‘Price’ check: Barker will miss show terribly

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Fans made one last pilgrimage
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.

“He’s part of American culture,” said Mark Dub, a NASA engineer who flew from Houston to attend the last show.

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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, he said: “How many 83-year-old men get up every morning knowing that they’re going to have a standing ovation sometime during the day?”

Though Barker joked that “all of television is going to end” when he retires, “The Price Is Right” will continue in the fall with a new host, who has yet to be named. Among those reportedly in the running 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.”

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