George Gray may sound like the ultimate pro as the voice behind The Price Is Right since 2011, but behind the scenes, the longtime announcer is hiding a not-so-secret annoyance: he constantly messes up contestants’ names—and he’s not exactly losing sleep over it.
In a surprisingly candid interview with TV Insider, Gray confessed he’s notorious for mispronouncing names left and right, from first names to tongue-twisting surnames, often with little attempt to fix it.
“If your name’s Andrea [Ann-dreea], I’ll call you Andrea [Awn-drea]. If it’s Tara [Tare-a], I’ll call you Tara [Tar-a]. If your last name was Wojaho, I’ll call you Smith. It’s a train wreck,” he admitted without hesitation.
Before each taping, Gray even warns the audience he’s likely going to butcher names. “I always say, ‘I just want you to be prepared. I’m going to mess up your name… and I’m sorry.’” But the apology sounds more like a routine disclaimer than genuine remorse.
Even with a giant cue card in front of him showing the contestant’s name in “ginormous letters,” Gray still manages to flub it—and seems more amused than embarrassed. And don’t count on the producers for consistency either. When Gray questions how to pronounce things like “Caribbean,” he says the response is often a shoulder shrug and “It’s your choice.”
While Gray jokes about his name struggles, there’s a sense that he isn’t exactly invested in getting it right—especially when it comes to the everyday people who line up for their 15 seconds of game show fame. Viewers might hear his booming “Come on down!” and assume he’s all-in, but Gray makes it clear that mixing up names isn’t just common—it’s expected.
Behind the curtain, Gray also spilled on how the fast-paced filming schedule has evolved. “Now we typically shoot three episodes a day,” he said, adding that some seasons could wrap in just a few intense weeks if production really pushed it. The show films 195 new episodes a year, and it’s a whirlwind.
And when filming’s done? It’s off to the bar with Drew Carey, the models, and crew, who apparently unwind as “one big family”—even if some of that family just had their names mangled on national television.
Season 53 wraps at the end of June, but Gray will be back for Season 54 with the same booming voice and the same casual attitude toward contestant names. There’ll be a new game and maybe a new splash of color on set—but don’t count on better pronunciation.