The Things

It’s hard to imagine television before The Price Is Right. The game show premiered on September 4, 1972, on CBS. The happiest humans in the world compete by guessing the prices of merchandise to win cash and prizes. Contestants are selected from the studio audience as the announcer calls their names and invokes the show’s famous catchphrase, “Come on down!”

Bob Barker was the series’ longest-running host from its 1972 debut until his retirement in June 2007, when Drew Carey took over. The Price Is Right has aired over 9,000 episodes since its debut. It is the longest-running game show in the United States. Its 50th season premiered September 13, 2021.

On March 2, 2022, it was announced that The Price is Right would be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Host Drew Carey and executive producer Evelyn Warfel accepted the award at The Achievement in Broadcasting Awards on the NAB Show main stage in Las Vegas on April 24, 2022.

In a 2019 interview for CBS Mornings, Carey explained what he loved most about his job, “The energy there is unbelievable. Like everybody is so positive. Even the crew. Everybody’s in a good mood..”

But there one rule Drew Carey wants all The Price Of Right contestants to abide by…

Drew Carey Turns Up To Filming For ‘The Price Is Right’ Twenty Minutes Beforehand

Drew Carey has been the host of The Price is Right for 15 years. He’s almost halfway to Bob Barker’s 35-year run on the game show, and he isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. “If you see me in the hotel or casino, feel free to punch me in the face,” he said while accepting an award at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show in Las Vegas.

Referring to the fact that he shows up 20 minutes before The Price is Right tapings begin at noon, Carey added: “I know all the games, I don’t need to learn the prices, I don’t need to. I know how the games are played, and I just play along with the contestants and have a good time and laugh all day. So, thanks for the trophy.”

Drew Carey Has A Strict Rule When ‘Dudes Pick Him Up’

What makes The Price Is Right so entertaining, is watching the overexcited contestants play the games. Even future Hollywood stars like Aaron Paul, was seen turning up in one iconic episode. Over the years, Carey has been jumped on, bear hugged, kissed and even tackled to the ground. Carey told the CBS Mornings crew, he’s fine with all of that. But what he really does not enjoy is when contestants pick him, stating, “The only thing I don’t like is when dudes pick me up and spin me around.”

But Carey should really have that rule for all his contestants. In 2018, a contestant named Sona was so enthusiastic after being told to “come on down” that not only did she hug the host, 59, but she jumped onto him. Carey shocked fans as he fell backward and was inches away from falling head-first into the audience! An embarrassed Sona ran over to help him up and apologized profusely.

‘The Price Is Right’ Took A Break After Drew Carey’s Ex Fiancée Passed Away

Drew Carey was “overcome with grief” after the death of his ex-fiancée Dr Amie Harwick. The pair were engaged for about a year before the two split up in 2018. Harwick, 38, was a well-known Hollywood therapist. On February 15, 2020, the doctor was found unresponsive beneath a third-story balcony at her home in Hollywood Hills, California.

Harwick was allegedly murdered by an ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse, 41, after the restraining order she took out against him expired. Shortly after the news, the production for The Price Is Right was halted as Carey grieved Harwick’s death. “Amie and I had a love that people are lucky to have once in a lifetime,” the game show host said in a statement at the time.

“She was a positive force in the world, a tireless and unapologetic champion for women, and passionate about her work as a therapist. I am overcome with grief. I would like to thank you in advance for giving myself and everyone who loved Amie privacy while we try to work through this tragic situation.”

On February 19, 2020, Drew Carey shared a Change.org petition called “Justice 4 Amie” on Twitter and asked his followers to “please sign” or “chip in if you can.”