LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase,
his final "Come on down."
The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he told The
Associated Press Tuesday.

"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he said, "and I've decided
to retire while I'm still young."

Though he has been considering retirement for "at least 10 years,"
Barker said he has so much fun doing the show that he hasn't been
able to leave.

"I've gone on and on and on to this ancient age because I've enjoyed
it," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm going to miss it."

Reaching dual milestones, 50 years on television and 35 with Price,
made this an "appropriate" time to retire, Barker said. Besides,
hosting the daily CBS program — in which contestants chosen from the
crowd "come on down" to compete for "showcases" that include trips,
appliances and new cars — is "demanding physically and mentally," he
said.

"I'm just reaching the age where the constant effort to be there and
do the show physically is a lot for me," he said. "I might be able
to do the show another year, but better (to leave) a year too soon
than a year too late."

Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation, said Barker
has left an enduring mark on the network, calling his contribution
and loyalty "immeasurable."

"We knew this day would come, but that doesn't make it any easier,"
Moonves said in a statement. "Bob Barker is a daytime legend, an
entertainment icon and one of the most beloved television
personalities of our time."

Barker began his national television career in 1956 as the host of
Truth or Consequences. He first appeared on Price on Sept. 4, 1972
and has been the face of the show ever since.

A CBS prime-time special celebrating the show's longevity and
Barker's five decades on TV was already underway, a network
spokesman said.

To kick off his retirement, Barker said he will "sit down for maybe
a couple of weeks and find out what it feels like to be bored." Then
he plans to spend time working with animal-rights causes, including
his own DJ&T Foundation, founded in memory of his late wife, Dorothy
Jo, and mother, Matilda.

He said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but
filmmakers, take note: "I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood
producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't
want to be just another beautiful body."

Freemantle Media, which owns Price, has been looking for Barker's
replacement for "two or three years," Barker said. And he has some
advice for whoever takes the job: learn the show's 80 games
backwards and forward.

"The games have to be just like riding a bicycle," Barker
said. "Then he will be relaxed enough to have fun with the audience,
to get the laughs with his contestants and make the show more than
just straight games, to make it a lot of fun."

As for his fans, Barker said he "doesn't have the words" to express
his gratitude.

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank the television viewers,
because they have made it possible for me to earn a living for 50
years doing something that I thoroughly enjoy. They have invited me
into their homes daily for a half a century."

But when it comes to saying his final TV goodbye, Barker said he'll
do it the same way he does each day on Price : "Help control the pet
population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."

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