1153: Drew Carey | The Price Is Right, But These Stories Are Priceless

11 snips

May 13, 2025

In this conversation, Drew Carey, the beloved host of The Price Is Right and comedy icon, shares his incredible journey from financial hardship in Cleveland to Hollywood success. He recounts how a pivotal appearance on The Tonight Show changed his life and discusses how wealth can affect a comedian's authenticity. Drew also highlights his commitment to a growth mindset by immersing himself in current culture and attending EDM festivals. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from game shows and emphasizes the importance of staying relatable in comedy.

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ANECDOTE

Drew Carey's Early Financial Hardship

Drew Carey lived paycheck to paycheck, counting every penny and rationing gas to $2 worth at a time.
He even ate macaroni and cheese made with water instead of milk due to financial hardship.

ANECDOTE

Perfect Visualization of Tonight Show Set

Drew Carey rehearsed his 1991 Tonight Show set in real time the night before, visualizing the entire sequence perfectly.
His actual performance went exactly as imagined, marking a career-defining moment.

ADVICE

Talk to Audience Like Friends

Treat your audience as if you're joking with friends in a living room to ease stage anxiety.
This mindset helps performers engage naturally and build rapport with the crowd.

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The Price Is Right host and comedy legend Drew Carey dishes on his journey from counting pennies in Cleveland to making millions in Hollywood!

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Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1153

What We Discuss with Drew Carey:

Drew Carey experienced extreme financial hardship before fame, counting pennies, putting only $2 of gas in his car at a time, and eating macaroni with water instead of milk because he couldn't afford both butter and milk.
Drew's appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1991 was career-defining. He had visualized the entire sequence in real-time the night before, and it happened exactly as he'd dreamed it, including Carson's "You're funny as hell" comment.
Comedians often become less funny as they get more successful because wealth insulates them from the everyday frustrations that fuel comedy. When you're rich, you lose touch with common annoyances that connect you to your audience.
The "perfect bid" incident on The Price is Right wasn't cheating, but exposed how the show had become predictable. Super-fans memorized prices from the limited rotation of items, leading to changes in how the show operates.
Growth mindset is essential for staying relevant and happy. Drew still attends EDM music festivals, keeps up with new slang, and constantly looks to learn and evolve: "Once you stop growing, that's the end of you."
And much more...

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