TPiR's Next Host

[tvrandywest]

As this information didn't come to me as a result of my employment and doesn't disclose significant facts beyond what Mr. Carey has already stated to the press, I thought it safe to finally make a public comment on the matter:

It seems the pieces are coming together. CBS has stuck by their long-stated desire to have a "name" replace Barker. And indeed, as hinted at and then confirmed at TCA, CBS has tendered an offer to Drew Carey. Reportedly, they liked what they saw viewing taped rehearsals of "Power of 10".

The parties are said to be still several million dollars apart. But a lot of that might be the posturing and negotiation business of TV as usual. With the remaining deal points still to be agreed to likely to be relatively minor, I've been told that work has begun on developing a tentative taping schedule.

I'd say, assuming CBS and Carey consumate the deal, and assuming that "Power of 10" doesn't crash and burn when it debuts next month, the elegant Mr. Barker will be replaced by the "everyman" Drew. What do we think of this? Progress that reflects the new tastes and audience sensibilities, or disrespectful of the show's legacy?

There are some wonderful people who work on The Price is Right. The show also holds a unique place in TV history and has such a devoted fan base. Here's to another 35 years on CBS!


Randy
tvrandywest.com

[beatlefreak84]

Wow...to be quite honest, I don't think Drew Carey's name would have ever crossed my mind as a Barker successor.  However, since it's becoming more of a reality, I think I'll hold off on judgment until I see him doing Power of 10.  My two questions concerning his hosting abilities are the following:

1.  Since he's a professional comedian, will he be able to take a step back and keep the focus mainly on the contestants yet still have fun?
2.  Will he be able to keep up with a game that has so many rules, cues, etc. as TPIR?

I thought he was pretty good on Whose Line?, so I think he'll be able to handle my #2 concern.  But, as for my #1 concern, I'll really have to see him in action on Power of 10 before I can really pass judgment.

However, I do think he has potential, and, although he certainly wasn't my first choice (Marc Summers was first, and then I switched to O'Hurley after I knew Summers wouldn't get an audition), he might surprise me.  Then again, at least he isn't Dave Price...

Anthony

[LA the DJ]

[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'158067\' date=\'Jul 21 2007, 01:08 AM\']

Assuming CBS and Carey consumate the deal, and assuming that "Power of 10" doesn't crash and burn when it debuts next month, the elegant Mr. Barker will be replaced by the "everyman" Drew. What do we think of this? Progress that reflects the new tastes and entertainment sensibilities, or disrespectful of the show's legacy?

[/quote]

Well, I was discussing the TPiR situation with a friend the other day and we made the observation that the day of the "career" game show host is over. Long gone are the Kennedys, the Martindales, the Cullens, and so on. It seems nowadays you have to be at least semi-recognizable to get the gig. While one could make the argument that some people know who Newton and Steines are, outside of the people who watch celebrity gossip television or GSN regularly, they're not household names.

Carey has had two successful television shows under his belt. One of which is even a (sort of) game show.

I think for the producers to think they were looking for another Barker would have been crazy. They need someone who can do the show on their own merits. Drew will have fun with the show, and seems to be very quick-witted.

To be like Barker is not required. In fact, I'd rather see someone not try to be him. Ray Combs did not try to be Richard Dawson, and became a very well thought of emcee.

I don't think it's disrespectful to the legacy of the show. It's simply evolution. The version of TPiR that debuted in 1972 was a far cry from Bill Cullen's show. That was not disrespectful. The show evolved.

I'm not saying he's the best choice, but I'm ready to give him a try.

[Timsterino]

I think no matter who was chosen as the host, there will always be a segment of the fans who will never be satisified. Bob Barker is a legend and one of a kind. When he left the show a piece of the show left with him.

Personally, I think Carey could work well on the show. A concern I would have is how long of a commitment is he willing to make? Will we have to go through this again in five years? As a host, I really don't care at this point, I am frankly over the whole "search."

[comicus]

Beats the heck out of Mario Lopez.

[Craig Karlberg]

If CBS is willing to give Drew Carey a shot, I'm willing to give him a shot at this.  He won't top Barker which, to me is impossible, but at least he'll try to impress some folks.  The big question for me is how much control he'll have on this show.  Too much & I see problems.  Not enough is destined for a quick yank.  He needs to go with the flow of the show.  After a few tapings with cue cards, he'll eventually get all the mannerisms down from cues to the rules & everything else.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'158075\' date=\'Jul 20 2007, 11:51 PM\']
Beats the heck out of Mario Lopez.
[/quote]
QFT. My initial take is not "wow, this is a good choice!", my take is "wow, that could have been SO MUCH worse..."

That said, if Randy is saying there is a several-million dollar gap, then maybe we shouldn't be measuring Carey for a mic yet. That sounds like a lot of money to get over, especially because they are looking to SAVE money with the new hire, I thought.

[cmjb13]

[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'158075\' date=\'Jul 21 2007, 02:51 AM\']
Beats the heck out of Mario Lopez.
[/quote]
Surprisingly, I had heard he was one of the better auditions.

[davemackey]

Can't wait to see the new logo. They'll do it up in that funky jagged lettering like the old Drew Carey show logo and then put a little picture of him in it. (If Bente's not already on it, she should be.)

[DrBear]

I'll just repeat what I said on another thread - this is a sensible move. Carey has enough star power left to dodge some of the pressure to follow Barker; he can do a slightly different show and the number of curious viewers can cancel out the number who will walk away. And after a couple of years, he can leave gracefully and hand off to a more traditional host who won't face the stigma of being Barker's replacement. In the immortal words of Gene Wilder: "This... could... WORK!"

[chris319]

It's hard to decide whether to root for or against Carey without knowing one critical piece of information: Is he going for the emcee job or is he going for the emcee AND executive producer jobs? If it's the latter then all bets are off. There would be nothing stopping him from giving the current staff the boot and giving the show a makeover: "Why do we need to schlep prizes in and out of a warehouse? Why can't we just do the whole show with VIDEO WALLS?"

Barker's genius as E.P. was that he knew the audience liked the retro quality of the show and he kept it that way. Like the Simpsons, and unlike the color of Barker's hair, TPIR has been frozen in time for decades.

Now somebody answer me this: If Fremantle owns the show, why is Carey negotiating with CBS?

[TheLastResort]

Carey certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but given some of the other names that were floating around, I would welcome him at this point.  I just find it odd that CBS would make him an offer based purely on speculation.  They've made everyone else audition - why not Drew Carey?

[MitchJoseph2004]

"As long as Bob Barker was happy about it, the fans would be happy,'' Carey said. "I know it's a daytime game show, but that show needs to be treated with a lot of respect. As long as you do that and keep it going and join the party, so to speak, I think it's going to be great. I would really enjoy it, and I wouldn't have started negotiations with them if I didn't think I would good at it and really enjoy it.''

As reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer

I can see Drew treating the show well and doing a very good job. I remember him being one of the only good things on Pepsi's Play for a Billion.

[Matt Ottinger]

[quote name=\'nWo_Whammy\' post=\'158069\' date=\'Jul 21 2007, 01:24 AM\']I don't think it's disrespectful to the legacy of the show. It's simply evolution. The version of TPiR that debuted in 1972 was a far cry from Bill Cullen's show. That was not disrespectful. The show evolved.

I'm not saying he's the best choice, but I'm ready to give him a try.[/quote]
Quoted so I wouldn't have to come up with my own comment.  My thoughts exactly.

[Jimmy_1]

When he was on Millionaire as a guest, he was a good contestant.  He joked with Regis, but was also quite serious when answering the questions and gambling whether to go on or stop.  I remember him in the first of two appearances (which was better) concentrating hard on what the right answer was and saying he did not want to lose all the money he had earned for the Ohio library system, but corrected Regis when he went on saying he knew the answer.  I think Carey is professional enough to know what the job of a host is - to carry off the playing of a game.