LOS ANGELES - With his final show in the can, Bob Barker is officially retired. The 83-year-old daytime icon filmed his last episode of "The Price Is Right" on Wednesday, ending his 35-year tenure on the CBS show and 50 years on television.
"I thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your home for more than 50 years. I'm truly grateful, and I hope that all of you have enjoyed your visit to 'The Price Is Right,'" Barker told the studio audience after the cameras stopped rolling.
The episode is scheduled to air twice June 15: once at its usual time and again that evening. Reruns of Barker-hosted shows will play until the new season premieres in the fall. Among the reported candidates to replace Barker are Todd Newton of the E! network, Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight," George Hamilton and John O'Hurley.
"You're never going to be able to find somebody who's just like Bob Barker," said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of FremantleMedia North America, which produces "The Price Is Right." "They're very large shoes to fill."
Barker ended his record tenure by blowing kisses and working in the same low-key, genial fashion that made him one of daytime TV's biggest stars. He closed the show with his usual, "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered. Goodbye everybody."
Later, Barker was humble when asked what qualities have made him an American favorite for half a century.
"Hosts of shows are like pie," he said during a post-show press conference. "Some people like lemon, some like cherry, some like apple, and fortunately a lot of them like the Barker kind."
He said the key to his success is listening.
"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."
Barker answered questions from the audience during commercial breaks in the taping. "Someone asked, will I spend my mornings watching `The Price Is Right'? In as few words as possible, no," he quipped. He quickly conceded, however, that curiosity might get the better of him.
He said the only souvenir he planned to take with him from the "Price" studio was the sign from his dressing room door. "The guys put up a sign that (says) WGMC, world's greatest master of ceremonies."
Barker began his national television career in 1956 as the host of "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.
For 35 years, he has played the same games with contestants and filmed from the same spot -- Studio 33, aka the Bob Barker Studio -- at CBS Television City.
"The only thing that's changed on `The Price Is Right' is the color of my hair," Barker said during a CBS prime-time tribute show that aired last month.
Barker has influenced the show's prizes over the years, said longtime producer Roger Dobkowitz.
"Because he's a vegetarian, we respect his wishes and we don't advertise meat products on the show," he said. At Barker's request, they also stopped giving away fur coats.
The silver-haired host's long reign has also inspired fan traditions. Most female contestants -- and even some men -- kiss him on the cheek. Members of the military wear their uniforms. College students wear their university sweat shirts and groups of fans come in matching custom-made T-shirts.
As the legendary host counted down his last days on the air, fans from around the country made pilgrimages to Los Angeles to see him. Dozens camped out overnight near CBS studios for a chance to say goodbye during Barker's final week of shows.
"This is over-the-top amazing. It's like a piece of Americana," said Terry Baldwin, 55, of Pebble Beach, Calif., who had camped out overnight to ensure she got a seat in the audience for Barker's last show. "You could feel the electricity all day long."
Barker's long tenure was checkered by lawsuits brought by past "Barker's Beauties," the gown-wearing hostesses who present prizes such as microwaves, pinball machines and brand-new cars. Some sued him for sexual harassment and wrongful termination over the years. Most received out-of-court financial settlements.
Barker said he has no regrets -- yet -- about retiring: "Isn't that strange? I expected to have second thoughts."
He plans to fill his free time with travel, exercise and working with his animal charity, the DJ&T Foundation, named for his late wife, Dorothy Jo, and mother, Matilda ("Everybody called her Tilly," he said).
But he will miss the show.
"How many 83-year-old men get up every morning knowing that they're going to have a standing ovation sometime during the day?"
