End Of An Era

Bob Barker has been the host for "The Price Is Right" for 35 years, the same number of years I've been alive, so I literally cannot remember a time that he hasn't been on the air.

In doing a series on Middle Georgians who have appeared on the show over the years, the one thing they all said in common was how down-to-Earth Barker is, and how he is exactly as you would imagine him.

"The Price Is Right" is more than a TV show; it's really a weekday morning institution, the last holdout for a time when game shows used to rule the timeslots. In a Hollywood that often jettisons its stars once they reach a certain age, Barker has aged gracefully onscreen. He's 83, but with the energy of someone a decade or so younger.

Hopefully, you will be able to catch his final performance today either at the show's regularly scheduled time (CBS, 11 a.m.) or in a special 8 p.m. re-airing tonight. You can read the recollections of Middle Georgians who appeared on "The Price Is Right" in today's edition of The Telegraph or at macon.com.

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Speaking of female superheroes, "Heroes" is likely getting a new character next season in Miss Universe, Riyo Mori. She's been to a casting audition and is likely to be cast as a love interest for one of the characters. ...

WEEKEND'S BEST BETS: After watching Bob Barker's final appearance tonight on "The Price Is Right," you can watch him probably pick up his final Emmy on "The 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards" (CBS, 9 p.m.).

You can also catch a new episode of a series I hoped would make it, but didn't, with "Standoff" (Fox, 9 p.m.) as the network burns off the remaining episodes.

Speaking of burning off episodes, Fox burns off a couple more of "The Loop" this Sunday at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Also Sunday, "The 4400" (USA, 9 p.m.) returns for a new season, with Billy Campbell joining the cast full-time. I'll probably watch though this is a series I've never really gotten into. With "Heroes" now on the air, "4400" really doesn't measure up.

The night's best bet, though, may be on the Cartoon Network, as the guys from "Robot Chicken" are running a full parody of "Star Wars" featuring the voice of creator George Lucas. It runs at 10 p.m. and reruns throughout the night, along with the best of other editions of "Robot Chicken."

Call To Former "Price Is Right" Contestants

On an unrelated note to the regular blogging, I'm looking for Middle Georgians who have appeared on "The Price Is Right" over the years and would like to share their stories for "The Telegraph."

If you are a former contestant or know someone who was, please e-mail me at pramati@macontel.com.

Thanks,

Phillip Ramati