I think TPIR would benefit with an announcer that's funny, and could act in the showcases (but not be made to look like a stooge, as Rich Fields was in season 37) For me, Randy West fits that category. I met Randy a while ago and he's hysterical. He'd bounce off Drew very well. Randy also effectively captures the style and feel of Johnny Olson, and he also varies the inflections of COME ON DOWN as Rod Roddy tended to do.
Of course, they might go with a relative unknown, which was one of the strategies when Rich was originally hired. Let's just hope they don't hire a comedian trying to sound like an announcer. They can find someone that's an equal balance.
Johnny Olson was immensely talented, and had over 20 years experience before TPIR. He was also VERY funny.
Rod Roddy was also very talented and funny, and IMO was very effective participating in the showcases. It's a shame that Bob felt Rod was upstaging him and put a stop to his participation. Because Rod was no longer on camera or featured in the showcases, it made sense that when Rod died, they didn't need an announcer that could perform on camera and be funny. They just needed an announcer with a pleasant voice. As Stan mentions in his book, Rich doesn't sound like either Johnny or Rod, and Bob Barker only said that Rich had a "happy" feeling and that's what they felt the show needed.