Bob Barker: Dissing Drew Carey Was "Idiocy"

Entertainment July 28, 2010 AT 2:20PM
Bob Barker: Dissing Drew Carey Was "Idiocy" Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Bob Barker regrets coming down so hard on his Price Is Right replacement Drew Carey.

On Tuesday, the retired game show host, 86, suggested to TMZ that Carey was a rather boring host, sniffing: "I tried to make the show really exciting, and he doesn't do that. He just plays the games."

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But later that same day, he backtracked. "I would not criticize Drew Carey. I would not criticize this show," he told Entertainment Weekly.

Barker has good motivation to play nice: "I have a sizable royalty that I am paid every year this show is on, and it’s going on for years. I would be an absolute fool."

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Barker retired from the show after 35 years in 2007, when comedian and sitcom star Carey, 52, stepped in.

He told EW that Carey has "been charming and complimentary...kind and gracious. To think that I would say anything derogatory about him is idiocy."

The elder game show legend joked that, going forward, he'll be sure to "keep his mouth" shut when facing reporters.

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  • July 29, 2010 - 10:22am nicole

    Drew is too nerdy. CBS definetely picked the wrong host! I don't even find him entertaining for a second. Just my opinion - different strokes for different folks. I use to love watching that show. But one thing I can't stand is, why do the people on stage always ask the audience about everything??? They look so stupid. Maybe on some games, but everyone on stage seems to ask for help. Get a clue & a brain.

  • July 29, 2010 - 9:26am Dave

    Bob is well past his "best before" date. With his history of sexually exploiting the models on the show, he really shouldn't criticize the behavior of the new host as it's way above his prior conduct.

  • July 29, 2010 - 9:02am tonyaj

    Bob was a good host; Drew is very good in his job. But next time, Mr. Barker, keep your mouth closed if there is a microphone in front of you...

  • July 29, 2010 - 1:39am Carol

    I love watching the Price is Right and Drew Carey is a better host than Bob Baker. He doesn't drag everything out and I like that. He's better at explaining how a game works and doesn't take forever doing it like BB. I watched BB for years but I like Drew Carey much better.

  • July 28, 2010 - 9:34pm Bob the Bore Barker

    Bob barker got the models fired on the show because they were aging. Hello, he is the oldest gasbag out there. What a pos he is. His ego can't handle it that Drew is doing a much better job than he ever did in all those 35 years.

  • July 28, 2010 - 9:32pm What a Toad He Is

    Bob Barker has the most ridiculously overinflated ego ever. For no good reason. The guy is sexist trash for hitting on all the models on the show. What a lech.

  • July 28, 2010 - 7:13pm Ashley

    I have to agree - Drew is such a corn ball & a bore. I don't even watch the show now that he's the host. I gave him a chance and watched, but I just can't take him anymore, therefore, I don't tune in. By no means do I expect him to be like Bob Barker, I just find him very corny. My mother says the same thing.

  • July 28, 2010 - 6:01pm Proofreader

    This headline is incorrect...he wasn't saying that dissing Drew Carey was idiocy, he said that THINKING HE WOULD do it is idiocy. Big difference. You should fix it. PS - I't so hard to read this comment font.

  • July 28, 2010 - 4:38pm countrygirl5763

    I disagree, I watch TPIR every single day and I love Drew. I makes the games fun, drawing them out and making everyone laugh. After watching Drew, I though Bob was a little boring.

  • July 28, 2010 - 4:05pm BringBobBack

    Drew is terrible on this show. BB was soooooo much better. Drew is a bore.

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