We all know Drew Carey is funny right? From stand-up to sitcoms the guy has made a career out of making people laugh. But did you know he is also making waves and actually changing things up on TV as the host of 'The Price Is Right' ? It is true! And it is way cooler than you might think.
Beyond the Jokes: Drew Carey's Real Impact as Host of 'The Price Is Right' You Might Not Know
Drew took over hosting duties back in 2007 replacing the legendary Bob Barker. Big shoes to fill for sure. But Drew has not just kept the show going he has put his own stamp on it and in really positive ways. He has modernized things updated the music and graphics making it feel fresh while still keeping that classic 'Price Is Right' vibe we all love.
But it's not just about updates. Drew is known for being super friendly and relaxed with contestants and even the models. He really connects with people making them feel at ease and part of the fun. He also introduced themed weeks like "Big Money Week" and "Dream Car Week" which amp up the excitement even more. Talk about keeping things interesting!
Breaking Barriers: How Drew Carey Championed Diversity and Support on 'The Price Is Right' Stage
Here is where Drew really steps it up. He made a point to bring more diversity to the models on 'The Price Is Right'. He made sure all genders all races and all body types were celebrated. That is a big deal in TV. But even more than that Drew went against old TV stigmas in a truly awesome way.
Let's rewind to about 16 years ago. Model Gwendolyn Osborne who was on the show from 2005 to 2017 got pregnant. Now think about it back then or even now for a model being pregnant on TV could be a huge deal maybe even a career ender. But Drew was having none of that. He welcomed Gwendolyn on stage while she was pregnant and celebrated her! He even had her come back with her baby son later.
Gwendolyn herself said Drew's support "changed the history of television." That is a powerful statement. She felt like Drew showed everyone that moms can be celebrated and supported in the workplace. Drew did not just stop with Gwendolyn either he kept celebrating pregnant models and moms on the show throughout the years. It's a really great example of him using his platform for good.
$100,000 Win and Lifelong Friends: The Emotional Impact of 'The Price Is Right' 10,000th Episode
Speaking of awesome moments 'The Price Is Right' just aired its 10,000th episode! That is a huge milestone for any TV show especially a game show. And it was emotional. A contestant named Ryan Digman won a whopping $100,000 prize on that special episode. He traveled all the way from Sacramento California and waited in line super early to be there.
Ryan said the win was "life-changing" for him and his son and he even teared up talking about it. Turns out his son who has autism actually learned some of his first words watching 'The Price Is Right'! Talk about a heartwarming connection to the show. Ryan also made lasting friendships with other contestants showing how the show brings people together.
Even though Ryan did not make it to the Showcase Showdown his big win and emotional reaction really highlighted what makes 'The Price Is Right' so special after all these years. It is not just about the prizes it is about the people and those feel-good moments.
Drew Carey: More Than Just a Host He's Making a Difference
So Drew Carey is doing more than just hosting a game show. He is making 'The Price Is Right' even better. He is modernizing it. He is making it more inclusive. And he is creating moments that actually impact people's lives in a positive way both on and off screen. He is showing that TV can be fun and heartwarming and even a little bit history-changing all at the same time. Not bad for a funny guy from Sitcoms right?
Key Ways Drew Carey Changed 'The Price Is Right':
- Modernized the Show: Updated music and graphics while keeping classic elements.
- Friendly and Relaxed Hosting Style: Connects with contestants and models making them feel comfortable.
- Themed Episodes: Introduced "Big Money Week" and "Dream Car Week" for extra excitement.
- Championed Diversity: Ensured models of all genders races and body types were celebrated.
- Supported Pregnant Models: Publicly supported and celebrated models like Gwendolyn Osborne during pregnancy breaking TV stigmas.
- Created Emotional Moments: Hosted the historic 10,000th episode where a contestant won $100,000 and made lifelong friends.