This isn't why the incident is continually brought up (though Drew did a poor job).
It represents the single turning point for prize selection and what has driven such strange items and tacked on upgrades to trips for the last few seasons.
The fear of somebody "ruining" the show has overwhelmed the staff to the point that they can sometimes only muster up two unique prizes for showcases.
So, a Jump the Shark moment, eh?
Let me ask you all something – suppose we have another one of those showcases, the ones with say, a vintage car and a vacation to Timbuktu with all sorts of "tacked on" extras. Then ... gasp, as astronomical the possibility is ... someone happens to bid the exact price on that showcase. Whether by luck or by skill, the price is exactly correct.
What then, brown cow?
Brian