In 2007, the affable comedian and former star of the ABC sitcom that bore his name, Drew
Carey, was tapped to replace the aging, silver-haired television legend Bob Barker as host of the
long-running CBS daytime game show The Price Is Right.
When the news broke that Carey would be handed the reigns of the popular program, he was
quoted as saying that he knew just how big of a responsibility the opportunity was.
The Price Is Right is the record holder for being the longest-running game show on American
television, and Carey promised that he planned to keep it that way.
The selection of Carey attracted quite a bit more attention than is typical for a daytime
show because of the fact that Barker, the 83-year-old man he was replacing, had just
spent the last 35 years of his life hosting it.
The job opening left vacant by Barker initially attracted widespread attention.
For a while, it even looked likely that Rosie O'Donnel, who had just left The View, had
her sights set on the gig.
Carey, who was 49 at the time, spent the proceeding decade on his previously mentioned sitcom
as well as hosting the improvisational comedy game show, Whose Line is It Anyway?
CBS officials had offered Carey the spot after he completed a pilot for the network's primetime
game show, The Power of 10.
When asked if he felt daunted by the prospect of replacing such a revered TV legend, Carey
said that as long as Barker was cool with it and the fans were cool with it, then so
was he.
The Cleveland-native has been hosting the Price is Right ever since.
While initially, it seems as if Bob Barker was 'cool with' Carey taking over his beloved
show, recent reports seem to indicate that the 98-year-old's feelings about Drew have
taken a drastic nosedive.
Join Facts Verse as we explore the clear reason why Bob Barker and Drew Carey are no longer
friends.
If you're a fan of the Price is Right, this is one video that you won't want to miss.
Bob Was "Cool With It"
After Carey was selected by CBS to be the next host of The Price is Right, Bob Barker
initially said that he was totally cool with him taking over his old post.
Admittedly, he said that he wasn't that familiar with Carey's previous performances – not
enough at least to offer an informed opinion on his selection – but he applauded him
for his ability to ad-lib well and noted that that would be a valuable asset when hosting
the show.
Barker further expressed delight in the fact that Carey seemed to be a very friendly person
who would treat contestants with respect.
Before Carey officially took over hosting duties, Barker had one piece of advice for
his replacement.
He urged him to do the show the way that he thought that it should be done while not trying
to imitate anyone else.
Bob's Opinion Quickly Soured
While Bob Barker seemed to be pretty optimistic about Drew Carrey replacing him on the Price
is Right, his opinion would quickly change.
In an EW Exclusive interview in 2010, Barker insisted that while he would never criticize
Drew, the show, CBS, or FremantleMedia – the company that produces the show – because
of the fact that he still receives a substantial royalty check from them every year the show
is on, he did seem pretty annoyed by how Carrey presents the show.
He explained that Drew presented the show differently that he did.
While he tried to make the show exciting, in his opinion, Carrey did not.
The way Barker sees things, Drew simply just presents the games.
It doesn't take much reading between the lines to understand what Barker was getting at.
We already knew that Bob wasn't watching episodes of Drew's Price of Right, but now we finally
knew why.
Bob thinks that Drew's presentation of the game show is boring.
When asked to clarify his comments later on, Bob was quick to shower Carey with praise.
He said that Drew had been 'charming and complementary' and expressed gratitude for the time that
Drew brought him on the show to plug his memoir, Priceless Memories, which hit store shelves
in 2009.
Barker then joked that from then on he planned to keep his mouth shut whenever he was out
walking down the street.
Carey didn't seem very put off by Barker's comments.
When asked what he thought about his predecessor's jab at his hosting skills, Drew said that
Bob was entitled to think and say whatever he wanted.
Interestingly, at first Drew didn't even think that Barker had actually said what he had.
Enjoying this video so far?
If so, take a moment to how us a little support by giving it a like and subscribing to the
Facts Verse channel if you haven't already.
Barker Was Snubbed By A Price Is Right Special
You would think that if you were in charge of putting together a 40th Anniversary special
of a popular game show, you would at least attempt to invite the guy that hosted it for
35 years.
Well, in 2012, this is exactly what went down when the producers of The Price is Right snubbed
Bob Barker when organizing their anniversary special.
"They chose to ignore me – which is fine."
Bob told TMZ.
When the special finally aired, it featured returning contestants from the previous four
decades.
Barker was briefly shown in several clips, but he was not invited to make an appearance
on the show or attend its taping.
In the same interview with Entertainment, Barker lamented that they hadn't even offered
him a DVD of the show.
When asked why he thought he was given the cold shoulder, Barker pointed to the several
occasions that he had been critical of the show's producers for giving away prizes that
he felt were inappropriate.
Barker has been a lifelong animal rights activist who memorably sounded off each episode by
urging his viewers to help control the pet population by having their pets spayed and
neutered.
On one occasion, he complained about the showrunners' decision to give away tickets to events like
the Calgary Stampede and Sea World.
Both organizations, according to Bob, are notorious for abusing animals.
During his tenure as host, Barker requested that the show cease giving away leather jackets
and fur coats.
They happily gave in to his request and ceased the practice.
Barker says that when he was the game show's host, he and his team were always very careful
about what they chose to feature on the show.
He went on to say that if he had been the executive producer, nobody would have dared
to bring him tickets to something like the Calgary Stampede.
Barker has donated a huge chunk of his savings to animal-rights organizations and causes
since retiring from The Price Is Right.
He says that if he had been invited to the 40th-anniversary special, he would have repeated
his signature show-closing message about having pets spayed and neutered.
Drew Carey Felt Awful About The Barker Situation
In response to reports of Barker being left out of The Price is Right 40th anniversary
special, Carey told TMZ that Barker was 'dead wrong' for thinking that he was intentionally
excluded.
Rather, Drew insisted that Barker was simply misinformed.
He told the gossip outlet that nobody at 'Price" had any sort of animosity or ill feelings
toward him.
It merely didn't occur to anyone to invite him personally to attend the taping since
it was meant to be a salute to past contestants.
Carey reiterated that nobody at the network had anything against Bob Barker and that everybody
loved him.
As hurtful as the snub might have been, Bob Barker said that it was actually the 'best
thing that happened to him all week' as it only gave him publicity and allowed him to
do a bunch of interviews.
Bob's Health Troubles
In 1999, Barker was admitted to George Washington University Hospital and was diagnosed with
a partially blocked left carotid artery.
Shortly after that, he underwent carotic endarterectomy surgery to remove the life-threatening blockage.
Three years later, shorting after filming the 30th season finale of The Price Is Right,
Barker suffered a stroke and had to be hospitalized.
Later that year, he underwent prostate surgery.
In 2015, two on-duty police officers patrolling Barker's LA neighborhood witnessed him trip
and fall on the sidewalk.
They called an ambulance, and he was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical center, where he received
several stitches on his forehead.
Barker fell once again and hit his head at his home in June of 2017.
His personal maid had to drive him to the ER where he received treatment and was quickly
released.
His reps confirmed that it had not been a very serious fall.
In October and November of 2018, Barker had to be rushed to the hospital on two occasions
after experiencing severe back pain.
At 98, just about any kind of slip or fall could seriously injure a man as old as Barker
is.
The Price Is Right celebrated it's 50th Anniversary with a special that aired on September 31,
2021.
Once again, Barker did not make an appearance, but the show did air a segment that paid tribute
to his 35 years as host.
It's unclear if he was invited to the event.
Do you think that it was shocking that Bob Barker wasn't invited to the 40th Anniversary
of the show that he hosted for more than three decades?
And do you agree with Bob's assessment of Drew Carrey being a 'boring' host?
Let us know in the comments.
Before you go, take a moment to show us a little support by giving this video a like
and by subscribing to the Facts Verse channel.
While you're at it, tap the bell to turn on notifications.
That way, you can keep up with all of our latest and upcoming videos without missing
a beat.
As always, thanks for watching.
We'll see you soon with more videos covering some of your favorite Hollywood films, classic
television shows, and stars from yesteryear.