It appears as if CBS has found their successor to Bob Barker, who retired at the end of last season. Comedian Drew Carey has emerged as the top choice to host the long running game show. Other names that had been tossed around were Rosie O'Donnell, Joey Fatone, Mark Steines (Entertainment Tonight), and Todd Newton (host of the show in Las Vegas). However, it was Carey that has risen to the top of the pile.
The Price is Right is a television institution, and a lot of care needs to be taken when choosing the next host, at least in my mind. When I was a young one, I used to love sitting in front of the televsion set at 11:00 AM, just waiting to hear those famous words: "Come on down! You're the next contestant on the Price is Right!" Watching the four contestants selected from the audience bid on prizes in the hopes of getting onstage to play Plinko, or Hole in One (or Two!), the Shell Game, or any other number of pricing related games. It was a highlight of my young day, and while my interest in game shows has waned in this reality show soaked age, my enjoyment of the Price is Right has never waned.
A good deal of my enjoyment of the show was derived from Bob Barker, a fantastic personality, a great voice, and just controlling that stage. The man had a charisma that has not been matched by any of the other game show hosts I have watched. It was sad to hear that he had chosen to retire, but after 35 years on the show, I can completely understand his desire to step back from the spotlight. It has to be draining doing so many shows over such a long period of time.
Anyway, with the star, and most likely biggest draw, of the show leaving, it was time to think of another host. Frankly, I kind of hoped that they went with a nobody, or a little known personality. When Rosie's name came up, I immediately said to myself that if she was the ultimate choice, I would never watch the show again. I do not like her, and she is way to much of a controversial lightning rod to work well as the host of the show. Then reports came out that she was offered the job, but was insisting on it being moved from LA to either Miami or New York, where she has homes. Then it went on to say how the producers didn't want her because she was only going to "gay it up," with talk of redoing the set, adding confetti, and Broadway hunks (whatever all that means). I tend to doubt most of these reports, and Rosie has even said that she wasn't offered the job. Then Joey Fatone's name was mentioned, and although I do not have quite as much of an aversion to him, he doesn't strike me as being anywhere near right for this gig.
Article comments
1 - Janice Zysman
My husband has been a huge fan of your show for years. Several years ago I requested an autographed photo of Bob Barker. It arrived and said "Howdy Howard". He was thrilled. Now the new show is even more exciting to him and I would like to inquire how I would go about obtaining a authographed photo of Mr. Drew Carey. His reactions are priceless and he so gracious to all of his fans. My husbands name is:
Howard Zysman [Personal contact info deleted]
Any assistance you could provide would be a real hit. Thank you so much for brining laughter to this world.
Sincerely,
Janice Zysman
2 - Darlene Garcia
I have watched the price is right for 20 years or so. Now they have this guy Drew Carey. Get this guy off the show. He is so boreing. He shows no enthusiasm to the show. How was the person that thought he would be a better candidate than Rosie Odonell. Rosie is awesome. She is funny. She will get into the crowd and the excitement. This guy I dont know where you picked him up from. Shows no EXCITEMENT what soever. Half the time cannot read what the tellepromter says. HE IS JUST BOREING ALL TOGETHER. I have stopped watching this show and I am sure alot of people agree with me. Its just not the same anymore. So sad because Rosie would have made it exciting.