Howie Mandel Embraces Canadian Game Show Hosting Role with Immediate Enthusiasm
Howie Mandel receives numerous job offers, but hosting The Price Is Right Tonight was the first proposal he accepted without hesitation. "They didn't even finish the name of the show in the sentence when I shouted 'yes,'" Mandel revealed. The original The Price Is Right program celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, and Mandel expressed excitement about bringing the beloved format to Canadian audiences.
Prime-Time Canadian Adaptation Features Enhanced Format
The Price Is Right Tonight represents a supercharged Canadian interpretation of the classic game show, set to premiere March 10 on Citytv or Citytv+ during prime time. Mandel emphasized that Canada rarely takes existing global formats and enhances them, but this adaptation achieves exactly that. "We added tension, twists, more time with the people, and all those things in the iconic game you know and love like Cliffhanger and Plink, but amped up," he explained.
The veteran television personality drew inspiration from his experience hosting Deal Or No Deal, focusing on participant engagement. "When they are in a make-it-or-break-it decision, or falling to their knees screaming, or crying are the moments you want to have," Mandel noted. The show's format now incorporates these emotional peaks throughout gameplay rather than solely at the conclusion.
Canadian Cast and Brands Take Center Stage
Joining Mandel, 70, are model and former Miss Universe Canada winner Ashley Callingbull, 26, and Toronto Blue Jays lead announcer Ben Shulman, 24. A distinctive feature of the Canadian edition involves showcasing exclusively Canadian brands for additional prizes and vacation packages. Mandel humorously admitted, "I usually take jobs to make money, not spend money, and this is a spending spree."
He shared an anecdote about purchasing an Escape 13 Trailer from a Chilliwack company during filming, illustrating the appeal of featured products. The production company Freemantle has reviewed the new format, noting how innovative games, prizes, and presentation have revitalized the original concept.
Mandel, who also returns as a judge for the 20th anniversary season of America's Got Talent this year, described the show as "a prime-time, exciting show more like Deal Or No Deal than a softer, daytime show." His commitment to enhancing viewer and participant experience underscores the program's fresh approach to a timeless entertainment franchise.
