REACHING TWO BIG BENCHMARKS, A TV ICON ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

Bob Barker told the Associated Press today that after a half century in television, and 35 years as host of The Price Is Right, he will retire next June.

He began his national television career before I was even born...in 1956, when he was tapped to host the NBC game show Truth or Consequences (trivia here: the city Truth or Consequences, New Mexico was renamed after the show). Barker, who will turn 83 on December 12, first appeared on Price September 4, 1972.

Say what you will about his rushing contestants off stage after their game is over or his animal activism, Bob Barker is one of a very true icons of the media remaining. CBS Corporation CEO/President Leslie Moonves put is just right:

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

The European production giant Fremantle Media, which owns The Price Is Right, admits it has been looking for a replacement for Barker "for two or three years".