Due to the ongoing pandemic, the entertainment industry has had to make quite a few changes; especially TV shows have had to make significant changes. The new measures aim at ensuring the well-being of casts and crews. Game shows have a particularly difficult challenge in front of them due to the inclusion of contestants as well as a live audience.
CBS’ The Price is Right has been out of production for months, over the pandemic just like a lot of other shows, but it’s finally getting back to filming, with some alterations of its own to prevent any kind of community spread of the virus whilst being able to film new episodes.
The Price is Right returned to the studio this week to resume the filming of new episodes. Though the show will now be filmed without a live audience, which will be a first in nearly 50 years since the first time it has been on air. The show’s set at Television City in LA has been redesigned to be more COVID-friendly.
The new, redesigned set includes decking, which sits in the area that formerly the audience occupied. In addition to that, contestants on Bidder’s Row will now be spaced six feet apart. The new protocols will also include regular testing and sanitization of the production zones and, masks and shields will be used as well.
While all of these changes represent a major shift for the veteran series, the lack of an audience could be the biggest adjustment but, as show runner Evelyn Warfel said, it was the best way to maintain safety on the Drew Carey-hosted program.
“That was the hardest part of all of this; the audience is such a core part of that show, and so, for the first time in 48 years we’ve had to look at it and go okay, we’re bringing the show back and it’s going to be different and we have to hope and know that everyone understands what’s going on and how serious it is and that we want to bring back this show for everyone, but it has to look different. If we want to come back, we have to do it safely,” said Carey.
