CBS Adds Improv Comics as ‘Price Is Right’ Announcers

Departing Rich Fields will be replaced by rotating announcers, including duo with long ties to show host Drew Carey

CBS will rotate three guest announcers on game show "The Price Is Right" when the show returns for its 39th season this fall, replacing Rich Fields who had been the regular announcer on the show since 2004.

The three are JD Roberto, Brad Sherwood and Jeff Davis. The latter two previously worked with "Price" host Drew Carey on both "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and "Drew Carey's Green Screen Show."

Both Sherwood and Davis are known for their improvisational comedy.

In a statement surrounding his departure, Fields said he was told by the show's producers that they want to make the show more of a "variety show within a game show."

Sherwood also has appeared on "The Drew Carey Show" and was a regular panelist on "Chelsea Lately." He has appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "Politically Incorrect" and has guest hosted "Talk Soup."

Davis has appeared on "The Norm Show, "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment," "Happy Family" and "The Sarah Silverman Program." He also toured with "Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars."

Roberto has hosted "How to Get a Guy," "Outback Jack" and "Alaskan Adventure Challenge." He also appeared on "Frasier," "Family Matters" and soap operas "All My Children" and "General Hospital."

Fields, who will take a job as meteorologist at CBS TV stations KCBS and KCAL in Los Angeles, said in his statement that he believes "Drew Carey had nothing to do with this change of direction," adding, "Drew has been my biggest champion. He and I will remain friends forever regardless of what happens to 'The Price Is Right.'"

The show, which is produced by FremantleMedia North America, has a median age audience of 63. It's possible that CBS has urged the game show's producers to try to bring down that age a bit by bringing in more viewers at the younger end; adding more comedy and variety to the show might do just that. Game shows per se traditionally draw among the oldest viewers.

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