The Price Is Right (Australian game show)
Australian adaptations of the classic American game show.
The Price Is Right is an Australian television game show based on the American concept of the same title.
Quick Facts
- Creator
- Bob Stewart
- Presenter
- Bruce Beeby
- Geoff Manion
- Keith Walshe
- Horrie Dargie
- Garry Meadows
- Ian Turpie
- Larry Emdur
- Announcer
- Keith Livingston
- John Deeks
- Gavin Wood
- Shawn Cosgrove
- Brodie Young
- Theme music
- Jack Grimsley (1981–1985), Tweed Harris (1989, 1993–1998, 2003–2005)
- Country
- Australia
- Language
- English
- Episodes
- 1,623
- Producer
- Michael Pope (2003–2005)
Facts from the source article.
Garry Meadows era (1973–74)
The first version of the modern format aired on the 0-10 Network from 1973 to 1974, hosted by Garry Meadows with announcer Keith Livingston. The program debuted in an hour-long daytime slot on 5 February 1973, only five months after the original American version first aired, and later received a half-hour primetime slot beginning 30 April 1973. This version featured a unique Showcase round: the two top winners first bid on one showcase in the "Showcase Playoff," played like the short-lived U.S. game Double Bullseye. After one player bid, the other was told to bid higher or lower. The first contestant to bid the correct price then attempted to arrange the prizes in order from least to most expensive on a pricing board, similar to the later U.S. game Eazy az 1 2 3. That contestant became a "carry-over" contestant on the next show.
First Ian Turpie era (1981–85)
This version brought back the carry-over contestant format from the Garry Meadows era, allowing returning champions. The show originally featured three pricing games, a Showcase Playoff, and a Showcase containing seven prizes, where the day’s biggest winner faced the champion in the Showcase Payoff. In that playoff, both players alternated bids within a $100 range, with the winner advancing to the Showcase. Whether champions had a limit on return appearances is unknown; episodes without a returning champion used a third pricing game instead. An exact bid on a prize up for bids earned a $50 bonus. Thirty-eight pricing games were played during this era: Any Number, Bargain Game, Bonus Game, Bullseye, Card Game, Check Game, Check Out, Cliff Hangers, Clock Game, Danger Price, Dice Game, Double Prices, Five Price Tags, Give Or Keep, Grocery Game, It's Optional, Hi-Lo, Hit Me, Hole in One, Lucky $even, Make Your Move, Money Game, Most Expensive, Mystery Price, Penny Ante, Pick a Pair, Poker Game, Race Game, Range Game, Safe Crackers, Shell Game, Squeeze Play, Switcheroo, Take Two, Trader Bob, Temptation, Ten Chances, and Three Strikes.
Second Larry Emdur era (2003–05)
The two Showdown winners then competed in the Showcase Playoff, with the winner advancing to the Showcase.
Third Larry Emdur era (2012)
Cars in the Showcase were supplied by Nissan. US version announcer George Gray appeared on Rove LA, an Australian chat show taped at CBS Television City. However, the cash and prizes were much lower than previous versions (sponsored by Big W), disappointing many viewers, and a scandal was alleged. This move was intended to boost 7 News Melbourne ratings but was unsuccessful, leading to speculation the show would be axed.
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