The Price is Right undergoes abrupt format change leaving longtime viewers ‘so frustrated’
The Price is Right undergoes abrupt format change leaving longtime viewers ‘so frustrated’
THE Price Is Right fans are fuming after the show underwent drastic changes to its usual format.
Longtime viewers are up in arms after the game show suddenly made multiple significant production changes to the decades-old program.
The Price Is Right fans are fuming after the show underwent multiple drastic changes to its usual formatCredit: CBS
Season 55 of the game show, which also marks Drew Carey’s 20th season, premiere on September 21Credit: CBS
Game Show News reported earlier this month that numerous switch-ups were expected for Season 55, which premiered on September 21.
Among them are the scaling back to just one model presenting prizes instead of the traditional two or three per episode.
The new format now shows the six regular models take turns hosting full episodes individually on rotation alongside host Drew Carey.
Fewer models on set also means announcer George Gray is often seen leaving his booth to help present certain prizes and assist during games.
Additionally, Drew no longer has a model to hand him his microphone when he walks out, and he now enters with his mic already in his hand.
The setups also aren’t the same as they once were, with fewer hands to help with the physical staging.
Now, certain larger displays, such as furniture sets and big home items, aren’t physically set up on the stage anymore.
Instead, contestants see digital photos and video graphics of their prizes on massive stage screens.
Viewers will also notice that the studio audience has been massively reduced, down to about 100 people.
This is a dramatic reduction compared to prior setups, which had around 160 people in attendance.
Fewer seats make it considerably harder to get chosen to play, even though the show now tapes three episodes a day instead of two.
Beyond the show’s visual changes, the games have also been adjusted to fit a new format.
Viewer complained that the physical staging is dramatically different compared to previous seasonsCredit: CBS
This season will also feature the game show’s first-ever live broadcast in DecemberCredit: CBS
For one, CBS added Wild Wheel Wednesdays as a recurring weekly feature to the Showcase Showdown.
This gives competitors a chance to win additional prizes on Wednesdays, and boosted cash bonuses are added directly to big wheel spins.
Bendy Fridays is another new reward for audience members, giving them the chance to receive perks if the big wheel’s pointer bends but doesn’t flip to the next space.
If this happens, everyone in the studio receives a special gift, such as free donuts.
The 2026-2027 season marks Drew’s 20th as host, after taking over for Bob Barker in October 2007.
It will also feature The Price Is Right‘s first-ever live episode, a Christmas-themed special airing in December.
Episodes have always been taped in advance, but the live broadcast will strip away the editing and control producers once had.
While some fans have taken to the format changes, many expressed frustration over the dramatic differences in a Reddit thread last week.
“The cheap Price is Right format change has tarnished the show. The producers’ heads should roll because of the changes. One model instead of the customary two makes the show uncomfortable to watch because it has disrupted the flow. Total BS,” one person raged.
“Nobody ever learns. Don’t break what already works. Screwing with the formula of the show will backfire. What a shame,” complained another.
“One model is kinda annoying. Once you catch on to you can’t unsee it, but I feel like having lots of static pictures instead of actual prizes on stage is worse. That just makes it feel kinda cheap imo,” a third commented.
“I’ve stopped watching. This show is comfort food, and the ingredients have been watered down to a point that just isn’t satisfying anymore. Fortunately, there are decades of old episodes to still enjoy,” a fourth added.
