JRHS Writing BLOG

Thursday, December 06, 2007

The Price is Right: No Longer The Same

As you may or may not know, Bob Barker retired from hosting the Price is Right on June 15th, 2007. He announced his retirement on October 31st, 2006. Barker’s last episode was recorded on June 6th, 2007 and aired on the 15th and October 12th. That was the last of Bob. On July 23th, 2007, Drew Carey, the well known comedian, took over hosting.The first day of Carey’s new career marked the death of the real Price is Right.

October 15th the beloved show was offically gone.  It no longer is in any way the same show.  Yes, the games are still the same, the models are the same, and even the annoncer is the same; the set is very similar but just “modernized”, with terrible camera angles! At some points you can see the other camera and often the cords as well! Also, the stage is no longer there…the audience, the contestants and the host are all on the same level.

Drew tries to host the show like Bob did and how he himself has hosted other shows. Clearly, that will not work out for him in the Price is Right. It is not a comedy show: it has crude humor, and unintelligent lines. Many people who are enjoying Carey say that he isn’t doing well, because he is nervous, and intimidated by having to fill Bob Barker’s shoes. Well, he has had substantial television experience, and should be able to host a show without being uptight. If Carey didn’t think he could do it he should have let one of the many other people being chosen take the job instead.

One thing that annoys me very much is that he doesn’t really know the games. He will ask a contestant if they know the game, if they say “yes” he says “well good go ahead”. Just thing of all the people watching that might not know the games very well, or the people that have bad memory and don’t know! When a contestant says they don’t know the game, he gives flimsy directions, so it’s a miracle if they actually win the game.  He is honestly butchering the show to pieces. Many people who have been loyal fans no longer want to watch because it is falling apart. My grandmother, who has watched this show for as long as I can remember and more, no longer pays the show much attention.

I believe they wanted to begin to address a younger audience by using Drew Carey as the host, to gain higher ratings. More likely than not, the ratings are very low. It appears that any plans made to make the show more watched and loved are competely back-firing!

I realize that Bob had to retire, and live out the rest of his life, but he didn’t have to be replaced. I believe that they should have just ended the show and saved all the loyal, loving, adoring fans from having to see the show tortured, butchered and destroyed slowly. Just think, it still could be played on the air, considering that there are 35 years worth of episodes recorded and available to air again. Drew Carey ruining the show eternally, was highly unnecessary! I strongly advise getting rid of Carey. I am not against a new host if that person could present the show in a worthy manner. If someone suitable could be found I would not mind watching again.

http://wdef.com/how_did_drew_carey_do_as_host_of_the_price_is_right
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Barker