Premiere set for the post-Barker Era

CBS has set an October premiere date for Drew Carey's debut as host of "The Price Is Right."

The network announced on Thursday (Aug. 23) that new episodes of "The Price Is Right" will begin airing on Monday, Oct. 15 as the series kicks off its 36th season and first without Bob Barker.

CBS is quick to emphasize that while the set has been somewhat refreshed "to give it an updated look," it will still be recognizable to generations of "The Price Is Right" fans.

After 35 years, Barker retired from "The Price Is Right" on June 15. The show has been airing Barker Era repeats ever since.

The search for Barker's successor began even before his departure and the various floated names included Todd Newton, Mark Steines, John O'Hurley, George Hamilton, Rosie O'Donnell and even Mario Lopez.

Carey was a late dark-horse in the search, sneaking up to snag the job in late July. He's been filling his time hosting CBS' "Power of 10," which will run through mid-September.