Two Possible “Price is Right” Front Runners
According to the New York Post (so take this as you will), CBS is finally narrowing the The Price is Right hosting field. Supposedly the two finalists as of now are Todd Newton and current Entertainment Tonight host Mark Steines. Sources are saying that George Hamilton is now out of the running and the status of David Price and John O’Hurley, the other two names being mentioned for the gig, is unknown.
From what sources told us, we’ve heard that Mark Steines is the strongest of the bunch so far. CBS has been very tight-lipped about who gets the position, which is rumored to have a paycheck of $3 million a year. They haven’t given a ballpark date of when the announcement will be made either. This has been your daily Price is Right host update. We’ll probably be back in about 15 minutes with another two front runners.
Steines the strongest of the bunch? Perhaps in a fantasy world, but not in the here and now! I find him to be rather bland, I have seen him on ET and cannot see him as host of TPIR. I truly hope Todd gets the job after all this hysteria that has been the host search, because he deserves it the most
Well, I don’t know We have been surprised before with Bob Saget and Howie Mandel doing their respcetive shows.
Well, what I’m TRYING to say is that not to be so narrow about it. Everybody said the same thing about Bob Saget and Howie Mandel, and yet they surprised the hell out of us by doing a good job on their shows. Mabye Steines would surprise the hell out of us and last as long as Barker did.
At this point I just say give the job to Todd. At least you know what you’re getting since he’s been doing shows in Vegas. Out of the weird bunch they were interviewing for the job I say he’s the safest. Not the best, the safest.
I was a contestant on AOL Gold Rush, which Mark Steines hosted. Let me say this – he can’t remember his lines. He’s personable, but he needs five takes to get things right. I’m not saying go with Newton (because he weirds me out) but just know that Steines seems to want to be very scripted, but he can’t do that well.
Mark Steines is the frontrunner? What is CBS smoking and why aren’t they sharing (so we can see from their point of view, but I can’t get my head that far up my….). Anyway, keep in mind that if it was Steines, Newton, Saget, Mandel, whoever, it’s not going to be the same.
At this point, they have to put a warm body in that position and get the next season going.
The biggest question is: will people continue to watch to play the games and root on contestants (maybe see themselves) or will it be for the host?
If it’s for the latter, don’t expect the show to continue for another 35 years.
They really, really need to find some undiscovered talent. Really.
Newton over Steines by knockout. Steve Beverly recently formally endorsed Newton and gave a laundry list of reasons why he is the best choice — that carries weight with me, and if these are really the two choices then it has to be Newton. True game show hosting experience and he can relate to people (see GameShow Marathon). I actually think this may finally be Newton’s big break and he will surprise us all…favorably. Rich Fields is the cheesy screamer (the TPIR traditional announcer role) so Newton can play it cool and usher the games along, and let the contestants shine.
Yes!!! Todd’s is on the shortlist and John’s off of it!!(Another sweet season of the Feud me thinks!)
Todd Newton is due! After the gold he did with Whammy, Hollywood Showdown and even with that One episode of Russian Roulette. He’s come up through the ranks and he’s due for the big shot.
As far as Mark Steines is concerned…..stick with ET.
J.D. Roth should be the host. He’s got the production experience that Todd Newton and Mark Steines do not have. Please reconsider Les Moonves and Fremantle and give the job to J.D. Roth.
Todd’s a great guy and he deserves the job. He’s paid his dues and moved up the ranks, and I know I keep saying this but the man has Price running through his veins. He gave me chills, he was so good at TPiR Live….Three years ago. Time can only have made him better.
Okay, this is officially a WTF moment. I just heard a rumour that CBS has confirmed hiring Ian Ziering as the new host of Price.
I really doubt this is true, but after everything that’s happened on this subject….
Scott (#8), I also listened to Steve Beverly’s editorial and I whole-heartedly agree with you and him. CBS is really asking for it if they select Stienes. I saw Steines on ET and have never seen ET again. (Mind you, Jeopary also airs at that time so I tape ET anyway.) Newton has the experience where as Stienes has zero. Newton also is the voice on TPIR DVD game, which BTW he does an excellent job on. His past few shows have not been his fault. I mean, Rich Cronin decided to ax a great show in Hollywood Showdown and GSN just butchered Whammy to bits. CBS has to look back at the clips of last year’s Game Show Marathon and see Newton’s parts when he came to winning audience contestant. I also agree that Newton does not take over the show and let’s the contestant be the star. I will agree, it won’t be the same show without Bob, but this show could last another 35 years with Newton. (I may be exagerating on number of years).
Ian Ziering?! WTF?! Next CBS will consider Jeff Probst or Mrs. Les Moonves as the next host. I don’t watch BB so I have no clue what her name is.
Michael (#14), I think you are referring to Julie Chen, aka Chenbot 3000 – who is the actual wife of the Head Honcho himself
As for #12, the rumor is just that – a rumor. I love Todd Newton, he’s a very nice guy who I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to a couple of times by email – in fact when I was doing my “Whammy” fan site, he was nice enough to do a short Q-and-A session with me about his experiences with the show. He’s paid his dues and is due to get the big one, he has been one of my top picks since last October. I believe with Todd at the helm and Rich Fields continuing behind the mic (two game show personalities that I love dearly and in my opinion the cream of the “new generation”), I can see the show going for a good long time, and would definitely consider going out to Los Angeles to attend a taping.
Verdict: Newton over Steines by unanimous decision
Like I said, take it with many grains of salt, it’s only a rumour right now. I haven’t seen anything official.
But he DOES have connections somewhat, seeing as his ex-wife was a Barker Beauty…
Todd Newton ought to be the frontrunner, IMO, not Mark Steines. I think Mark is a good interviewer; but that’s about it. Mark lacks the energy and the experience that Todd has.
At least they’re down to two now.
Go Todd!
Newton acts too fake i hope he dont get the show
Ugh… Mark Steines? Nah. It’s only because he’s already doing something for CBS/Paramount. He’s at a prime age, but he’s not that well-known, especially to those on the game show world. Neither is Todd, but he’s got a tad more experience than Mark. And Mark’s no comedian, so don’t put him in the same boat as Howie and Bob–it doesn’t work.
And to the person who said that Todd’s fake… would you rather him be indifferent and bland? Newton may not be the best choice, but due to lack of game shows, it’s hard for the big heads to make an informed decision. They may not be handling it the best way, but personally, Todd’s my choice. JD Roth’s okay, I guess, but there’s something… lacking about him, and I can’t put my finger on it.
I still like my idear
They should get a team of two hosts to host the show like Kenny and Spenny or ant and dec or whoever.
The opening will Remain the same
The hosts will jogg out at the same time .
Host number 1 will will do the item up for bids. and contestant row Bid.
Then the contestant will come on stage and host number 1 will high five host number two.
Host number two will play the pricing game with the contestent.
Second Item up for bids host number 2 does it and high five host number 1 for the pricing game.
And for the 1 showcase showdown host number one does it. and Showcase showdown number 2 host 2 Does it.
And the showcase both hosts or one might participate in the showcase skit.
Maybe Tim Vicent and Lance Bass?
I have seen Todd host The Price Is Right Live in Kansas City and met him when he was on the radio in St. Louis. He was the same personable man even though it had been 10 years. He got down on one knee to take a picture with my grandmother who was in a wheelchair. She asked him for a kiss on the cheek and he asked her for one back. This is what makes him special. I vote for Todd.
Wouldn’t it be a complete shocker if this whole “new host” debacle was nothing more than a set-up to announce the real new host of TPIR?
That’s right, gentlemen. The actual new host is… KATIE COURIC!!
In a desperate bid to boost Ms. Couric’s shamefully low ratings on CBS Evening News, Les Moonves and his network henchmen create a massive publicity smokescreen by building up hype for the new host by choosing a bunch of random names off of a dart board. While everyone’s distracted by that , a whole lot of underhanded deals are made and a lot of strings are pulled. But the plan doesn’t really go into effect until the name Rosie O’ Donnell is brought up. With everyone’s attention diverted, the plan goes into full swing, and come September, everyone’s been duped, Katie’s given a lifetime contact to CBS worth millions, and Les Moonves buys out GSN just to cancel it and upset game show fans nationwide.
Let’s hope it never comes to this…
From a Television Without Pity blogger:
According to today’s New York Daily News, Drew Carey has indeed been selected to take over TPIR. Right now, the deal is contingent on him doing a full-episode “run-through,” and also on the success of his current game-show (“Power of 10″).
He wouldn’t suck…eventually. I contend that Drew blew chunks in the first season of “Whose Line…” but got better. But I still think Todd should get TPIR. He’s earned it.
Take everything bloggers say with a grain of salt!!!!
They also have said that Dave Price, John O’hUrley, Mario Lopez, Ian Ziering, George Hamilton (to name a few) were frontrunners at one point.
This sounds like the Jim Peck/Bill Cullen situation from TJW 25 years ago.
Newton is Jim Peck…he knows what he’s doing…has done the show and has done a good job on the show and is known by fans as being a good game show host who couldn’t catch a break… but, to the networks, his other game show efforts were short lived/underwhelming commercially.
Stynes is Bill Cullen…he has a big name from his ET hosting and is a known commodity in daytime/syndie programming however he hasnt done that kind of show and may need more assistance in being good on the show itself.
We all know that 25 years ago TJW went the known commodity route and got burned by none other than the best game show host of all time…Stynes has never even done a game show (unless you count Gold rush which people are saying he needed tons of help for, which given that one of TPIR’s charms is that it’s one taked and pretty much shown warts and all, is not a good sign). Folks that makes it a no brainer for me…TPIR is a show that if you aren’t prepared even legends can mess it up (See Tom Kennedy) it is very demanding with all the pricing games and scaling back the PG roster to help the host is DISASTER (See the 2004-2006 UK TPIR)…Bob Barker himself said knowledge of all the pricing games to keep the show fresh and moving was the key to a good replacement. I think Bob’s been in Newton’s corner since day one and I hope CBS makes the right choice.
As for the 39849083598 others…aside from O’Hurley (who would be my 2nd choice provided the surrendered Feud which fremantle didnt wanna do) Doug Davidson (A solid pick given that he has expierence with the show) and Rosie trying to force her way in (which made my heart skip a beat…maybe back when she was the queen of nice instead of a rupturing “dam” but NOT these days…but CBS WOULD be that stupid) I dont take those too seriously.
Ok, a few responses are in order:
Michael, it’s actually Julie Chen Moonves (no hiding that now)
Tyrone, what J.D. Roth is missing is class. TPIR doesn’t need anyone with proiduction experience, they need hosting chops (and J.D. does NOT have them — he fell into classless mode with that crazy Fox show).
Glenn: If you are suggesting that Bill Cullen was somehow ineffective as the host of the Joker’s Wild, I heartily disagree. No one ever got “burned” with Bill at the helm. The game simply wore out its welcome in syndication and it was not promoted well at all — and it was getting killed by the likes of Wheel and Jeopardy. And it is unfair to suggest that Tom Kennedy “messed up” TPIR in syndication. He was better than Dennis James was, and he was the only thing that made the show even watchable in syndication. The show did not work well at all in a 30 minute format — not Tom’s fault.
A better comparison is when Hugh Downs had to leave Concentration and they promoted the announcer, Bob Clayton, to host. I remember watching that as a kid, and it never seemed that bad to me (though Jack Narz was far better in syndication), but those who remembered Hugh Downs said that Clayton just was a bad fit by comparison. Steines would be the same kind of bad fit here.
Remember, Alex Trebek had done some pretty sorry shows before he hit gold with Jeopardy (anyone remember the Wizard of Odds, Double Dare, and Battlestars?). Todd Newton is Alex Trebek before landing Jeopardy, except that all of Trebek’s prior shows were network (no cable back in those days, and today there are few network game shows to cut one’s teeth on), and one modest hit with High Rollers. But still, no one thought Alex could step into Art Fleming’s shoes, and he did eventually do that. Todd Newton could be the next Alex Trebek…if given the chance.
Ian Ziering is the front runner according to the gossip rags?
Wow.
marco antonio regil is out of the running?
NOOOO