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The Price is Right (1985 - 1986 U.S. Version) was a nighttime spin-off hosted by Tom Kennedy. The nighttime series aired on September 9, 1985 until May 30, 1986.

Concept[]

  • The 1980s nighttime Price is Right was basically the same as its daytime counterpart, only here it used the half-hour format used in the previous nighttime version and from 1972-1975 during the daytime run.
  • Like the previous syndicated series, this version had a slightly larger budget than its daytime counterpart. A perfect bid during the One-Bid won that contestant a $500 bonus (compared to $100 awarded on the daytime show during the same period); this was later carried over to the daytime show beginning in early Season 27.
  • There was no Double Showcase bonus in this version nor the prior nighttime version.
  • This version used the same models as the daytime show. When Johnny Olson died in October 1985, Gene Wood filled in as announcer until producers chose Rod Roddy as Olson's replacement. The nighttime version did not feature rotating auditions for announcers as the daytime show did.

History[]

  • Originally, this version was supposed to be paired up with a revival of Match Game hosted by Gene Rayburn. However, since Rayburn was hosting a brand new version of Break the Bank produced by Kline & Friends (later replaced by Joe Farago in December 1985) the proposed revival was scrapped as reruns of the 1979-1982 daily version took its place instead.
  • This version was an attempt by Goodson-Todman to compete with Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! for primetime syndication ratings. However, it backfired and was placed in late night slots in most markets.
  • This show replaced Family Feud (Dawson) and was later replaced itself by Card Sharks (Rafferty).
  • This was Tom Kennedy's last game show he hosted in syndication. In addition, Kennedy later stated this was the hardest show he ever hosted and that he had a new respect for Bob Barker and his hosting abilities.
  • Tom Kennedy, who had allowed his hair go gray by the beginning of the 1980s, was required by the show to start dyeing it brown again. Barker would let his own hair go gray in October 1987, in effect ending this requirement.
  • Tom Kennedy stated in an interview that the reason he was picked to host the program was because he was already taping Body Language at the same studio where The Price is Right was recorded, so it was convenient for the producers to hire him because he could tape episodes of Body Language, then set up for The Price is Right and he would then tape episodes for the syndicated version. He admitted the long taping days at the time is why he looked exhausted by the end of certain episodes.
  • This version aired in reruns on Game Show Network (GSN), though like the vast majority of its syndicated broadcasters in its original run, it also aired late night.

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