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The Price Is Right is one of those shows that has seemingly always been around. So, let’s take a look at its enduring popularity, the entertainment it has spawned, and how the show has evolved.
Impact of the Game Show on Modern Entertainment
Both the show itself and its individual games have an enduring effect on modern entertainment. Perhaps the most famous game to come out of the show is Plinko. Contestants are granted a set number of chips, which they release from a position of their choice along the top of the board. The chips navigate a range of pegs before falling into a slot at the bottom. Each slot has a cash value assigned to it, which the contestant will add to their prize pot.
This game has continued to increase in popularity, so much so that it has inspired many modern entertainment options, particularly in the world of iGaming. For example, games like Plinko Go utilize the mechanics of online slot games to provide a digital Plinko experience. Players are prompted to choose a number of paylines between eight and 14, which adjusts the size of the board and the prizes available. Virtual balls are then dropped from the top of the reels, eventually falling into a random box with a multiplier value, which dictates the size of the players’ end-win amount.
Over the years, the show format itself has been adapted for variations across 50 different countries – from Vietnam to Latvia, Peru to Egypt. However, the most notable adaptations of the game are probably those from the UK (1984-2007, 2017, 2020), Spain (1988–93, 1999–2002, 2006–07, 2021), Mexico (1997 –2000, 2010-11), France (1987-2001, 2009-15, 2024-), and Australia (1957–59, 1963, 1973-2012). The most recent addition to the list comes from Nigeria, premiering in late August/early September 2024. Each version largely follows the gameplay from the US or UK versions – or a hybrid of the two – with unique, cultural twists to put their own spin on the show’s format.
Evolution of the Original Game Show
Of course, the OG The Price Is Right is the one you’ll find in the US. The show was first broadcast weekly from 1956 to 1965, hosted by Bill Cullen. This game show became a staple of daytime TV viewing and was the first game show to be shown on TV in colour. After facing cancellation in the mid-60s, showrunners began to adjust the format of the show, eventually developing a second iteration of the format, which debuted seven years after the original was taken off the air.
The 1972 version, originally branded as The New Price is Right, set the stage for the version that we still see to this day. This version had two parts – a daily show hosted by Bob Barker and an evening show hosted by Dennis James. Whilst James was eventually replaced by Tom Kennedy, Barker presented The Price is Right from 1972 to 2007!
After Barker’s departure, the show took on Drew Carey as the new (and current) host. Carey is known for his effervescent and sometimes eccentric presenting chops – recently, he celebrated a particularly big win by tossing a load of bills in the air, as reported by TV Insider.
As you can see, The Price Is Right franchise is a continually evolving phenomenon that has had an enduring impact on the landscape of today’s entertainment – both due to its longevity and the media it has inspired.
