Back in the ’90s, staying home from school for the day meant a few things: plenty of fluids, a steaming bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, and reruns of The Price Is Right with Bob Barker. Nothing cured us quicker than watching Barker pluck people from a live studio audience for a chance to win elaborate prizes by guessing the price of everyday items. Barker’s enthusiasm, mixed with an air of “I’m too old for this sh*t,” is the stuff of legend. Sadly, Barker died at 99 this past weekend, and CBS is already releasing a Bob Barker Tribute Special to honor the late TV personality.
The Price Is Right: A Tribute to Bob Barker airs Thursday, August 31, (8-9 p.m. ET/PT) and streaming on Paramount+. An encore broadcast will air on Labor Day during the regular weekday timeslot for The Price Is Right, 11 a.m. to Noon ET/10 a.m.-11 a.m. PT.
Current The Price is Right host Drew Carey will host the special, set to celebrate the career, life, and times of Bob Barker.
“This tribute to the legendary Bob Barker will bring back great memories for generations of The Price Is Right fans who loved Bob, his humor, his ability to connect with contestants and his innate talent for making the most out of every moment,” said Margot Wain, SVP of daytime programs in a statement. “Bob was one-of-a-kind; he’ll be remembered as an extraordinary host, a devoted animal activist, and, as he would put it, ‘a loyal friend and true.’ We’re so pleased to be able to salute his many accomplishments and honor his memory in this way.”
CBS’s Bob Barker Tribute Special includes highlights from the Price Is Right host’s 50-year career, with a look at his first appearance as the host of The New Price Is Right (circa 1972) and his final episode of the game show in 2007. Other highlights include Adam Sandler reading his poem “Ode to Bob Barker,” outtakes from The Price Is Right tapings, and hilarious moments with memorable contestants.
It’s impossible to recall my adolescence without considering Barker’s sass and snark. He knew how to work a crowd while simultaneously working in a few playful jabs at people who quickly drove him up a wall. He was one of a kind, and we look forward to watching CBS’s Bob Barker Tribute Special when it honors the icon at the end of the month.
