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 was also 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
34th Daytime Emmy Awards
34th Daytime Emmy Awards
The Price Is Right (American game show)