An explosive day with Bob Barker

Bob Barker's recent announcement that he plans to throw in the towel after only half a century in television reminded me of the time I visited the set of "The Price is Right." (Honest: This is a true story.)

I was working on a Pulitzer Prize-magnet-type of story, about the show auditioning new Barker's Beauties, so I got to hear from aspirants just how much of a challenge it was to sweep one's arm gracefully towards a washer-dryer combo. The taping had just begun when it was just as suddenly halted and the studio evacuated: No biggie, just a bomb scare.

This was back when Barker's thoughts on neutering animals was considered mildly controversial, and the prior weekend someone had tossed something vaguely threatening onto his property. On this day, a mysterious package had been found near the "Price is Right" soundstage at CBS Television City (this was years before 9/11).

So some people were a little jittery: As I was leaving the studio through the labyrinthine backstage, I overheard a stage hand bellow words that haunt me to this day: "Oh my God, they're out to get Barker!"

Well, "haunt's" probably not the right word, but still.

Bomb squad shows up. Blows an old pair of sneakers to kingdom come.

Barker, unflappable - he even jokes about it - proceeds to dispense washer-dryers and new cars! unabated from thereon. Even then, Barker knew: If you can't allow tourists to putt golf balls for an exercycle, guess the price of a package of eyedrops for outdoor patio furniture and spin a big wheel for the chance to win his-and-her paddleboats, then the terrorists have won.