Bob Barker, who hosted “The Price Is Right” for nearly 35 years, was grand marshall of the Hollywood Santa Parade on Sunday night but before he hit the parade route, I caught up with him for a quick gab.

I quickly introduced myself then just blurted it out: What do you think of Drew Carey as the new host of “Price is Right”?

Bob, a healthy looking man of 83, did not hesitate to talk about his successor: “I think that Drew is his own man. He is not imitating me or anyone else. He's doing the show the way Drew Carey thinks it should be done and that’s exactly what he should do. Now, it’s up to the viewers. If they like his style, the show will go on forever. If they don’t, why they’ll let us know that too.”

Well, that was awfully diplomatic!

Before Bob began hosting “Price,” he had already spent 18 years as the host of “Truth or Consequences.” This is a guy who sure knows how to keep a job! So what’s he been doing now that he isn’t due at the studio every day?

“I have been sitting and doing nothing and I think I excell at it,” he said, straight-faced. “I think I’m going to be a complete success as a retiree, I really do.”

I wasn’t buying it.

Then this longtime animal activist told me what he has really been up to: “Actually, I’ve been very busy. I’ve been out of town. I went to Anchorage, Alaska, to help an elephant get from Alaska down to a sanctuary down in Northern California and I’ve been working on some other aniimal projects. I’ve really been very busy but I’m looking forward to eventually being retired.”

“I have done some spots just recently and I’m gonna write a book and that will take a lot of my time.”

Let's hope Bob does something REALLY fun like the classic cameo he did in "Happy Gilmore" when he kicks the crap out of Adam Sandler on the golf course. I think the sky's the limit - next we should have him taking down The Rock or someone like that.

Could be a riot!