Last night, I tape-recorded the last "Price is Right" primetime special to be hosted by Bob Barker. I was surprised to learn a few months ago that Barker announced that he will step down as host of the best game show on TV. Like everyone else, I took for granted that Barker will always host "The Price is Right" until he dies. But it won't be the same without a real TV icon. While the show will go on, I doubt there's going to be the same enthusiasm of meeting the man who made it what it is.

True, Bill Cullen hosted the original "Price is Right" back in 1956, and at the same time, a young Bob Barker was the host of "Truth or Consequences". Then came 1972, when Barker was brought on to emcee what was then called "The New Price is Right" (the original had been cancelled in 1963). For 35 years, he has given away thousands of cars and trips, as well as millions of dollars in cash and prizes.

Which brings us to last night's Million Dollar Spectacular: In the first Showcase Showdown, a contestant got $1.00 on the Big Wheel and won herself $10,000 and a chance to win the elusive $1 million jackpot. That's when we thought, "Finally, someone will win the million dollars!" But, alas, it was not to be. That same contestant won her showcase, including a Cadillac XLR, and took home well over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

Tonight, CBS will air a one-hour special that will delve into Barker's 50 years in television. And younger fans should expect to see that infamous clip from the movie "Happy Gilmore," in which he beats up Adam Sandler, who provokes him by saying, "The price is wrong, Bobby!" (That was from the edited version, of course.)

So this week, CBS bids farewell to two irreplaceable icons, Bob Barker and Doug Heffernan from "The King of Queens." In an episode of the latter show, Doug watches "The Price is Right" on an HDTV set and remarks, "Wow. I didn't realize Bob Barker's eyes were so blue." And to see them both go in the same week, it's a very sad time. Barker's final episode will not actually happen until next month, when there's sure to be a big celebration, but I'll miss all those years of watching him give away lots and lots of prizes at 11 a.m. on CBS. As for a replacement host, I was hoping it would be Ricki Lake (if only because she hosted the show as a part of "Gameshow Marathon" last year), but don't count on it. Mark Steines, Mario Lopez, or even John O'Hurley might assume the hosting role, but I don't think O'Hurley will get it because he's already the host of another great game show, "Family Feud." As the old saying goes, stay tuned...

Goodbye, Bob! Thank you for 50 wonderful years on TV! It was a great ride!