‘Price Is Right,’ and so is Barker's time to retire

Game-show icon of 35 years says he has no favorite to succeed him

	‘The Price Is Right’ host Bob Barker, center, announcer Rich Fields, left, and four of ‘Baker's Beauties’ appear on ‘The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson’ last summer.
Nick Ut / AP

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updated 10:40 p.m. ET Jan. 22, 2007

PASADENA, Calif. - The man with a golden voice who gave away warehouses of refrigerators and sofas during his 35 years as host of “The Price Is Right” says the secret to a good game-show host is the ability to listen.

Too many are thinking of what they should say next instead of picking up on what the contestants are telling them, said the soon-to-retire Bob Barker.

“These people are little gems with which you can create laughter and good times,” Barker told TV critics late Thursday.

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None of his bosses asked Barker for his opinion on a successor. He said he doesn’t have a favorite.

Barker, who turned 83 in December, said he wanted to retire “while I’m still young,” and credits his vegetarian diet for his good health. He had a different answer when asked how he’s able to maintain his energy.

“Booze,” he said to a laugh.

His last taping of the CBS network show is June 6, with the swan song to air soon after. Reruns will be used until a new season starts in September.

Barker said he couldn’t understand why he, and his show, have become cult favorites for college students. He talks about the number of young people who ask him to say his salty line from his appearance in the Adam Sandler movie “Happy Gilmore.”

“I’ve been in television 50 years, and what am I going to be remembered for?” he said, then repeated his line.