Part 2: The Taping!
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All night long, I tossed and turned in excitement, not wanting to miss getting in line early! And by 6 AM PST on April 4th, I was ready to drive 15 minutes north to the studio. Even though I had a priority ticket, I didn't know if the system of people getting in line was any different, so I wanted to get there early just in case. Recalling the first trip in '05, we got in line at 2 AM the morning of, and were Priority Numbers 011 - 013. The second trip in '07, each line experience was different, but it all started with getting in line 11 AM the DAY BEFORE! (2 weeks before Bob's final taping; was a madhouse then with everyone across the nation coming to Television City!) And after each taping, we got right back in line. Had contestant numbers 76, 82, and 10 in that order during those three consecutive tapings.
After scrambling for side street parking, found myself in line at about 6:45 with only a handful of individuals, and began chatting with a few other fans in line. Everyone there, and others arriving over the next hour were dressed to the occasion - Hawaiian shirts, hula skirts, coconut bras, etc. I myself had recently acquired a Royals Hawaiian shirt, so I dawned that and a lei, as well as a summer hat (also Royals related). While in line, chatted with three ladies from Philadelphia in front of me (with priority tickets), and 3 from Sacramento directly behind me (with general tickets; got in no prob later). A little while later, met a group of five ladies were on a birthday trip, and small world, were from the Kansas City area! They saw my shirt, and showed me they all had matching rub-on Royals tats. We would be chatting it up throughout the day, lol.
Around 8:10, representatives from On-Camera Productions came out to check tickets and hand out contestant numbers to anyone who had a priority ticket, then we had our ID's checked by security before proceeding to the first bullpen area. Ironically, I got the same number from my first trip with friends in '05 - #011! After everyone filled the bullpen area, the usual paperwork was handed out for filling, and name tags were written / presented to us. Papers were then turned in to representatives sitting behind a mock pair of Showcase podiums. They asked a few questions, and took a picture of each of us. From there, we had a little bit of freedom for a bathroom break, gift shop browsing, and snacks. Before proceeding to the second bullpen, more OCP reps took pictures of each of us in front of a green screen, which presented the big wheel behind us in the shot. Had to get it! Then went to Bullpen #2. During this time, got to chat with the person directly behind me in line - Rosalinn I believe her name was. She was the resident veteran, having been to at least 80 tapings of Price since she lives nearby! While she has yet to get a call to Come on Down, the staff members know her by name, including Stan!
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Speaking of Stan, here he comes with two assistants for the interviews! He still does a great job with chatting with each person, asking a few questions and making some small talk with each individual. We were part of the first group of interviewees - a group of 26 people believe it or not (compared to 10 when I was there last). When he got to me, I tell you, the excitement was just as strong as it was when I woke up! Told him that I was glad to be back; that 10 years ago I was last out here as a recent college graduate with a friend, and just recently finished 10 years at my engineering job and wanted to celebrate! Flew out here after work the night prior, here to party all morning / early afternoon, then was flying back that night, just to be back at work the next morning. He was very surprised by that and asked I was here by myself, and I said I was and that if I were to get called, maybe I could play 3 Strikes? (pointing to my baseball shirt). He said, "You never know! Best of luck to you!", then moved on to the next person. Chadwitz (bikini shirt of the first 4 contestants called) was a few people after me and impressed Stan with a Price is Right rap he had just come up with the night prior (former rapper), so it was awesome to chat with him and his wife throughout the day!
After our group was done, we went around the corner to security to turn in phones, then were given leis to wear in the studio (I had one already so just grabbed another). From there, we sat in Bullpen #3 while others got interviewed. The excitement was still real, but we wouldn't know any of this until the taping began, lol! A few people brought snacks to share with other fans, and we just had a good time just talking to one another. The concession stand opened for cash only sales, and later, the TV's came on with an episode from I believe Season 44 to play along to (don't remember the tape number). They also showed an intro video from George in regarding to "studio rules". Then after what seemed like forever, we began filing into the Bob Barker Studio when the last of the audience members were interviewed and arrived!
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The stairs; the CBS eye, memories of the first two trips came rushing back to me. And now, here we were in Studio 33: themed to the beach party! Sandcastle in the back center, orange and pink everywhere; surfboards on stage. At the top of the stairs was the sign board with our air date: June 20th, 2017! CBS pages at the entrance asked how many were in our parties, and then seated us in various spots in the audience (unlike filling the center rows first, then the sides). Was bummed I got put all by myself stage right, seat closest to the aisle, while my new Missouri friends got to enjoy the taping from the 1st row next to the contestants! Everyone filed in, summer party music was turned up, and then here came beach balls galore to bump around the audience! So much fun! (big ones you had to pick up and chuck, lol). When Crystal Water's 'Come on Down!' made its appearance, you know its getting close to start time, and around there, George Gray came out in board shorts to do his intro! After a few safety reminders about people coming down the aisles and to cheer as loud as you can at prizes and winners, before you knew it: lights up; applause, and here we go! The first four were called: one being directly behind me a few rows (a group wearing coconut bras over their shirts), Chadwitz, and two others from the opposite side of the studio audience. And here comes Drew through Door #2! The show is on!
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They did do a stop-down after the first pricing game, but picked right back up shortly after a break. During the first break, Drew got to know those still in contestants row after the first game, and then moved around the audience picking random people to chat with. Didn't really have a Q&A moment during any of these stop downs, as he talked to individuals directly and shared a few stories. During one break, they took time to re-shoot the reveal of the first IUFB (the blue backdrop pull-away). Another break, George had to re-record something he read (short and sweet). And during a third, they fixed one of the microphones that got joshed by a beach ball, lol. Those beach balls were flying everywhere and when several started hitting lights, mics, and TV's above the audience, they had to make adjustments, then eventually decreased the number of balls flying around.
Something I noticed a few times during stop downs was Stan kept coming out and scanning the audience with a folder in hand. I tried not to pay attention to him, and just kept focused on what was going on with Drew chatting with others, laughing at antics, and playing the game with the crowd when the cameras were rolling; just like I do from home. I assume he was eyeing potential contestants as he shifted through his papers. Eventually, he would go off stage, and here comes the stagehand with the applause cue card to bring us back into the taping, and to reveal the next name to Come on Down when George began reading the name, thought nobody in the audience could hear him since we were all cheering when the taping resumed.
Kasie, who was there from Boston with her brother and sister celebrating her 30th birthday, I had talked to her too in line and she got a call as contestant #5! And before you know it, contestant #8 - Monisha - was called. She was two rows behind where I sat - another individual attendee like me, sitting on the end of her row and whom I talked to in studio before the taping began! After she got called, I figured the final person would be from somewhere on the opposite side from our seats. Or center aisles near the back since no one had been called from there. Boy was I wrong!
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Cameras on:
Drew: "Hey, uh, one more chance for somebody to come on down, George! Who is it?"
George: "It's going to be Keith Langabee! Come on Down! You're the next contestant on the Price is Right!"
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I didn't hear any of this! My on TV reaction was to seeing my name appear on that final cue card the stagehand was holding! I lept from my seat into the aisle. If you did a screen pause, it looks like I'm trying to pull off some type of Michael Jackson move with that fedora on, haha! Jumped and cheered with each person on my way to the blue spot (Royal blue - irony!). Even cheered with my Missouri friends before taking my spot at contestants row (that was cut in the airing, lol) to bid on a 55" 4K TV with blu ray player and 5 beach themed blu rays. I bid $1,700 after some thought (also cut); Monisha bid $1,895 after me, and Kasie and the final bidder Alexandra (the 7th contestant called) overbid at $2,200 & $2,201 each. ARP - $2,000. Monisha made her way up on stage and played Cover Up for a $17,000 Hyundai, which she ended up winning in the end!
Well, while I will continue to wish I had bid $2,000 (would have been a perfect bid, lol), I was not mad one bit. My name was called! That alone was just awesome enough, considering the odds that only 9 excited fans of a crowd of 300+ get that amazing moment each taping! An item on my "Ultimate Bucket List" marked off at my fifth taping attended! During the break after Cover Up, Drew came down into CR, shook our hands, congratulating us for getting a call, although not getting up on stage. He asked where were from and what we did for a living, which we all said our peace. Seeing my Royals shirt, he gave me some friendly flak since he's from Cleveland and roots the Indians (same MLB division), but he was nice about it! I got to thank him too as his improv has brought me joy for many years, and asked if he would be kind enough to sign my DVD copy of Whose Line is it Anyways? I had brought with me (Season 1; Volume 1), but was still under my original studio seat as I left it there after the big moment! He said, "I'll see what I can do" before returning to the stage to resume the taping. Will reveal if this happened in the final part.
Showcase Showdown #2, then the Showcases and showcase reveal! It all moved rather quickly. I was still in a daze from all that had transpired, but kept right on cheering and trying to help those on stage with the showcase bids. And as the episode came to an end, it sadly ended with a DBL OB between Chadwitz and James. We kept right on cheering up until the point the lights dimmed, and the producers came out one last time to thank everyone for coming, and for us to give one final farewell to Drew, who remained up on stage after the showcase reveal.
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Will share the final part of this story tomorrow. Feel free to comment!
