob is a class act.
By GB
January 19, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
i’m older than all y’all. i remember him on truth or consequences….and i’m 48! he always spoke about how much he loved animals and his wife Dorothy Jo….not necessarily in that order!!!
By Rod Roddy
January 20, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
It’s about time Bob…
By surfm0m
January 20, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Bob Barker - What can I say. My family and I have watched this show since Bill Cullen had the daytime one a million years ago. Bob is great in my book.
By Debra
January 20, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
I am sorry but when Bob Barker leaves the Price is Right, it will never be the same again.. He is what made that show.. You could never find anyone to feel his shoes.. That is like Johnny Carson, Jay Leno is nothing compared to Johnny Carson.. So say goodbye to history….
By paul02085
January 20, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Its sad gettin old ya know.
By thomas
January 21, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
The Price is Right with Bob Barker has been on almost as long as I’ve been living. It started in 1972. I was born that year.
Bob Barker is a living legend. I am glad to see him go out on top. Although I haven’t watched the show in years, I think it is one of the best game shows out there. Jeopardy is number 2. The only thing I haven’t liked about the show is that in recent years they let all these people on with message t-shirts.
By Tonya
January 21, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
“Please help the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered!” It will keep so many pets from being destroyed every year. I love how he is an animal lover and featured animal shelter pets on the show. He tried to educate the public there is a simple solution to over population.