My husband (REALLY) surprised me this year on our anniversary with tickets to a Price is Right taping. (This is good! He has been paying attention!)
Has anyone ever been? I have been looking around at various TPIR-related boards/Facebook pages, etc and finding info kind of scarce and somewhat alarming as to when we should actually show up to actually make it into the taping. Our tickets are for the 4PM taping, and it says processing begins at 12:30. People who arrive before 12:30 receive an “order of arrival” pass. From everything I read there are people who show up at 3:30am to get in line so they can get the first order of arrival passes, then go back to their hotels and go back to bed, take a shower and show up and get back in line. I’m sorry but that’s not going to happen. I also understand that depending on the day of the week, time of the year, etc crowds vary. Since we’re going in the middle of the week, not the weekend, should we have less of a problem? We’re also staying at the Farmer’s Daughter motel across the street - one former contestent mentioned he just looked out the window to see when people were lining up, walked over and got his pass, then came back and went back later.
I don’t need any advice on how to win. First I have to GET IN.
I went to a taping in about 1993 or '94. There is a lot of waiting around and processing. The thing is that you have to register and be eligible to be a contestant or you can’t get in. I remember having to show ID and I think Social Security card. Their website lists the eligibility requirements. Once we were registered, they kicked us loose and gave us a time to be back. Then it was a real long wait for the first taping to let out and enter the studio. While we were waiting they corralled some of us for a focus group to view a new pilot and fill out a questionaire about it to kill some time.
When they start letting the audience into the studio, the line moves very slow because first they bring you up in small groups to a couple of the producers who ask your name and where you are from. This is your audition so try to be as animated as you can. Finally we got to our seats, and Rod Roddy came out to warm up the crowd, gave instructions on what to do if your name is called, etc. We didn’t see Bob until the taping started and he walked through the doors.
It was pretty grueling, but it was all very well worth it. Even though no one from my group got called up, it was an absolute freaking blast.
Having watched the show quite a bit, my only advice: Remember that you may be called upon to run wildly down the aisle and jump up and down in glee, on national television. Avoid the mistake made by so many women, and wear a strong and appropriate bra.
I haven’t watched TPiR in eons, as it was one of two things that was ALWAYS on when I was home sick from school. ( The other was I Love Lucy.)
So, I found it again recently and wanted to see how Drew Carey handled the job. I’ve seen it only twice, both times coming in at the Show case bit. I think, from what I’ve seen Drew does a fine job.
My kids were less than thrilled with it, only because they haven’t seen the entire program as I tried to explain the entire concept to them. They should do a Price is Right for Kids. Talk about spaz city.
But, I am envious. I’ve never seen a gameshow live. I think if you make it onto the taping you need to do a secret SDMB sign for all of us to see!
Happy Anniversary!
This was years ago ('95 or so), but Harvey the Heavy, I went to a taping once with somebody who was ineligible because of being on another game show not too long before; they let her in, just made it very clear that she couldn’t play.
I remember being very impressed with the show running pretty much in real time; they didn’t stop tape unless there was a problem. I had a friend who I ended up going to a number of tapings with until he finally got on. I was on TV for about three seconds.
As far as wait times people who’ve done it more recently will know more but I remember the line forming hours ahead and all that.
Went to Price Is Right with friends ages ago.
The day we went, we got there at about 7:30 AM and waited. Then came back for the taping.
On that day, the regular guy who auditions people for the show was out sick, so they had an assistant producer select those from the line who would later be called to play.
I kid you not when I say that EVERY person chosen was a blonde, busty, college aged student. Sort of ticked us off, as it was obvious none in our group stood a chance to be called. Still, kind of fun to watch - Bob Barker was doing it back then, and he sort of rambled on and on during commercial breaks.
This is funny because I guess Drew does the same thing and CBS puts them online as something called “Price Breaks.” Here’s an especially funny one about “Cousin Elmer’s trip to Disney.”
As for the bringing all needed ID and not being on previous shows, etc believe me that’s all covered and thensome on the ticket itself. It is one inch of ticket and then about 15 inches of legal mumbo jumbo and boilerplate and fine print about what to bring, wear, not bring/wear, this that and the other can’t be a worker or family member of someone who works for CBS (DUH) etc etc etc. I guess if you’ve ever even made it to contestant’s row you are ineligible to ever play again, even if you didn’t make it onstage. And then there’s something or other about a death panel and Sarah Palin’s baby. I didn’t read the whole thing…it was really long.
Haven’t been to TPIR specifically, but I live in L.A. and have been to other show tapings. Basically you need to get there early as hell in the morning and be prepared to wait all day long. Bring a novel or three.
BTW, smart gift on your husband’s part since the tickets are free.
Yes, we were in the four o’clock taping, and I think we got there at 8 or 9 am, and just barely got in. It depends on the time of year, and I think we were there the week all the colleges let out for the summer, so it was a madhouse.
Yeah, I’ve heard that during the slow times they’ll let ineligible people in as seat fillers, but if there are huge crowds the eligible people get priority.
Another funny thing I remember is that, of course, they give you the air date of the show you’re in, and when the day came we totally forgot to watch. Never saw the episode we were at. D’oh!
I attended a taping in 1997 during the Bob Barker and Rod Roddy era.
I can’t remember exactly how it works, but seating may have been on a first-come first-served basis. That is, there may be more tickets issued than available seats. Getting there early also means you may get to sit closer to the front, giving you a better chance of being shown on camera.
This rule has been changed within the last couple years. Now, if you made it to Contestants’ Row but didn’t win your way up on stage, you are eligible again after 10 years. This is a boon to anybody who doesn’t get called down until the very last moment, giving them only one chance to win their way up on stage.
Because they overbook to make sure the studio is full, which is absurd. Obviously if people are turning up at 3:30 am and waiting all day to get a seat they’re turning people away left and right and have been for the last 40 years. They should give out an exact amount of tickets and plan to fill in any holes from what must be dozens of people who show up on the day of taping wanting to see the show. Crazy.
And yes I misspoke, you can re-“play” after 10 years. I don’t know why I said “ever.” 10 years is a long time though - it would seem like forever to me.
Lol, I know but he has to take three days off and drive down there and pay for the hotel, etc. And he doesn’t even like the show. It is a sacrifice for him.
