Imagine you have been eagerly waiting in the audience to hear Bob Barker say those three magic words, inviting you to play and hopefully to win on The Price Is Right.
You are filled with excitement as
you finally hear it -- the loud booming voice in the sky commanding "[Your name here] come on down! You're
the next contestant on The Price is Right!"
Time is running out to get the opportunity be a part of Bob Barker's famous showdowns.
After 35 years of emceeing the longest-running game show in U.S. television history, Barker announced in late October that he plans to retire from hosting The Price is Right in June of 2007.
With Thanksgiving and winter break quickly approaching, students may still have time to be a part of the "Showcase Showdown" in person.
Sean Arnold, a page for The Price is Right audience-ticket phone line, said from his own experiences things have changed from the week before Barker announced his retirement.
When they received an average of about 10 requests via mail per day and one phone call every 10 to 15 minutes, now demand has skyrocketed.
"Ever since he announced his retirement, we've been swamped," said Arnold.
"The mail is backed up and there's about 100 to 150 letters we haven't gotten to yet, but we're processing requests from 9 to 5 every day."
Katie Caivano (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said she thinks Barker is a symbol for the show.
"I'm really sad because I don't think the show will be the same without him," she said.
Julianne Kriner (freshman-telecommunications) said she loves The Price is Right and has grown up watching the show.
"Bob Barker--there's just something about the guy," she said. "I wanted to cry [when I heard he was retiring]."
Caivano said she thinks The Price is Right is a funny show.
"Everyone gets really into it," she said. "It's very entertaining and fun to guess the prices."
Whether you get an opportunity to "come on down" and play or you sit in the audience and watch as Barker tells contestants "It's a brand new car!" time is running out to make your requests for studio audience tickets.
According to Arnold, the tickets are free and are given out to everyone who asks for them, but that you must be at least 18 years of age.
He said The Price is Right actually shoots its Christmas shows at the beginning of November, but during December is one of their busiest times because people are on vacations.
Arnold also said tickets become available about two months in advance, but the show has already had a few requests for shows in June.
Arnold said in addition to mail and phone requests, the show also processes e-mail requests.
"The best way to go is online," he said. The Web site is www.cbs.com/daytime/ price/tickets.
Arnold also said on the day of the show, tickets would still be available, but more are allotted than studio capacity fits, so it's on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ticket information for studio audiences
The Price Is Right (Los Angeles, CA)
http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/tickets
The Colbert Report (New York, NY)
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/tickets/tickets.jhtml
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (New York, NY)
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_daily_show/tickets/tickets.jhtml
The Jerry Springer Show (Chicago, IL)
http://gochicago.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gochicago&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jerryspringertv.com
Late Night With Conan O'Brien (New York, NY)
http://gonyc.about.com/od/tvtapings/p/conan_obrien.htm
The Oprah Winfrey Show (Chicago, IL)
http://www.oprah.com/tows/program/tows_prog_getticks.jhtml
Saturday Night Live (New York, NY)
http://www.nytix.com/TVShows/NewYork/SNL/tickets.html
Wheel of Fortune (Los Angeles, CA)
http://www.wheeloffortune.com/contestant_laaudiencetickets.php
