Barker says O'Donnell could replace him


LOS ANGELES - Bob Barker endorsed his friend
Rosie O'Donnell as a possible successor on "The Price Is Right," although the newly retired host isn't sure CBS wants a woman to take over the game show.

"I believe they're going to have a meeting with Rosie," Barker said backstage Friday night at the Daytime Emmy Awards, where he won his 19th trophy.

"She knows the show," he said. "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."

Barker said his friendship with O'Donnell goes back several years, when she had him as a guest on her old daytime talk show.

"She told me she loved `The Price Is Right' and wanted to host it one day," he recalled.

Among those mentioned as possible replacement hosts have been Todd Newton of the E! network, Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight," George Hamilton and John O'Hurley.

Barker retired last week at age 83 after 35 years of giving away vacations and cars on the hit CBS game show. But he said he may be back with some specials featuring vintage clips and guests.

"If it works out, I'd like to do that," he said.

..... *sigh*

Uhhhmmmm. . . yeah. . . I reeally don't want to think about the thought of her demonstrating the "putt putt" game, hahaha! Bob would make a good mentalist though, as he always seemed to know just about where the Big Wheel would stop spinning on the Showcase Showdown, haha!

Let her have it. She can run it into the ground, chase away half the audience or more and they can finally cancel it. In a few years no one will even remember that she was ever on the show, and TV history will remember it as a long running game show hosted by Bob Barker.

Eighty-Three years old, eh? He really has taken good care of himself and doesn't even look close to that. Between The Price is Right and Truth or Consequenses, he's had one incredible career in gaming showbiz. There must be a spot for him in a hall-of-fame SOMEWHERE!

As for Rosie running it into the ground, I agree. She's too controversial a figure and that fact would dampen an otherwise light-hearted and festive show such as The Price is Right.

No matter what Bob says no way the powers that be will let Rosie anywhere near the wheel. The wheel needs to be balanced to spin right,;).

I doubt she'd move from New York to do the show. Besides I've heard she's working on getting her own show again.

Drew Carey come on down!! He's the next host of The Price is Right.

No, he's the next host of "The Power of Ten"...

Either "Power of Ten" is getting canceled, or he's going to host two shows at once because he's been announced as the new host of "The Price Is Right."

Me? I'm not certain anybody can keep that show on the air at this point. Bob is an integral part of the program.

He's doing both.

Gaddy, How dare you doubt me! I have a cape and a fog machine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUOFzFkdeAk

I hope the new models look like Mimi.

To hell with Drew or Rosie! Josh you should have the show (that is if you work on your laugh and get it down!)!

Is the American version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" still in production or are we just catching reruns? If so, that would make <three> shows!

I hear Jon Lovitz and Andy Dick were both being considered, and actually came to blows over this. Or maybe I've got my stories mixed up. Yeah, that's it.

Anyway, here's the story about Drew:

'The Price is Right' for Drew Carey

DAVID BAUDER

Associated Press

July 24, 2007 at 7:48 AM EDT

NEW YORK — Genial comic Drew Carey was tapped Monday to replace silver-haired legend Bob Barker on the CBS daytime game show The Price is Right.

The deal was set Monday afternoon shortly before a taping of CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, where he confirmed it.

“I realize what a big responsibility this is,” he said. “It's only a game show, but it's the longest-running game show in American television, and I plan to keep it that way.”

The selection attracted more attention than usual for a daytime show because of the prospect of replacing Barker, 83, who retired last month – after 35 years in the job – following taping of his 6,586th show.

The opening attracted widespread interest, including from comic Rosie O'Donnell after she left The View.

Carey, 49, spent a decade on his own ABC sitcom and also was host of the improvisational game show Whose Line is It Anyway?

He will also be host of a new CBS prime-time game show, The Power of 10, that will air first next month. He told the Associated Press on Monday that CBS officials first contacted him about The Price is Right immediately after he completed a pilot of the other game show this spring.

“My agent called me and said ‘I was talking to CBS casting today' and in my head I was thinking, ‘Oh, CSI guest star?' And he said, 'What would you think about replacing Bob Barker on The Price is Right?'”

Asked if he found the prospect of replacing such a TV legend daunting, Carey recalled talking to a friend who knows the game show business who told him, “as long as Bob Barker is cool with it, the fans will be cool with it.”

“I'm cool with it,” Barker said after hearing Carey's remarks.

Barker said he is not familiar enough with Carey's past performances to offer an opinion on his selection. But, he said, “I understand he ad-libs very well and that he has a very nice, friendly way of working, and I think both of those would be helpful to him on The Price Is Right."

His advice for Carey: “Go out there and do that show the way you think it should be done. Don't imitate me and don't imitate anyone else.”

CBS entertainment President Nina Tassler said she was “beyond delighted” to land Carey.

“He is one of the most well-liked personalities working in entertainment, and I have no doubt his humour, charm and enthusiasm will endear him to Price is Right viewers,” she said.

While Carey said does not know Barker personally, the younger comedian said he was comfortable that his predecessor would be accepting when he took on the job.

The negotiation process was nerve-racking. While he was talking with CBS about the job, Carey said he got a call from another lawyer in Hollywood who told him one of his clients was offered The Price is Right job.

He figured CBS had lined up back-ups if the first choice did not come through.

“If I was going after a second baseman, I wouldn't just talk to one second baseman,” the Cleveland Indians fan said. “If I were the general manager, I would be talking to a few second basemen.”

I think Rosie would be great. Just think at the end of the show you'd get to hear the old admonition "Spay and neuter your pets"...... AND BAN GUNS

Drew is a nice guy but the WRONG choice as host. It will not work out.

Is this bad advice?

John

I think they should compromise. I do not think Drew is right for the show, although I really liked his own show that ran so long. Even so, I am willing to give it a shot. He seems to be fairly humble in taking it over, so lets see what happens.

Here is the compromise... Get Rosie to be the model showing off the merchandise on the stage.

I don't think the show will last more then six weeks with the new host. I'm not saying that because Drew Carey got the spot. I like him and am glad for him but it matters not who was picked. I feel now that Bob Barker has retired the show is doomed. I may very well be wrong of course.

Yes.

I'm not sure that Drew Carey will do a bad job. In fact, the idea of him on the Price is Right has kind of grown on me.

Rosie would've been an absolute disaster. (Okay, so she IS an absolute disaster).

I do agree the show will not have the same success now that Bob has left.

Robert

I actually beg to differ. Bob Barker himself stated on an interview that he feels that Drew is right for the show. His advice was "Don't imitate me...just be yourself". We will always love Bob Barker and he will always be THE STAR of The Price is Right, but Drew has a great personality and he's quick witted, so I'm sure he will do just fine.