All This And More Can Be Yours...

If The Price Is Right

In case you have been living under a rock (I like to call it being busy) you have probably heard reports that Rosie O'Donnell has expressed interest in the top spot, left by a retiring after 35 years Bob Barker, on the popular game show The Price Is Right (Produced by FremantleMedia for CBS).

After 35 years on the air and close to 7,000 episodes in the can, The Price is Right is the longest consecutive running game show in U.S. television history and could easily be considered the first 'Reality Game Show' in which the audience (Comprised of everyday people - NOT ACTORS) could actually participate.

Product Placement Overload

Where else could you win a new Sonic toothbrush, a Sunbeam blender, a Black & Decker drill set, and a new Chevy Impala? You know with all of the arguments that I receive about product placement in reality shows, TPIR was the original product slinging phenom - and no one complains about TPIR giving away too many brand name products in a single episode.

Come On Down!

Where other game shows have come, gone or slipped into obscurity (The Gong Show, Match Game, The Dating Game, Press Your Luck, Hollywood Squares and Family Feud), in 35 years, not much of the show has changed and the current format is still based on the original version which aired in the 1950's on a competing network.

When you watch the show, it does have that era of yesterday's early television; maybe it's the announcer's big booming voice (In Broadcasting we call it "Puking" - which means using an over the top voice that's not your natural voice) many of the early radio broadcasters would use these larger than life bass laden voices to announce the advertiser's products they were hawking.

Maybe it was the bevy of 'Barker's Beauties' - which may have been appealing 35 years ago, but by today's standards smacks misogyny and is out of date in the television landscape of programs. Really, I often wonder the same for another popular long running game show in which there is a 'letter turning' female personality.

Perhaps the longevity of the show was the host himself that kept that 1970's sparkle to the show reminding us at the end of each episode to help control the pet population by having our pets spayed or neutered.

Which brings us back to Rosie...

Having said all of the above, just where exactly would Rosie fit in on a show such as TPIR? What would happen to 'Barker's Beauties', what would happen to the guy with the big announcer voice, and what would happen if someone disagreed with Rosie's political views? Uh-oh.

Rosie is a very courageous person who believes in asking the questions that we are all thinking...and then some. Would it be possible for her to exist on a show and not turn the property into the Rosie Show? It's uncertain that TPIR would be Rosie's best career choice.

Right now CBS is speaking with George "Hammy Tan" Hamilton, Todd Newton (E!), Mark Steines (Entertainment Tonight), John O'Hurley, and Drew Carey - all formidable talent for the position and any could be easily integrated into the production without disruption of the format or risk to the crew (Ah, that's the Producer in me talking).

The Perfect Gig For Rosie

The bottom line is that ROSIE NEEDS HER OWN SHOW- Personally, I have been quoted on many sites stating this very fact and any studio exec could easily reach this blaring obvious conclusion.

Time for change...If I were head of the studio (This will happen eventually) I would be more interested in more creative ways to utilize the best talent for maximum viewership.

Having said, I would like to see Rosie replace Jay Leno as the new host of The Tonight Show (NBC) - Has there ever been a female host of a late night talk program on network television? We need to see more females on late night television, not on daytime television. Rosie's personality could really shine, viewers would stay up late to tune in, and advertisers would be happy from exposure in the extended schedule.

Everything is Coming Up Rosie

I am sure that you have heard the news that Rosie's leavin' The View. Judging by your comments and emails, this is a subject that you presumably care about, so I will too...

"I did not have anything to do with Rosie's negotiations"
Said View boss Barbara Walters...And she didn't and neither did I, maybe that's why Rosie's leaving the show. However, rather than speculate over what may have happened, been said or not said, done or not done, I think we should focus on the positive aspects of Rosie's new career possibilities. Options are ALWAYS a good thing.

So Rosie O, rather than retire or simply drift off into oblivion, here are some great(?) suggestions I thought up for you, just this afternoon:

1. Become a pitch person for a new American Express card - "The Rosie", of course. What makes this card special is that everytime someone is offended by something you have said, 5 cents is credited to their account; Like this idea? Wait I have others...

2. Accept a starring role on Vh1's the Surreal Life - because it's just been that kind of year for you...

3. Produce your own version of Ralph Edwards/Stu Billet's 'The People's Court' - Who needs Judge Judy when we could have "Judge Rosie O". Courtroom shows will never be the same.

4. While on the subject, remember the show "Truth or Consequences"? - we could create a new updated version of the show with you as our beloved host (Get in touch with my people).

5. Take over NBC's Tonight Show - Jay Leno is retiring and it would be great to see a woman hosting a late night network talk show. You would CERTAINLY give Dave a run for his money.

6. Make like Angelina Jolie and become a "Goodwill Ambassador" - Of course, you would have to play nice with the other countries, but we could work something out.

7. Sign a multi-million dollar contract to be Co-host of The Apprentice - Forget George, Caroline, Ivanka and Don Jr., everybody is thinking of this idea and maybe you should to...

For that special twist, YOU COULD FIRE DONALD TRUMP - think about the ratings blow-out we could have! Then, we could take the show on the road to the White House where you can fire everybody on national TV. Oh, I'm on a roll now.

Wonderful it's all settled, I'll call Mark Burnett in the morning.