It's been posted elsewhere, and the e-mails have started to come in. I assume it's just a matter of moments before someone posts it here, so I'd like to be the one to preface it by saying THANK YOU for you support.

Rich Fields was named the new announcer for "Price" today. While we have several mutual friends, Rich and I have never met. But he's obviously an experienced broadcaster who has paid his fair share of dues on the way up. I wish him every success as he takes his place at the hallowed podium.

From the 50 episodes I worked since May of 2003 I had the chance to live a little of my childhood dream. I enjoyed the thrill of performing to the most enthusiastic audiences in all of television, work with some truly gifted staff and crew members, hang with the world's greatest MC, and I have added some very wonderful people to my address book as new pals. Besides the joy, I learned and grew from the challenge and experience. Additionally, I feel a little bit closer to and have newfound respect for two old friends, Johnny and Rod.

I continue to work with another group of good people on Jonathan Goodson's "Big Spin" and hope to be back in your living room again soon. Without a few valleys the hills don't seem quite as high.

Nothing is more important to me right now than to tell everyone who has been supportive of my efforts towards landing the full-time position how much I appreciate the time they took to post, e-mail, IM, call, slap my ass, and generally spread positive vibes into the cosmos. You have warmed my heart with some very kind words, thoughts and emotions. They will continue to glow for a long time to come. Thank you.


Randy
tvrandywest.com

Darn it!!! Really disappointed to hear this Randy. NOBODY deserved this gig more than you.

ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com

I feel like I want to shed a tear or something. But say Randy, you had my vote of confidence as well. Of course, it was a joy and a pleasure hearing you announce Price during your times.

Now if I could fly to California and hear you on the BIG SPIN on KCAL from New Jersey!!! lol

I agree with ITSBRY - you were obviously the best, most experienced, and most deserving person in the world to get the job. I'm really sorry that you were not selected.

But I think we all should really be tanking YOU - you gave us the best episdoes of TPiR produced in a long time. You brought back something into the show that hadn't been there in a long while - good chemistry, and despite all the rotating and additional changes to the show - a sense of family.

Thank you very much, Randy!

Well, I'm sorry you didn't get the job, Randy. But I'm happy for Rich - best of luck to him!

Are you still doing the road show, Randy?

Randy: Thank YOU for your work on the show. The shows you worked on were some of the best I can remember. You recaptured the fun and classy charm that has kept the show on the air for 30+ years, and in my opinion, you were the only one out of the auditioners to do that. I know I speak for many of us when I say that you are, unquestionably, the best.

Well Randy, I'll really miss hearing you on TPiR, but maybe you'll get another announcing gig in the near future, be sure to keep us posted.

Thanks,
Nick

Randy,

None of us can be as disappointed as you might be right now, and very likely no one could have given us the news in such a classy post.

Best wishes on your next project, whatever it may be.

Not to mention we want to thank you for hanging out with us. There are just a handful of true game show professionals in the family, compared to a lopsided ratio of fans - myself included. You add knowledge, whimsy, experience and insight to our threads, and we hope we'll stay deserving of your company. And before I can sound any more obsequious, I'd better bail....
we love ya, kid.

I was very disappointed to hear of their selection, Randy. FWIW, and that is not a lot, I thought you were the best candidate.

I wish you lots of success with your future projects. I have no doubt that we will see, or hear you again very soon.

Tim :-)

Well, damn. I don't often watch TPiR, but I did watch when you were on, Randy, and I'm sad that you didn't get the chair full time.

Still, I know you'll land on your feet and you'll be announcing away on the telly till you're old and gray.

(It's funny, I was watching an episode once not too long ago and caught just the middle. As I listened, I said to myself "Hey, this guy is good!" Then Bob asked for Randy to call down the next contestant. I felt so dumb! Of course it was you! Hehe)

Congratulations to Rich for the pernanent gig.

Randy, thanks for all you did on that show. I will miss that magical electric voice. May you'll have fun in future endeavors whatever they are. : - , (.

Well, Randy, needless to say, you were pretty darn great.

Art Sanders was actually my most favorite out of the new people, with Rich having the second place spot. So, congratulations to Rich.

Aw, we wanted Randy, Fremangle, we wanted Randy. As usual, Fremangle doesn't learn. I wish Rich the best, however. If Fremangle's smart, Randy could still get guest announcer gigs if Rich misses any tapings, or they could put him on whatever game show is next on their docket.

Put it this way. We all win.

Daniel Rosen wasn't chosen.

Randy -

I also want to add my two cents... you did a great job in the rotating chair of announcers and I'm sad that you didn't get the permanent gig. It was my first time hearing your work (as we don't get Lifetime, Big Spin affiliates etc. up here in most parts of Canada) and I think you do a great job.

I'd like to also emphasize what "The Ol' Guy" said... I am quite thrilled when I post and someone like yourself "in the biz" responds. Please do keep posting!

I shall bring you a bottle of Newfoundland Screech as a thank you the next time I'm in la-la-land.

Cheers,

Ryan :)

Mr. West, I agree with pretty much everyone else that has posted. I was pulling for you, and am saddened that you didn't get the job. Hearing your announcing work on The Price is Right brought back memories of Johnny and Rod, you're every bit as good as they were in their prime. That being said, I wish Rich the best of luck, and Randy, I'm confident that with your skills, you'll always be able to find a great game show that needs a great voice.

I'm sure every one of us here has been through rejection like this, and I hope everyone's kind words make it easier for you Randy, and I look forward to hearing you again somewhere, soon, and that your wit continues to grace these boards.

And congratulations to Rich. Based on what I've heard of him so far, I know he'll be teriffic.

Randy, I'm truly sorry that you didn't get the gig. Rich was good, but you definitely had the perfect fit as a TPiR announcer. I wish you the best, as someone will have the good sense to tap you as an announcer, and when I get my project "Countdown" off the ground, I definitely know who to turn to. ;-)

BTW, Randy did you ever rub Matt O.'s head for good luck? :-) (heads to The Chamber Chamber)

Hey Randy,

I know everyone's posted the same thoughts, but I must add.

Since I've known you, I have not known anyone as kind, friendly and charming as you in the biz, I'm so sorry you didn't get the gig, but like you said, you lived a dream.

Randy, you gave it your best. Think of how far you've come since Trivial Pursuit and Wild Animal Games! You're a talented guy!


Congrats to Rich, and Randy good luck in EVERYTHING you do!
Adam

Tough luck, Randy; but as you said, at least you got to live your dream for a little while, which is more than most of us frustrated Barker wannabees can say.

Who knows? Perhaps Rich will move on to another gig in a few years, and you'll get another shot at it. You still have a few good "Come on down"s in you.

Congratulations to Rich. He certainly seems among the most deserving of the alternative candidates, and I'm sure he'll do a fine job.

Consider this ... Randy, you got to do what few people ever get the chance to do. How many of us will quarterback the Packers like Bart Starr, hit home runs for the Giants like Barry Bonds, give a speech like Ronald Reagan, sing the same operas as Pavarotti ... well you get the picture. How many of us ever get to do the exact same thing the people we grew up idolizing did? Damn few, and you did it, quite well. The fact that it won't be permanent, by contrast, should be seen as minor. You're to be congratulated; you set a goal and did it.

Y'all shouldn't be guessing if Freemantle Media (or Dismantle the Media, like the FCC) purposely chose someone other than the most popular among all the announcers that had their chance for the announcing position. Maybe Rich Fields was meant to be the newest addition to the announcer chair? We'll hear and hopefully view him prove that in the upcoming months of Year 32.

Sorry, Randy, you were in my top tier for the gig (along with Art and the eventual winner plus, of course, my dark horse favorite Bob Hilton) but there are other great VO jobs to come and you'll be terrific then.
And at least Burton (who's good on Family Feud and Daniel {who I'm sure is killer with the Vegas show} weren't chosen.
And congratulations to Rich.

Has anyone noticed that in recent shows, Rich Fields has considerably toned it down in his performance? It's like he already knew at this point that he was going to be the new announcer.............

As for Randy, it's a shame he didn't get the gig, but life (and more work)will go on for our favorite announcer. I'm of the opinion that since Bob wants to be the only noticable star of the show, and Rod and Johnny became stars in their own right, Randy's strong annoucing personality wouldn't fit in his system. Ergo, Rich Fields, come on down!

Tyshaun

Starting to sound like a broken record in here, but I too will echo the sentiments of the others.

Instead of being angry at Fremangle, we should just remember the words of John Lennon ("Instant karma's gonna get you" for the younger posters).

I'm getting a serious case of deja vu here.

I remember when Johnny passed away and Rod was named the permanent announcer, it was EXACTLY like this. I remember things like "The guy from PYL is replacing Johnny?" "He could be good, but I would've picked Bob Hilton," and "Rod Roddy? I don't know about that." Swap some of the names and you've got what's happening now.

Obviously we were all pulling for Randy, and many of us share his disappointment today. But things go on, just like they did in 1985. We can be disappointed, but there's a point where disappointment becomes bitterness toward the show and I don't think we want that. I think the best course of action would be to console Randy [but he will be back, that's a given] and give Rich all the support we can. Goodness knows he's gonna need it during this period while he settles in.

And let me congratulate Rich on accomplishing his dream of announcing on TPiR.

First, to Rich, I know the whole group wishes you the very best of luck. Everyone knows that these are big shoes you now get the honor to fill.

And to Randy, dammit you gave it your very best, and it was a pleasure to hear you behind the mike. I look forward to hearing you in future shows.

Randy,

I am very, very, sorry that you did not get the gig for TPIR. My sincere Apologies. I was hoping that you would get the gig! you got my vote! and you did a very good job!


I liked you, and admired you since you announced Trivial Pursuit and I was in Elementary School. You are a very good and talented announcer Randy, and I really like you.

Maybe pretty soon you might get another announcing Job, Heck who knows? I have been thinking that you just might get to take Johnny or Charlie O's place on J! or WOF, I wish you the best of luck Randy, and may god bless you.

Sincerely,

Jamey Greek

TPIR would have been a wonderful gig for Randy, and getting it meant a lot to him, but it is a testament to his talent and versatility as a performer that he had a thriving career before TPIR knocked on his door and he will continue to have a thriving career afterwards. The producers of TPIR may not have felt he was "right" for the part for whatever reason, but there will be plenty of other gigs where he IS "right" for the part, I guarantee it. No one I know loves his line of work or the business more than Randy, and he is fortunate to be able to make his living in it. With the game show "drought" that began in the early '90s there are many, many people who have not been fortunate enough to stay in the business.

Show business comes with more than its share of disappointments, letdowns and dashed hopes and dreams. It is part of the territory and everyone -- EVERYONE -- encounters it sooner or later. Those who are destined to survive in the business learn to deal with it and move on.

Randy,

I'm sorry you didn't get the job, but with your talent getting a great job should not be a problem!!

Ben

Ya know, with the TPIR announcing gig behind him, I was thinking:

Since there is supposed to be a "surprise" host for the TPIR Live! gig coming up, could there be a possibility that Randy himself is going to be hosting? Even though he hasn't hosted a show that made it to air, he has done a pilot or two........Just a thought......

Randy, my response amounts in this case to a glorified "what they said". :-) I'm sorry you didn't get the gig, but I enjoyed your work greatly, and I don't doubt you've got plenty more GS gigs in store.

And to Rich, congrats...your experience on Flamingo Fortune really paid off, and I look forward to hearing your voice behind the PiR mike on a regular basis.

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")

rich, i am glad you are the announcer on tpir on regular basis; i am looking forward to your announcing on tpir every day

To paraphrase Keith Olbermann, I cannot add anything more that is either relevant or true. This is one of those PJTP moments, but I couldn't let this go by without saying SOMETHING (but all of the good lines have pretty much been taken).

Kudos to Randy for the class you have shown in making the initial post. Well said by you, and best of luck to Rich.

Doug

I get turned down by West Virginia Media for a new "High Q," and Randy gets turned down by Freemantle. It's a West Virginia conspiracy thing eh Randy!?!?
Ernie

What they said.

Anyway, Randy announced 50 more "TPIR" shows than I ever will. You're a very lucky man and congratulations for doing your best.

Now go bug Gurin about an announcer's gig on the "Real People" revival.

CBS Issued a Press Release for Mr. Fields today. I must say that some of this release is "interesting" - Apparently most people feel the release was as flawed as the decision: