“The Price is Right” Celebrates 40th Anniversary Today
Today is a pretty big day for game show fans. CBS’s daytime show The Price is Right celebrates 40 years on the air. Price has been celebrating the special occasion all season long with big games, special guests, and giant prizes. However, they’re going all-out this morning (11:00AM ET) with a special episode devoted to the show’s rich, long history. Previous contestants from various eras have returned to the Price set in hopes to “come on down” one more time and win giant prizes. Different eras and hosts for the show include Bill Cullen, Bob Barker, Dennis James, Drew Carey, Tom Kennedy, and Doug Davidson. We showed you some pictures of the event not too long ago to get you ready for today’s show. Long time fans, and those who have watched the numerous episodes on YouTube, may recognize some familiar faces. It should be a great show so don’t miss it.
To prepare for today’s special episode, take a look at the very first episode of The Price is Right from 40 years ago, to the day. We discussed this with Wheel of Fortune‘s pilot some time ago, but it’s amazing that, apart from cosmetic changes, the show has practically stayed identical to how it was 40 years ago.
In the Netherlands we have a new version of ‘The Price Is Right’ running in the pre-evening on a totally revised channel (SBS6). Yesterday the second week has begun; the first week average out on 207.000 viewers per episode (5.7%) share. Episode 6, however got a very decent 259.000 viewers yesterday; which is more than the episode of ‘Divided’ on a later time slot.
An episode can be seen here: http://www.sbs6.nl/programmas/the-price-is-right/videos/seizoen-0/aflevering-6/the-price-is-right
What are the ratings in the US for example? Is it still as popular as it has been? Are there ups and downs throughout the year? Why does it last so long?
I adore the music and set on your version. Shame the site makes me use a British (?!?!) proxy to watch it, or I’d have blitzed through all the episodes by now.
I thought it was great to have someone from the first episode of this run on the show today. It’s also interesting what happened to that particular person. I don’t know how they could work it, but it would be good to see more contestants from the Barker-era have another episode that they could come back to. Long-live TPIR!
From a news story I saw today…
Bob Barker, don’t come on down! According to TV Guide, “The Price Is Right” will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Tuesday’s episode without an appearance by its most famous host.
Bing: More about Bob Barker | ‘The Price Is Right’
Barker, 88, will be seen via vintage clips, but was not invited to the taping. Although no one is publicly saying why, Barker admitted to the magazine that his relationship with the show has become strained due to his animal-rights advocacy.
“I don’t know why I wasn’t asked to take part in some way,” Barker said. “But I do know I am ashamed of the show and surprised at their complete disregard for the welfare of animals.”
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Barker’s most recent beef is with a trip the show gave away to Canada’s Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races, recently associated with three horse deaths.
Although “The Price Is Right” was first hosted by the late Bill Cullen in 1956, Barker became its most public face when he fronted the 1972 reboot. He hosted until 2007, when he passed the baton to comedian Drew Carey, who still holds it.
Barker last appeared on the show in 2009 to promote his autobiography.
Tuesday’s show will spotlight contestants from throughout its last 40 years.
His chickens have come home to roost.
I wonder when Barker’s going to accept the fact that it is no longer his show and thus, he no longer has a say in how it’s done?
Amen to that one Dorvell!
will we see the first episodes of Gambit and The Joker’s Wild????????????
September 4, 1972. The greatest day in game show history with the return of game shows on CBS with its three premieres! A true milestone date in game shows!
CBS showed a lack of class not asking Bob Barker back. I watched the TPIR today and enjoyed seeing past clips but it would have been nice to have Bob come on down on more time.
Bob you were missed!
I was incredibly impressed by the classy way they pulled this off. There were no gimmicks, just previous contestants and standard gameplay. The only game that even referenced the anniversary was Grand Game.
I watched the entire episode. I could not find a good place to even put Barker in there. It worked perfectly as it aired. It focused on the contestants which I found fun when adding in the old clips of their appearance (as possible).
Besides, if Barker was allowed on the show, it would be the “This Is Your Life, Bob Barker” years (2003-2007) all over again, and the show would be about HIM, and not the show. I would have loved to have seen Janice, Kathleen, and Holly back on there, as they weren’t allowed a proper goodbye from the previous regime on there.
And none of the other surviving hosts were included either. Barker wasn’t the only host the show has had. The Price is Right was around before Barker and it lives on after him. I see nothing wrong with keeping the focus on the contestants.
Besides, if you want to be invited to a party, don’t bad-mouth the host!
Watching the clip of the 1st show, how ironic that the first item up for bid is a fur coat!!
My only beef (sorry Bob) with the episode is that Drew can’t put on a tie at all anymore? When he started in ’07, he was fat and wore ties, by ’09 he gained more weight and lost the tie. He lost all the weight in 2010 and got a spiffy wardrobe, and brought back his famous bow ties. Unfortunately, in the last year, he’s tie-less more often than not…hell George Gray is far better dressed. I can understand the casual attire maybe once a week, but everyday? Even on the 40TH ANNIVERSARY…c’mon, Drew, you’re better than that.
In the first half of this past season, Drew wore ties. In the second half, he didn’t. It would not surprise me if that’s how it’ll be in Season 41 as well.
Drew had surgery on his collarbone during Season 40 because of injuries suffered during training for the Marine Corps Marathon (which he finished in the 4:41 bracket – the original fall that caused the injury led to the cancellation of the taping that Canadian (French language) host Philippe Bond had been scheduled to participate) and after Marine Corps, he had further restrictions because of the injury and had to wear a sling in tapings after the initial injury and the full surgery that took place during Christmas break. For some reason, post-surgery Drew was treated as if he was still recovering from the injury, but the ties are returning, as we’ve seen in some Season 41 tapings and in the Media Centre. Hope to see more bowties again.
And Drew is scheduled to run Disney World in January.
today is the joker’s wild 40th anniversary 2 contestant a host & a announcer play for cash & prizes
Not to mention “Gambit” with Wink Martindale, which was one CBS for four years.
My only dissapointment, well actually 2, is the girl who lost her tube top wasn’t picked as a contestant and the first Samoan woman to give Barker a lift. Would loved to seen what they were up to. Glad to see Paul play the exact same game and do it perfectly, AGAIN!