Bob Barker Criticizes Drew Carey As Game Show Host.....Then Takes it Back

[Brian Damage]

Moments after Bob Barker criticized Drew Carey's performance on "Price Is Right" yesterday -- dude issued a statement saying he didn't really mean it and that he hopes Drew does well ... because he's got cash riding on the show.

TMZ first posted the footage yesterday -- in which Bob told us, "[Drew] does the show differently than I did ... I try to make the show really exciting. He doesn’t do that ... he just plays the games.”

But hours later, Bob tried to explain himself to Entertainment Weekly ... saying he would not criticize Drew, CBS or the show's producers "because I have a sizable royalty that I am paid every year this show is on, and it’s going on for years."

Barker added, "I hope this show stays on for years."

As for his criticism of Drew, Barker said, "He’s been charming and complimentary, and he had me on the show to plug my book ... to think that I would say anything derogatory about him is idiocy.”

http://www.tmz.com/2010/07/28/bob-barker-drew-carey-price-is-right-dis-apology-paid-sorry-entertainment-weekly/

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...Harvey Levin and his vultures KNEW they were going to stir up something (which is what they're notorious for) by getting Bob Barker to say, "Boy, Drew Carey does a lousy job fronting my show!" {or something to that effect}. Did Bob ever badmouth Bill Cullen, the original host of "THE PRICE IS RIGHT"? Or Dennis James, who hosted the syndicated prime-time edition during the '70s? Of course not. So why should he appear to belittle Drew? He does a decent job of being an emcee- let's face it, nobody could top Bob's version of the show.

Look, if I had a bad word to say about someone hosting a new version of a "classic game show", it would have been Billy Bush's attempt to succeed Monty Hall on NBC's short-lived revival of "LET'S MAKE A DEAL", way back in 2003. The main reason Bush was chosen to front that one was because he was [and still is] co-host of NBC's syndicated "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD". And Billy was TERRIBLE!!! Viewers noticed how terrible he was as well, and that's why it only lasted a few weeks. On the other hand, Wayne Brady was personally chosen by Monty to host CBS' daytime version of "THE ALL-NEW LET'S MAKE A DEAL" last year...and he's doing pretty good. Obviously, as with Barker, NOBODY could ever be as great as Hall was. But Brady was a much better choice than Billy Bush!


Drew and "THE PRICE IS RIGHT" will still be around as long as CBS' daytime schedule continues....


:tv:

[TV_on_the_Porch]

It's a shame Bob had to backpedal from what was not so much a criticism as a statement akin to noting the blueness of the sky and greenness of grass. Bob Barker was only drawing a contrast between his style over 35 seasons and that of a guy who (apparently after a three-quarter hour huddle with producers) revealed the show's only modern era perfect showcase bid as if he were turning the card on a can of beans in the Grocery Game.

If Drew Carry had Joe Flaherty heckling him from the audience, I might cut him some slack. But he doesn't. He's sucking all on his own. Bob was too polite to say that in so many words, but you know he's gotta feel that way. Like I said, blue sky, green grass....

[MrCleveland]

I wonder if Drew Carey would be on TPIR for 35 years?

BTW-I'd like to see Drew Carey on SNL.

[howilu]

...Harvey Levin and his vultures KNEW they were going to stir up something (which is what they're notorious for) by getting Bob Barker to say, "Boy, Drew Carey does a lousy job fronting my show!" {or something to that effect}. Did Bob ever badmouth Bill Cullen, the original host of "THE PRICE IS RIGHT"? Or Dennis James, who hosted the syndicated prime-time edition during the '70s? Of course not. So why should he appear to belittle Drew? He does a decent job of being an emcee- let's face it, nobody could top Bob's version of the show.

Look, if I had a bad word to say about someone hosting a new version of a "classic game show", it would have been Billy Bush's attempt to succeed Monty Hall on NBC's short-lived revival of "LET'S MAKE A DEAL", way back in 2003. The main reason Bush was chosen to front that one was because he was [and still is] co-host of NBC's syndicated "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD". And Billy was TERRIBLE!!! Viewers noticed how terrible he was as well, and that's why it only lasted a few weeks. On the other hand, Wayne Brady was personally chosen by Monty to host CBS' daytime version of "THE ALL-NEW LET'S MAKE A DEAL" last year...and he's doing pretty good. Obviously, as with Barker, NOBODY could ever be as great as Hall was. But Brady was a much better choice than Billy Bush!


Drew and "THE PRICE IS RIGHT" will still be around as long as CBS' daytime schedule continues....


:tv:
Even though I'm not much of a fan of Drew Carey hosting The Price is Right, I'm really impressed with Wayne Brady as the new host of Let's Make a Deal. It's one of the hardest formats to host and he has done what Bob Hilton and Billy Bush couldn't do since Monty Hall stepped down from hosting-handle it well. He brings humor, outstanding people skills and the ability to build drama and suspense.

[MickeyMac]

I havent watched this since Bob Barker retired. I am no fan of Drew Carey.

[BillCullen1]

The guy sort of trapped Bob into saying that, and of course he didn't identify himself as a TMZ reporter. I'd give Bob a pass on this.