The Price Is Right is one of the most iconic game shows in the history of television, and has been on the air for over 70 years. However, it has not been immune to scandals that nearly ended the show forever. Here are some of the scandals that have rocked the show over the years.
- The “Clock Game” scandal
In 1984, The Price Is Right contestant Michael Larson managed to beat the game’s system and win over $110,000 in cash and prizes. Larson did this by studying the show’s patterns and memorizing the prices of the items. The show’s producers were shocked when Larson continued to win even after they tried to change the game. Although Larson’s win was not technically illegal, it did raise concerns about the integrity of the show.
- The Drew Carey controversy
In 2019, former model and Price Is Right contestant Cathy Wadkins filed a lawsuit against the show’s host, Drew Carey, accusing him of sexual harassment. Wadkins claimed that Carey had made inappropriate comments and gestures towards her during her time on the show. Carey denied the allegations, and the case was eventually settled out of court.
- The Cheating scandal
In 2008, it was revealed that several contestants on The Price Is Right had been cheating by using insiders to help them win. The show’s producers discovered that the contestants had been receiving help from a former employee of the show, who had been leaking information about the games and the prizes. The cheating scandal caused a major uproar, and the show’s producers were forced to take steps to ensure that it would never happen again.
- The Bob Barker controversy
In 2007, former The Price Is Right model Holly Hallstrom filed a lawsuit against the show’s longtime host, Bob Barker, accusing him of sexual harassment. Hallstrom claimed that Barker had made unwanted advances towards her, and had even gone so far as to hit her on one occasion. Barker denied the allegations, and the case was eventually settled out of court.
- The “Showcase Showdown” scandal
In 1994, The Price Is Right contestant Andrea Schwartzberg managed to win the “Showcase Showdown” by bidding just $1 more than her opponent. The show’s producers were shocked when they discovered that Schwartzberg had received insider information about the prizes from a former contestant. The scandal caused a major uproar, and the show’s producers were forced to take steps to ensure that it would never happen again.
Despite these scandals, The Price Is Right has continued to be one of the most popular game shows on television. While the scandals have certainly damaged the show’s reputation, it is clear that fans are still willing to tune in and watch the show every day.
