In the world of daytime game shows, “The Price Is Right” remains a powerhouse.
Drew Carey has taken over as host in recent years to keep the legendary show running deep into the new century, and a recent Mother’s Day-themed episode proved the program can still inspire headlines decades after its prime.
Retired Army veteran Vanesa McCaskell set a record on “The Lion’s Share,” a game introduced during the first episode of the 54th season in September 2025. McCaskell walked away with $227,500 in cash and a trip to Morocco worth $12,650.
Her win surpassed the previous single pricing-game record of $210,000, set by former contestant Christen Freeman in 2016 during a game of “Cliff Hangers.”
“From ‘Come on Down’ to playing ‘The Lion’s Share,’ it all felt so surreal – a dream moment that only kept getting bigger,” McCaskell said in a statement via Variety.
“I was nervous, excited and everything at once,” she added. “Winning over $200,000 is life changing. I plan to invest wisely, enjoy a little and treat my mom to a special surprise.”
The game, created by “The Price Is Right’s” production company Freemantle in partnership with BetMGM, allows contestants to win up to $500,000 in cash and prizes. In the game, contestants guess the prices of grocery items to earn up to five balls that are dropped into a wind-tunnel-style chamber to reveal hidden prize amounts. After each reveal, contestants must decide whether to walk away with their winnings or continue playing at the risk of drawing a “lose it all” ball.
McCaskell’s win sparked an emotional reaction: she screamed, jumped, and hugged host Drew Carey after securing the Moroccan vacation. Her daughter was seen happily applauding the win.
Carey praised McCaskell, calling her victory “amazing” and saying, “Vanesa, nice job — that’s almost a quarter mil.” He later added, “Happy retirement.”
