Being a part of a group affords such conveniences as not having to show up at the crack of dawn to get a guaranteed spot for the day. That's nice. I don't wake up at 4:30am for no one. We met at CBS at 11:45am because they threatened to take our spot away if we weren't there by noon. Good thing, because they didn't even line us up in any official order until about 2pm. An hour and a half later we were finally on our way to the Producers meeting. A quick session involving you and 11 of your closest friends whereby you state your name, where you live, what you do for work and what you do for fun. This is where they make all the decisions, so make sure you have a good answer and fantastic personality. It also helps to have a southern accent or be there for a major birthday/anniversary/etc. I'm just sayin'.
Finally, after claim checking our cell phones and going through a metal detector we make it into the studio. It's obviously smaller than it looks on TV and oddly enough brighter. It kinda reminded me of a children's show or something with the rainbow colored curtains and glittery scenery. We were seated in the back (left hand side when you watch on TV). Things got started shortly thereafter with Rich Fields warming the audience up and stating that every time someone said "Bob Barker" we were to go nuts screaming and yelling. He also gave us tips on how to be good audience members.
Finally it was time to begin the show. On cue, Bob comes out to wild applause and they start naming contestants to "Come on Down!!" They end up having cue cards with the contestants name on them because the decibel level is so loud you can't hear the announcer. The 3rd contestant was Anastacia, a girl in our group. We went ballistic. Holy shit, one of ours was in contestant row!!!
During all the commercial breaks Bob talks candidly to the audience and he is just fabulous, very personable and funny to boot. At one point he started asking where all the groups were from. We had decided earlier that we couldn't admit we were a theatre group as they frown on actors and such so we decided to be a writing group. At one point Bob asked Anastacia about the group and she said we were a writing group that also enjoyed wine tasting. Yeah, she called us out to be lushes on national TV. Actually, I don't think that was caught on tape. I can't remember.
On the 3rd "Item up for Bid" she was the bidder closest to the actual retail price and won her way onstage. Again, we went ballistic. The prize she was able to win: an electric cart. The game: the balance game. With our assistance she won! Wahoo!!! The prize was worth $7695. Next up: Spinning the Wheel. Unfortunately a pimply faced brat from USC spun .90ยข so that was it for her TV debut. We had fun cheering on all the other people, especially the person who ended up winning the Showcase Showdown.
When it was all said and done I had a headache from all the yelling but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. To see Bob Barker in person and to be at The Price is Right was too much fun, even through all the waiting. It's in it's 34th year on TV and Bob is a ripe young age of 82. Go while you can.
The air date for our show is Wednesday April 12th. Check it out for a good laugh!!!
Although I am a life-long "TPIR" fan who has lived in Los Angeles for over 8 years, I've never visited the Bob Barker Studio at Television City. You've offered an excellent recap of your experience that allows me to live vicariously through you.
The main issue that has kept me from going to a taping is my inability to round up a couple dozen of my closest friends. It's hard to commit a whole day to waiting in line; I don't think I could wake up at 4:30 either.
Bob's 82? He doesn't look a day over 78. Seriously though, it doesn't surprise me that he's just as personable and compelling in person. There will never be a greater game show host. Rich Fields doesn't need to tell me to go nuts screaming and yelling when someone says "Bob Barker." I've expressed my adoration publicly; Oprah who?
"TPIR" is America, and America is good.
Posted by: Mitch Glaser | March 29, 2006 at 06:49 PM
http://www.mitchglaser.com/journal/2005/09/oprah-winfrey-vs-bob-barker.html
Posted by: Mitch Glaser | March 29, 2006 at 06:51 PM