10 Questions for Drew Carey

Why did you decide to host The Price Is Right? —Jason Chastain, MESA, ARIZ.
At first, I said no. I thought, Never take over for a legend because people just treat you badly. It is kind of like marrying a mom with a 15-year-old who keeps saying, "You're not my dad." But CBS casting kept coming after me and made sure I came to Jesus. And then I realized, I would give away prizes all day. That isn't a job. That's a good time.

Will you bring more of an edge to the show? Tell me you will use a cordless microphone! —Ed Schofield, CLARKSTON, MICH.
[Laughs.] I am going to use a cordless microphone, and there is a new coat of paint, but nothing else will change. The games and sets are all the same. I won't be doing a Bob Barker impression. I can't be dirty like I am in my act. I am just going to be myself, and people will accept it or not.

Who would win in a showcase showdown, you or Bob Barker? —Michael Debre, CHICAGO
Bob Barker. He knows the prices of everything. I would have to know what Broyhill furniture costs. [Laughs.] And I have no idea. I am not savvy with prices. The only thing I am aware of [when I shop] is if I can get to the car in one trip.

Will you support your hometown by wearing a Cleveland shirt every day on the show? Please. —Mark Van Steenberg, CLEVELAND
Probably not. I will have to wear a suit--maybe a Cavaliers tie. Hopefully, we can give away a trip to Cleveland in the showcase. Who wants to go to Hawaii and Mexico when you can go to Cleveland?

I know you also do sports photography, covering men's soccer. Will you continue to follow the U.S. men's team? —Doug Harner, LONG ISLAND, N.Y.
I would like to, but it depends on my schedule. I am doing two shows now (The Price Is Right, Power of 10) and stand-up. When I thought I was retired, I wanted to travel around the world and watch soccer games. But sports photography isn't something you just pick up overnight. You can't do it once a year for fun and expect to do a good job. And I take pride in what I do.

You seem busy. Will you continue to perform stand-up comedy? —Dan Bell, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
Absolutely. Especially now that I am on TV, and I can charge more money. [Laughs.] Hopefully during breaks and in the summer, I can do a couple of tours. After all, game shows are not like working in a coal mine.

Do you miss Whose Line Is It Anyway? —Christian Naquin, BATON ROUGE, LA.
Terribly. I would have loved to do that show for the rest of my life. It was fun, great money and easy—everything you want in a job. It should have been on forever, and I don't know why it got canceled. And if different people were making the decisions, it could still be on the air. There is always a chance [it could come back], but it would be pretty expensive to get the rights.

Did your experience in the Marine Corps Reserve help you as an entertainer? —Carson Sparrow, NORTH BATTLEFORD, SASK.
No. I just had to get out on my own. I didn't have a place to live, and I was sleeping on my brother's couch. He bought my underwear and socks. The Marines was a fresh start—that is why they shave your head. I wish they would let you change your name.

Have you ever thought of running for public office? —Phillip Andrews, SANTA FE, N.M.
I won't be running, but I am probably going to accept a trustee position for the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank. I never thought I was a libertarian until I picked up Reason magazine and realized I agree with everything they had printed.

Do you ever need a break from trying to be funny? —Ju Huang, STAMFORD, CONN.
For me, that's like asking, Do you need a break from being happy? God, I hope not. There is no such thing as too much fun. People need to know it is O.K. to tell jokes and be happy.

For more from Drew Carey read the extra questions. Listen to this interview on Time.com's 10 Questions podcast. Find more interviews at time.com/10questions.