Jun 12, 2007

Bob Barker retires

from the A TV land Icon fades to that little dot in the middle of the screen dept.

For the fans who traveled across the country and slept on the sidewalk outside CBS Television City, this was their day — the day of Bob Barker's last "Price is Right." The silver-haired icon, who has hosted the game show for 35 years, plans to officially begin his retirement Thursday. Philip Barrett, 24, of Tampa, Fla. had camped outside the studios since Saturday to see Barker tape his last show on Wednesday afternoon. "This is the chance of a lifetime," he said. Die-hard fans from across the country huddled in sleeping bags for days to say goodbye to Barker and be a part of his last show. CBS sends out more tickets than its 325-seat studio can accommodate, so fans who want a seat need to get in line early. Melanie Zepeda Velez, 32, traveled from Alberta, Canada. "I'm here because I need to kiss Bob," she said. Fans hoped for a chance to bid on prizes, but mostly they came to bid farewell. Barker's long run on the show has inspired fan traditions. Most female contestants kiss him on the cheek. Members of the military wear their uniforms. There is also the 83-year-old Barker's trademark signoff — "Have your pets spayed and neutered" — a tribute to his favorite cause and now a fan mantra.

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