It's getting better, though I was a lot more impressed with yesterday's show than today. There were quite a few annoyances today in multiple ways.
Drew has to stop obsessing over the prices of prizes, especially when it leads to stunts like standing out in the audience with the last winning contestant going on and on
again about how much she won. It's stupid, pathetic, ridiculous, whatever you want to call it. I want it (and all unorthodox returns from commercial) to end now.
Even once I'd like to see Drew let a contestant finish the cheque in Check Game... and not make the stupid crack about the "quill" being around since 1872.
Speaking of Check Game, I was quite surprised they lit anything up on the total display. "0409" wasn't necessarily drawing away from the fact the total didn't fit.
Secret "X" was weird. From unusual angles to Drew forgetting to give Jeanette her second
X and then fumbling his way around once he remembered, it was a strange playing.
I won't deny that I found it funny how uncannily similar to Drew Jim was, but I really hope that's not what prompted Stan to pick him. Jim seemed to have a bit of character to him, so at least it didn't come off all about the looks, even if that's all he was chosen for. I just don't want to start seeing audiences with Drew lookalikes. It was done once and it shouldn't be done again or at least not for a very long time.
Oh, my gosh,
Bart didn't use the jib when Laverna was called to come on down! How long has it been since we had a decently-directed calldown like that? It showed ever so clearly that the jib is so useless. It looked so much better to not have any swerving shots from the jib for a change when a contestant was coming on down.
Wow, the first Showcase sucked. It's bad enough they have Rich doing prize recaps but to draw the audience in on it too... I sincerely hope that was the only time we ever see that.
Nova Scotia, there's a good place for a trip, but you know, if the theme was fishing, Prince Edward Island would have also worked just as well. Now, do what I say and offer a trip to Prince Edward Island. Show to me definitively that you're really listening to me.
Nick: I was thinking as I saw today's showcases and heard the prize recaps. Y'know something buddy, ol' pal ... these prize recaps must be dedicated to you! Just because you love them SOOOOOOOO much! 
Please don't.
I know I disagree with Nick on the whole "seeing contestants' faces" thing when it comes to going over to a just-won car. But I will say that when it is done every single day, it becomes boring.
It is extremely overdone, especially if Drew's not sending people over to snowmobiles too; but really, wouldn't you rather see the contestant ecstatic face than their rear end at their car?
It was very interesting that Bart did a split-screen to show how Drew and Jim looked so similar.
Yeah, something about that seemed very planned to me. Bart can't seem to even get a close up on the pointer of the Big Wheel, even when Drew draws attention to it, as happened a couple of times today. How the heck did he pull out a split screen so fast? As much as I'd like not to think this was the case, I think it was planned. Bart knew Jim, a lookalike, was going to be called; and it's not unreasonable to think so. Drew even said that he was "just talking to him." I'm sure a stunt like his would have drawn a lot of attention in the studio, and it wouldn't be impossible to communicate to Bart that he was going to be chosen next.
personally - and I think I've said it before - but I think Drew needs to be himself. He'd do a lot better that way
No, on the contrary, Drew is a lot more enjoyable on the occasions where it feels like you're watching Bob. We've seen "Drew being himself" too much this season, and now that is being curbed back. I think it's quite clear what works.
