‘Price Is Right’ One Game Fans Say Drew Carey ‘Just Can’t Replace’ Bob Barker
When Drew Carey took over as host of The Price Is Right in 2007, he had some very big shoes to fill. Bob Barker wasn’t just the face of the iconic game show—he was the show for over 35 years. While Carey has won many viewers over with his charm and steady hosting style, fans still cling to memories of Barker’s era. And when it comes to one particular game, fans agree: Drew just doesn’t have that Bob Barker magic.
That game? The Range Game.
For longtime viewers, Range Game is more than just a simple pricing challenge—it’s a nostalgic trip back to the glory days of game show television. The concept is straightforward: the contestant tries to stop a moving rangefinder so that the actual price of a prize falls within its highlighted window. It’s a fan favorite, partly for the gameplay, but largely because of the flair Bob Barker brought to it.
Despite Drew Carey keeping the structure of the game virtually unchanged, fans say there’s something missing. One fan wrote online, “I really enjoy Drew as the host, but with Range Game I miss Bob’s classic line about not being able to restart the game for 30 hours or something. It was so iconic.” The reference to Barker’s legendary on-air joke, which became a beloved recurring line, still rings in the ears of many viewers today.
Another chimed in, referencing a classic line from Happy Gilmore: “The price is wrong, Bob… 27 and a half hours!” While clearly delivered in jest, the comment speaks to a broader sentiment shared by a slice of the audience: Drew may have the job, but Bob still has their hearts—at least when it comes to certain parts of the show.
It’s not that Drew hasn’t earned respect. Quite the opposite—many fans admire his ability to keep the show feeling fresh, fair, and fun. He’s navigated the transition with grace, made the set more modern, brought in a new generation of fans, and maintained the joyful spirit that makes The Price Is Right such a beloved staple of daytime TV.
But certain things just stick with people. Bob Barker’s voice, his timing, and the tiny quirks that made each game feel like a personal interaction between him and the contestant. In Range Game, his delivery was everything. The suspense, the pauses, the smile—Barker had a way of turning even the simplest games into unforgettable moments.
This kind of nostalgia isn’t unique to The Price Is Right. It happens across TV history when iconic hosts step down and new ones step in. Just look at how Ryan Seacrest is now stepping into Pat Sajak’s shoes on Wheel of Fortune. Comparisons are inevitable, and transitions are always met with a bit of resistance.
Yet, the fact that Range Game still draws such attention shows the power of tradition and how deeply fans care. In the end, it’s not about Drew doing a bad job—it’s about Bob having left an indelible mark.
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Still, Carey continues to do what he does best: host with ease, respect the show’s legacy, and connect with a wide-ranging audience. While he may never recreate Bob’s iconic delivery in Range Game, he’s carved out his own space in TV history.
So, is Range Game forever Bob Barker’s? Probably—for many fans, at least emotionally. But Drew Carey’s reign isn’t over yet, and with every show, he continues to prove that The Price Is Right is in good hands.
What do you think? Can anyone ever truly replace Bob Barker in moments like these? Share your thoughts in the comments—and stay tuned to Gossip Fact 24 for all the latest buzz from your favorite game shows!
