Attending a show? Here's what to expect.

[Eddie]

Hello TPIR fans,
I went to see My first show at 30 in 2008.  I went again on August 21 of this year.  Now that My second trip is over, I'd like to share My experience with You.  I'm aware that many posters here were fortunate to "come on down" but I haven't enjoyed that privilege.  I'm already planning to go back sometime next year but in the meantime I want to share My experience with everyone at GR.net.  I think I know what the contestant coordinators look for so if you really want to "come one down" read on.  Before I go on, please correct me if I'm wrong at any stage in the post. 

*Make sure You have tickets
You are more likely to get in if You have tickets to the show.  If You get them early Your ticket will say "PRIORITY" and that will guarantee You'll be the first group to get into the waiting area.  Please note that tickets are free so if anyone tries to sell You tickets it's a scam.

*Get there on time
The ticket will tell You the time which You're supposed to arrive.  I got tickets for a morning show, and for that You would have to arrive by 9AM.  It's also worth noting that from the time You enter the waiting area until the end of the Showcase round.  You'll be spending 5-6 hours so make sure You get plenty of sleep the night before. 

*Have lots of patience
The wait time is 3-4 hours.  When You enter the waiting area You will fill out Your name and address.  At this point You only need a state-issued ID card (Your SSN will only be needed if You're lucky enough to "Come on down" and win a prize).  After everything checks out You'll be given a chance to take some chroma-key picture which You can purchase will You're waiting for the contestant coordinators to interview You.  Keep in mind that at this stage they are getting to know who You are and the selection process really begin when everyone enter the studio.  I'll discuss that in a moment.

*Preparing for the show.
Once You finish Your chat with the contestant coordinators, You'll be seated for about an hour.  You'll watch a random show and have a chance to by snacks and lunch.  These can be very expensive so I recommend You bring Your own food.  Although CBS doesn't allow cell phones in the studio You can bring then to the waiting area and check them at the door once You enter the studio and retrieve them at the end after the Showcase round.  As the time to enter the studio draws near.  George Grey (the guy that call the people to come on down and describe the prizes) will give You a little pep talk on how to conduct Yourself should You be chosen and then make it up on stage.  Once that's over, You'll be minutes away from entering.

*Get ready to dance and play along
Once inside ushers will ask how many people are on Your party and will direct You to the seats.  You'll notice it's a bit cooler but I was comfortable when I entered given it was a hot summer day.  This isn't the time to sit down because this is where the contestant coordinators choose the first four contestants.  They'll be playing dance music and this is Your chance to earn a seat in contestant's row.  You'll notice someone on the stage jotting down information and they're looking for people that are in a good mood enough to play.  If You're picked the contestant coordinator will reveal Your name on a bid oak tag card as George Gray announces it.  Congratulations!  If You don't get chosen as on of the first four, don't worry.  Throughout the show they will look for people actively cheering on the contestant playing.  Be sure to play along and make suggestions -- especially during the items up for bids.  Between each pricing game Drew will interview random audience members and the contestant coordinator will determine the next contestant to be picked depending on how they conduct themselves.

If You weren't lucky enough to make it on stage You'll have one last chance to win and this is where they use a lottery.  They will draw a number and if Yours is chosen, You win $100.  The three contestants who didn't make it up on stage get $300 (and no there's no "First Four Breakfast Club".  That's apparently a joke  ).  If You are chosen You won't be eligible for 10 years.  For the rest of the audience, don't despair if You didn't get picked.  You can try as many times as You like.  While I can't give details on exactly what was won and which games were played, I can tell You I was very happy for the Showcase winner after seeing Her lose the pricing game She played.   

The show I attended will air on October 17. 

As a bonus here are two stories -- one a car winner and another that didn't get picked.
*http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/06/20/Price-Is-Right-winner-shows-it-s-the-real-deal.html
*http://aurorasblog.com/2013/03/25/my-day-as-a-price-is-right-contestant-part-2

[lejusteprix]

Small correction - Aurora is a good friend of mine, and trust me, she won a car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLm80aEUCJY

[Eddie]

Another contestant shares his story:

I encourage posters who got to "come on down" to share what they said to the contestant coordinators waiting on line and what they did as we can all learn from them.  It will help those who really want to play and win at get a chance to bid on at least one prize.  It's common knowledge on this forum that contestants are not picked by lottery as most people think.  I did say the choices are made during the show.  If anyone has a connection to the contestant coordinators they can post here, too.

[Eddie]

In the latest Youtube video link I posted, contestant Ernesto shows the oak tag poster used to show the audience who is picked.

[SteveGavazzi]

I did say the choices are made during the show.  If anyone has a connection to the contestant coordinators they can post here, too.

Exactly why would anyone do that?

oak tag poster

What the hell is an oak tag poster?

(And don't say, "The thing in the picture."  The thing in the picture is a cue card.)

[Eddie]

I didn't imply that I was going to disclose the results of the show.  The "choices" were the contestants who were picked in between pricing games and the next item up for bids.  When I was there a few weeks ago there was a lady jotting down information as we entered the studio.  I assumed She was choosing the first four as we danced to some music.  Simple miscommunication. 

FYI, TPIR's address on Google Maps is 124 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles CA.  That's where You get in line.

[SteveGavazzi]

That isn't even what I asked you about.  I reiterate:  Why would anyone connected to the contestant selection process post about the contestant selection process?

[The Big Wheel]

I've never attended a taping so this question is coming from pure speculation. But looking at older episodes of the audience section of the studio versus even the season premiere today, it really does appear that there is a lot less seating area than it used to be. Could it just be an illusion between shots of the pedestal cameras versus the jib?

[GobGlom]

For starters, they aren't using the back-of-house camera deck for seating any longer. They also pull 2-3 rows for a platform for George Gray.
The back house-left corner was modified to move the house audio to the corner and that may have adjusted a few rows as well.

[mrbrown2195]

I've never attended a taping so this question is coming from pure speculation. But looking at older episodes of the audience section of the studio versus even the season premiere today, it really does appear that there is a lot less seating area than it used to be. Could it just be an illusion between shots of the pedestal cameras versus the jib?

That's because there is less seating - about 8 or so years ago now the show settled a lawsuit regarding the studio's ADA compliance. They removed about 20 seats, if I recall correctly, as part of that process.

edit: here's a link to the settlement. It was in 2011.

[BillyGr]

What the hell is an oak tag poster?

(And don't say, "The thing in the picture."  The thing in the picture is a cue card.)

I remember using oak tag in school - the dictionary definition is a flexible material similar to thick paper.  Not being sure just what the cue cards are made from, it could be that type of material (similar to what others might call poster board)?

[Eddie]

Here is a link to a ticket Link removed. Don't post the link to your ticket, someone might take and try to use it, causing problems for everyone.  

That isn't even what I asked you about.  I reiterate:  Why would anyone connected to the contestant selection process post about the contestant selection process?

To let us in on what they look for in choosing contestants?  Don't know.
I doubt they would post anything confidential.  But I have to be clear: I asked for people who were picked or people who attending with someone who got picked to share with us what they were asked and what they said so we can have a better idea of how to present ourselves the next time we go.  Actually there was a New York Post article giving some insight on how the coordinators do their job: https://nypost.com/2013/05/03/meet-the-man-who-picks-price-is-right-contestants.  According to an article and shard.com -- https://www.shared.com/10-huge-mistakes-everyone-makes-on-the-price-is-right -- the coordinator gives readers exactly what he is looking for: energy, sincerity and potential humor.  I hope this clears things up.

[Eddie]

Just to drive things home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNHKy28mp3A
My advice, think of attending like you're going to interview for a one-day job.  Your job is to appraise merchandise and if You do it right they'll let You keep the merchandise.  I hope this video helps those planning to attend and hoping for a chance to reach contestant's row.  This is what the thread is all about.

[Off_trak]

I did say the choices are made during the show.  If anyone has a connection to the contestant coordinators they can post here, too.

As I recall from the Behind the Scenes video, which I think has been since removed from YouTube, the 9 contestants and a few spares are locked in before the show starts. If they decide one of the 9 isn't what they are looking for, they'll swap them out. They don't continue the selection process while the show is being taped.

[garffreak]

The producers know who will be picked and who is a backup before you remove you number from your nametag.  The only way they can identify you is by the number--once that is removed they only know your first name. 

And usually the decisions are made prior to contestants entering the studio.  They are watching people in the audience (again) to look at the number--this lets them know where their contestants are sitting so the camera crew knows where to be pointing one of the cameras when that person is called. When I was there in person, I always knew I was *not* being picked as there was never a camera pointed in my direction coming out of commercial--but there was one pointed towards the lucky person that jumped up.