As "The Price Is Right" celebrated 40 years on air Tuesday, they didn't ask for Bob Barker to "come on down." Barker hosted the show for 35 years, yet he was not asked to appear on the anniversary special.

Barker was loved by nearly everyone who watched the show and a major part its success for all those decades.

The LAist noted that Barker was shown during vintage clips, but that he wasn't actually there in the flesh.

Barker may have not been invited back to the show for a few reasons: one being that the 88-year-old TV legend doesn't like the new show with host Drew Carrey and he doesn't like the prizes that have been given away either, the Inquisitr reported.

Barker, a longtime animal rights activist, told TV Guide of his displeasure with "The Price Is Right" giving tickets away to SeaWorld and the Calgary Stampede.

"I don't know why I wasn't asked to take part in some way. ... But I do know I am ashamed of the show and surprised at their complete disregard for the welfare of animals. Were I still there, a prize to attend the Calgary Stampede would never have been considered. We never did anything that condoned animal cruelty. Apparently, things have changed."

Barker added:

"They previously gave away tickets to SeaWorld in Florida where the mistreatment of dolphins and whales is just unacceptable... When that happened, I phoned various producers and [personnel] at the show and left messages but nobody would return my calls. So when the Calgary Stampede prize came up I didn't bother calling anyone there. I just went to the press and lashed out at the show every chance I could. And I let everyone in Canada know how I felt."

Do you think it was rude that "The Price Is Right" didn't invite the 88-year-old to the 40^th anniversary? 

To contact the editor, e-mail: