TPIR To Attempt Live Primetime Special In December

[DoItRockapella]

Buried in the below article about CBS's 2026 Fall schedule is what seems to me to be a disaster waiting to happen:

https://deadline.com/2026/04/cbs-2026-27-schedule-fbi-block-elsbeth-shift-ghosts-1236861873/

For the first time in its 54-year history on CBS, television’s longest-running game show will air live with THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE. This high-stakes, must‑watch primetime Christmas television event unfolds in real time, raising the pressure with every passing second. Viewers gain unprecedented behind-the-scenes access alongside host Drew Carey, announcer George Gray, the models and the production team as they race to keep the show on track-resetting games, transforming the stage and beating the clock. Lucky contestants will “Come on down!” to play fan-favorite games Plinko, Cliffhangers and Lucky Seven, before spinning The Big Wheel for a shot at a luxury showcase – all played out live.  THE PRICE IS RIGHT is produced by Fremantle. John Quinn is executive producer.

No precise airdate is given.

Yes, they're calling it "The Price Is Right Live", which seems to me to invite confusion with the non-broadcast touring show.

[tyshaun1]

Buried in the below article about CBS's 2026 Fall schedule is what seems to me to be a disaster waiting to happen:

https://deadline.com/2026/04/cbs-2026-27-schedule-fbi-block-elsbeth-shift-ghosts-1236861873/

My only concern is how Drew lets the contestant take as much time as they need to make decisions currently. Other than that, I don't see any consternation.

[JasonA1]

My early speculation is this wording suggests they're playing a three-game format that will lead to one winner getting a shot at a bigger showcase. Everything's on the table this early, of course, but I see a few hints. They're touting an almost documentary-like access that would otherwise have no room in a normal hourlong show. They didn't say "lucky contestants...will play games like..." X Y and Z, they literally say "they'll play X, Y and Z."

Either way, it sounds interesting!

-Jason

[TimK2003]

Regardless if there are 6 pricing games/2 Showdowns or 3PG/1SS to fill the hour, it's going to be interesting to see  what a Drew live episode will look like versus his heavily-edited version (vis a vis the Barker era) with retakes when.the contestant reactions aren't quite what the producers want.

 

[JTFriends1]

Variety has a couple small additional notes:

https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/the-price-is-right-live-special-cbs-holidays-1236722820/

Of interest, "... The Price Is Right producers have come to the network with “a really fun pitch that we’ve seen that really justifies it. We challenged them, we really liked the idea of doing this, but how do you make it unique and specific and not feel like a taped episode? And they’ve got some really fun ideas that they’re going to implement to bring the audience into that live experience. I think the prizes are what brings people in, the joy of seeing people win. And at the holiday season, I can’t imagine anything more fun for everyone to witness people winning prizes live.”

[TimK2003]

I just thought of how they might do it -- a live full hour show would likely work perfect using Howie Mandel's Canadian 4-game, single showdown format.  The US TPIR purists will be in an uproar over a 4-contestant showdown, though, but oh well.

[johnnya2k3]

I just thought of how they might do it -- a live full hour show would likely work perfect using Howie Mandel's Canadian 4-game, single showdown format.  The US TPIR purists will be in an uproar over a 4-contestant showdown, though, but oh well.

My guess is the two top scorers in the Showcase Showdown during that live TPIR (even with three games played as opposed to four on TPIR Tonight in Canada) go to the Showcase.

And since Plinko will be one of the games played…for the franchise's 70th anniversary this year, they could probably go the Super Ball route with four regular Plinko chips plus a special golden chip for seven times the amount.

[MSTieScott]

From the Variety article:

“‘The Drew Carey Show’ actually aired live episodes, and he loves what he does,” CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach said on Wednesday during CBS’ fall schedule announcement press conference. “I would never not do it without him!”

Whoops -- one too many negatives there.

They're touting an almost documentary-like access that would otherwise have no room in a normal hourlong show.

The current show has no room in an hour-long show.

But yeah, this is either in a time slot longer than 60 minutes or it's an abbreviated format -- my hunch is that Jason parsed the announcement correctly. Especially because "resetting games, transforming the stage and beating the clock" all happen during the commercial break*, so if they plan to show that, they either have to air it after the commercials or not have commercials.

*Not that they normally have to worry about setting up the next act in x minutes.

[Joe Mello]

But yeah, this is either in a time slot longer than 60 minutes or it's an abbreviated format -- my hunch is that Jason parsed the announcement correctly. Especially because "resetting games, transforming the stage and beating the clock" all happen during the commercial break*, so if they plan to show that, they either have to air it after the commercials or not have commercials.

If they wanted to show the changes between acts, they could absolutely use the split-screen ads that they use for sporting events, especially auto racing.

[clemon79]

But yeah, this is either in a time slot longer than 60 minutes or it's an abbreviated format -- my hunch is that Jason parsed the announcement correctly. Especially because "resetting games, transforming the stage and beating the clock" all happen during the commercial break*

And note that of the three games cited, only one of them involves rolling out more than two set pieces (I *think* the Cliff Hangers prizes are all on a connected piece, though it's not like those or the Plinko spinners are the most challenging thing to position), and another could easily be locked and loaded behind Door 3 before they go to air.

[MSTieScott]

And note that of the three games cited, only one of them involves rolling out more than two set pieces (I *think* the Cliff Hangers prizes are all on a connected piece, though it's not like those or the Plinko spinners are the most challenging thing to position),

The Cliff Hangers prize stands move independently of one another, but you're right that they're easy to position.

One thing they do live to tape -- and it would be a wise move for them to show it off during a live show -- is play Plinko as the first pricing game. Drew comes out through the big doors, and as soon as the camera swings around, the big "curtain" comes down, door #1 opens up, and the stagehands get Plinko on its mark during the One Bid. They do it all without a stopdown on the regular show, and given that this special will likely have some opening remarks by Drew to buy the stagehands even more time, it would be a good choice to lead things off.

Also notable is that while all three pricing games listed have electronic components, two of them can be played even if the electronics fail. As for the other: In a pinch, a model could manually "walk" Yodely Guy up the mountain if necessary.

[Fedya]

In that case, wouldn't they want to play one game on the main stage, one at a door, and one on the turntable?  Of course, trying to figure out what game to sub out is a bit of an issue.  Any Number for Lucky Seven would be natural, but you've still got two games on the main stage.

[BrandonFG]

I just thought of how they might do it -- a live full hour show would likely work perfect using Howie Mandel's Canadian 4-game, single showdown format.  The US TPIR purists will be in an uproar over a 4-contestant showdown, though, but oh well.

They would, but with the current daytime show running what, 37 minutes (?) I think it’s only a matter of time. I wonder if this is indeed a test run for a format change now that they have a bit of a precedent in Canada?