The Price Is Right: Big Moments

The Price Is Right's Biggest Moments

Since its premiere on September 4, 1972, The Price Is Right has become the longest-running daytime game show in television history. From legendary hosts to iconic wins, the show has delivered unforgettable moments that have defined decades of American television.

Bob Barker's Historic Tenure and Legacy

Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right for 35 years, from September 4, 1972, to June 15, 2007. During his time, Barker became a daytime television icon, winning 14 Daytime Emmy Awards as Outstanding Game Show Host and earning a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Television Academy in 1999. The show's Hollywood studio was renamed the Bob Barker Studio in 1998 to honor his 5,000th episode. Barker passed away on August 26, 2023, at age 99, leaving behind an incomparable legacy in game show history.

The Famous Catchphrase

During the middle of the 1970s, Bob Barker began ending each episode of The Price Is Right with the now-iconic phrase: "Help control the pet population—have your pet spayed or neutered." This message became synonymous with the show and Barker's commitment to animal welfare, making it one of television's most memorable recurring catchphrases.

Drew Carey's Transition and Milestones

After Bob Barker's retirement, Drew Carey was selected as the new host, with his first episode airing on October 15, 2007. Carey has since become an integral part of the show's continued success. In February 2025, The Price Is Right celebrated a monumental achievement with its 10,000th episode, featuring special games with prize amounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, well above typical maximums. The show also donated $10,000 to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in honor of this milestone.

Terry Kniess's Perfect Showcase Bid

In 2008, contestant Terry Kniess made history by bidding exactly $23,743 on the Showcase Showdown—the only perfect bid in the show's decades-long history. Kniess and his wife Linda achieved this feat through meticulous research, watching every episode and memorizing prices of recurring products. The bid combined meaningful numbers: the year 2007 plus digits from their wedding date (the 7th of April) and Linda's birthday month (March). This unprecedented achievement forced the show to change how it operated, with producers now regularly altering product brands and details to prevent similar future occurrences.

Extraordinary Close Showcase Calls

In June 2025, Canadian contestant Patrice Masse achieved what Drew Carey called "the best Showcase bid in the history of the show." Masse bid $39,500 on a showcase package valued at $39,501—just one dollar off. Under the show's rules, being within $250 of the actual price wins both showcases, making Masse the winner of his entire prize package worth over $83,000, including a Kia K5 GT-Line and trips to Milan, Hawaii, and Miami.

Plinko Victories and Record Wins

The Plinko game has produced some of the show's most spectacular moments. In October 2019, during a special "Big Money Week," contestant Mike Stouber set a record by winning $202,000 with four chips, even surpassing the grand center prize of $200,000 for that special event. Contestants like Bethel have also achieved multiple jackpot disc drops, earning over $20,000 in single Plinko rounds, while others have celebrated dramatic victories with high kicks and acrobatic celebrations.

HD Transition and Set Evolution

The Price Is Right evolved with technology and production standards. The show began broadcasting in high definition with primetime specials before making a full transition to HD beginning with season 37. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the set underwent a significant redesign to accommodate new social distancing protocols while maintaining all 77 games. Most recently, in September 2023, Contestants' Row received a complete redesign, continuing the show's tradition of modernization while preserving its core elements.