‘The Price Is Right’ Fans Slam ‘Overenthusiastic’ Players
Some The Price Is Right fans are ready to talk about what’s wrong nowadays.
In a thread on the show’s Reddit fanpage, several fans weighed in after the original poster, who claimed to be a “long time watcher,” complained that it’s “borderline unwatchable” now, arguing, “Everything feels extremely orchestrated and fake. The contestants’ overenthusiastic behavior is so over-exaggerated, it’s almost palpable. The over-the-top screaming, jumping, yelling. It’s just so corny.”
This commenter was not alone in their opinion. One Redditor agreed and said it was “social media” that “ruined everything,” before adding, “Bob Barker would be rolling in his grave.”
Another commenter, who also agreed, offered some firsthand insight into the poster’s suggestion, saying, “Last year, I went to my first taping since 2003 and I hated the experience. Social media and overacting definitely makes it feel less genuine.” The writer went on to admit they would still love to go back and try to get on the show again but warned, “Should my name get called, it’s game time, and I will be fully serious. No flips or running up and down the aisles.”
One commenter said TPIR wasn’t the only long-lived game show to fall into this trap of on-air histrionics. They wrote, “This is what has happened to Family Feud. [Host] Steve Harvey even mentions how people’s reactions and answers are likely to be posted to YouTube.”.
Does anyone else find the show borderline unwatchable anymore?
byu/RunninOuttaShrimp inThePriceIsRight
Another fan on the show pointed to host Drew Carey as the issue, but not for the reason you might think. “I miss Barker being straight with the contestants. Drew is almost too nice. He’s always consoling them and telling them he would’ve done the same thing when they lose,” they wrote. “Barker had that show locked down and wouldn’t tolerate half the annoying crap Drew does.”
The Price Is Right is heading into a milestone with Season 55, and it sure sounds like these fans want the players to take a chill pill before coming on down.
The Price Is Right, Season 55, Premiere Date TBA, CBS
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M
I have watched the show for pretty much all 54 years. Some of the best days of my childhood were staying home sick and watching TPIR. The contestants ridiculous antics today ruin the show. If someone on there is too obnoxious, I just fast forward through their game and hope they don't make the showcase showdown. It's all the screaming, jumping, flopping on the floor, taking forever to "come on down". I like to see genuine reactions. I told my kids they should have a countdown clock for the people to make it to bidder's row. If they don't make it in time, call someone else down.
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G
I can remember a show from a few years ago that aired a behind-the-scene episode on The Price is Right, and one of the things that's always stuck with me from that was how the producer at the time (don't know if he's still there) would walk the line of people who were to be the audience for the show and would specifically pick out the most overenthusiastic, over-the-top people as those who would be chosen to "come on down!," essentially making such a thing a prerequisite for getting on the show (they're not going to choose people to be called who aren't going to react, which is understandable to a point). Every time I see people acting that way now I always just assume that they still tell audience members that, and that it's a way for them to find their way to the stage. What always irks me is that even after they get chosen and move through the show they often still overreact (example: falling all over themselves in the showcase round about the prizes... and then passing it to the other finalist).
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G
I agree that the contestants act ridiculous and I am losing interest in the show. I still like the concept but the contestants are overbearing. I can't believe the way some dress to be on national TV.
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M
The audience looks and acts like they were just pulled off the street!
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