Discussions

....After 35 years on The Price is Right and 50 years on the CBS Television Network, Bob Barker will be retiring this June. His last show will air June 15th, 10am on WCCO in Brandon, with an encore showing that night at 7pm.  
 
His two retirement specials last week were #11 and 12 in the Neilson ratings, beating out hit TV shows CSI, Law and Order SVU, Bones, Criminal Minds, the final King of Queens, and the season finale of Ugly Betty (which is in the same timeslot). 14.3 million people tuned into the final nighttime special with Barker. Daytime totals show Price in a dead heat with the Young and Restless. Of the 9.2 million who watch Price on a daily basis, 93% stick around for at least 5 minutes of Y and R. Y and R usually builds up a different audience with it.  
 
But now that Dirty Ol' Barker is leaving, who exactly is going to replace him? Well, many media reports have hinted the following names. Also, there were several "mock" shows done in March at CBS where the contestants kept their prizes, but the shows never aired because these were tryouts for potential hosts:  
 
Frontrunners:  
 
Tom Bergeron (AFV, Dancing with Stars, Hollywood Squares) - Although he is the true frontrunner, I can't see this happening because he has a contract with ABC to do their two shows.  
 
George Kennedy - An older man with a similar style to Barker, will retain the current audience, keep the show feeling original.  
 
Mark Stines (Entertainment Tonight) - Has the personality, and is young and would last a long time, providing they don't cancel the show. He is also Barker's favorite of the bunch.  
 
THE POTENTIALS:  
 
John O'Hurley (Dancing with Stars, Family Feud, Elaine's boss Peterman on Seinfeld) - Truly a fan favorite, but has a contract with the Feud, produced by Price's Fremantlemedia  
 
Donny Osmond - A natural.  
 
Todd Newton (Whammy, Vegas Price is Right stage show) - He's been hosting the Vegas stage version of Price for years. He has the youth and experience.  
 
Rich Fields (Current Price Announcer) - Has a thing with the audience. This just may work!  
 
I CAN'T BELIEVE TV TIMES, TV GUIDE, and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY WOULD SUGGEST THESE GUYS:  
 
Dan Rather - Uh, no.  
 
Brad Garrett (Robert on Everybody Loves Ray) - The voice just wouldn't work.  
 
Rosie O'Donnell - The only female mentioned to be host. Since The View airs in the same time slot in most areas, this would be a good ratings battle versus Hasselback or Brokeback or whatever the View girl's name is.  
 
Jerry Springer - He already hosts the Springer Show and America's Got Talent. We don't need a third freak show.  
 
My question to all of you is, who would you like to see as host of TPIR? Any of the ones the TV media chose above, or someone not listed? Personally, I'd like to see Regis do it, but its not going to happen.