Deadline Hollywood Exclusive on Season 49

[imhomerjay]

Bitter man shows bitterness. Film at 11.

[Off_trak]

Well, after nearly 50 years of wild audiences, it will be like watching a whole new version of the show. Or more than likely, with resemble Cullen's version. With the expanded stage space, I wonder if we'll see new camera angles, or POV that have never been seen before.

[CBSpromoman]

He doesn't think Drew will host well with no audience as he is, at his core, a stand-up comedian and they don't usually play well unless there's an audience present. I really don't see that's being an issue. Drew's been doing this for 13 years now. I think he's got a handle on it and will do well.

I hope he does it well. But if you look at the way he hosts -- and has hosted -- you'll see that he often plays to the audience. Sometimes repeating a joke to try to pull laughs even if the joke really doesn't merit one. His standup roots are obviously well-ingrained. It would be hard for anyone who has so relied on an audience's responses to do without one. And let's be realistic: it'd be a challenge even for Barker to do the show without an audience's reactions that he grew so accustomed to.

[Mr. Weatherman]

Well, after nearly 50 years of wild audiences, it will be like watching a whole new version of the show. Or more than likely, with resemble Cullen's version. With the expanded stage space, I wonder if we'll see new camera angles, or POV that have never been seen before.

I’d like to see the jib (or a jib) camera in front of the turntable, looking toward Door 3 and George’s podium.  That’s a view we never really get, at least not the full picture.  I’m sure there are production reasons for that, but with the audience removed, perhaps that will allow some extra flexibility to move around.  Shots from the rear of the studio showing the full stage in view would also be super cool — especially from George’s POV.

If we’re taking bets, I’d say each show will open with the camera on George since there is no audience to focus on.  From there, we’ll see each contestant come on down from every angle possible — jib and all!

[gamesurf]

I’d like to see the jib (or a jib) camera in front of the turntable, looking toward Door 3 and George’s podium.  That’s a view we never really get, at least not the full picture.  I’m sure there are production reasons for that, but with the audience removed, perhaps that will allow some extra flexibility to move around.  Shots from the rear of the studio showing the full stage in view would also be super cool.

The jib’s base is an enormous (and extremely heavy) piece of equipment, and difficult to move around, unlike the jib camera itself which is very fluid. If they’re going to move it from George’s podium to the turntable for a shot, I imagine they’d have to keep it there for the whole segment, and they’d have to adjust the blocking for the other four cameras to avoid showing the giant piece of equipment near the turntable or the cable that’s now running across the stage.

Even so, if they were really motivated to mixing things up, I bet they could make it happen.

[Off_trak]

...each show will open with the camera on George

Has George been confirmed as returning? The man suffered 3 widowmaker heart attacks, I can't see him being in any kind of shape for performing 3 shows a day just yet.

[RatRace10]

I bet they'll still dub canned audience sounds like Wheel of Fortune is doing. They can't get away with canned bid shoutings but they can still do applause, cheers, laughs, and aww's.

[bigblue999]

Has George been confirmed as returning? The man suffered 3 widowmaker heart attacks, I can't see him being in any kind of shape for performing 3 shows a day just yet.

Sure is!

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheGeorgeGray/status/1313262656221057024

[Wayoshi]

We’re B.A.C.K @PriceIsRight
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All new shows with NO studio audience. Preselected contestants. COVID 19 tested. #sociallydistanced and wearing masks anytime we’re not on screen. Big changes to keep everyone safe. New Episodes air November 16th!
@CBSTVStudios @FremantleUS pic.twitter.com/8WmXuhYgWr

— James O'Halloran (@JimmyJamesOH) October 7, 2020

Nov 16th

[garffreak]

I love the look.

I think the jib might find a use to get good wide shots of Contestant's Row (or whatever that is).

As for the opening, I could see them employ some sort of a best-of montage of winners (think Supermarket Sweep or Press Your Luck) played back muted in floating boxes as George does the spiel.

[JayC]

How the intro will be done without an audience and contestants coming on down is a good question, along with how each new contestant will come to the podium after commercial breaks. We know from the article they're still going to use "Come on down!" so I imagine the first four contestants will still be coming to the podiums at the beginning, but of course there will be no audience to show.

As for Drew with not having the audience to play off of, I think he's hosted long enough to know how to handle it. Bob played off the audience too, it would've been a pretty big adjustment for him to not have an audience also.

[LiteBulb88]

I’d like to see the jib (or a jib) camera in front of the turntable, looking toward Door 3 and George’s podium.  That’s a view we never really get, at least not the full picture.  I’m sure there are production reasons for that, but with the audience removed, perhaps that will allow some extra flexibility to move around.  Shots from the rear of the studio showing the full stage in view would also be super cool — especially from George’s POV.

I agree it'd be really cool to see that, but there's an opening between Door 3 & George's podium that's used to wheel various game props and prizes on to the stage. I doubt they want to show that area on TV.

[priac]

Greetings all!  It’s been a while.  I echo many who state given the restrictions involved, this looks pretty damn good.  Without the audience, this will make good Contestant selection more important  than ever.  As someone on this thread pointed out, Drew plays much better to a crowd as opposed to one-on-one.  Obviously a result of his stand up career. This is not a bash, just a hope: that Drew finds a way to bring out the humanity/personality in each contestant. Because it is the contestant who is the true star of this show.  Still, given the shoes he had to fill, I think he’s done a great job over 13 years making it “his show”. This new forced set design gives him an even greater opportunity to solidly his print on an institution. 

Finally, I wonder if the new set was designed in a manner that makes it relatively easily converted back to the studio audience set if and when restrictions are fully lifted. Those studio seats I’m sure didn’t just get tossed and are in storage somewhere. 

Hope all are staying safe.   

[pricefan18]

Greetings all!  It’s been a while.  I echo many who state given the restrictions involved, this looks pretty damn good.  Without the audience, this will make good Contestant selection more important  than ever.

I actually wonder, if the opposite is gonna happen since they can now do what other shows have for a long time and openly cast call vs. pick from those at a given taping. Could they be great? Sure. But could they also as easily be the picture perfect, airbrushed, overly hyper types seen on other shows? Absolutely IMO. Guess we'll have to wait and see which case it ends up being.

[AussieEvil]

The design on the podiums looks a bit slapdash, not gonna lie, but it's good to see that they're making the necessary changes.

I just wonder about the people who want to jump up and down and hug Drew after wins.