Why The Price is Right Should End with Bob Barker

In 1971, a man named Bob Barker took a position to host 'The Price is Right,' what was then a new and exciting game show. Barker quickly captivated thousands of American's with valuable prizes and beautiful young women. Now, thirty-five years later, Barker has retired. The long-standing tradition of the CBS hit game-show is coming to an end. Or is it?

CBS has announced that they plan to continue airing the show under a different host. Candidates for the job include Rosie O'Donnell, Todd Newton from E!, 'Entertainment Tonight's' Mark Steines and George Hamilton. Bob Barker has stated that O'Donnell is his personal favorite, but no information has been released as to who will receive the position.

Personally, I think all of these are bad choices. I do not believe this show should continue to air at all, unless it is in the form of re-runs where Bob Barker continues to host. It is in the best interest of CBS to drop the show, and here's why:

The target audience of 'The Price is Right,' witnessed by the 'Medicare,' 'Medicaid' and Life Insurance commercials is clearly that of an elderly audience. While hundreds of young people enjoy visiting Los Angeles to become contestants on the show, the main income for the show comes from advertising and sponsors; therefore, it is the home audience that helps finance the show. There are no ticket sales, as contestants wait outside, are let in for free and are interviewed for the selection process. Seeing that 'The Price is Right' caters to an older population accustomed to having Bob Barker at the helm of the show, it is only natural to think there will be some discomforts among the viewers in having a new host. While I'd love to give CBS the benefit of the doubt, the truth is that Bob Barker IS 'The Price is Right' and to replace him will only distance those viewers CBS already has.