The Untold Truth Of The Price Is Right

The Price is Right has entertained audiences of all ages since it premiered in 1972, but the current version of the game show actually wasn’t the first.

The show started back in the ‘50s as a more formal affair that mostly consisted of what is now known as the “Contestant’s Row” portion of the game, before being revamped into the exciting format that we all know and love today.

From the contestant who was a little too good at guessing prices to the taxes that contestants have to pay, let’s take a look at the untold truth of The Price is Right.

#Truth #PriceIsRight #TVShow

Let's Make a Deal | 0:00
The best of the best | 1:27
Showcase Showdown showdown | 2:18
Replacing a legend | 3:08
A BRAND NEW CAR! | 3:53

[WarioBarker]

Wow, the number of factual errors in this one is astounding.

1) The 1972 version was a direct revival of the original series, which ran from 1956-65 as primarily a *daytime* series (a primetime version aired from 1957-64).
2) Mark Goodson and his staff may have copied the "variety of games" idea from "Let's Make A Deal" for the revival, but they did so well before CBS (and by extension Bob Barker) became involved with the show. The revival was originally pitched as a weekly syndicated show hosted by Dennis James, with a pitchfilm shot in mid-February '72. Said nighttime version ran eight years, with Dennis being replaced by Bob in 1977.
3) The last part of the show with the Showcases is "the Showcase" or "the Showcase round". "Showcase Showdown" is the part with the Big Wheel.
4) Terry Kneiss didn't know the prizes back-to-front - that was an audience member named Ted Slauson, who was recently the subject of a documentary called "Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much". Ted was also permanently banned from the show as a result.
5) Marc Summers didn't audition to replace Bob Barker - he wasn't even given the opportunity. As he stated in a recent interview, neither CBS nor Fremantle had any idea who he was.
6) Drew Carey didn't take the job outright. CBS offered him more money, to which he said "Fine, but only if I don't have to audition.", to which CBS agreed.
7) Absolutely no mention of any of the behind-the-scenes issues? Seriously?

[danniedanielle]

Actually for the car part, they did all of the work (after the California tax was paid) and sent the car across country to us in Florida after the show aired! Totally worth it - plus we received a good portion of the California tax in a refund due to income. Never take the small crappy stuff unless you really want it. Trying to sell it off is a bad idea.

[spocheld]

My coworker was actually on the show and he didn't get any of his prizes for several months and had to sign an NDA agreement not to discuss the show until the episode aired on TV.

[JonBastian]

I used to work for a game show company, and it was amazing how many times contestants tried to play oblivious about having to pay income taxes on the cash value of physical prizes even though that had been explained to them fifteen ways from Tuesday during the entire audition and casting process.

Contestant Coordinators: "So, you know that if you win a $40, 000 car, the $40K will be considered income, and then you'll also have to pay state license, tax, and registration fees to the DMV based on that amount, right?"

Contestants: "Yeah, sure."

Producers, post show: "Okay, so we need this I-9 form, and info for the 1099, and we're going to take $X out of the money you won to cover the taxes on the prize values. Also, here's the address of the dealer you're going to work out all the car stuff with."

Dumbass Contestants: "Wh-u-u-u--ut?"

There was seriously at least one fist-fight started in the green room over this. Family from Texas, show title rhymed with Sets Fake a Feel.

[JonesDylan]

Everyone has pointed this out, so I'll do it, too. THIS IS THE SHOWCASE. WHERE YOU BID ON PRIZES. THE SHOWCASE SHOWDOWN IS WHERE YOU SPIN THE WHEEL.

[Pfromm]

The Price is Right, The Tax is Wrong.

[MurkuryMagick]

i said drew would make a good replacement a long time before they actually were looking for one

[DorD]

The truth about Price is Right is that it’s just ads . Ads, ads, ads . Cleverly twisted into a game show . Your watching a giant commercial for several products . It’s a fun game show but once you figure that out it changes everything. So you volunteer to watch a hour long show with dozens and dozens of ads and product placements.

[slushie]

This is FULL of errors. As someone who went on the show exactly one year ago (only as a viewer, but I have my name tag to proof it) they don't audition the studio audience members!

You just book tickets ahead of time and stand in line. A producer and assistant herds groups of people into a line, and chats with everyone briefly. You don't stand before a camera, or have to audition to simply watch it. That's ridiculous. (sorry, typo)

[prichardson]

The big wheel seems to be able to slow or speed up as if it's being controlled at times 😂 IMO

[StreetsAhead]

That blonde Rachel Reynolds is one of the most attractive people I've ever seen

[bunyan.]

my homeboy Drew Carey he is from Cleveland Ohio where i am from and live so awesome how far he has went since his shows The Drew Carey Show and Who's Line Is It Anyways and a WWE Hall Of Famer to boot way to go

[JustinEvitable]

Adam Sandler is a crew member of The Price is Right, but not the actor seen. Just someone with the same name.

[jbar]

The guy who guessed the exact price sorry is wrong. He had help from a guy in the audience. He was the one who knew all the prices. The guy who one took all the credit. There's a whole documentary about it on Hulu.

[AnnaRvlogs]

on my recently taping with the price is right and as much fun as it is not to mention talking to drew in person since he does talk to guest but only in the first two row the studio is very selective on picking their constants. and then they say you can come to re try but that won't happen because if they didn't pick you the first time you went why would they pick you a second time. I tried for this show dwyne brady who runs it twice did not either times get a chance to get picked to be up there as a constant. if they were less chooze and give people a chance then maybe it would bring people to want to come back to enjoy the show live.

[richardescobar]

They dont tell you you're gonna pay taxes like crazy.

[ryanstrnad]

Interesting pool of game show hosts to choose as an heir apparent. In Tom Bergeron's book he said he was considered, but he would not have been allowed to do those night time versions because of his Dancing with the Stars commitments. Then announcer Rich Fields was said to be a serious candidate as well. I'm sure George Hamilton would have kept that senior demographic flavor, but would've been no Bob.

[RealRickButler]

Terry didn't know the price he had help. You need to watch the documentary Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much.

[BOSSmman]

I honestly read who’s line is it anyway when I saw Drew Carrey. Was surprised to see the price is right lol

[AmyraCarter]

Terry got paid for cheating, just in case no one wants to mention that detail.
Also, the prizes one can get from any game show, the taxes do have to be paid on them (until the tax system falls which WILL happen - not a matter of if but when), but one can indeed delay the payment and still receive the prizes, if the individual qualifies for the waiver period (I think it's four to six weeks depending on the base amount of the prizes won), and there is a certain threshold where if a contestant wins less than a certain amount, taxes are not applied, which is also the law (imagine having to pay taxes on a $200 toaster oven if that's what you won).

Speaking of the taxes on some of the prizes, there's a cap on how much the taxes can amount to, but that applies to everything, not just prizes won. In example, a $500, 000 Ferrari will not have more than $25, 000 in taxes (of course, that's beyond ridiculous anyway), which is the threshold of five percent maximum for initial taxation.
Beyond that, the taxes on said Ferrari will vary, and that goes into territory I've not a lot of knowledge in, but regardless, the taxes are still theft; you paid or won the prize, it is yours without strings attached, if we're to be one hundred percent moral here (taxation is theft and immoral - I will not be dissuaded since I was raised in a society that has no taxes at all).