With Bob Barker’s retirement inching closer, CBS has announced big plans for the octogenarian’s exit from The Price Is Right — just in time for May sweeps. In the spirit of bargains, the network will be giving us not one, but two primetime specials — plus a way for fans to get into the act. But will this end up being the game show’s swan song as well?
On Wednesday May 16th, CBS will air a primetime game show special entitled The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular. Contestants will have an opportunity to win bigger-than-usual prizes — including a chance to win $1 million on the big prize wheel.
The next night, CBS will present Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years on Television that will celebrate Barker’s career. Barker began his national TV hosting duties in 1956 with Truth or Consequences and, for the past 35 years has been steering The Price is Right. Barker has earned 13 Emmys as host of Price and three as producer. He received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 1999 and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004.
Home viewers can get involved in the Barker send-off as well. CBS is inviting fans to create 15-second tributes to Barker and to post them on YouTube. The best submissions will be broadcast either as part of the specials or during Price’s daytime episodes. Tributes can be posted or viewed by clicking here. The page includes an introduction from Neil Patrick Harris (CBS’ How I Met Your Mother). Harris’ Barney character has a fixation on Barker and will visit the game show in an episode of the sitcom next month.
So, is there any word on who will replace Barker following his sign-off in June? CBS hasn’t made any official announcements as yet. The owners of the show, Fremantle Media, have been looking for a replacement for the past couple years. Since Barker’s announcement in October, they’ve begun holding not-for-broadcast audition tapings with prospective hosts.
Some the early prospects included Dave Price (The Early Show weatherman), Doug Davidson (The Young and the Restless), Todd Newton (GSN game shows) and John O’Hurley (To Tell the Truth, Family Feud). Davidson hosted a 1994-syndicated version of Price that lasted a year and Newton has hosted live-on-stage versions at Harrah’s casinos.
Apparently, those folks didn’t “wow” the network brass because more auditions were held a month ago for Mario Lopez (The Other Half), Mike Richards (Beauty and the Geek) and George Hamilton (Dancing with the Stars). Mark Steines of Entertainment Tonight was auditioned two weeks ago.
Though no official announcement has been made, rumor has it that Lopez, Steines and the 67-year-old perennially-tanned Hamilton are the frontrunners. Though there are some concerns about Hamilton’s age, he seems to be overall the best choice. He’s likable, entertaining, quick on his feet, and has a similar on-screen persona to Barker. To go with a younger host and try to modernize the series would surely kill it.
Can The Price is Right survive without Barker — for the first time in 35 years? Time will tell. Stay tuned! 
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14 Comments on "The Price Is Right: Sendoff for Barker …and the Show?"
Drew Carey is terrible with his rapid fire way of talking.
I feel like we are being rushed through the show ! Its better to consider Rich Fields rather than Carey
A good choice would have been Tom Bergeron. He is more like Bob Barker
I have been a fan and a daily watcher of Bob Barker on The Price is Right for years. If it came down to using Rosie O’Donnell as the host of this show, I would quit watching it “forever”.
I have been watching price is right all these years. I hope you get someone good.God bless you Bob Barker.I don,t believe wrong doings. The Bible teaches against Steve and John relationships. It teaches Adam and Eve. I believe in truth. Please make the righr decision Thanks,Rita
My husband and I have watched Bob Barker for many years. We have enjoyed his personality and his interactions with the contestants. In the news now, Bob is saying Rosie O’Donnell would make a great replacement for him. What a
disaster that would be!!! Rosie’s loudness and
aggressive mannerism would surely hurt the shows ratings. That is not saying a woman couldn’t/shouldn’t have the job, just one who would be in keeping with the standards Bob has set over all these years. My husband and I are now retired, sso Bob, “Come on down!” Best wishes for a long and happy retirement.
I’m not one of those people who write in every time I don’t agree with a potentially bad decision. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever responded. However, I think “The Price Is Right” is a great show but if they replace Bob Barker with Rosie O’Donnell it’ll be the last time I ever watch it.
I thought the only thing I would ever feel strong enough against to write in about would be the possibility of Hillary Clinton becoming President.
I hope Doug davison is the new host.
WE WILL MISS YOU BOB FROM ST.PAUL,MN. HAVE A NICE ONE. FROM TRACY
The Price is right has been one of our favorite shows for a long time. Even though we hate to see Bob go we certainly understand and wish him the best.
I think Gina St. John would be a fantastic hostess–she does a great job on her show.
My vote goes to the cute (in spite of her slight chubbiness) and ever-likable Rikki Lake. She did a bang-up job a year ago as hostess when she ran the games as part of a sequence of game shows on the ‘Game Show Marathon’ prime-time series.
Mr. Bob Barker,injoy a long and happy retirement.There are hundred’s & hundred’s of dog’s & cat’s,that if they could speak,would say thanks from the bottom of their heart’s too!
Thanks!for all the happy times you gave us from all the stressful things going on around us all every day.
Have a good life and may the LORD shine down on you and the family.
I have watched Price is Right since I was a young mother, and have enjoyed Bob Barker all these years. It is amazing to see that Bob is only a year older than myself.
I hope he has many long happy years of retirement, as have I. I would suggest John O’Hurley as a possible host for the show. He has a charming personality, and I enjoyed him in Dancing with the Stars when he was a contestant. Love and best regards to Bob, we shall sorely miss him.
please let Mario have a chance at hosting PIR. George Hamilton would be totally wrong.We are one of the older crowd who watch every day even if we have to tape the show
HI Y’ALL,, I THINK IT’S TIME FOR A WOMAN TO BE THE HOST OF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. I HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW SINCE THE BEGINNING, AND CAN’T MAKE IT THROUGH THE DAY,IF I MISS SEEING IT. I AM FRIENDLY,OUTGOING,GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR,QUICK LEARNER,AND REALLY ENJOY PEOPLE. PERHAPS YOU WILL CONSIDER ME FOR AN INTERVIEW. JUST KIDDIN!! HA!HA! THANKS,BOB FOR BRINGING YOUR HANDSOME SELF INTO MY LIVING ROOM EVERYDAY FOR ALL THESE YEARS. ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT, AND FORGET ME NOT. FRIENDS ALWAYS, PATTICAKE