The Price is Right Now with Drew Carey

The Price is Right theme song was the same. The crowd still cheered with every name called, every game played, and every announcement. When Drew Carey stepped through the doors as the new host he received an enthusiastic welcome. Drew jumped right into the game.

When I saw Drew Carey step through the doors instead of Bob Barker it seemed surreal. Drew Carey obviously had rehearsed his role on the Price is Right well, but I guess I expected something different, given Carey's television persona. I felt myself waiting for him to launch into a comic dialogue, but there was none of that.

Nothing was funny about how Drew Carey handled the Price is Right. Maybe that is how it was supposed to be. However, with The Price is Right having selecting such a big personality, my expectations for the show and host were higher. I'm not sure exactly what I expected, something somewhere between What's My Line and the Price is Right. Diehard fans will be glad to know it was Price is Right gaming all the way.

Drew didn't seem quite sure what to do with the contestants who seemed a little out of control without Barker at the helm. His first contestant had a chance to win a Jeep Cherokee. Instead of standing beside Drew Carey to play the game, he ran over to the car to check it out. When he finally made it back to play the game, he won the Jeep Cherokee, and ran back over to inspect the car. (That's the part I expected.)

The second contestant also seemed befuddled as to where to go once she won her prize. The third contestant turned a cartwheel when they showed her the prize. When she won the prize she flipped out of her mind, jumped, whirled, and landed on the floor. I didn't mean to laugh, but I couldn't help it. Has there been that much anticipation for the new Price is Right? I must have been living with my head in the sand.

It was simply odd watching the Price is Right without Bob Barker. Granted, I haven't watched in years, but Bob Barker is as iconic as the Price is Right. The two will forever be joined via cable T.V. for me.