The Price is Right for primetime, Drew Carey

<i>The Price is Right</i> for primetime, Drew Carey

photo by Dan MacMedan

The Writers Guild of America Strike has led networks into dealing with the quickly disappearing television viewership in some interesting ways. Dexter is about to hit network television, the brawn versus brawn classic American Gladiators is back, and some late night shows are airing once again sans writers. But unexpectedly, as Variety reports, CBS has decided to air The Price Is Right (complete with new host, Drew Carey) during primetime hours.

The Price is Right is no stranger to evening airings considering CBS first put the iconic program up against The Cosby Show and Family Ties in 1986. It has since aired primetime specials of the game show on special occasions. The last episode of Price shown in primetime aired as a lead in to the Emmy Awards in 2007, and was the last episode in which longtime fixture Bob Baker hosted.

The Price is Right first aired in 1956, but had trouble getting to its feet and was retooled in 1972 when Barker made his debut as host. He remained on the show an astounding 35 years, retiring in June of 2007. As the longest running game show in North America, The Price is Right may serve as the shake up CBS’ Friday night rotation needs, airing at 8 p.m. EST and bumping reruns of the Ghost Whisperer to 9 p.m EST.