KCRW's The Spin-Off: Drew Carey and Wayne Brady Talk Game Shows and More

On the latest edition of KCRW's The Spin-Off, it's the audio from a recent Paley Center panel I conducted with "The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey, "Let's Make a Deal" host Wayne Brady, and their producers:

The people behind two of daytime TV's most iconic game shows, The Price Is Right and Let's Make a Deal, share some of their most memorable moments and tell us how they ended up working on the shows in the first place. Both Drew Carey and Wayne Brady say they weren't actually interested in hosting a game show, but now, they say, they've come to love the job. Michael Schneider talks to Carey and Brady, as well as executive producers Mike Richards (who we learn was actually the number-two choice to host The Price is Right after Drew Carey) and Dan Funk. This conversation was recorded as part of the Paley Center for Media's exhibit CBS Daytime #1 for 30 Years.

Listen below!



or watch it here:

Keeping Austin Weird: Four Days in the Texas Capital

I'm still not sure I get why Austin lays claim on being "weird," but perhaps it's simply in comparison to the rest of the state. But visiting Austin for the first time this weekend, I probably only touched the surface of this fine town. After all, I was limited to the downtown area taking part in the annual South by Southwest festival, and that also gave me perhaps a skewed view of the city. My takeaway was indeed weird: Lots of great food, cool venues but a big taxi problem. See? Weird.

But it was a great weekend. I moderated the panel for the world premiere of Showtime's "Penny Dreadful," featuring star Josh Hartnett and director Juan Antonio Bayona, and also moderated a panel organized by the United Nations Foundation for NBC's "Revolution." We also attended a taping of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," featuring guest Jimmy Kimmel, and spent a bit of time with Andy and Jimmy after the show. Seth Meyers was there, and we hung out with him at an NBC party celebrating the show. And I even sat down for coffee with Kevin Bacon, which means I'm now One Degree of Coffee from Kevin Bacon. Some pics:



I'll be doing a separate post on the Long Beach Airport, but I'll tell you now, I'm a fan of the renovated terminal. Great food choices and a pleasant experience all around. I just wish it was closer. Hands down, a better choice than LAX or Burbank -- except in rush hour. Above, my JetBlue plane.



Willie Nelson, the patron saint of Austin!



Walk around certain parts of Austin, and you'll think the entire town smells like BBQ. This town bleeds sauce. And one of the best sandwiches we had there -- actually, one of the best sandwiches OF ALL TIME -- was this brisket beauty from Lambert's. Stay tuned for the Rate-A-Restaurant review.



Seems like a good sign that Lambert's is in the Schneider building.



The bustling Austin Convention Center.



Only in Texas, right? A gun lamp at the Driskill Hotel bar.



BBQ from Stubb's. Those ribs.



Stubb's BBQ buffet



Science Channel party at Stubb's.



My "Penny Dreadful" panel with Hartnett and Bayona. (Pic by Steve Battaglio)



Putting some effort into spinning the "Price is Right" wheel.



Come on down!



On the second spin, I got $1.00! Too bad it was the second spin.



With Li'l Bub at the Animal Planet party.



The Spazmatics perform 80s hits at the Animal Planet party.



Andy Cohen hosts "Watch What Happens Live" in Austin.



Cohen with guest Jimmy Kimmel.



Branding is everywhere at SXSW. But the weirdest brand experience? Cottonelle. What?



The Funny or Die bungalow.



Lunch at the Funny or Die bungalow.



Spotted at the Funny or Die bungalow: "NO Taylor Swift ANYTIME."



Spotted at the Funny or Die bungalow: "No Pitbull FROM HERE TO CORNER."



Jimmy Kimmel's camera crew interviews a native Austonian.



Back at the Funny or Die bungalow, Bill Cosby performs. Really.



The Austin skyline, as seen from Foodtruckville.


Mrs. P's Electric Cock serves chicken.



One last bite of BBQ at the Austin airport.

R.I.P., Merv Griffin

The man who brought you "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" (and who made more money by composing the "Final Jeopardy" song than you'll ever make in a lifetime) has passed away of cancer at the age of 82.

Several years ago, my Variety colleague Joe and I had lunch with Merv, back when he still owned the Beverly Hilton. He talked about his production company, about the ongoing success of "Wheel" and "Jeopardy" in syndication, and of course, his long-running talk show.

Above, here's a black and white clip of Merv filling in for Bill Cullen on the original "The Price is Right."