The Price is Right

So any "The Price is Right" followers out there? I'll admit to being a game show fan overall, and "Price" is one of my favorite game shows. Some of the luster of the show was taken away when Bob Barker retired. But honestly, it's still the same show - no matter who's hosting. "The Price is Right" actually goes beyond 1972 when Bob Barker first began hosting the show. The late, great Bill Cullen hosted the first rendition of the series - and it was actually quite a different show from what's on the air now. But the basics of the show overall stayed the same. Yet, the show in which we've all grown to love continues to this very day - and it's returning this fall for its 39th season.

There will be a few noticeable changes heading into the season premiere in late September. For one, Drew Carey will look remarkably different. He lost an incredible amount of weight in a rather short amount of time. 80 pounds total, in fact. When looking at some of the pictures on-line, it's a pretty shocking transformation. I think we've all come to love the bigger Drew over the years, when he first appeared on his television series that aired during the 1990's. Gone is the over-weight Drew and now we have a very slim and trim MC of "The Price is Right." I think seeing the new Drew will take some getting used to, however, it's great that he was able to lose the weight for his better overall health.

Another noticeable change is the absence of announcer Rich Fields, who was asked not to return to the show. You first began hearing his voice in 2004 when he took over for the late Rod Roddy, who died from colon cancer. Rich's voice had become somewhat of a staple of the show, and I for one will miss his presence. I think his announcing style had gained mixed reactions from the loyal "Price" watchers. You either liked him or loathed him. And I'm sure the casual viewers couldn't care less. From the sounds of it, the production staff on the show are going in another direction with the announcer's role and are hiring an improv comic. They are looking to transfix the show from a game show into more of a variety show with house bands and celebrity guests. I really don't agree with this decision as it will further alienate the existing loyal fans who already dislike the changes that have taken place since Bob Barker left. It just adds more fuel to the fire, I'm afraid.

Those two things will be the most dramatic changes for the show. As for the rest, they are only small, cosmetic changes to set pieces. However, a new pricing game will appear at some point in the season and could provide as much as $100,000 in winnings. I have reason to believe it will be a very difficult game to win, however. After all, how often do you see a contestant win the top prize in "The Golden Road"? I think it will be modeled similarly to that game - in which it's very rare to win the top prize. Time will tell how everything plays out, however. It's only a little over a month until the new season of "Price" begins.