Barker, CBS big Emmy winners

After 35 years of giving away prizes, newly retired Bob Barker picked up one of his own Friday night at the Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

The 83-year-old former emcee of “The Price Is Right” won his 19th trophy as game-show host, beating a field that included last year’s winner, Alex Trebek of “Jeopardy!”

“Come on down!” presenter Ellen DeGeneres shouted.

Barker received his second of three standing ovations of the night, having gotten his first when he introduced the evening’s first presenters while on the arms of “Barker’s Beauties,” models from his show.

“This proves that the judges had sympathy for an old man who doesn’t have a job,” quipped Barker, who retired last week after 35 years on “The Price Is Right” and 50 years in television.

“I want to thank the television viewers across the country for inviting me into their homes for 50 years,” he said, before concluding with his signature signoff: “And remember, help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.”

Barker came into the show already a winner. He earned his 18th trophy at Thursday night’s ceremony for craft categories as executive producer of “The Price Is Right.”

Barker’s career was honored during the ceremony, which aired live on CBS from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles after the network’s prime-time rebroadcast of Barker’s last “Price” show.

His early victory touched off a big night for CBS, which won nine trophies to go with its seven creative arts awards Thursday, giving the network a leading 16 wins.

“Guiding Light,” which came in with a leading 17 nominations, tied another CBS soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” for drama series honors.

PBS was second with 15 awards, including 13 creative arts trophies. Syndicated shows earned 11 trophies, including six by DeGeneres and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” ABC garnered nine wins, while NBC earned five.

CBS also swept the lead acting categories, with victories for Maura West of “As the World Turns” and Christian LeBlanc of “The Young and the Restless,” daytime’s No. 1 rated show.

“It’s so much heavier than I thought,” said West, who began watching the soap opera in high school. “I feel like I’m going to throw up. I’m just thrilled to bits and pieces.”

LeBlanc won his first trophy in 2005. This time, he upset a field that included costar Peter Bergman and last year’s winner, Anthony Geary of “General Hospital,” Michael Park of “As the World Turns,” and Ricky Paull Goldin of “Guiding Light.”

Genie Francis of “General Hospital” claimed her first Daytime Emmy for supporting actress in a drama series. Francis returned to the soap opera last year as Laura Spencer, a role she began playing at age 14.

“I’ve waited 31 years for this moment,” she said.

Francis and costar Geary, who plays Luke Spencer, were part of the most watched event in daytime television history when their characters married 26 years ago.

Francis’ “General Hospital” costar, Rick Hearst, won supporting actor honors.

Jennifer Landon of “As the World Turns” won her second consecutive award for younger actress in a drama series. She thanked her late father, actor Michael Landon. Bryton McClure of “The Young and the Restless” won his first Daytime Emmy as younger actor in a drama series.

There was a tie for performer in a children’s series between “Sesame Street’s” Kevin Clash, who plays Elmo, and Caroll Spinney, who plays Oscar the Grouch.

A lifetime achievement award went to Lee Phillip Bell, who co-created “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” with her late husband William J. Bell.