By Beth Harris
The Associated Press

After a stagehand sweeps up, overexcited contestants wearing price tag-shaped name tags spill into the 320-seat studio at CBS' Television City complex.

The chattering stops, though, when announcer Rod Roddy, whose shouts of "Come on down!" lure lucky participants from their seats, appears to explain the rules before cameras roll on the daily taping of The Price is Right.

Moments after Roddy finishes, the cameras' red lights go on and host Bob Barker, wearing a suit, tie and gold "BB" cuff links, emerges from behind the glittery doors bearing the name of the longest-running game show in television history.

"What I enjoy about the show is creating spontaneous entertainment with the contestants and the audience," Barker said later in his small dressing room. "I'm trying to find those interesting personalities with whom I can have some fun, get some laughs. I try to give each show its own personality and that's stimulating."

Last year, the 79-year-old Barker broke Johnny Carson's record for continuous performances on the same network show. Carson retired from NBC's Tonight show in 1992 after 29 years, seven months and 21 days. Barker is in his 31st year hosting a show that began in 1956 with Bill Cullen.

"The longevity is undoubtedly the greatest surprise of all," said Barker.

Despite recent knee and prostate surgeries, Barker says he's in good health. He credits daily walks, a nightly glass of wine, being a vegetarian and not smoking.

"I feel good and I enjoy doing the show, I have fun doing the show," he said. "Every year I think well, maybe I'll hang it up and hey, here I am still doing it."

The hour-long daytime show remains successful. Last year, CBS aired seven prime-time versions that were among the network's highest-rated specials, so Barker is doing it again.

The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (8 p.m. today, Channels 12, 7) is the first of three specials airing in February. The other shows will air Friday and next Wednesday.

For the first time in the show's history, prime-time contestants can win $1 million by landing on the $1 spot in two consecutive spins on the Big Wheel.

"I've given away an awful lot of washing machines, but I've never given away a million dollars," said Barker, who's awarded more than $200 million in prizes on The Price is Right (and in the 1950s and '60s on Truth or Consequences).

Barker, Roddy and the three models known as "Barker's Beauties" tape five shows over four days each week. They get August off as well as other weeks during the year.

"He's so great," said contestant Suzanne Ricci of San Francisco. "He looks older in person, but I still like him."

Other than urging Americans to spay and neuter their pets at the close of each show, Barker said he has no other calling.

"I set out to do precisely what I'm doing and I'm still doing it," he said.