I am now able to confirm to you that I will NOT be returning to The Price is Right for season 39.

I have been given the "OK" from the show's executive producer Mike Richards and Fremantle executive Jen Mullen to inform you as to their plans for my now vacated position.

Mike and Jen have told me that they will be holding on-air auditions to fill the announcer position with... an improv comic. Yep, you heard right.

Mike explained to me that he loves having the "house bands" and "live performers" all the time on TPIR and that he hopes to make it more of a "variety show within a game show". He believes that having a comedian at the announcer's position from now on will enhance this new change in direction.

I wish them the best of luck with season 39 and beyond. I really do. I don't want Drew's new "love" to go sour for any reason. Hosting that show brings Drew (and many other people) a lot of joy.

Let me also cut down on internet speculation by saying that Drew Carey had nothing to do with this "change in direction". Drew has been my biggest champion. He and I will remain friends forever regardless of what happens to The Price is Right.

I want to publicly thank Drew for all of his support for me. Drew is a dear friend, like a brother, and has helped me in more ways than you'll ever know. He is one of the only people here in Hollywood that has never B.S.'d me about anything.

I want to thank Mr. Barker for making my life-long dream come true in the first place. I had a great run. Thank you, Bob. I am thrilled that you like the Grand Patron tequila. Cheers!

I would also like to thank you for being such a "loyal friend and true". I have really appreciated all of your kind words and well wishes thoughout my tenure at TPIR. I will miss "America's favorite family game show". I gave it my heart and soul every day, I hope you know that.

However, bigger and better things are still to come for me. There are projects in the works for me now that I will be able to divulge the details to very soon. In the meantime, I have accepted a position as the staff meteorologist at CBS flagship stations KCBS and KCAL here in Los Angeles. You can watch me world-wide on the internet at: http://cbs2.com/search?searchstring=rich+fields&tabid;=0

Many more details from me later... that I promise.

Rich Fields