Monday at the Price is Right
The short of it is: if you have tickets for the 1:15pm taping of the Price is Right on a Monday, get there before 5:30 or you probably won’t get in (see the table at the bottom of the post).
On to the long of it.
In town visiting Michelle a week and a half ago was her good friend Laura whose greatest desire while in LA was to see Bob Barker at a taping of The Price is Right. Since Laura was just in town for the weekend, going to the studio on Monday was our only option. Unfortunately, Monday is the busiest day there for two reasons: all the out of towners just in LA for the weekend have to go on Monday (they don’t tape on Friday), and there are two tapings on Monday (they don’t tape on Friday). It was going to be a long day.
The previous week, Michelle had gone to the CBS studio to pick up tickets for the 1:15pm taping on February 5th. Apparently there was no line (though there was also no one at the booth for some time), and she, as a ticket picker-uper, was allowed to park in the studio lot for free.
Monday Morning (with deserved capitalization) Greg and I awoke around 4:00am and were picked up by Michelle and Laura at 4:30 here in Pasadena. Without traffic, we made it to the studio, where there was already a sizable line, at about 5:10am. Laura and Greg got us a spot in line while Michelle and I drove around the block to The Grove‘s parking lot (a mall lot that cost us $11 with validation).
We patronized the unenthusiastic coffee/bagel shop across from the studio (location is everything) and waited in line until, at around 6:00am, we were given tickets that held our place in line. I was number 131. At that point we were allowed to leave as long as we returned by 8:00am, so we picked up the car (the lot wasn’t yet taking money that early in the morning, so we decided to move the car while we could and save a few bucks) and drove to a nearby IHOP. We parked back at the grove and went back to the studio to wait for our priority numbers, which we got at about 8:30am. I was number 98; apparently about a third of the people in front of us were there for the later, second taping.
At 9:00am they called us back into formation and started droning on about rules (no disparaging remarks about the prizes, please), taxes (you have to pay them), the line we were sitting in (never leave it or you’re not getting into the taping), and a handful of other things that were repeated ad nauseum. Eventually, we were issued our name tags (Price is Right name tags!) and seating numbers (our fourth non-ticket). I was number 99; it’s unclear why we four were all bumped up a number.
At some point (cell phones and cameras are not allowed on the studio, so I wasn’t able to keep good track of time), they started calling a dozen people from the line up at a time to be “interviewed”. Contestants on the Price is Right are not drawn randomly. They are selected from the crowd ahead of time during this interview process. You only have a few seconds to make your mark, so be creative. We finally got interviewed at around 11:30. We then got herded into… another line! and sat down to play a few hands of UNO with our neighbors.
And then the moment arrived. We finally got into the studio a bit before 1:00pm and got seats. The place was tiny. Watching the show on TV, you get the sense that there are at least a thousand people in the audience and that “coming on down” is at least a 50 yard dash. As it turns out, there’s only about two hundred and fifty people at the taping, and most everyone is within twenty feet of the stage. The display doors (which look massive on TV) are eat-me tiny and the stage itself is about the size of a foosball table. When we first came in, I remarked that Bob Barker must be a midget. Apparently, the TV industry is just plain good at clever photography.
After being prepped by the show’s announcer, the actual taping flew by; everything was extremely fast paced: “Come on down”, bidding, win, play whatever game, cut to commercial, repeat. During “commercial breaks”, Bob would talk to the crowd and take questions. This was just about the only time we actually heard his voice. The staff there get all the audience members to ooh and ahh and scream and shout advice (“higher!”, “$1300”, “the soup!”, “My spleen just exploded”, and so on) with such volume that very little of what’s going on on stage is discernible. I now have a lot of sympathy for the contestants who keep having to ask about the previous people’s bids.
Sadly, none of us was called down. Our dreams (“one dollar, Bob”) were not fulfilled. The guy behind us did get called though, so I bet we were on TV for a second or two (unfortunately, the show aired today and I was too lazy to give anyone advance warning). Despite our lack of luck, I’m glad to have gone. Price is Right, for good or for ill, is truly a piece of Americana, and it was neat to be involved.
Anyway, that’s the boring long of it. For a less mind numbing account, see Greg’s First Post! on the subject.
Below is a table of a person’s final seat number for the 1:15pm taping vs. that person’s arrival time. Somewhere not too far past seat number 150, the people all came from pre-booked large groups which are guaranteed admission (and so don’t have to wait in line).
| Final Seat Number | Arrival Time |
|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00pm |
| 10 | 12:30am |
| 15 | 2:00am |
| 30 | 2:45am |
| 40 | 3:30am |
| 65 | 4:00am |
| 100 | 5:10am |
| 150 | 5:50am |
Just went on May 15th. Thought about getting in line at 4am, but the line was at 152 people by 7pm. When to get there depends on how much of a risk-taker you are. I got in line at 8pm and was number 205 in line. A woman who got there at 5:30 am got in, but by only about 10 people (there were two shows, so over 700 people in line by morning).
THANK YOU to the person who recommended the GuestHOuse Inn and the Beverly Inn. I can’t imagine doing that without a room there. The guest house was gross, but for 89 bucks a night, I had a private bathroom while everyone else was standing in line at that gross bagel shop. We booked 2 nights so we didn’t have to check out the day of the taping and figure out what to do with our stuff.
The other think I wish I had known–1 block up on Fairfax is the best Jewish deli called Canters. It is on the left, open 24 hours and the food is FABULOUS. Get a hot meal at some point if you are staying in line all night.
And take a disposable sleeping bag. I would have paid 50 bucks for one it was freaking cold. I hadn’t planned on going so early so was completely underprepared. A thin plastic drop cloth will also shield you from all the yucky stuff on the street.
Finally, it was “fun” a few days later, but I was almost in tears–cold, tired, then peppy and energetic for the interview and taping, and then didn’t get picked–total let down. If you have the bucks, go for it, but be prepared. I found myself thinking that there was a lot more fun things I could have done with $400 plane tickets, $330 hotel and meals.
TPR Mania is at all-time high. We have 4 tix to 5/21 taping (BOTH shows) and would be willing to share the waiting in line with anyone else. We’re 4 guys coming from Michigan, Boulder, Chicago and Phoenix to meet up for this. Can’t wait!
Amen to that Craig – I’ll be out there waiting in line on Sunday afternoon – hopefully I’ll see you there!
WILL HAVE TICKETS FOR MONDAY, 5/21 PM TAPING
OK folks, we’re about #20 in line at this moment and plan to get tickets to the AM and PM taping. If you’d like to buy our 4 tix to the PM taping, we may be willing to sell them. This means guranteed entry for someone. Hate to do it but if you’ve dreamed of seeing Bob, this is your chance to do so and help us pay for some of this trip. Email me at TPIRtickets@hotmail.com if you’re interested. I’ll be checking email from my Treo. Everyone in line here is really cool.
I have four tickets to the PIR on Wednesday May 23rd…How early do I have to be outside to get in??? They are not stand-by, but the tickets they send out do not guarantee admission. Can anybody give me advice when to arrive at the studio, 6am? earlier?? I read some of these and it says people are waiting the day before or more than that!
thebr1an@hotmail.com
We went to the Wednesday May 16th taping of TPIR. We were planning on arriving in line at ten pm, but decided we would go down a little early. We got there around 9:15-9:30 and both our OAP and Priority numbers were 165, 166, and 167. The first people in line got there around 1:30-2:00 pm. People continued to show up until 6am but I am sure they did not get in. We waited outside until exactly 6am when the page came outside to hand us our OAPs. After that, we were told to return at 7:45. At 8 am at CBS studios, we got our priority numbers. They told us that this did not guarentee us a spot, but it really means if you are before 325, you are getting in. We were able to grab breakfast and were told to be back inside the waiting area at 9:45. You need to bring two forms of ID, your drivers license and preferably, and proof of your social security number. It’s okay if you don’t have your SS card, they just reccomend it. You wait outside on benches until 1:30 or so and then move to another set of benches and wait to be interviewed. You get interviewed in groups of about ten people outside with a producer asking the questions and two women sitting behind him. The interview process was very short. The producer asked what is your name and where are you from and what do you do. No one in our group got picked, so I don’t know if there are more questions for people who are going to get picked. After your interview, you go to the back and wait on another set of benches. And then- you get to go in. Before the show starts, they play music and everyone dances and has a good time. And then the show starts. Everyone said the stage was so small, but you really can’t believe it until you are in there. The taping lasted about an hour and Bob talks to you and it’s just an amazing show. Defintely worth the wait.
Advice on waiting- Bring blankets! It is pretty chilly, especially if you are going to wait twelve hours in the cold. There are chairs you can rent for five dollars, but they are uncomfortable and not good for sleeping. If you plan on sleeping outside, bring a lawn chair that reclines. The gas station across the street opens at midnight and they are not very friendly- at least that was our experience. If you go west on Beverly, there is a diner a few blocks down. There is a Mexican restaurant right next to the gas station. I wouldn’t reccomend eating that. The Whole Foods Market closes at 11 but has a relatively good cup of coffee. The Starbucks opens at 5:30. There are a ton of places to eat in the Grove and they are pretty well priced. We walked down to the Jack in the Box that is south on Fairfax on the east side of the street. The souvenir shop inside of CBS doesn’t have much to offer- don’t be let down. The pages inside are awesome and really fun to be around. Do not be disappointed if you don’t get called. The show is still amazing. If you want any advice on what to do or how to get around in LA, let me know. My e-mail is wnbaksf@aol.com. Hope this helps.
Craig, congrats on being number 20 in line. Do you mind me asking how early you got to the studio in order to get such a good spot?
I love Brian
I
Yeah we got here at 9:30 Sunday AM. 5p Sunday seems to be about the cut-off time for the Monday taping but I hear the other days are not as crazy. We actually are having a great time out here with all the other fans of the show. Playing cards, Yahtzee. It’s been an awesome day. VERY glad we have the lawn chairs and sleeping bags tho. Lets hope one of us gets asked to come on down!
Craig…
A bit of advice for you…… While being interviewed, make sure you show great enthusiasm and a lot of energy but don’t over do it….. When I was there, the people who acted “over the top” or “fake” during the interview were NOT the ones who were called to “come on down” In fact, when I answered my 2 interview questions I did not act any different than I normally would (but I’m always full of energy) except for a little bit more excitement in my voice. I also made sure to answer with more than just one word answers.
Example: When they ask “what do you do for a living”… instead of just telling them your job title, make sure you also give them a brief description of what you do at your job….. with a smile on your face and with a voice that sounds like you’re really having a great time, but not yelling.
Do what you feel is necessary, my advice is not set in stone but I didn’t notice anyone who acted like a circus routine actually get called to contestants row. I acted normal but with a little bit more excitement and energy and I was called to “Come on down”…….
Good luck and have fun.
My daughter and I went to the Thursday taping May 17th and stayed at the Farmers Daughter Motel across from CBS. They have a little meeting there on how to get called to COME ON DOWN! We didnt get called but we didnt go to the meeting either! Yes, it was freezing and we had chairs and blankets. A restaurant came by with free coffee which I didnt drink but used to keep my hands warm! We got in line at 9PM Wed evening and were numbers 99 and 100. The people in line are fantastic and it was a memorable experience–I am so glad we went. However, we didnt get a picture of everyone “sleeping” in line so if anyone has such a picture, please email it to me! HELLO to the five ladies from Winslow AZ in front of us and to the couple from Illinois who were behind us!
My email is jfheadrick@charter.net!
Hi Everyone. Where is the line starting now? Is it still at the gate next to the shack that leads straight into the bench area or is it on the other side of the driveway now? Someone said it moved across the driveway and I want to make sure since we are on our way! Thanks for the update.
I have a question about waiting in line before 6 am. Can you take turns in line? Or have someone in your group wait for you and then join them later? I am disabled and cannot wait in line all night, so I was going to have some in our group wait in line and some wait at the hotel w\me. I don’t want to make anyone in line angry. What did others of you do? Thanks
I am flying to Burbank on May 22, and have purchased tickets from eBay for May 23rd. I’m worried after reading this post that there is a line all the way to Nevada for the show, and the $300 I spent on tickets is going to be for nothing. Can anyone give me insight into the lines right now? Are they curtailed since they should be for people who actually have tickets? Do all of these hundreds of people have tickets? If anyone can shed some light on this, or possibly hold a spot in line for me, you can call me at 614-778-6900 until I get there.
Thank you so much!
For Abby:
Yes you can have other people wait in line for you. A lot of people stand in line and hold places for their parents, grandparents, in-laws, etc. People are even holding places in line in exchange for tickets…see above. People start asking in the evening how many people will join you so they can get a good idea of what number they will get when the Order of Arrival tickets are handed out. So by the time the Order of Arrival tickets are handed out, the people around you already know you have extra people coming. Big no no is people offering to pay $$$ to cut in line. That will turn a sleep deprived, cold, hungry crowd into a mob in a minute:) Hope that helps.
Trina,
Yes, every one of the hundreds of people in line have tickets just like yours. If they didn’t have a ticket they would be waisting their time standing in line. (you must have a ticket to get your order of arrival number at the gate at 6 am)
The TV studio holds 325 people….. but they might give out 2 thousand tickets for each taping…. this is to make sure the studio is full while filming the show. The Price is Right is in the entertainment business… they don’t care if you have to wait in line…. all they care about is full audiences.
Your tickets that you paid $300. dollars for will guarantee you nothing. You will be just like the other 600 people in line. Get there early and be one of the first 325 people in line WITH A TICKET and you should get to be in the audience of TPIR. (with no guarantee of be called to “come on down”)
Have fun and Good luck!!
BTW: all of your questions have already been answered previously in this blog. If you have other questions and don’t want to wait for someone to answer… scroll up and read a few postings…. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
i have 2 online tickets to the show may 24th…each online ticket can take 4 people…i’ve got 2 in my party so that leaves 6 extra…if someone wants to hold me place in line and stand in shifts, you can use my 6 for you and your friends…whatcha think? shoot me an email :)
jfox76@nc.rr.com
Does anyone have any information about people with stand-by tickets getting into the show recently (i.e. in the last week)? I was thrilled to find tickets in my mailbox this evening – but then I realized that they were not real tickets but “stand-by” tickets. My mom and I have already booked our flight to L.A., and we’re willing to wait in line for hours, but it sounds like it may be completely futile. Any recent news or anecdotes of people with stand-by tickets?
Thanks!
e
Erica,
I know there are several tickets listed on Ebay. It may suck to have to pay for the tickets but if you definitely want to see Bob before he retires and have your travel plans made it is worth it! I had stand by tickets as well and decided to buy regulars — I am not taking any chances! I know that the buyer I got tickets from has several dates. Email me if you need more info. Leavinlv00@aol.com
we just drove by the studio…it’s 11:30pm and the first people that are sitting in line have been sitting there since this morning….wow! offer is still up for thursday’s show…if ya wanna stand in line in shifts…please email me!! we’re heading out probably around 4ish tomorrow!!
no backpacks in line either? im planning to wait 20 hours in line, I wanted to pack a backpack with snacks and water etc.
I’m so disppointed!! We sent in for tix MONTHS ago and only got “stand by” for 1:15 taping on Monday June 4th!!! I already have plane tickets from NC booked and hotel reserved but based on all I’ve read, I think I need to fugetaboutit. BUMMER! I can’t imagine waiting in line that long to be told “oh too bad you can’t get in with a standby ticket”. If anyone has a different opinion I’d sure be grateful to hear it, as time is running out for me to make my final decision. But all signs so far point to staying home! WAH!!!!
Hey Jude (#274)
When exactly did you send in your request? When did you get them in the mail? Thanks.
-Bob
i sent my request in about 3 months ago and got them in the mail yesterday. i’m MOST bummed to only get “stand by”.
sorry…i must sound like i’m whining in NC. :-) if i lived closer then i’d be happy to take my chances with stand by tickets, but it’s too far and too much money spent for me to take that kind of chance when it sounds totally futile. and yes i’d love some cheese with my whine thanks very much… :-)
Jude please call TPIR Guest Relations Department at 323-575-2448. Tell them your name and address and let them know you are the Jude from blogwaffe.com. Tell them Bob Barker told you to call. You will then get 4 tickets mailed to you for the June 4th taping. Hope that helps.
Your Friend,
Bob Barker
um…could this be for real??? i’m shaking as i dial the phone…there will either be hysterical laughter on the other end when i talk to guest services or hysterical screaming on my end of the phone! :-) WOW! here goes!!!!
guest relations lady says i’m crazy…oh well, it was worth a try
…and she didn’t even laugh…had no sense of humor at all. :-)
and now the rest of y’all are out there lol because the idiot from nc (me) actually thought it was for real and called guest relations! i’m lol too. seriously, thank goodness for this blog because i was really struggling with what a ‘stand by’ ticket meant and what to do as a result. you all have been a wonderful resource, and even though it won’t work out for me to see our beloved bob before he retires i will know where to look for info if i wanna try in the future for post-bob tapings. :-) muchas gracias for sharing your experiences!! gullable jude in nc
Just got tickets online, is anyone else going May 31st?
Thanks for the blog Sharon.
Anybody care to venture a guess why they would send out so many Stand By tickets and then make tickets available on line?
Hopefully Jude will check back in…
Looks like they went fast, online tickets are no longer available.
OMG Sharon!! I’ve been trying to get tix for may 31st for months. I got a denial letter in the mail last week. I’ve already bought my plane ticket from New Orleans to LA so I’ll be there anyway. do you have any extra tickets, even if it’s just one, that you could spare for that day? I’ll stand in line for you, make you a cool TPIR t-shirt, or perhaps negotiate terms on my first born if need be!! ;)
On TPIR and show case winner in 1979. Being in my Marine uniform helped. Never forget. Anybody know how to get a copy of the show?
Janelle,
I have 3 Stand By tickets for May 31. I can mail them to you if you want them.
I’ll take them! (even though it’s a long shot…) can you email me at sdabney123@verizon.net so we can set up a mailing?
To Jude of NC:
Follow this link asap.
http://www.golden-road.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3234&post_id=48759#forumpost48759
These are etickets (not standy) for May 29th, 30th and 31st though. Hope the dates will work out for you.
They are free.
To Janelle:
Check out the link from 290. Good luck!
dang, my arrangements are not flexible so i’m stuck with monday june 4th or nothing. but thank you for the info meg!!! i will continue to watch and see if any etickets open up or some other miracle occurs. :-)
Does anyone know how to get a copy of the episode that was supposed to air today, May 24th? President Bush’s news conference caused it to not be shown and that was the episode we went to. If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks.
Kelsey
Today’s show that aired May 24th but was pre-empted will be re-run on Memorial Day (May 28).
I was thinking of getting in line early and sleeping in a lawn chair. Does anyone know if there are spiders or something that could get me?
Joe
I think other people have asked but there wasn’t a definite answer… but what are the chances of getting in with a stand-by ticket? Is it pointless to wait with the group in the middle of the night with only stand-by tickets? thanks.
hi james. i’m in the same boat and have been scouring the internet for the same info. it looks like the stand by tickets had a chance before we got into the “bob’s last shows” crunch, where the likelihood of people not showing up who have “real” tickets is much much less than it used to be. so what i’ve read is stories of people getting in with stand by and people saying ‘there was no way at all’, and it all depends on how many people with regular tickets show up. check out this recent post…i’m thinking you and i don’t have a chance with stand by:
http://www.golden-road.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3219&forum=18
thanks to meg for showing me that site too. :-)
Hey Jude. So what are you going to do with your stand-by tickets? I’m still debating on whether to stand out in the middle of the night or not, or maybe show up around 4am. If I have a slim/no chance to get in, why bother right? Help me decide!
What days are you going? I have stand by tickets for May 29 and 30.
hey james. this is all starting to make my stomach hurt!! :-) i have 2 standby tix for june 4th 1:15 taping. i am in nc and my girlfriend who will join me is in ok, and we already have plane tickets and hotel! BUT i just can’t see this as being successful based on what i’ve been reading! that goldenroad forum i gave you the link to is another great resource, and from what those folks are saying in addition to the stuff on this blog, i think we’d be wasting our time and would be VERY disappointed. if they sent limited “real” tickets then what are the chances that those folks won’t show up for the last few tapings?? i’m sure there will of course be *some* that won’t show but they still send out more than the number of seats so i just keep thinking a miracle would have to occur for me to get in with a stand by ticket. i’m bummed. i didn’t think it would be this difficult to get a ticket which of course only gives us the privilege of standing in line all night and hoping we’re inside the 325 limit!! ack!!!! :-) so i wish i could help you feel better about our predicament but i can’t.
right now i’m watching the goldenroad forum to see if anyone posts that they’ve got extras for june 4th, and i’m also watching the cbs site because it looks like they opened up etickets for about 5 minutes last night???? what’s up with that??? there are some tix posted on ebay but i decided i’m not going to pay (even though i did bid on one) for something that should be free. what do you think you’ll do??
I know it is a long shot, but if ANYONE has ANY tickets, even standby, for June 4th, 5th, or 6th…I would be forever greatful. Although I cannot pay money, I would be willing to hold your place in line!