Host Drew Carey was left surprised on a recent episode of The Price Is Right when a contestant’s professional expertise failed to secure him a win in a seemingly tailor-made game.
Contestant Dale, who earned his spot on stage by bidding closest on a laptop, played “Do the Math” for a chance to win trips to both Colorado and Chicago. The game required him to determine if the prices of the two trips, when placed in an equation, should be added or subtracted to equal a target number.
Before making his choice, Dale revealed his unique background. “I’m a retired high school math teacher, so if I get this wrong…” he joked. Carey quipped back, “You’ll never hear the end of it.”
Despite his credentials, Dale chose the incorrect operation and lost the game. “I hope you don’t get too much gruff from your math friends,” Carey teased, adding, “Retired Canadian math teacher couldn’t win on Do the Math… but he got a brand new computer!”
The episode featured other remarkable moments, including contestant Barry’s flawless performance in the “Back to ’75” game. Tasked with pricing vintage items, Barry perfectly guessed a silver candy dish was priced at $19 in 1975. “I was there!” he exclaimed after the exact guess, which an impressed Carey called “amazing.” Barry’s accuracy ultimately won him a trip to Thailand.
Later, contestant Riley left the host in disbelief during the “Any Number” game. Playing for a new sedan, Riley guessed every single digit of the car’s price correctly on his first attempt for a clean sweep. “Oh my goodness,” Carey said before revealing the final, correct number.
The show concluded with the Showcase Showdown between contestants Nickolas and Melissa. Nickolas bid $28,000 on a package including cash, a trip to Las Vegas, and a sedan. Melissa bid $24,000 on her showcase featuring a greenhouse and a trip to the Amalfi Coast. Nickolas emerged victorious after Melissa’s bid exceeded the actual retail price of her prizes. Including $11,000 won earlier on the wheel, Nickolas took home winnings valued at nearly $50,000.