Drew Carey on Why He Loves Hosting ‘The Price Is Right’
Monty Brinton/CBS
“Episode #7611” — Coverage of the CBS series THE PRICE IS RIGHT, scheduled to air September 19th, 2016 on the CBS Television Network. é2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The idea of people participating in a game to win money has been around forever. The games are on television now, but they were on radio first, and before that in newspapers. I remember watching Queen for a Day, To Tell the Truth, I’ve Got a Secret! and Match Game as a kid.
People have asked me why the show I host, The Price Is Right, has lasted for over four decades and why it’s important. One of the reasons it’s stayed around so long is that we take average people from the audience—nurses, teachers, construction workers—who we can root for and relate to as they try to win a big prize. The contestants are never upper-management level, but a cross section of people with everyday jobs who are plucked from obscurity. They overcome and overcome and win something at the end. Their lives could be changed forever.
Here’s a perfect example. A woman came to the show with her fiancé and her mom. She said, “We just got engaged and we have zero dollars, we can’t even buy a car.” She was picked to play and won a car, a boat, then a honeymoon in Peru and New York City. Everybody watching the show got to see her whole history. Since the beginning of time, people have liked to hear stories like this, about other people that make them feel good. Really good game shows are able to tell those stories.
Game shows are also very aspirational. Viewers at home can go, “That could be me!” I hear all the time, “I watch this with my mom.” People tweet photos: “Here’s my baby watching The Price Is Right.” When they were sick, or their loved ones were in the hospital, we were there. We’re one of those things you share with people close to you.
You might say that everything in my life has prepared me to host The Price Is Right because besides having improv and stand-up experience, which helps me relax in front of cameras, I was stone-broke for years. I once gave my blood plasma to get money for food. If a billionaire won the $10,000 I gave away today, it would be nice, but he wouldn’t jump up and down. But when regular people win $10,000…I can really appreciate that the money helps pay college tuition or for a living room set or a tour of the Vatican.
As a game show host, you see people have one of the happiest moments in their life; that energy flies off of them. I get overwhelmed by it every single show. It’s a super rare job that is so meaningful to so many people. Sometimes the compliments are overwhelming. So it’s more than a cool job that pays well, it has become a calling. —As told to Ileane Rudolph
The Price Is Right, Weekdays, CBS.
News
BREAKING NEWS: The Price Is Right undergoes a schedule change you need to know as it premieres for its 53rd season
The Price Is Right Live coming to New York and more in September – but southern state fans are ‘bummed’ there’s no shows THE Price Is Right Live has announced a 60-venue tour that includes stops in New York and…
BREAKING NEWS: Price is Right gives sneak peek of new season
Price is Right gives sneak peek of new season with host Drew Carey featuring holiday-themed episodes and big wins PRICE is Right has shared a peek at the new season, including themed episodes and tons of other prizes. The game…
H0T! H0T! H0T! Reba McEntire Talks the “Pressure” of Coaching The Voice
Reba McEntire Talks the “Pressure” of Coaching The Voice After Blake Shelton “Nobody can replace Blake Shelton,” the “Fancy” singer says. Reba McEntire, like Blake Shelton for 23 seasons before her, is the main country presence on Season 24 of The Voice. And while McEntire…
SURPRISE: Reba McEntire Reveals Who Her “Greatest Competition” Is
Reba McEntire Tells Seth Meyers Who Her “Greatest Competition” Is on The Voice The Not That Fancy author and Season 24 Voice Coach revealed who she’s always “looking that-a-away” at during auditions to see if they’ll hit that button. Season 24 The Voice Coach Reba McEntire paid a…
HEARTBROKEN: Reba McEntire inundated with support as she reveals terrifying incident
Reba McEntire inundated with support as she reveals terrifying incident The country singer has a legion of fans around the country Reba McEntire has received well wishes from her fans following a scary encounter earlier in the week. The country singer…
BREAKING NEWS: Reba McEntire surprises fans with an update on her relationship with her boyfriend Rex Linn
Reba McEntire shares she is having a ‘lot of fun’ wth boyfriend Rex Linn Reba is known for her glam looks Reba McEntire is known for her glam looks but she surprised fans on Tuesday when she shared a picture of…
End of content
No more pages to load