I've yet to watch this episode (it's on tape, and I'll watch it sometime today).. But I just wanted to offer a few thoughts... And it may turn into a bit of a speech, sorry.
Phil, congratulations on not making it onto the show, but winning! I am certainly looking forward to seeing that.
Somebody give him a star!
Well, as Vin Scully says, that's all she wrote. Season 34 is now in the books. And what a season it's been... Great wins. Heartbreaking losses. Stupid contestants. Hilarious hijinks. A few malfunctions and blunders. And of course hundreds of zany Barkerisms...
And what a special season it's been for me. Just as Staples Center will never again be "Another damned shiny, sterile sporting venue with a corporate name" (as of June 3, 2006, it will forever be for me the Arena Of Dreams, the place where dreams come true, the place where this Madonna not only saw THE Madonna perform live, but for one brief moment crossed paths with her), Season 34 will not be just another number or another season, but THE Season Of Dreams...
It'll forever be the season where The Price Is Right went from being this magical, exciting TV show to a very real experience... Where I was able to watch the magic unfold before my very eyes... Where I sat in the same studio where Johnny, Rod, and Gene once did their thing - and did it so well... Where I not once but TWICE got a reaction out of Rich Fields for "doing the math" and telling him he's much younger than he really is... Where I asked Bob Barker about the price of his freaking pants because my readers haven't stopped "bidding on Bob's pants" since January!
I mean, if June 3 was the night that finally proved to me "Yes, Virginia, there really is a Madonna Ciccone!", November 16, ***5 was the day that proved "Yes, there really IS a Bob Barker!"
What a season, one I'll never forget, one that'll always hold a special place to me. The only things that could've made it more special would've been me stepping up on that stage, and Barker's Beauty for a day Mrs. Ritchie.
I want to offer some things of my own:
Bob, for another great season (as well as a few special memories of my own)
Rich, for the joy you do your job with (as well as your comments when I've made those wisecracks)
The Dob, for keeping us on our toes...
The models, of course, even though I can't keep up with half of you
The staff and "pit crew", for keeping this such a well-oiled machine
Mike/Starcade, for joining me on those three trips to Mecca
Joe, for the amazing recaps
All of you, for all your great replies and insight on what we watch unfold
Here's to another great season in the books, and let's hope we can kick off season 35 with a bang!