My Price is Right Experience

Part of being (f)unemployed, I have a lot of time on my hands. In LA, that means I can go to show tapings and spend hours waiting in line to get in. There are tapings all the time for shows like 2 and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Jimmy Kimmel, and more. However, the only one I had any interest in going to was one where I could possibly win a BRAAAND NEWWWW CAAAAR!!

We attempted to get into the 12:15pm taping, but apparently that taping fills up by 8:30am. After being turned away the first time, we decided to try our luck the next day for the 4:30pm show. We arrived about 5 hours early and were among the last 10 people admitted. I didn't realize how dedicated Price is Right fans were, but many people had showed up the night before for even the afternoon taping! I think the earliest I heard was someone camping out starting at 11pm.

We were given a contestant number then continued to stand around and wait until they wrangled everyone together, in numerical order, to fill out a small notecard on why they were there today and what they would do if they won. We then got to take a green screen photo so it looks like we were part of the action. Then we sat around and waited some more, until we were finally briefly interviewed by the producers, the final step in the selection process.

I'm too cheap to pay the $20 for the final photo, so sorry about the watermark. 

There was a bit of a delay because the episode they shot at 12:30 was the Halloween special filled with funny costumes and an entirely different color scheme on the set. They had to change all the set dressings, so we weren't herded in to the studio until 5pm. After hours and hours of waiting, with no phone or any other source of entertainment, we finally got to sit for the taping.

The taping itself was a blast! We weren't called, but it was so much fun to be a part of the audience and yell out our price suggestions. Watching it on TV has nothing on watching it live. During the "commercial breaks" or between setting up the different prizes, Drew Carey stayed on stage and just chatted with the audience. It was similar to stand up comedy, but much more conversational. And before we knew it, the show was done! It was a very fast process once we were done waiting.

I'd definitely recommend it to others, just be sure you're prepared for the long wait. KT and I made a huge mistake by not bringing a book or something to do in those hours before taping started. It's a great touristy thing to do if you're a fan of the show or just want a chance to win something. I'd also recommend you come in a group of 10 or more. They definitely want to pick contestants that have a cheering section at the ready.

My episode aired earlier this week and it was awesome to see it play out on screen. While neither of us were picked, a girl who sat in front of us so we got plenty of screen time from the audience. So surreal to see yourself on TV!

You can order tickets in advance for CBS's tapings of The Price is Right easily online, in person, or over the phone. Good luck to those who decide to attend a taping!