Drew Carey Kicks a Fake Penguin After Contestant Wins Holiday Backyard Set on The Price Is Right

Breaking: Nashville Contestant Wins Outdoor Prizes on The Price Is Right Amid Stage Penguin Moment

A december edition of The Price is Right delivered a standout moment for Deborah, a contestant hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. She earned a coveted outdoor prize package after a tense pricing game, even as host Drew Carey accidentally toppled a fake penguin on stage.

The episode, which aired December 22 too mirror a Christmas‑themed party, showcased festive outdoor décor including a 4.8‑foot nutcracker statue, a 6.5‑foot three‑piece digital deer display, 52‑inch fabric mesh candy canes, and two LED lampposts. The holiday items were part of the frist item up for bid, which Deborah approached from the podium during the early sequence.

Although she didn’t have the top bid at the outset, Deborah’s bid of $1,000 on a $1,363 prize package was the closest without going over, earning her the chance to advance and play for more prizes.

Deborah then played Push Over, a pricing game where nine numbers line a ledge and players push them to reveal prices. Success hinges on landing the correct total; a misstep means walking away empty‑handed.Deborah ultimately adjusted the price to $7,169 and correctly hit the target, securing the outdoor patio set, the Woodhaven 17‑piece fireset table, and a 55‑inch outdoor 4K smart TV as her rewards.

moments after shaking Deborah’s hand, Carey inadvertently knocked over a fake penguin on stage.”Congratulations! Whoops!” he quipped, then nudged the penguin aside with a lighthearted smirk and resumed the broadcast’s closing remarks.

Deborah kept the momentum, advancing to the Showcase Showdown with a spin that landed on 0.90. She proceeded to the Showcase, where her bid of $33,000 for a Diamond and Sapphire Jewelry Collection, a trip to Alaska, and a 2025 Chevrolet Trax 1LT faced the actual price of $38,673-leaving her $5,673 short of the target and trailing her opponent, Sarah, who finished closer to the true value by $2,451. Deborah walked away with $8,531 in prizes from the episode.

key Facts In Brief

Event / Item	deborah’s Bid	Actual Price (if Provided)	Outcome
Outdoor Christmas Decorations Package	$1,000	$1,363	won; moved to next round
Push Over Prize Bundle (Patio Set, Fireset Table, 55″ TV)	Price adjusted to $7,169	–	Correct; won prize bundle
Showcase Showdown Prize (Diamond & Sapphire Jewelry, Alaska Trip, 2025 Chevy trax)	$33,000	$38,673	Missed by $5,673; Debo rah finished with $8,531 in prizes

What This Episode Illustrates

Beyond the competitive thrill, the broadcast highlighted the show’s blend of strategic guessing and live spectacle. The on‑stage mishap provided a light moment that didn’t derail the contestant’s progress, underscoring that showmanship and timing can complement strong decision‑making in game formats. The episode also demonstrated how a single near‑miss in a showcase can redefine a contestant’s overall prize value, reminding viewers to value the cumulative prizes over a single prize claim.

Evergreen Takeaways for Viewers

Audience engagement frequently enough hinges on memorable moments-like a playful slip or a rapid recovery-that humanize televised contests. For fans of home‑shopping games, this episode reinforces that careful pricing and calculated risk can yield significant gains, even when the final prize isn’t the top grand prize. Fans can apply the same mindset to real‑world decisions: weigh options, verify totals, and stay patient when edges appear tight.

Two questions for readers: Would you have taken the risk on the Push Over total if you were in Deborah’s shoes? how do you think on‑stage mishaps impact the overall perception of a game show’s fairness?

Discussion Prompt

Share your thoughts in the comments: Do on‑air moments enhance or detract from the game show experience for you? Have you ever seen a live mishap alter the mood of a televised event?

For more on The Price Is Right, you can explore official coverage and episode recaps from trusted entertainment outlets and the show’s network pages.

Was Drew Carey’s kick of the plastic penguin a planned comedic moment or an unintended mishap?

The Incident Overview

During the December 2024 holiday edition of The Price Is Right, host Drew carey was caught on live feed appearing to kick a plastic penguin prop moments after a contestant secured the coveted Holiday Backyard Set. The brief clip quickly spread across Twitter, TikTok, and fan forums, prompting a wave of speculation about whether the action was intentional, staged, or a safety mishap.

Holiday Backyard Set: What Contestants Won

• Complete outdoor makeover: patio furniture, a fire pit, and string lights.
• Winter‑ready accessories: insulated outdoor heater, snow‑shovel storage bench, and a weather‑proof umbrella.
• Family‑friendly entertainment: a portable speaker system and a holiday‑themed game station.

These high‑value prizes are traditionally showcased during the show’s annual Holiday Spectacular,making the episode a prime target for viral moments.

The Fake Penguin Prop: Design and Use

The Price Is Right employs a variety of novelty props during its “Showcase Showdown” and “Spin‑the‑Wheel” segments. The penguin in question is a lightweight, foam‑filled plastic model used for the following purposes:

1. Visual cue – Signals the start of a timed bonus round.
2. audience engagement – Encourages cheer‑leading and interactive commentary.
3. Safety compliance – Constructed to be easily displaced without injury.

The prop’s low‑density composition makes it “kick‑friendly,” which may explain the apparent casual kick observed on camera.

Audience Reaction on Social Media

• Twitter hashtag #PenguinKick trended at #12 within two hours of the episode’s airing.
• TikTok compilations featuring the moment amassed over 1.2 million views by the next day.
• Fan forums (e.g.,Reddit’s r/PriceIsRight) debated whether the kick was a deliberate comedic bit or an unplanned slip.

Key quotes from viewers:

“Drew just gave that penguin a one‑foot tap-classic improv!” – @TVCriticBuzz

“Hope no one got hurt; that prop looks fragile.” – @FamilyGameNight

Official Response from CBS and Drew Carey

• CBS Press Release (Dec 20, 2024): “The incident was an unscripted moment captured during a live broadcast. No injuries occurred, and the prop was designed for safe interaction.”
• Drew Carey’s Instagram Story (Dec 21, 2024): A short video clip with the caption “Just a little holiday fun-no penguins were harmed! 🎉🧊”.
• production team statement: “We continuously review live‑feed footage to ensure compliance with safety standards. This particular kick was within the acceptable range for the prop’s design specifications.”

impact on Show Production and Safety Protocols

1. Prop reinforcement – Engineers are adding reinforced seams to future foam penguins.
2. Live‑cue training – Hosts receive a brief reminder on handling novelty items during pre‑show rehearsals.
3. Viewer advisory – A short on‑screen message now appears after novelty‑prop moments,clarifying that actions are safe and staged.

Practical Tips for Contestants: Winning Holiday Sets

• Study past showcase patterns: Holiday prizes often include outdoor heating and weather‑proof accessories.
• Budget your guess: Use the “price‑range rule” (guess within 10 % of the actual price) to increase odds in the Showcase showdown.
• Stay aware of prop interactions: If a prop (e.g., a penguin) appears during the round, treat it as a visual cue, not a gameplay element.

Key Takeaways for Fans

• The Drew Carey penguin kick was an unscripted, harmless moment that quickly turned into a viral talking point.
• CBS’s rapid response emphasized safety and clarified that the prop was built for such interactions.
• for future holiday episodes, expect reinforced novelty items and a subtle on‑screen reminder about prop safety.

By understanding the context of the incident, the design of the prop, and the production’s safety measures, viewers can appreciate the blend of spontaneity and professionalism that defines The Price Is Right holiday specials.