The most devilishly simple entertainment concepts are always the most successful, and the Price is Right is no different. This classic television show is now the longest-running game show on US television and shows no signs of stopping. Below, we delve into the history of this classic game.
The Price Is Right on U.S. Television
The Price is Right, in many ways, encapsulates the period it was created in. Starting in 1956, its premise was that contestants must guess the price of consumer items to win them. This original outing ran until 1965 and was rebooted in its more modern format in 1972.
Originally presented by Bob Barker, he did an astounding run on the show from 1972 until he retired in 2007. Drew Carey then took over. It has also been known for its series of announcers and models who often help the show host manage the games.
The Price is Right Gameplay
The show has four different sections, which each narrow a group of contestants down until two are left to take part in the final showcase. Between this, contestants are invited onstage to play a series of mini-games in which they can win prizes. Many of these minigames are what viewers find most interesting about the show.
Plinko is one of these and debuted on January 3rd, 1983. The contestant is given chips and can walk to the top of a staircase to drop them onto a large upright board made of pegs. When they drop the chips, they fall and eventually land in a section marked with a cash prize. This game has proven so popular it has now developed into its online casino title. In this players place a wager on a chip and drop it into a Plinko machine onscreen. They then have the chance to win a prize depending on where they fall, often having a 1.3.96 chance of winning.
However, not all of their minigames are as popular as Plinko. One titled Lucky Seven has drawn the anger of television viewers who believe it is too hard. In this game, the contestants are given seven $1 bills. They must then guess the next digit of a car’s retail price. The difference that they guess is deducted from their bills. So if they guessed seven and it was six they would lose one dollar. If all of their bills go, they lose. Luckily, the game is not on every episode of the show.
The Price is Right UK
The Price is Right has also been successful in many other countries. From Afghanistan to Australia, it is hard to find a country where the Price is Right is not on television in one form or another.
In the United Kingdom, it first aired in 1984 with host Leslie Crowther and was an immediate hit. In 1995 it was joined by Bruce Forsyth, one of Britain’s most famous entertainers, and entered a glory period of sorts, where it was on primetime Saturday night television.
It has then been brought back several times with different presenters. In its last outing, it was broadcast on Channel 4 and was presented by comedian Alan Carr. However, the pilot episode did not take off. However, it can’t be long before this classic television show makes its return.
