If you’ve watched the show and thought some of the “actual retail prices” seem a bit high (or low), it may be because they’re only based off of one state: California. Producers decided to try and keep things simple by only using retail prices they’ve found on the products in the state where filming takes place.
Of course, there’s really no way of verifying those prices for yourself. Because they never release the names of the retailers where they get the prizes.
Drew Carey Made the Show Easier
After the legendary Bob Barker left the show, "The Price is Right" producers worried about the future of the show's ratings. Barker’s star power attracted loyal fans, so producers had to do something to make sure people were still tuning into the show.
That's when they make the games a little easier to win. “It was extremely important for the first couple of months of the show to have plenty of winners,” producer Roger Dobkowitz. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that the trick worked!
Price is Right: The Board Game
The show debuted in 1956, and two years later, the original board game followed, created by Lowell. Nearly 20 years later, Milton Bradley released an updated board game to allow families to play along with Barker for themselves at home. Of course, there aren’t any prizes being given away – not unless you create them yourself.
The game has been credited with staying pretty accurate to the show. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have very high ratings on most of the game sites. There have been four board games made, with the final being released by Milton Bradley in 1986.
Prizes Aren’t Given Away Immediately
Even if you choose to take that brand-new car, you’re not going to be driving away in it as soon as taping wraps up. In fact, the show hangs on to some prizes for quite some time afterward. Winning a significant prize on "The Price is Right" is, according to one past contestant, a bit like “signing your life away.”
Not only do you get stuck with an enormous tax bill, but you also have to fill out loads of paperwork. The show doesn’t want people driving off the lot with cars that reveal winners before the actual tapings air.
Sans Cheating Scandals
In 2003, one contestant on CBS’ "Press Your Luck" seemed to be a bit, luckier than any contestant in the show’s history. Luckily, "The Price is Right" never found itself facing any such claims. While contestants may not precisely be chosen at random like you’ve been led to believe - the majority of things on the show do take place at random – including the wins.
Winners get their hands on the items on stage because they’ve deserved to win, and perhaps that’s one of the reasons the show is still on the air today!