The Time is Right: Bob Barker Retires After 35 Years

Wednesday was the last taping with Bob Barker as the master of ceremonies at the Price is Right. According to the Associated Press, Barker will officially retire Thursday, and this final show will air June 15.

Fans from across the nation camped outside the CBS studios for a chance to see this American icon make his last appearance on "The Price Is Right." According to the LA Times, fans passed the time by playing games and speculating on what surprises Barker might have for everyone present.

The Associated Press reports that Barker was remarkably composed throughout the taping, answering fans' questions during the commercial breaks. As the show came to an end, Barker blew kisses to the studio and television audiences, closing the show with his usual, "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered. Goodbye everybody."

After repeatedly thanking the studio audience, Barker held a press conference and spoke to reporters. According to the Associated Press, that is when some emotion showed through, as Barker talked about spending the morning reminiscing about the last 50 years on daytime television. "I really had myself worked up into an emotional state," he said. "And I thought, `I've really got to get over there and do this show. Straighten yourself out, Barker.'"

During the press conference, Barker was asked what he thought made him such an American favorite for so many years. According to the Associated Press, Barker said: "Hosts of shows are like pie. Some people like lemon, some like cherry, some like apple, and fortunately a lot of them like the Barker kind." Barker also said another quality that contributed to his success is his ability to listen. "When I talk with someone, I listen. And I think if you do, you're going to find little nuggets of gold to go with."

According to the Associated Press, Barker told reporters he has no regrets about retiring, although he expected he would have some second thoughts. He talked of his after-the-show plans, which will be filled with travel, exercise and working with his favorite animal charity.

Bob Barker was born in Darrington, Wash. and grew up primarily on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where his mother was a schoolteacher. Later, his family moved to Missouri, where he graduated from high school and enrolled at Drury College. His college was interrupted by World War II, after which he returned to Drury. A year after graduating summa cum laude from Drury, he moved to Los Angeles, where his career in radio and television began.

He hosted his own radio program, "The Bob Barker Show," and later made his television debut as the host of "Truth or Consequences."

Bob Barker, a vegetarian, is also known for his stands against animal exploitation of every kind. He is the founder of the DJ&T Foundation, an agency whose purpose is to help control the dog and cat population. He is funding the foundation through his own resources to support low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics. According to Barker, over population is one of our most tragic animal problems. The foundation is named in memory of his wife Dorothy Jo and his mother Matilda (Tilly) Valandra, both of whom loved all animals.

Sources:

"Priceless Bob Barker Ends Record TV Run" by AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen. Published 6/6/07. (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PJM9GG2&show_article=1)

Los Angeles Times ( http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/?track=leftnav-entertainment)

CBS