I didn't hate this. I didn't like it either. It is one episode, but who cares? Of course the next episode isn't going to be like this. Neither is the next season. I've stated on this week's CNAOS podcast that I completely trust the folks in Studio 33. That said, that doesn't mean that I, nor anyone else in this thread, isn't allowed to express the problems with it and that we don't get to have our issues with the episode just because it was only one episode.
The college kids probably came because it was The Price is Right. It's The Price is *freaking* Right. Who wouldn't want to go? That said, I didn't like the idea of someone being sent back to their seat. If only because people called 1st through 8th at least get one more chance to make it on stage. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's first time in the history of the show people who weren't called last didn't get another chance to bid. I didn't like stripping that part of the show out of it. I'm sure some people had no problem with it, but as for myself, I want to try to play a pricing game and, if I'm not called last, I'm taking every shot I get.
The $1,000 was a nice add, but again, it left the air of too much animosity. Perhaps if the show had a chance to show a little more of the camaraderie that Peter talked about, it would've dispelled the idea that everyone was out to get each other. I'm glad to hear that the show told the audience to cheer for each other and make it positive. People like some cutthroat aspects, but I felt at the time that it seemed too much. I mean, I feel that 1-upping (especially during the sixth one bid) is pretty cutthroat as is. Besides, trying to make something more cutthroat might interest viewers for a bit but it certainly doesn't last. I don't hear many people fondly remembering Moment of Truth or Without Prejudice.
While some of you think the Price is Right is boring, I do not. Boring is Wheel of Fortune. Boring is having the same predictable theme weeks season in and season out, never travelling anymore, having ridiculous puzzles with stupid adjectives tacked on and having the minimum amount winnable in the bonus round show up highly frequently (though this most recent fortnight has seen a change in that). The Price is Right doesn't have that problem. They have an array of 75 different (though some can be similar) fun and exciting games that can all play out differently each time they're brought out. They have the chance to present hundreds of different prizes in variety of themes during the showcases. Each show is unique. And I'm not saying that every show is great and exciting. Some of the shows can be standard to me. But in my opinion that is a problem that stems from me watching and observing everyday rather than something wrong with the show itself. My overall point is that The Price is Right, doesn't need this. There were a lot of things Syd tried to push on the show to "fix" what he thought needed to be fixed. But most didn't last because the show creates what makes it special. I think that's something Mike and Company have realized over the years which is the reason I've loved watching the show for the last few seasons and why I trust them fully with it.
All that said, I don't mind them trying new things out and of all the things to try, I again didn't hate it. We've heard thanks to Mike's, now defunct, podcast that the staff really does mull over the theme weeks and specials they do. I'm sure a lot of the thought went into putting this together and I'm sure not everyone agreed on it (maybe even Mike), so I can't poo-poo on it so much. Though my personal preference would be not to try this again, if the show does, I'd look forward to it.
I enjoyed this episode because it was still an episode of The Price is Right. I don't have to love everything about an episode to enjoy it. How do you think I make it through all the Lucky Seven setups this season? :p