Bob Barker began hosting The Price Is Right on September 4, 1972, and completed a 35 - year tenure on June 15, 2007. Barker was hired as host while still hosting the stunt comedy show Truth or Consequences. His retirement coincided with his 50th year as a television host. His final show aired on June 15, 2007, and was repeated in primetime, leading into the network 's coverage of the 34th Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition to hosting, Barker became Executive Producer of the show in March 1988 when Frank Wayne died and continued as such until his retirement, gaining significant creative control over the series between 2000 and his 2007 retirement. He also was responsible for creating several of the show 's pricing games, as well as launching The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular primetime spin - off. Reruns of Barker 's final season were aired throughout the summer from the Monday after his final show (June 18, 2007) until the Friday before Drew Carey 's debut as host (October 12, 2007), when the season 35 finale was re-aired. During his time as host, Barker missed only one taping of four episodes; Dennis James, then hosting the syndicated nighttime version of the show, filled in for him on these shows in December 1974. After he became a noted animal rights advocate in 1981 shortly after the death of his wife Dorothy Jo, Barker signed off each broadcast, informing viewers with the public service message, "Help control the pet population: have your pets spayed or neutered. '' Carey continued the tradition upon becoming the new host.
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October 12, 2007