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NEW YORK — Genial comic Drew Carey was tapped Monday to replace silver-haired legend Bob Barker on the CBS daytime game show "The Price is Right." The deal was set Monday afternoon shortly before a taping of CBS' "Late Show" with David Letterman, where he confirmed it.

"I realize what a big responsibility this is," he said. "It's only a game show, but it's the longest-running game show in American television and I plan to keep it that way."

The selection attracted more attention than usual for a daytime show because of the prospect of replacing Barker, 83. Barker retired after 35 years in the job last month following taping of his 6,586th episode.

The opening attracted widespread interest, including from comic Rosie O'Donnell after she left "The View."

Carey, 49, spent a decade on his own ABC sitcom and also was host of the improvisational game show "Whose Line is It Anyway?"

He will also be host of a new CBS prime-time game show, "The Power of 10," that will air first next month. He told The Associated Press on Monday that CBS officials first contacted him about "The Price is Right" immediately after he completed a pilot of the other game show this spring.

"My agent called me and said `I was talking to CBS casting today' and in my head I was thinking, `Oh, `CSI' guest star?' And he said what would you think about replacing Bob Barker on `The Price is Right?'"

Asked if he found the prospect of replacing such a TV legend daunting, Carey recalled talking to a friend who knows the game show business who told him, "as long as Bob Barker is cool with it, the fans will be cool with it."

"I'm cool with it," Barker said after hearing Carey's remarks.

Barker said he's not familiar enough with Carey's past performances to offer an opinion on his selection. But, he said, "I understand he ad-libs very well and that he has a very nice, friendly way of working, and I think both of those would be helpful to him on 'The Price Is Right.'"

His advice for Carey: "Go out there and do that show the way you think it should be done. Don't imitate me and don't imitate anyone else."

CBS entertainment President Nina Tassler said she was "beyond delighted" to land Carey.

"He is one of the most well-liked personalities working in entertainment, and I have no doubt his humor, charm and enthusiasm will endear him to 'Price is Right' viewers," she said.

While Carey said doesn't know Barker personally, the younger comedian said he was comfortable that his predecessor would be accepting when he took on the job.

The negotiation process was nerve-racking. While he was talking with CBS about the job, Carey said he got a call from another lawyer in Hollywood who told him one of his clients was offered "The Price is Right" job.

He figured CBS had lined up back-ups if the first choice did not come through.

"If I was going after a second baseman, I wouldn't just talk to one second baseman," the Cleveland Indians fan said. "If I were the general manager, I would be talking to a few second basemen."

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quote: Joe Redifer

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I have always hated Drew Carey and will continue to do so. He is extremely not funny.

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I think he's very funny. Maybe it was just his show and his supporting cast, but I like him. As far as game show hosting? Well, I don't think he's a good choice. I didn't care for Louie Anderson on Family Feud or the Home Improvement guy on Family Feud...or for that matter...I didn't care for Family Feud. Howie Mandel is ok as a host, perhaps he should have tried out? I can't really imagine an OCD like Howie dealing with all the crazy people on that show.
 

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 07-25-2007, 03:02 AM:
 
I never thought he was very good at "Who's Line". Compared to Clive Anderson, he came off like an amateur. His intro lines were always the same, and he couldn't help but get in the middle of the "hoe downs", where his lack of talent was obvious.

I hope he finds a way to make this fit. Personally, I'd still rather watch the British "Who's" reruns on BBC-TV.
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 07-25-2007, 10:06 AM:
 
Just for the surrealism, I think CBS should have brought on the host from The Weakest Link, that british woman, for The Price Is Right.
Seriously, I liked Louie Anderson in Family Feud.
However, if Drew Carey has been hired for the spot...sigh...
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-25-2007, 10:15 AM:
 
Bill Cullen is a natural for Price is Right.....ohmygod....he's dead??Louis
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-25-2007, 10:47 AM:
 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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I can't believe yous guys actually watch that crap....

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Actually I have never watched TPIR on a regular basis, but since it has been virtually unchanged in the past 35 years, whenever I do catch a glimpse, it's like visiting an old friend.

My wife and I like to watch Jeopardy followed by Wheel of Fortune. The newer game shows like "Deal or No Deal" are nonsensical crap.

Thinking the Drew Carey thing over, I think they should have found an unknown to host TPIR. While I enjoy Drew's humor, he might be too frantic for TPIR. But we'll see....might actually have to watch a few episodes.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-25-2007, 01:01 PM:
 
I caught Bob's final show and it was definitely nostalgic. Some new games, but almost unchanged from when I used to watch it eeons ago. I only wish for the last show they would have brought in the original show girls.
 

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Posted by Shane Cooper (Member # 2510) on 07-25-2007, 02:53 PM:
 
Bob said that he is okay with Carey being selected?!?

This confirms my theory that Barker was forced into retirement. Threatened by all those cats and dogs he played a part in having spayed or neutered over the years!
 

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Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 07-25-2007, 04:17 PM:
 
Most of America loves Drew Carey, he'll do fine. Though I think they should have done a rotation of guest hosts, I can't imagine anybody saying no to spending a week guest hosting TPIR.

And for all y'all who say it's crap... The Price Is Right never tried to be anything other than an entertaining game show. It knew what worked and didn't find the need to change it or add dramatic music and stupid swivel-spotlights before each commercial break.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-25-2007, 04:56 PM:
 
I'm NOT crazy about Drew Carey at ALL! His stuff is ALL the same...B O R I N G!
I do think the suggestion of the rotating host IS a great idea...

A few examples that, for me, would be excellent choices:
Martin Scorsese
Mel Brooks
Roger Corman
Brian DePalma

(I was wondering how long it would take Bathtub Scott, MR. TPIR, take before he chimed in!) HA!
 

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Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 07-25-2007, 06:03 PM:
 
I'm just happy that I got to se TPIR live before Bob retired.

Mike Olpin needs to post the clip where you see him, myself, my friend Ken and Tom Procyk for a SPLIT second off in the very corner of the screen. We could barely see the action on stage, but we cheered like idiots for the entire taping.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 07-25-2007, 06:29 PM:
 
Drew Carey used to have a pretty funny stand-up bit about how women get bruises on their legs and how they must hit themselves with a hammer or bang into the coffee table before they go out. How can you not like the guy? He's as anti-Hollywood as you can get and yet he had a hit TV show that was funny most of the time. I'm a little disappointed to see him stoop to the level of game show host. Regardless of the show, that usually signifies someone is near the end of the line and needs work.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-25-2007, 06:53 PM:
 
I didn't like his sitcom because it had that, that thing on there. I'm not referring to Drew, but to that... thing. It wasn't funny. It was gross. Kept me away.

I've seen that "Whose Line" game show a few times (where he was host, so he HAS been a game show host before) and each time I managed to make it all the way through without even a single giggle or smile. But then again I hate improv with a passion.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-25-2007, 06:59 PM:
 

quote: Phil Hill

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A few examples that, for me, would be excellent choices:
Martin Scorsese
Mel Brooks
Roger Corman
Brian DePalma

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quote: Chad Souder

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Regardless of the show, that usually signifies someone is near the end of the line and needs work.

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Thinking of Donny Osmond on "Pyramid," I tend to agree. But, you have to admit TPIR is in a class of its own. Even Alex Trebek could be replaced on Jeopardy with not too much problem, but replacing Bob Barker, a guy who's been doin' it for 50 years, well that's a tall order.
 

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 07-26-2007, 07:26 AM:
 
You guys are all just jealous that a Cleveland boy made it.
 

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Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 07-26-2007, 07:10 PM:
 
The most surprising photo I've seen of Carey is one of him in a USMC uniform. He was in the Corps reserve in the early '80s. Will his Price Is Right contract prevent his doing other things?
He can occasionally be pretty good.
 

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 07-26-2007, 08:19 PM:
 
Id agree that the "step down" thing can apply to some game show hosts, but definitely not all of them... Richard Dawson, Bob Eubanks, Bob Barker are some of the all time greats.
 

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Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 07-26-2007, 08:26 PM:
 
Bob Eubanks brought the Beatles to LA to perform, so he was some kind of promoter in the early-mid 60's...strikes me as a funny guy, more so than Chuck Woolery...
Richard Dawson started as an actor. Was in Hogan's Heroes with Bob Crane...
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 07-26-2007, 09:10 PM:
 

quote: Joe Redifer

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I've seen that "Whose Line" game show a few times (where he was host, so he HAS been a game show host before)

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quote: Mike Heenan

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Id agree that the "step down" thing can apply to some game show hosts, but definitely not all of them... Richard Dawson, Bob Eubanks, Bob Barker are some of the all time greats.

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quote: Chad

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You have to have stepped up before you can step down. Bob Barker and Bob Eubanks were known for their game shows, not for something else they did before, weren't they? Richard Dawson was different, because as James pointed out, he was an actor before hand and he was in Running Man, which makes him a stud. I just can't think the game show world is highly revered amongst entertainment people. If it were, real A-list talent would take the gigs. And if someone even hints at the idea that Howie Mandel is talented...

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Oh I'm sure no A lister would be caught dead doing game shows these days. I'm just saying there's some guys who are a step above the rest (Dawson, Barker, Eubanks) and who are widely known and loved. Dawson kicked ass in Running Man that's for sure. I worked with his son on a documentary and I believe for quite a while during the FF days he was the highest paid guy on TV.

Here's what I'd like to know from some of the older guys... were game shows more "acceptable" ( ie not just fatass housewives and deadbeats watching them) back in the day? Obviously back then there were way less channels available for viewing, so Im guessing the ratings were quite high compared to these days.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-27-2007, 12:45 AM:
 
I think the main reason there were so many game shows in the 60s and 70s is they were cheap to produce. The prizes were given free in exchange for the on-air plugs, and they could knock out two weeks worth of shows in a day if necessary. I don't really understand why they fell out of favor; with the success of the "Game Show Network," along with the newer shows (and the staying power of "Price," "Wheel" and "Jeopardy"), it's clear there is still an audience for them.

My favorite all time game hosts are Barker, Gene Rayburn, Monty Hall and Bill Cullen.
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 07-27-2007, 03:40 PM:
 
Some of my favorites (some purely for the money ) over the years:

Chuck Barris - The Gong Show
Jack Clark - Dealer's Choice (shot in the sorely missed Blue Room lounge at the Tropicana Hotel here and my inauspicious debut as a non-local TV camera operator (too nervous and replaced after just one segment), later MacKenzie operator break-in, later Norelco PC-70 and PCP-90 video engineer break-in)
Bud Collyer - To Tell the Truth
Bill Cullen - Eye Guess
Hugh Downs - Concentration
Bob Eubanks - The Newlywed Game
Art Fleming - Jeopardy!
Monty Hall - Let's Make a Deal (sometimes shot on location in the showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton here - made gobs of overtime working this show)
Jim Lange - The Dating Game
Allen Ludden - The GE College Bowl, Password
Peter Marshall - Hollywood Squares (sometimes shot on location in the Versailles Showroom at the Riviera Hotel here)
Wink Martindale - Gambit (shot in the original Folies Bergere showroom at the Tropicana Hotel here - its original "Living Deck" segment was so viciously parodied by David Letterman (his daytime show was to be replaced by Gambit that fall) that the first week's worth of shows (already in the can) were scraped and the game completely re-written on the fly)

And just gotta mention Jay Stewart - not a host per se, but what a voice! I was in awe of his ability to instantly pace any amount of ad copy into any amount of time remaining. In one take. With no flubs. And he was a nice guy too. A true professional.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 07-27-2007, 04:30 PM:
 

quote: Mike Heenan

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I worked with his son on a documentary and I believe for quite a while during the FF days he was the highest paid guy on TV.

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That's really cool. Dawson had, without question, the best chemistry with his contestants. When they would give some retarded answer, buckling under the pressure, he would give that dead-pan look into the camera and smirk as he said, "SHOW ME SUCH-AND-SUCH!", knowing full well it wasn't anywhere on the board. That would have me laughing for some time.

Anyone remember that clip in Roger and Me with Bob Eubanks? Doesn't he drop some race joke or something?
 

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Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 07-27-2007, 04:47 PM:
 
Yeah, during a sound check while setting up his interview in "Roger & Me," Eubanks offered this joke:

Y'know why Jewish women don't get AIDS. They don't screw assholes, they only marry them."

Michael Moore decided to keep the footage in the movie.

I used to enjoy "The Newlywood Game" way back even before I understood just what "whoopee" meant. Finally figured it out.
 

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Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 07-27-2007, 08:39 PM:
 
Does this mean that they didn't pick me?

I so wanted to bring the show to New York....Oh well!
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-27-2007, 09:03 PM:
 
Bob, I think you'd be the perfect choice...I can see it now:

"Congratulations Grand-Poopie-BAH on your successful bid of $89.99 for the male blow-up doll with the 'action mouth'! Actual retail price: $94.51"


 

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