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Barker brings the ‘Price’ on down one more time

HOLLYWOOD — You will see no tears from Bob Barker when CBS airs his 6,586th and final “Price Is Right” broadcast June 15 (11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. PT and 8 p.m. ET/PT).

“What surprises me most is that I got through the whole thing without crying,” Barker, 83, said at a news conference after Wednesday’s taping on the CBS Television City game-show stage, where he has hosted the show for 35 years. “This is a very emotional time.”

He showed just how emotional moments later when he finally broke down while relating the story of a co-worker who had visited his dressing room earlier that day to bid farewell. Complete silence overtook the studio as the shocked Price staff waited for their master to regain his composure.

“Wow,” said the show’s dumbfounded announcer, Rich Fields. “It chokes me up to hear him get choked up. I’ve never seen him emotional like this.”

The historic day inspired Philip Barrett to fly out from Tampa and camp out on the street outside the studio since Saturday. “We went right from the airport to the curb to secure our position,” said Barrett, 24, who slept on a folding lawn chair purchased at Wal-Mart. “I thought I’d be like 100th in line, but it was great to be No. 1 for the No. 1 game-show host of all time. We’re honoring him today.”

Barrett and his wife, Elizabeth, 23, would take turns guarding their spot while the other went on food runs or returned to their hotel room for quick showers and changes. Barrett’s dedication and eye-catching T-shirt slogan (“Bob is No. 1”) served him well. Not only was Barrett called to “come on down” to Contestants’ Row, he made it all the way to the Showcase Showdown, competing against Denise LeVeque, 34, of Rockford, Ill.

On stage, LeVeque told Barker, “Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy your retirement.”

Barker’s finale was not much different from a regular broadcast: One contestant played Plinko. Another landed the coveted $1 spot on the big wheel, earning herself an instant grand. And when one audience member cried that she wanted a kiss, Barker quipped, “It’s too damn late,” but he gave her a kiss anyway.

There were some indicators that something was special about the day — a few extra pricey cars thrown in, a spontaneous audience chant of “One more year,” crew members snapping personal photos and a good number of fan gifts for the host.

“I’m getting more gifts than the contestants,” Barker said. Examining a stuffed monkey he was handed from the audience, Barker joked, “A little monkey. ... Oh, look, he’s been neutered.”

The longtime animal crusader opted to sign off just as he did for years: “Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. Goodbye, everybody.”

The clapping continued long after the cameras stopped rolling, inspiring Barker to turn to one of his “Barker Beauties” and ask, “How much longer does this go on for?”

An audience member asked what he was planning to do after the show.

“Get drunk,” he said.

The staff was notified last month that the show will continue in the fall with a new host after a summer of Barker reruns.

Might Barker agree to return one day to guest host? “If the [new] guy breaks a leg or something, I might. That is, if they can find me.”