television's longest-running game show, following a primetime Price

special next year.

In an interview with today's Boston

Globe, Barker, who has hosted the game show since 1972, said, "I don't

expect to fill out my current five-year contract."

Producer Syd Vinnedge

told the newspaper that FremantleMedia, formerly Pearson Television, which

packages the show, is planning for "an orderly transition."

He indicated

that the question of Barker's departure has been put before focus groups,

who have responded that while they will be disappointed to see him leave,

they "accept the fact that Bob has the right to retire."

Barker himself

implied that his successor will have a difficult time filling his shoes.

"There is no place to learn to do what I do," he told the Globe.

"There are comedians who just ask, 'Who are you?' 'Where are you from?'

'What number do you want?' Believe me, there is more to it than that."