Bob Barker's Last Show After 35 Years Of Price is Right!

Fans began lining up as long ago as last Saturday to see Bob Barker's last taping of the long running daytime game-show, "The Price is Right." Some fans slept on the sidewalk in front of the C.B.S. Television City studio, hoping to gain a coveted seat in the 325 seat venue. According to an article by Sandy Cohen, Entertainment writer for Associated Press, people came from all over the country to see T.V.'s silver haired icon, tell contestants to "Come on Down," one last time. The show has made television history in a record setting 35 years for a five day a week show, surpassed only by The Tonight Show, which has aired for 50 years. Barker began his stint on 'The Price is Right' on September 4, 1972 on C.B.S.

Robert William Barker was born on December 12, 1923 in Darrington, Washington. He spent most of his youth on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where his mother worked as a teacher. He attended Drury College on a basketball scholarship. In the mid 1940's Barker also became a member of a jazz band called, 'The Scatters.' He served as a Navy Fighter Pilot during World War 2.

In 1945 Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon. She died of lung cancer in 1981 and Barker has never remarried. He swore that DJ as he called her was the love of his life. They had no children and he still goes to visit her grave every weekend. DJ was a catalyst in his well documented involvement of animal rights.

Barker began his media career at KTTS Radio in Springfield, Missouri. He and his wife later moved to Los Angeles, Ca. where he hosted an audience participation radio show on KNX. Game show producer, Ralph Edwards happened to be listening and like Barker's voice and style. On December 31, 1956 Barker started the show that would make his career. 'Truth or Consequences,' was hosted by Barker for 18 years. The show was known for it's zany style, asking a question of an contestant and when no reply was given or a wrong answer was replied it was answered by a buzzer known as 'Beulah.' The annoying buzzer would sound and participants were asked to perform an often embarrassing stunt for losing. Barker also briefly worked with Chuck Barris on The Family Game. Barker has appeared on T.V. for 50 years. The 83 year old has also played himself in the movie "Happy Gilmore" working along with Adam Sandler.

Mr. Barker has become a 17 X Emmy Award Winner for a daytime T.V. show. In information obtained from a biography on Wikipedia in 1999 Barker received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Daytime T.V.

Legal troubles have followed Barker after having been sued by Dian Parkinson back in 1993 for sexual harassment. Parkinson was one of "Barker's Beauties," who were attractive models working on the Price is Right. Parkinson had worked for the show from 1975 - 1993. Barker admitted that they had a sexual relationship but denied it was without the consent of Parkinson. Parkinson gave up the suit in 1995 claiming she didn't have the money or the power to continue the fight in court. Since then Barker has been sued a total of six times charged with various offenses by ex-models for the show. All of the suits were settled out of court except one. The last suit is still pending.

One of the causes that Barker has embraced has been his well known association with animal Rights groups. This cause was sparked by his deceased wife, DJ. Barker's ending advice on The Price is Right has become as famous as Barker is himself. "Protect your pet- have it spayed or neutered," meant that the famous game show was signing off. Today the famous quote will be said for the last time. According to Sandy Cohen's AP article, Barker's last appearance on "The Price is Right" will air on June 15.

Sources for this article are as follows: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_en_tv/barker_fans;_ylt=AndmpSz7D81k9cLV9ivZZH7MWM0F

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Barker