Bob Barker Says Goodbye
Ever since I was a small child, I've enjoyed watching TV. As a tot, I would lie on the floor just a couple of feet from the television and gaze hypnotically into the cathode rays. Maybe it's strange, but nothing aroused my interest more than game shows. Whether it was an early favorite like Tic-Tac-Dough or, in later years, the Whammies on Press Your Luck, there was something about the bells, whistles and big prizes that was exciting.
But no program even came close to The Price Is Right in terms of its entertainment value and all-around good times. Though I haven't seen the program on a regular basis in a number of years, I've always enjoyed catching bits and pieces, even if it's just some funny clips from YouTube.
But an era has ended. Today, after 35 years hosting the program, Bob Barker stepped down. As an animal lover, Mr. Barker has ended the program since the late 1970s with a heartfelt pitch to "Help control the pet population; have your pet spayed or neutered." This goodbye was much like the rest, except that it was his last. I am not the least bit ashamed to say that I got teary-eyed watching the legend's departure:
A friend of mine works for the production company that makes TPIR and mentioned to me that they have already lined up a replacement for the program (though she would not tell me who it was). No matter how capable or charismatic, the new host will have some ridiculously big shoes to fill. It's hard to imagine anyone ever truly replacing Bob Barker. At the very least, let's pray it's not Alan Thicke.
And it goes without saying that no one (not even Dick Clark) could hold Bob Barker's famously skinny microphone, so it's fitting that he's auctioning it off on eBay, with the proceeds going to the United Activists for Animal Rights.
Here's to you, Bob. You will be missed.
My name is Doug Hammond, and I love chocolate hamburgers and ice cream.
Comments
Plinko.
Posted by: Dewey | June 15, 2007 03:17 PM
I MISS BOB BARKER, BUT DREW CAREY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB HOSTING THE PRICE IS RIGHT. MR. CAREY IS COOL.
Posted by: Rodney Sexton | February 25, 2008 05:47 PM