Wayne Brady Uncovers Surprising Secrets About Let’s Make a Deal Contestants

Wayne Brady is shedding light on the realities of game show hosting, including how some Let’s Make a Deal contestants would show up before taping.

“In the early days of the show, for some reason, we had a lot of that,” Brady, 52, told People, claiming that many contestants arrived high or drunk for the tapings.

“But not much of that has happened recently,” he added while attending CBS Fest 2025 in Los Angeles, noting that intoxicated or high contestants are now quite rare.

“I’d like to think our audiences show up ready to play because they understand the type of show they’re participating in,” he explained further. “They know it’s an improvisational show. They know I might ask them to sing or interact with them. So I believe people come sober because they don’t want to embarrass themselves.”

While it may come as a surprise to some, Brady is not the only game show host who has encountered contestants under the influence during tapings.

In June 2024, Drew Carey shared that many The Price is Right contestants would also show up drunk or high.

“Oh, that happens here all the time,” Carey, 66, told TV Insider at the time. “They’ll have a gummy or I’ll smell alcohol on their breath. It’s not unusual.”

The beloved host recalled an instance when one contestant was reportedly “tripping on mushrooms” upon arrival.

“He came with a bunch of friends. He was a comedy sketch guy. Later, when I went to [United Citizens Brigade] to hang out, they mentioned, ‘Did you see that guy who claimed to be a skateboarding rabbi?’” Carey reminisced. “When I asked him what he did for a living, he said, ‘I’m a skateboarding rabbi.’ He didn’t think he would be picked, and he ended up totally tripping.”

Carey also shared his belief that contestants often arrive nervous, and may indulge in substances to ease their anxiety—a choice he finds understandable and does not judge.

“They’re everyday people living normal lives,” he continued. “This represents average America. There are no CEOs or ultra-rich executives. It’s middle class, working class. Every religion is represented. Regular people are often more intriguing than celebrities.”