One of the longest running game shows is The Price Is Right and it shows no sign of slowing down. The show premiered in 1956 with Bill Cullen as its host. It was first broadcast on NBC then moved to ABC. Bill Cullen hosted the show from 1956 to 1965. The premise consisted on four contestants bidding on a wide range of merchandise. The values of the merchandise ranged from just a few dollars to thousands. Bill Cullen acted as sort of an auctioneer as the contestants tried to guess the price of a product without going over. The show became successful enough to have a prime time version. The prime time version has the distinction of being the first game show to broadcast in color. The prime time version lasted one season. ABC cancelled the daytime version in 1965. In 1972 the show was revamped and Bob Barker became its host. The 1972 version aired daily with Barker as the host and once a week in prime time with Dennis James as its host. Bob Barker eventually took over the nighttime version. The nighttime version was eventually discontinued.
The show was originally 30 minutes in length but was expanded to one hour in 1975. The format consists of contestants bidding on a prize and whomever comes closest without going over wins. The winner then competes in a game to win more prizes. The 3 winners in the first half hour and the 3 winners in the second half hour spin a wheel to determine who proceeds to the showcase round. In the showcase round the contestants guess the value of the showcase without going over. The winner is the one who guesses the closest to the actual value.
Bob Barker hosted the show from 1972 till he retired in June 2007. The models on the show were called Barker’s Beauties. During his 35 years as host, he won many awards. Bob was an animal rights activist and closed every show with a reminder to spay and neuter your pets. Even though he was retired Bob did host the show on April Fools Day 2015. He also celebrated his 80th birthday while he was hosting the show.
Drew Carey assumed hosting duties in 2007 and continues to host the show. He also ends the show by reminding viewers to spay and neuter their pets. The Price is Right has the distinction of being one of the longest running game shows on television. Many a sick day or snow day was spent watching the show. The show tapes at The Bob Barker Studio.