“The Price Is Right” is making a few changes as season 54 comes to a close.
Before the long-running game show heads into its summer break, host Drew Carey will welcome a special group of contestants for a themed “School’s Out” episode airing June 8. The episode will feature students celebrating the start of summer vacation as they compete for cash, vacations, cars, and other prizes in classic games including Punch A Bunch, Hole in One, and Push Over.
The special marks one of the final themed episodes of the season before the current run concludes on June 26.
While the summer schedule adjustment is giving viewers something different in the short term, CBS has also announced a much larger change for later this year that will make “The Price Is Right” history.
‘The Price Is Right’ Wrapping Up Landmark Season 54
The “School’s Out” episode continues a season that has featured several special-themed installments, including episodes tied to Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
Season 54 has also delivered several notable milestones for the franchise. The show featured its first child contestant and crowned the biggest winner in program history, with one contestant reportedly walking away with more than $240,000 in prizes and cash.
The June 8 episode is expected to feature high school seniors and college-aged contestants, as participants must generally be at least 18 years old to compete on the show.
The current season officially concludes on June 26, just days after the start of summer.
‘The Price Is Right’ Announces First Live Episode in 54-Year History
As season 54 winds down, CBS has already revealed plans for a groundbreaking change later this year.
According to the network’s 2026-27 primetime schedule, “The Price Is Right” will air its first live episode ever as part of a Christmas special.
“For the first time in its 54-year history on CBS, television’s longest-running game show will air live with THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE,” Paramount said in its announcement.
The special will feature contestants playing fan-favorite games including Plinko, Cliffhangers, and Lucky Seven while viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how the production operates in real time.
“This high-stakes, must-watch primetime Christmas television event unfolds in real time, raising the pressure with every passing second,” the announcement stated.
The network added that audiences will receive “unprecedented behind-the-scenes access” alongside Carey, announcer George Gray, the show’s models, and production crew.
CBS Executive Explains Why the Live Special Is Different
CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach said, via The US Sun, producers presented the network with an idea that felt unique enough to justify a live event.
“They came to us with a really fun pitch that we’ve seen that really justifies it,” Reisenbach said.
She explained that CBS wanted the special to feel different from a standard taped episode.
“We challenged them, we really liked the idea of doing this, but how do you make it unique and specific and not feel like a taped episode?” she said.
According to Reisenbach, producers developed several elements designed to immerse viewers in the live experience.
“They’ve got some really fun ideas that they’re going to implement to bring the audience into that live experience,” she said.
She also pointed to the show’s enduring appeal.
“I think the prizes are what brings people in, the joy of seeing people win,” Reisenbach said. “And at the holiday season, I can’t imagine anything more fun for everyone to witness people winning prizes live.”
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