More "Price Is Right" host candidates

Speculation continues on who will take over as host in the wake of Bob Barker's retirement from "The Price Is Right." According to the National Ledger (no, I've never heard of it, either), the search has been on for "two or three years," in a quote attributed to Barker himself.

Here are the names in play: MTV's "TRL" host Vanessa "I'm Dating Nick Lachey" Minnillo, new "Today" co-host and "Millionaire" referee Meredith Vieira, even Paris Hilton (don't think they're serious on that one).

On the male side, Nick Lachey himself is in the running, but the safe bets are on Richard Karn, the former "Home Improvement" sidekick who's had some game-show experience with "Family Feud." (Is that still even on?)

But according to the New York Post's Page Six, it's CBS "Early Show" weatherman Dave Price who'll get "Price" right. He's already had a tryout in front of a Craigslist-recruited live audience, the tabloid reports.

No mention of my front-runner, Doug Davidson of "The Young and the Restless," who ain't so young anymore but is probably plenty restless, having hosted a short-lived syndicated version of "Price" back in the '90s.

I'd like to offer a bold, new choice: Gilbert Gottfried. He's funny ... he's quick on his feet. And best of all, he's Gilbert F'n Gottfried!