LOS ANGELES - "The Price Is Right" needs a host, and Rosie O'Donnell is interested. Very interested. The 45-year-old said recently that she was meeting with the "Price" people this week and that she "sure would" accept the job if they offer.
"I LOVE THE PRICE IS RIGHT," she wrote, the capitalization underscoring her feelings.
CBS and FremantleMedia North America, which produces the hit game show, have been seeking a replacement for the venerable Bob Barker, who retired this month after 35 years as the show's host.
Among those reportedly in the running are Todd Newton of the E! network, Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight," George Hamilton and John O'Hurley. But Barker said O'Donnell is his pick.
"She knows the show," he said backstage at Friday's Daytime Emmy Awards. "There's no doubt in my mind she could do the show. Now, whether they want a lady host, I don't know. I've never heard that discussed. As far as I know, they've only auditioned men."
CBS and FremantleMedia had no comment Tuesday.
O'Donnell's spokeswoman, Cindi Berger, was not specific about the ex-"View" commentator's plans: "Rosie is meeting with several networks about a lot of different ideas."
"The Price Is Right" is filmed in Los Angeles. O'Donnell lives in Nyack, New York, near New York City, with her partner and their four children.
