I personally liked the new set and the other new stuff for Season 38. I'll agree that the most unlikeable part of the new set is the turntable which really didn't fit well with the rest of the set. Anyway, here's my opinion on the rest of the show:
Lucky $even: I might have had a shot if I were in Zina's position. Of course, I don't know what the last digit was, and a 1 or something like that could have ended that real quickly. Tough loss for Zina.
Plinko: Those SP's were EVIL!
I think Heather was lucky to get $1,500 out of that debacle.
Push Over: I would have never thought a computer and desk could be that expensive! Cresencio was lucky to get the Technical Win, as that was probably the only way that setup was going to be won.
Grocery Game: This was also a tough setup! I wasn't familiar with any of the items, and I wouldn't have thought those plastic cups were that expensive.
That's Too Much: Noooo! Not on the premiere! No surprise this was lost.
Most Expensive: I was hoping for a multi-prize game here, but this is not what I had in mind. I had in mind a 4-prizer. And any one of those three trips could have been the most expensive. That was way too tough.
Showcases: Both contestants gave fairly lousy bids, although I can justify John's bid, considering the fact that Zina was probably over (which she was). I'm surprised SC2 did not break $40K with that beefed up Vegas trip and the exotic Seychelles trip. Craig's "You're Fired!" line was probably the funniest moment in the show, but it's a shame it couldn't have been worked into the script of the second showcase.
Steven's Show Score:Pricing Game Lineup: 15/25 -- Plinko is always a plus, but the rest of the lineup was sub-par.
Wins: 3/25 -- When the only win in the show is a technical win, you know this gets a poor score.
Hosting: 19/20 -- Drew was on top of things today! Let's hope it continues throughout the season.
Showcases: 11/20 -- Other than the "You're Fired" gag, Craig really didn't fit well here.
Other: 7/10 -- There was a general lack of classic music cues, but the new set makes up for it.
Total: 55/100 -- Average (although this is quite poor for a season premiere!)