Either that, or Rich did the announcing live from a hidden corner backstage, because we saw him do little cameo spots during the second half (like during Range Game when he walked across the set on a cell phone)
If you look really closely, he was wearing a lav mic. I don't see why he'd need a lav mic to just walk across the stage, so I think you may have it!
As for what I thought of the show, I have to say it was a lot different than I thought it was going to be--although I would've changed the whole "Pat" routine. To me, that got old really quick and became borderline annoying with each subsequent calldown after One-Bid 2.
Now for Mimi. Last year's show was a perfect example of how to integrate Mimi into the show the right way. I didn't find Mimi distracting in the least during last year's show. This year, we got "The Mimi Bobeck Show starring The Price is Right". The whole dialog at the beginning of the show and during Showcase #2 detracted from what was supposed to be going on, IMO. To me, it felt like they were more intent on whatever the storyline happened to be at the moment rather than focusing on gameplay. The bit during One Away was semi-appropriate, as it integrated the gameplay with the dialog. If I had to choose between gameplay and a storyline and simple gameplay, though, I'd choose simple gameplay any day. It's less confusing for Joe Plinkos and LFATs alike.
Did I think the show was end-of-the-world terrible? No. A 5-out-of-6 day is always a good day to me. Did I think what they did could have been retooled to be less detracting from the actual gameplay? Yes, with a huge nod to last year, as to say, "this is how you execute an April Fools' Day show properly without getting too distracting."
Let's just say that every special show should be set up like this.
I 1000% agree with you on this. Let's hope they do this for the next themed show they have coming up, which Buzzerblog is now reporting is another bridal shower show. Hope that's not a spoiler.
Tyler
