A recent episode of The Price Is Right has sparked intense debate among fans after host Drew Carey was accused by a viewer of unfairly influencing a contestant’s decisions during a game. The incident occurred during a segment of “Line ‘Em Up,” a game where the contestant must correctly arrange three numbers in two attempts to win a prize—in this case, a brand-new car.

During the contestant’s first try, she got all three numbers incorrect. On her second attempt, things took a dramatic turn that would lead to the current controversy.

According to one viewer, Drew Carey may have overstepped his role as host. The contestant changed two of the three numbers but left one unchanged. At that point, the audience began chanting “Zero! Zero!”—suggesting the correct replacement. Carey then repeated the audience’s chant to the contestant, saying, “They want you to make this a zero.” When she hesitated, she asked if she should follow the crowd. Carey replied, “That’s what they’re chanting. You can do whatever you want.”

The contestant took the suggestion, switched the number to zero, and ultimately won the car.

However, not everyone saw this as a celebratory moment. One vocal fan accused Carey of giving away the answer, saying he “basically gave her two of the three numbers.” The viewer argued that his actions influenced the outcome of the game and may have undermined its fairness.

“It’s not right,” the viewer posted online. “She didn’t understand the audience, and Drew basically told her what to do.”

The criticism ignited a wave of responses from fans—many of whom defended Carey. They argued that he wasn’t giving away answers, but rather interacting with the contestant and echoing the energy of the crowd.

“Drew always repeats what the audience says,” one commenter noted. “He didn’t force her to pick zero. She made the final call.”

Longtime viewers of The Price Is Right pointed out that Carey has a history of engaging with contestants in a fun and energetic way, often reacting to their decisions or highlighting audience feedback. For them, this wasn’t a break in format—it was just business as usual.

Others took a more cautious view, stating that while Carey’s actions might not violate any rules, there is a fine line between engaging with contestants and influencing their choices.

“In a game built on chance and strategy,” one fan said, “even a casual comment can shift the outcome.”

Behind the scenes, The Price Is Right operates under strict production standards to maintain fairness and transparency. If Carey’s remarks were viewed as problematic, producers likely would have intervened. The fact that the episode aired unedited suggests his comments were not considered inappropriate by the show’s team.

A former producer of the show, speaking about past incidents, emphasized that the host’s role is to guide, not instruct. “Unless a host explicitly directs a contestant to make a specific choice, it’s not a rule violation,” they explained.

The audience itself has always played a central role in the show’s energy—yelling out guesses, cheering contestants on, and contributing to the interactive experience. This atmosphere, according to many, is part of what makes The Price Is Right so beloved.

For now, fans remain divided. Some call it foul play. Others see it as part of the show’s unique charm.

Regardless of where you stand, one thing is clear: The Price Is Right continues to captivate audiences, even if it occasionally courts controversy.