http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982880.html?categoryId=2906&cs=1

Carey puts 'Price' contestants at ease

Barker's replacement gets high marks in first year

Drew Carey has no problem recognizing the star of "The Price Is Right."

"It's the contestant, not the game, not the host. It's that person up there on the stage who goes on a journey, and the audience is right there with them," Carey says. "The host is just the guide. All I have to do is just show up in a good mood and be nice to everybody."

Just being modest? Sure. Carey has stepped in quite nicely actually, having the pressure to fill the shoes for icon Bob Barker, who retired last year amid tremendous fanfare. Ratings for the daytime version are down about 15% -- certainly not unexpected considering the handoff from a gameshow legend to a comic, and it's a number CBS can live with -- plus the primetime version of "Price" is a big hit for the Eye with more specials on the way.

Both "Price" and Barker won Daytime Emmys in 2007, and it will be interesting to see if Carey, in his first year as "Price" host, is nominated this year as well.

Carey says he believes all great gameshows have a built-in mythology.

The audience sees the contestant and wants that contestant to succeed. The host draws out the contestant's story, making the audience root for him or her.

"Whether it's 'American Idol' or 'The Price Is Right,' we invest in these people and want them to win," Carey says. "'The Price Is Right' is a genius show on so many levels. The people are so excited and the stakes aren't so high that it's going to change anybody's life. It's all about having a good time."

Carey is quick to look back at the transition of holding the skinny mic and can appreciate Barker's words of wisdom.

"His advice was to be myself and 'don't do the show like I did,'" Carey recalls. "That was either good advice or a warning. Maybe it was a threat."

With "Price" doing well and "Deal or No Deal" continuing to be a ratings champ for NBC, David Schwartz of GSN (and co-author of "The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows") sees the confluence of a popular show and host as an equation for success.

"You have to have a good game to start out with," Schwartz explains. "The most successful gameshows have simple formats, but I don't think 'Deal or No Deal,' for example, would have been as successful without Howie Mandel. The game is to pick a suitcase. Howie draws out the suspense and weaves all the elements into just the right mix."

Some gameshows fail because they are too complicated, Schwartz says, while others couldn't match the game to the personality of the host. The best shows, he adds, are the ones that have the perfect match of emcee and game.

"Gene Rayburn was perfect for 'The Match Game,' and you can't imagine 'Let's Make a Deal' with anyone other than Monty Hall," Schwartz says, "but many gameshows have been able to survive host changes."

"Jeopardy!" was a huge hit with Art Fleming as host, and when it came back in 1984 with new host Alex Trebek, it never missed a beat.

Adam Rose, who became the first $1 million winner on the Feb. 22 "The Price Is Right" primetime edition, says he's been watching the show his entire life and embraced the change from Barker to Carey.

"I think I've watched more than 1,000 episodes," Rose says, "and, to be honest, I like that I was on with Drew Carey because he really put me at ease. He made me comfortable and feel like I was at home."

Rose says while the game is important, he believes the host plays a vital role in its popularity.

"I'll watch a gameshow that isn't very challenging if the host is good," Rose says. "Without Howie Mandel, all you have is a bunch of random suitcases. When I first watched 'Deal or No Deal,' I thought it wouldn't be good, but with Howie, I just can't turn it off. He makes every show interesting, even though nothing in the game changes."

Carey is quick to look back at the transition of holding the skinny mic and can appreciate Barker's words of wisdom.
"His advice was to be myself and 'don't do the show like I did,'" Carey recalls. "That was either good advice or a warning. Maybe it was a threat."
:clap: :cheers: :rock: :notworthy

To all those who hate Drew for being chosen or felt he couldn't do the job of hosting...:p :p :p :p

Bob's words of wisdom to Drew were perfect...BE YOURSELF DREW!!!!

I LOVE DREW :kiss:

:jig:

The article brings up many good points about what makes a game show fun to watch.

To all those who hate Drew for being chosen or felt he couldn't do the job of hosting...

Bob's words of wisdom to Drew were perfect...BE YOURSELF DREW!!!!

I agree. That's one of the reasons why I love Drew on the show. He's being himself. And he's having a really good time on the show. He really puts a new spirit into the show and helps make it fun again for me.

So true about Jeopardy!, too. Apparently in 1984 a lot of people were skeptical when Art Fleming wasn't coming back, and they were getting Alex. It's awesome how well that show has done over the past 20+ years.

I agree. That's one of the reasons why I love Drew on the show. He's being himself. And he's having a really good time on the show. He really puts a new spirit into the show and helps make it fun again for me.

So true about Jeopardy!, too. Apparently in 1984 a lot of people were skeptical when Art Fleming wasn't coming back, and they were getting Alex. It's awesome how well that show has done over the past 20+ years.
Yes, poor Alex Trebek, he had to deal with the skepticism of those who thought no one can replace Art. He proved those yahoos wrong too. ;)

He really seems to be proving himself has host. I don't really get why people just won't give Drew a chance. I can understand why people liked Bob - he was one of the most professional hosts on television. Drew Carey, on the other hand, isn't that professional, and does mess up at times, but that's why I like him even more than Bob. He's just an average guy hosting the longest running game show in history.

^^^^ Agreed. Not to mention Drew makes me :rofl: at times on the show, which in itself is great.

He really seems to be proving himself has host. I don't really get why people just won't give Drew a chance. I can understand why people liked Bob - he was one of the most professional hosts on television. Drew Carey, on the other hand, isn't that professional, and does mess up at times, but that's why I like him even more than Bob. He's just an average guy hosting the longest running game show in history.
Not to mention Bob made plenty of mistakes too, even in his prime. That's why I love some of the hosts I do. They're good, but they're not perfect and they know they're not and they don't try to be.

Not to mention Bob made plenty of mistakes too, even in his prime. That's why I love some of the hosts I do. They're good, but they're not perfect and they know they're not and they don't try to be.
I remember a couple of times when the games sometimes didn't work, like when the price was supposed to show, but it didn't move (reveal the price), Bob kicked it. :lol:

^^^^ Agreed. Not to mention Drew makes me :rofl: at times on the show, which in itself is great.

He's hilarious on the show at times. And I love the fact that he's not there for the fame, he's there to win people prizes. You can tell he really cares about the contestants when their up on stage. Bob, on the other hand, when someone lost, he'd say "That's too bad . . . we'll be back after this."

Drew is indeed hilarious. Of course, that is Drew. Bob made me chuckle many a time too. A few weeks ago while watching TPIR, there was a game and it was moving around like a ferris wheel-can't recall the name of the game right now- anyhoo, he had the guy who was behind the game making it turn, come out from behind and he introduced him to the audience and the guy smiled and waved and went back behind the game. :lol: I thought that was so nice. I would love to see more of that. Let's us see the people behind the scenes. ;)

i also dont understand all the drew hate i miss bob but drew is dong a great job i like the way he seemes so down to earth and talks to the contestants on ther own level one of my fave moments was on his first show and they were playing a game in wich phillips gelcaps was a product and the contestant couldnt read what it said so drew tells her oh those are gelcaps for contsiapion and stuff the reason i thought that was so funny was that in 50 years of hosting game shows i dont think bob would have used a pharse like conastaption and stuff it made drew seem more like a buddy that you would invite home and split a beer with

^^^:rofl: Yes, exactly. Drew just said it like it is. I love when he has something funny to say abt the prizes too, that just kills me. I hear the audience laughing too.

^^^:rofl: Yes, exactly. Drew just said it like it is. I love when he has something funny to say abt the prizes too, that just kills me. I hear the audience laughing too.

I love when he makes fun of the smaller products, like ones played in "It's in the bag" or "grocery game." I remember an episode earlier in the season, where it was a young contestant and one of the prizes was dental paste. Drew said "Well, that oughta come in handy." A perfect example for why a comic is perfect for a gameshow.

Bob, to me, was always the star of the show. Now Drew's the host, and he always wants the contestant to feel like the star. You can tell he really loves winning people prizes.

I love when he makes fun of the smaller products, like ones played in "It's in the bag" or "grocery game." I remember an episode earlier in the season, where it was a young contestant and one of the prizes was dental paste. Drew said "Well, that oughta come in handy."
Perfect thing to say! :rofl: Exactly, being a comedian in a game show brings some much needed humor to a show that can at times be stagnant.

Perfect thing to say! :rofl: Exactly, being a comedian in a game show brings some much needed humor to a show that can at times be stagnant.

I watched the old black and white TPIR episodes with Cullen on the DVD, and it can't get much more boring than that. Thank god for humor!

I watched the old black and white TPIR episodes with Cullen on the DVD, and it can't get much more boring than that. Thank god for humor!
Ohhhh Bill Cullen. One of the greatest game show hosts, but certainly not for his humor. More like LACK OF HUMOR. He wasn't serious all the time, but he was dull pretty much and like you say BORING. :crazy:

Ohhhh Bill Cullen. One of the greatest game show hosts, but certainly not for his humor. More like LACK OF HUMOR. He wasn't serious all the time, but he was dull pretty much and like you say BORING. :crazy:he was never really that funnny but i used to love the way he would sometimes laugh at his own awful puns and jokes

he was never really that funnny but i used to love the way he would sometimes laugh at his own awful puns and jokes
Yes! That's what he would do. :lol: He would try to be funny, but he was funnier when he laughed at himself. :lol:

he was never really that funnny but i used to love the way he would sometimes laugh at his own awful puns and jokes

He was a great host, though. I always loved him most in Blockbusters - he could actually be funny in that show. But, when he laughed at his own jokes, you couldn't help laughing along with him.

I can see why his version of TPIR was cancelled. Youcouldn't get more boring than that. All it was was people trying to guess prices (which I guess the current price is right is, but with a lot more excitement and humor.)

He was a great host, though. I always loved him most in Blockbusters - he could actually be funny in that show. But, when he laughed at his own jokes, you couldn't help laughing along with him.

I can see why his version of TPIR was cancelled. Youcouldn't get more boring than that. All it was was people trying to guess prices (which I guess the current price is right is, but with a lot more excitement and humor.)
True all that. TPIR is a simple game show with various pricing games, ok. But overall it is the excitement of seeing the contestants become excited at winning something they obviously like. Spinning the wheel is fun to watch too because you get a little conversation between Drew and the contestants. Today Drew made a mistake when he stated a contestant was from Vancouver, California. :lol: He said at the big wheel, "I made a mistake and said she is from Vancouver, California. She is obviously from Vancouver, Canada. There is no Vancouver in California, duh!" :lol: I like how he can laugh at himself like that. And it reminded me of when he made a similar mistake on Whose Line when he made a mistake regarding the name of a country when it is a continent and the guys on the show kept riding Drew abt that and including that mistake in their skits/games. :rofl: Drew was laughing so hard, but he can laugh at himself and that is what I love. I think he gets a big kick out of laughing at himself more than making others laugh.

It took a couple episodes, but I would up warming to Cullen TPIR very easily. It's had some pretty interesting contestants on as well to me. They also had some VERY extravagant prizes. Houses and even an airplane was given away once.

I've always loved Bill Cullen as a host. I think he had a really great uncle/grandfatherly type personality and you can tell he really cared a lot about the contestants.

It took a couple episodes, but I would up warming to Cullen TPIR very easily. It's had some pretty interesting contestants on as well to me. They also had some VERY extravagant prizes. Houses and even an airplane was given away once.

I've always loved Bill Cullen as a host. I think he had a really great uncle/grandfatherly type personality and you can tell he really cared a lot about the contestants.

Bill Cullen has to have hosted more gameshows than any other host. He was an M.C. for more than 30 years. I loved his personality, though - just kind of quiet and charming. He was always like the great uncle you never had-LOL.

True all that. TPIR is a simple game show with various pricing games, ok. But overall it is the excitement of seeing the contestants become excited at winning something they obviously like. Spinning the wheel is fun to watch too because you get a little conversation between Drew and the contestants. Today Drew made a mistake when he stated a contestant was from Vancouver, California. :lol: He said at the big wheel, "I made a mistake and said she is from Vancouver, California. She is obviously from Vancouver, Canada. There is no Vancouver in California, duh!" :lol: I like how he can laugh at himself like that. And it reminded me of when he made a similar mistake on Whose Line when he made a mistake regarding the name of a country when it is a continent and the guys on the show kept riding Drew abt that and including that mistake in their skits/games. :rofl: Drew was laughing so hard, but he can laugh at himself and that is what I love. I think he gets a big kick out of laughing at himself more than making others laugh.

Irene, I caught that mistake yesterday. When Drew first said he was from Vancouver, California, I was like "there's a Vancouver, California?" I always love when he can laugh at his own mistakes.

My problem with Drew Carey is that he is NOT a game show host. When Alex Trebek took over "Jeopardy!" in 1984, he had already been an established game show host. He was known as a game show host. He was experienced. Same thing with Bob when he came to TPIR in 1972. He had already had many years experience as a game show host. Drew came to TPIR with little to no real game show experience beyond "The Power of 10." It didn't set well with me at all because there are several guys who have the experience and probably have been dreaming of being the one to take over after Bob. I think it's unfair that Drew just swoops in and gets the job just because he's a name.

Believe me, folks, it's not that I don't like him. I've grown to get used to him and his style and I can at least watch the show again (sometimes I even enjoy it a lot), but as someone who's a gigantic fan of game shows, I was looking forward to one of the younger game show hosts getting the job and finally getting his big break. coughTodd Newtoncough.

Bill Cullen has to have hosted more gameshows than any other host. He was an M.C. for more than 30 years. I loved his personality, though - just kind of quiet and charming. He was always like the great uncle you never had-LOL.

ITA about Bill. I really miss GSN some days because for maybe three or four summers in a row, the first thing I'd do when I'd wake up was get a bowl of cereal and watch "Blockbusters." Bill was the perfect host to wake up with in the mornings.

My problem with Drew Carey is that he is NOT a game show host. When Alex Trebek took over "Jeopardy!" in 1984, he had already been an established game show host. He was known as a game show host. He was experienced. Same thing with Bob when he came to TPIR in 1972. He had already had many years experience as a game show host. Drew came to TPIR with little to no real game show experience beyond "The Power of 10." It didn't set well with me at all because there are several guys who have the experience and probably have been dreaming of being the one to take over after Bob. I think it's unfair that Drew just swoops in and gets the job just because he's a name.

Believe me, folks, it's not that I don't like him. I've grown to get used to him and his style and I can at least watch the show again (sometimes I even enjoy it a lot), but as someone who's a gigantic fan of game shows, I was looking forward to one of the younger game show hosts getting the job and finally getting his big break. coughTodd Newtoncough.

I know we went through this before, but I couldn't disagree with you more. Drew Carey had before hosted Whose Line is it Anyway? for 6 years. I know it isn't a game show, but he was still the host of the show. He did a great job in The Power of 10 in the summer, and deserved to get the job. I love him as host because he ISN'T a host. He's a comic hosting a gameshow, which is great.

I can't stand Todd Newton. I hope he quietly vanishes off the face of the earth. I have never seen such a stuck-up, know-it-all host in my life. He isn't funny even when he tries. If he had gotten the job as host, I would have tuned out of TPIR forever, honestly.

I know we went through this before, but I couldn't disagree with you more. Drew Carey had before hosted Whose Line is it Anyway? for 6 years. I know it isn't a game show, but he was still the host of the show. He did a great job in The Power of 10 in the summer, and deserved to get the job. I love him as host because he ISN'T a host. He's a comic hosting a gameshow, which is great.

I can't stand Todd Newton. I hope he quietly vanishes off the face of the earth. I have never seen such a stuck-up, know-it-all host in my life. He isn't funny even when he tries. If he had gotten the job as host, I would have tuned out of TPIR forever, honestly.
We'll agree to disagree. "Who's Line is It Anyway?" and TPIR are two completely different types of shows all around. Drew clowning around with some of his pals is definitely not the same as interacting with average, everyday people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Even "The Power of 10" couldn't give you the preparing for TPIR. I think Drew had a serious lack of people skills during his first few months of shows because he always seemed extremely nervous (understandable) or extremely uncomfortable. I definitely don't get the angle that humor is something that was needed on TPIR. There's always been plenty of humor generated by the contestants and their interactions with the host. That's definitely not something Drew brought with him.

I agree, Drew seemed nervous for awhile, but it wasn't the first few months, and he's definitely gotten into the show now. He does bring in humor with the contestants, and his own kind of humor, whether it's about the prizes or his own mistakes. I don't really get what you mean about his people skills, because if you've been a comic, actor, and host for 10+ years, how could you possibly have a lack of people skills?

In the end I'm personally glad Todd Newton wasn't chosen. My problem with him is that he can act like a caricature of a host, especially on Whammy!. I mean on that show, talk about overly stereotypical, with the volume turned up WAY too high. Hollywood Showdown a couple years before that was a different story. I thought he was good on that. But with a show like TPIR, I couldn't help but worry if the loud, overly obnoxious mannerisms were to return.

I didn't have any real worries about Drew, except having a nervous start, and I think anyone who would have been picked for that job would have been that way, and that would have been gone in a few weeks.

A caricature, a good way of describing Todd Newton. I give props for those hosts who have obviously worked their way to being a professional host of any show, whether it be a game show or any sort of show. Thank you for the professionalism you exude, however, I get a little tired of the same old routine. Alex Trebek, great host, one who certainly is a legend and helped to bring in more viewers to Jeopardy. He has his way of hosting and the way he hosts Jeopardy is exactly what that particular show needs. I couldn't see a comedian hosting that show or being overtly funny, cracking jokes, etc. That kind of humor fits well with TPIR. It is not a game abt world history, it is a pricing game. Something everyone can relate to. Just like Jeff Foxworthy hosting ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? He brings humor to that show. I seen it a few times and found the humor makes the game more appealling. If it had a serious host like Trebek, it would be dull and boring, not saying that Trebek is dull and boring, but for the overall feel of the show, having kids on there, Jeff makes it fun to watch (at least for the times I have watched it).

I remember watching Ted Kennedy hosting TPIR and the other gentleman (can't recall his name right now) who also hosted the evening edition of the show, they were not comedians but they did have their own style of handling the show and I remember how each of these guys were funny in their own way, they got all excited, they raised their voices so loud when the excitment was building up, it was very entertaining and it makes the contestant feel even more excited.

Drew is not nervous, he is human. He has his little quirks like everyone else has theirs, but I don't see the naysayers jumping on those guys for doing the exact same thing. I think Drew's quirks make people feel more relaxed and gives them the feel of "this is fun."

As for Drew being with his friends on Whose Line, Drew behaves that way with ALL PEOPLE, not just his friends. I think that is what makes him exceptional. If you ever watched WHOSE LINE you will see he made the audience feel that WHOSE LINE was THEIR SHOW, not his. When Drew made mistakes on that show, by either flubbing a line or making a mistake somehow, he laughed at himself and he seemed to laugh more when the guys would make fun of him. How many times was Drew the subject in the Hoe Down song? Countless times. I can't think of anyone who could put up with being made fun of their weight, their glasses, and anything else personal. Drew seems to want to make people laugh so what is wrong with that?

Dennis James and Tom Kennedy both hosted nighttime versions of TPIR; Dennis hosted from 1972-77 then Bob Barker hosted from 1977-80. Tom hosted a new nighttime TPIR from 1985-86; this version only lasted one season.

Irene, the pricing game with the ferris wheel you're thinking of is the old 'Pick a Pair' set. They used this set from 1982-88 and the game took an almost 2 year break before returing with it's current table-game appearance. I do remember the old 'Pick a Pair' ferris wheel set with carnival music.

Dennis James and Tom Kennedy both hosted nighttime versions of TPIR; Dennis hosted from 1972-77 then Bob Barker hosted from 1977-80. Tom hosted a new nighttime TPIR from 1985-86; this version only lasted one season.

Irene, the pricing game with the ferris wheel you're thinking of is the old 'Pick a Pair' set. They used this set from 1982-88 and the game took an almost 2 year break before returing with it's current table-game appearance. I do remember the old 'Pick a Pair' ferris wheel set with carnival music.
Thank you, yes Dennis James. I had his face in my head, but couldn't remember his name. He would at times get really excited and speak loudly. Especially if the contestant won the showcase showdown.

And thank you for the name of the game. :wave:

I saw an episode with Tom Kennedy hosting for the first time about 4 years ago and it took no time at all to warm up to that guy. That was also the first show I had seem him host.

I've seen a few episodes of Dennis James' and listened to some online, I think he was really good in his first few years. Though judging from his final episode from 1977, he didn't seem to be into it anymore by that point. In fact that was my first time seeing him host it and I remember being turned off. It looked like he was much better on the show in the beginning.

In the end I'm personally glad Todd Newton wasn't chosen. My problem with him is that he can act like a caricature of a host, especially on Whammy!. I mean on that show, talk about overly stereotypical, with the volume turned up WAY too high. Hollywood Showdown a couple years before that was a different story. I thought he was good on that. But with a show like TPIR, I couldn't help but worry if the loud, overly obnoxious mannerisms were to return.

I didn't have any real worries about Drew, except having a nervous start, and I think anyone who would have been picked for that job would have been that way, and that would have been gone in a few weeks.
I agree about Todd on "Whammy!" But that was such a different show from HS, much more energetic, I think he was just trying to get into the spirit of the game. I really enjoyed his hosting on "Hollywood Showdown" and "Powerball" though, because he reminded me of the hosts I grew up watching in reruns on GSN.