A blog about television by TIME’s TV critic James Poniewozik.

Is Rosie Right for Price?

The idea of Rosie O'Donnell taking over The Price Is Right has been floated--by Rosie herself--and repeatedly knocked down in the press over the past several weeks. But it looks like Rosie is not taking no for an answer; she's reaffirmed on her blog that she's interested in the job, and she recently scored an endorsement from Bob Barker to be the show's first "lady host."

Of course, if you want to know how much a beloved former host's anointment can get you, ask David Letterman, who was Johnny Carson's choice to host Tonight. Still, the Rosie talk refuses to die, despite the problem (among other hurdles) that Rosie lives on the opposite coast from where TPIR tapes, and neither appears to be willing to move.

Personally, I'm skeptical. After establishing herself as daytime's provocateur-in-chief, taking over a game show, however big, would seem like a big comedown (as opposed to a big come-on-down). And it's hard to imagine Rosie sticking at any job for 35 years like Barker did, or even anywhere close. Finally, I'm just not sure that a comfortable old shoe like TPIR needs or wants to be updated.

But what do I know? Would Rosie make you more likely to stay home sick to watch Plinko?

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  • 1

    Game show hosts are interchangeable.... Bob Barker was nothing special, all that make him a legend was his longevity.

    But its a bad gig for Rosie. If CBS had any sense, they'd tell Letterman that its time for him to retire, and put Rosie on in his place.

  • 2

    I don't think Rosie is the right fit. Maybe I'm the only sentimental fool when it comes to television, but TPIR is kind of a nostalgic fixture to me, and Rosie would be a deal-breaker. Rosie is not the person I think of when I think of fun and games. If they just have to have a female host, Kathy Griffin or Suzanne Somers might work!

    I really hope they don't muck it up. What's Chuck Woolery doing these days? He'd be just about perfect for the job.

  • 3

    I wonder how Adam Sandler would do as a daytime game show host.

  • 4

    Dig up Chuck Rosie would suck

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