This episode wasn't bad, but it definitely could have been better. More festive decorations would have been appreciated. I agree Steve, they blew it out of the water for Halloween but not a landmark moment in the show's history.... Odd? I didn't even realize they had the displays between the doors until after Most Expensive started.
The second half of the lineup was better than the first, but I did like the idea of giving $7,000 instead of $7 in Lucky Seven.
I would have done the lineup this way: Golden/Grand/Most Expensive/Any#/Bonus/Double. I think it would have flowed better. Also, it would have given away a larger prize in Golden Road making most of us happy for wanting bigger, more expensive prizes for the 7,000th show.
I don't like the idea of having a car game 3rd and then 4th. I know it mattered for today, but I hope it doesn't continue.
Steve, I don't think Bonus Game coming around the turntable before the prize is offered is going away. I think Evie kinda blew the shot, by staying in contestants row dancing around. I know it wasn't shown even after Drew came up, but maybe DiPirro just didn't do it for whatever reason.
Those trips for Most Expensive were really high. I thought Africa was the most expensive, but not that high.
I did enjoy the showcases, especially trying to modernize the prizes offered 38 years ago. The classic music cues were a nice treat. I'm glad Stan dusted the cobwebs off them and used them.
I love DiPirro's directing. However, one thing I wish he would bring back would be showing the giant price tag as Drew walks up to it. I also wish he would show Range Game as Drew and the contestant walk up to it like in the past. He does so well reverting back to classic shots, I'm hoping these two might return. Then again, I would like the freeze frame shots of the contestants as they go to break, but that's probably a timing issue. I don't know if DiPirro's in charge of that decision or not.