For decades, one of the surest sights on CBS was Bob Barker hosting The Price Is Right. Barker was a mainstay hosting the popular game show where contestants vied for prizes in quirky games. Barker was known for his love of animals, ending every broadcast by urging viewers to have their pets spayed and neutered. His fame hit a height in 1996 when he appeared in the comedy Happy Gilmore, getting into a wild fistfight with Adam Sandler.
Barker passed away on Aug. 26, 2023, at the age of 99 after a long illness. He’s already received numerous tributes from various stars, and now CBS is giving him his own special to mark an amazing legacy.
In 1972, CBS revived the old Price is Right game show with Barker chosen as its host. Barker soon connected with audiences who would go wild for every episode. A notable bit was in 1987 when Barker stopped dying his hair to let it go naturally gray, which only won him more appreciation as the show became a mainstay for CBS’ daytime programming. In Oct. of 2006, at the age of 83, Barker announced he was retiring as host. His final show was on June 6, 2007. Before that, CBS celebrated Barker’s 50 years in television with a big special which included Sandler reading a comedic poem in his honor.
Drew Carey took over as host for The Price is Right. Barker would make a few appearances on the show, one to promote his autobiography in 2009, to celebrate his 90th birthday in 2013, and hosting himself as an “April Fool’s gag” in 2015.
According to CBS, the special will be hosted by Carey, focusing on Barker’s career with highlights of his best moments as host. It’s likely Adam Sandler will put in an appearance as it will replay his fight with Barker and poem for him. The special airs Thursday, Aug. 31 at 8/7c on CBS with an encore on Labor Day and streaming on Paramount+.
