The Price is Right going HD?

We'll be straight with you -- we're taking this with a sizable bucket of salt at the moment, but we've received word that CBS is gearing up to deliver what's undoubtedly one of America's most recognizable game shows in stunning high-definition. We already knew that the network was planning to air a series of The Price is Right episodes on Friday nights here soon, but apparently, the half dozen primetime shows will actually be broadcast in 1080i. Reportedly, you can watch contestants come on down in HD starting at 8:00PM on February 22nd, but don't expect to see the show make the leap to high-def in its daytime slot until sometime in March.

[Image courtesy of Yahoo, thanks anonymous tipster]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 11th 2008 11:17PM]

Awesome! I have noticed that the camera they have been using for a while are all labeled HD right on the front of them so this is no surprise to me. Nothing like seeing $20,000 cars and Hot Pockets in HDTV... :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 11th 2008 11:27PM]

So if an SD camera adds ten pounds on a normal person, what will an HD camera do to Drew Carey?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 11th 2008 11:34PM]

Do they use a different studio for the primetime shows? It hardly seems like it would make sense to not air the daytime episodes in hi-def if they have the equipment set up for it. It's not like CBS is unable to get the bandwidth to air it in hi-def.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 11:55AM]

Studio 33 was just recently transitioned to HD; they have had the HD capable cameras for a while, but the rest of the equipment in the studio was really old analog equipment. They are now fully HD capable, Real Time w/ Bill Maher just converted to HD (which is taped in the same studio), so Price will inevitably follow.

[Biggiesized Posted Feb 12th 2008 12:16AM]

When did the Price is Right start airing at nights?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 2:49AM]

It's not yet. The post said the primetime episodes were coming "soon" and then stated February 22nd as the air date. Drew's other show was not performing - Power of 10 - so they yanked it in favor of TPIR to replace some scripted stuff for at least 6 weeks. Maybe if the strike finally ends this week - and it isn't over yet despite the press reports; the members still have to vote - some scripted shows will be back on the air by the end of the run. I just wonder what the sets will look like in HD. I've heard they're basically cardboard held together with Scotch tape and chewing gum!

[jhuster Posted Feb 12th 2008 12:17AM]

Actually, they always use CBS studio 33 for both the daytime and primetime shows -- the same studio where Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO is taped...which just recently made the leap to HD as well. The studio has been capable of HD for a few months now, so lets countdown the days!!!

[kcmurphy88 Posted Feb 12th 2008 1:09AM]

Further, they announced that they would no longer have people guess the price of HD DVD players.

[JDM Posted Feb 12th 2008 1:12AM]

I didn't know Drew Carey was doing that now. I think it shows how little I care about that sort of thing.

[DeadPlasmaCell Posted Feb 12th 2008 4:34AM]

Yea he's been doin it for a little while now.. I think he sucks.. the whole show just comes off as rushed and boring.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 2:46AM]

Drew Carey in HD? No thanks, the hot chicks can't make up for that.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 9:29AM]

I would love to see those beauties in HD.

[Spiza Posted Feb 12th 2008 9:50AM]

I listened to an interview with Drew on the radio months back on a road trip. He said that they were using the same mono audio recording from when Bob Barker started in 1972. They were all impressed with their new stereo recording they did when Drew started hosting.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 10:45AM]

Of course, Drew's just a host. Not an engineer or a host. He's talked a lot of smack about the production's technology. The thing is, he has no idea what he's talking about. Remember, he's a comedian, so he is willing to make jokes at anyone expense...

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 12:10PM]

I have been waiting for this! TPIR in HD!! My grandmother is smiling down from heaven,..if only they could replace Drew with someone better. Rosie could totally bring back her sweet image with this show.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 13th 2008 2:53AM]

Not that guide data should be taken as gospel, but this special is not marked as HD...

[jhuster Posted Feb 14th 2008 9:18AM]

Alright ya'll...here's your proof of Price is Right in HD -- watch this clip from "The Insider" (I realize this entire clip is letterboxed, however...) Pay attention to the shot about halfway through (After the Plinko clip) where they shoot a monitor from in the studio...the image on the monitor is CLEARLY Letterboxed...plus, they've hidden the famous "producer's table" with a curtain - which they never have done. The set is updated as well with a new pattern and colors on the doors. The Price is Right in HD, baby! Yes, I'm WAYYY too excited about this.

[jhuster Posted Feb 14th 2008 9:24AM]

Oh yeah...the link: http://buzzerblog.flashgameshows.com/primetime-price-is-right-specials-to-tweak-million-dollar-format/

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 29th 2008 8:10PM]

Come on....I think you can overlook Drew when you see the stunning TPIR Beauties in HD!