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 |
Oops–my e-mail is j_boddorf@hotmail.com
I am so sick of anyone complaining about people selling tickets. Or that “they should be free.” Look:
1) You didn’t get on the ball and failed to request the tickets. So it is your own fault for not getting the tickets.
2) If these people didn’t sell their tickets then you would have NO OTHER WAY to get tickets… so you should be happy that some people are selling their tickets. At least you have a way of getting tickets.
3) Now on eBay they are sold as an auction… so the demand is the only thing that is driving up the prices. So the prices are fair for the demand.
4) If it was me and I had “already bought my plan tickets…blah blah blah” then I would go on eBay and buy the tickets without hesitation. You can get tickets for around $100 to $200 a piece. That actually is not a bad deal.
What I would not be doing is going on blogs whining about how I “ordered my tickets months in advance” when I know for a fact most people who say that are lying and didn’t request the tickets until the last minute. And I will puke if I hear anymore sob stories for why people want to see the show…they are just trying to sucker people with extra tickets into giving them tickets.
please, then, puke on your own shoes sue! :-) you need to lighten up a bit gal!
A true TPIR would not sell their tickets and would just give them to someone. I just gave my tickets away when I could have sold them. Tickets are supposed to be free and some people may be struggling but really want to see the show. If you are a true Price is Right fan, you would just give your extra tickets away and not sell them.
I agree – if you really are a True fan of Bob Barker and The Price is Right – you wouldn’t force someone to have to pay to see Bob Barker in person or try to make a profit off of someone who wants to see the show that’s supposed to be free.
And yes, some people do lie about ordering tickets in advance, but remember that supply for tickets have become EXTREMELY limited lately, and if you don’t have tickets you know for sure you’ll have almost no chance of getting in.
When I all of a sudden got two extra tickets to the show this week, I gave them away to someone and ended up meeting them in line at the show. Not only that, the person that sent me tickets for the next day’s shows met me in line and I thanked him for the tickets. If you have extra tickets, while yes you can sell them for decent profit, you’re basically making money off of something that should be free. In fact, I saw someone who got called on down on Monday’s taping and then wanted to turn around and sell the remaining tickets for the week she had for $150 a piece… I wanted to puke. I can’t believe anyone who’s so fortunate enough to be a contestant would try to overcharge someone who doesn’t have a ticket like that.
Jude, I came across this article that gave me a glimmer of hope:
http://www.riverfallsjournal.com/articles/index.cfm?id=82704&forumcomm_check_return&freebie_check&CFID=35775806&CFTOKEN=75829182&jsessionid=8830dc83c968582d4272
The guy got in with a stand-by ticket around 5am this month. I probably won’t stand in line the night before (unless I had a real ticket) but might just see what happens if we go early in the morning.
If I don’t get in, then I’m eating my sorrows away at Pink’s and In-N-Out Burger, I hear those are the places to go in LA.
I agree with Kelsey. It is unfortunate that people use this as an opportunity to make money. People are already spending tons of money just to travel to TPIR, let’s give each other a break on tickets. I have two Standy By Tickets for Wednesday, May 30 if any one wants them. FREE!
Sue (#302)
To begin with, the tickets are really FREE.
Let me just say this, I believe in karma.
I guess I don’t get it… if I have a ticket, do I get there the night before? or at 6am when they tell me to? I am going with some seniors and would hate to have them stay up/out all night. Thank you for any help you may share with me!
(I have an extra ticket for two day and plan on giving it to someone that needs one when we get there-it’s only fair)
You need to get there the night before your taping. If you get there at six, the chances of seeing the show are slim to none. You can also save your spots. We would leave one of us there and go back to our hotel and switch and rotate. To put it in perspective, we went to the May 16th taping and arrived on May 15th at 9:30. We were 165, 166, and 167 and they accept 325. It really is an all night and then all day event. If you have any questions, just post. Have a great time! It is well worth it!
Kels
I requested tickets the first week of April and just received standby tickets today for June 4th @ 4:30. I actually requested tickets for Tuesday, June 5th’s taping as I will be arriving in LA on June 4th. Anyone have 2 extra tickets for June 5th – if so, please e-mail me @ dlace93@verizon.net
(It has been 28 years since I was in California and when we pulled up to see TPIR w/tickets, they were not taping that week because too many people who ran the show were sick….
We went to the taping on May 24th…we got in line at 5:30pm on Wed night…we were 68 & 69… it was a lot of fun….
people on standby actually got in…it was a slow day in the line..but it was fun!
this would include me- this sucks, $ already spent to get me there, now this…. any suggestions? anyone in the same boat? i think this really stincks- but i will pray and have faith, of course now it will be while i am sleeping on a sidewalk!
Due to a computer error, any Price online tickets issued for the 2:30pm taping on May 30, 2007 are STAND BY TICKETS, which will be honored on a first come, first served basis, after the regular ticket holders, starting at 9:00am the day of taping.
Please call 323-575-2458, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm PST, if you have further questions.
Thank you for your interest in The Price Is Right.
The Price Is Right Ticket is complimentary – Not for Sale. Unauthorized sale of this ticket is prohibited by law. L.A.M.C. 42.03.
We welcome you to our studios. By your use of a ticket you give to the producer(s) and all others supplying elements of the program, to CBS Inc., sponsors of the program, and their advertising agencies (“We”) consent to use your name, voice, likeness and such biographical material as you may furnish in connection with the program. We do not assume responsibility for any injury to your person or damage or loss to your property while on the premises. We reserve the right to refuse admission and to revoke a ticket at any time.
Due to production requirements, no one under 18 will be admitted. Smoking, cameras, cellular phones and tape recorders prohibited. Please, no costumes, street clothes only.
just got the email today…..
Due to a computer error, any Price online tickets issued for the 2:30pm taping on May 30, 2007 are STAND BY TICKETS, which will be honored on a first come, first served basis, after the regular ticket holders, starting at 9:00am the day of taping.
Please call 323-575-2458, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm PST, if you have further questions.
Thank you for your interest in The Price Is Right.
The Price Is Right Ticket is complimentary – Not for Sale. Unauthorized sale of this ticket is prohibited by law. L.A.M.C. 42.03.
We welcome you to our studios. By your use of a ticket you give to the producer(s) and all others supplying elements of the program, to CBS Inc., sponsors of the program, and their advertising agencies (“We”) consent to use your name, voice, likeness and such biographical material as you may furnish in connection with the program. We do not assume responsibility for any injury to your person or damage or loss to your property while on the premises. We reserve the right to refuse admission and to revoke a ticket at any time.
Due to production requirements, no one under 18 will be admitted. Smoking, cameras, cellular phones and tape recorders prohibited. Please, no costumes, street clothes only.
Kristi,
Re post 313. Do you, or anyone know if this just effects the May 30 taping or are there other days involved? I called 323-575-2458 and the guy there had no knowledge of this.
Bob
I would have to argue that point with CBS if you already made your travel plans. If THEIR computer causes the mistake, it is an error on their part and they should still honor your tickets. The CBS site says:
http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/tickets/
TICKETS
If your ticket says STAND BY it will be honored on a first come, first served basis, after the regular ticket holders, starting at 9:00am the day of taping. Wristbands and/or priority numbers or stand by numbers will be issued the day of taping to the regular ticket holders and the Stand By Ticket Holders.
I would print that out and take it with you. If your ticket doesn’t say “STAND BY” — they need to honor it — regardless of their computer error.
It’s like when a store places an ad for a sale and their is an error — they still have to honor it. People have flights, hotels booked etc — it’s not right.
I didn’t get an email and as far as I am concerned, Lori is right. The error is on them and not the fans of the show. The show IS first come first serve anyway.
It seems that the only people that got the email are the ones that got the tickets on-line a few days ago when May went all green…what they are now claiming as a computer error. People that received their etickets before that did not get the email, am I right? The question is how are they going to distinguish between the two since etickets are only dated if you printed them when you first got them. Does not seem fair to blanket call all etickets Stand By tickets. What do you think they will do?
Just called CBS, again…they are going to note the Number on your eticket (it’s located under the CBS eye logo and minimum age statement). If it was issued in the May computer glitch, they will have that number noted on a list as a Stand By. Etickets issued before the May computer glitch are still considered regular tickets. At least thats what they said…
Typical for CBS… they pull tickets, they pull shows…. not sure what we can do? … sorry just a little bitter.
Just get there early and argue your point. I am going to call CBS as well. It seems like contests need to be completely fair and regulated. If they list tickets — they need to honor them. No matter what. If their computer printed the wrong date on regular tickets and everyone showed up on that day — they would have to honor them. If CBS gives you a ticket and it does not say standby it doesn’t seem right that they can just decide to treat you like one.
It would be different if somebody made fake tickets or something. These tickets came directly from CBS. I am also PISSED! They better be careful or they will have a bunch of mad people in line!
I’m in the same boat, just got the e-mail regarding the e-tickets for May 30th. I also got tickets for both shows on May 29th and tickets for May 31st, but haven’t received e-mails for those days yet.
I really think that this calls for an additional taping to make up for the error, say adding one on the 30th?? Just a thought to keep a lot of people happy!!! Please don’t smash my dream!
Line Etiquette question: If someone puts a chair in line to be #1 and then goes to the hotel to sleep, to a TPIR taping or goes shopping…should that person be allowed to return hours later and reclaim the #1 spot? Or should the people that show up and wait in line or have people wait for them/with them in line move said chair and claim the #1 spot. Read this happened on another TPIR blog and was wondering how you all felt about that with regards to Line Etiquette. Thoughts?
FYI, e-tickets are available right now for June 4th and 5th……stand by only.
In regard to line etiquette- I don’t think that would be fair. But, if you are a big enough TPIR fan, then I really don’t think you would do that. But who knows, I guess.
Line etiquette- If the person put down a chair and just roamed off, they deserved to get booted, but if the person was there for a considerable amount of time and just had to run to the restroom, or to get food or something, then it would be cool.
Can anyone trade me tickets, or does anyone have any tickets I could use. I have tickets for all the shows next week: both shows on Tuesday, Wed. (standby) and Thursday. I had a change in my work schedule and can’t make it any of the shows next week. We are planing to go to the show on June 4th. I got standby tickets online today, but does anyone have any actual tickets they could trade to me. Let me know ASAP. Thanks!!
Can anyone trade me tickets, or does anyone have any tickets I could use. I have 4 tickets for all the shows next week: both shows on Tuesday, Wed. (standby) and Thursday. I had a change in my work schedule and can’t make it any of the shows next week. We are planing to go to the show on June 4th. I got 4 standby tickets online today, but does anyone have any actual tickets they could trade to me. Let me know ASAP. Thanks!!
Anyone have 2 real tickets to Monday, June 4th or Tuesday, June 5th. I am really desperate – driving from Chicago area with my wife and would make the trip much more enjoyable for me (who does the driving) knowing we actually have tickets and will not be waiting all night in line for nothing. Thanks, a husband of a loyal TPIR fan. DLACE93@VERIZON.NET
What time do you suggest to get there for the taping at 1:15 on tuesday may 29th. Do the producers take into account your Order of Arrival number when selecting contestants. Or as long as you are in the top 325 do you have an equal shot at being selected?
No, they do not take into account your order of arrival number. If they like you, they like you. Just be yourself and hopefully things will go well.
Technically no they don’t necessarily take into account your position in line (b/c your position in line is almost the same as your contestant number)… but in some cases a section of the line may be alot more energetic than another.
Take for example at the May 21st taping I attended, the first 50 people or so were alot more energetic than the rest of the line, and they were screaming and hollering all night long – and it turns out seven or eight of them were called to be a contestant.
Compare this to the May 23rd taping I attended, where the front of the line seemed extremely exhausted after attending multiple tapings in a row – none of us in the first 25-30 people got called.
The one word answer I got after talking to the contestant coordinators when they were giving paperwork to the contesants not appearing on stage is “personality.” You should just be yourself – and show your personality – not scream to the top of your lungs like you would if you heard the words “Bob Barker.” Believe me, they’re sick of hearing it .
As for when you should arrive – I posted a table of time of arrival vs. place in line at http://www.golden-road.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3258&forum=4
Since you’re attending a double tape day – I suggest you pay attention to the table for the May 21st taping and take that as your reference point. Good luck to you!
Hi Voltaire,
Any chance you could make a post for me in the golden-road forum. I tried to register, but never received an e-mail to validate. If you could post what I wrote in 329 that would be great, thanks!!
Anonymous – I’ll inform the tech guy at Golden Road about how you couldn’t get your confirmation e-mail – what was the username and e-mail address you tried to register on the site with?
Username was shar. Thanks.
what is the absolute latest you think I can get there on tuesday may 29th (115 taping) to still be screened
Hi Jude in NC. Are you still going to the show on June 4th? Maybe we can meet up in line….let me know.
We had guaranteed group tickets for the June 4th taping and had booked flights and hotel only to be informed by CBS a few months back, that they would be cancelling them!!!!!!! We did just receive individual tickets, but I am fairly ticked about this. Afterall, we are only in LA for 4 days and I hadn’t planned on spending 24 hours waiting for TPIR. Hopefully it won’t matter in the end. My fingers are crossed…
If anyone has standby tickets for June 5th, please e-mail me at j_boddorf@hotmail.com. I’d greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
If anyone has any actual, not standby, tickets for June 4th, 5th, or 6th, please e-mail me at j_boddorf@hotmail.com.
I’d greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!!
If anyone needs any tickets for May 29th, either taping; May 30th, or May 31st, please e-mail me at j_boddorf@hotmail.com.
I have STANDBY tickets.
Andrea–if you have any extra actual tickets (2), I can take turns holding your spot in line so you don’t have to wait in line 24 hours.
Please e-mail me at j_boddorf@hotmail.com
Thanks
Sharon, if you have any extra standby tickets for June 5th, or any actual tickets for June 4th or 6th, I’d greatly appreciate it. I only need 2 tickets.
I have standby tickets for May 29th, 30th, or 31st if you want them.
Please e-mail me at j_boddorf@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Jen,
I do have four extra standby tickets for June 5th and 6th. Are you planning on going on June 4th as well, any chance you can hold a spot for me. We are driving up and probally can’t get there till about 10PM, which I’ve heard is too late. Anyway let me know.
Thanks,
Sharon
Sharon – I was just informed by the tech guy at Golden Road that your account has been activated. Try logging in now.
Mitch – I pointed out in my report the time in line that people arrived vs. priority number. Since you’re attending the first taping – Number 316 (almost at the capacity for the first taping) arrived at 8 pm the night before- but I should warn you – you may not be able to get in if you’re on the bubble. I would arrive around 5 or 6 pm on Monday afternoon to be sure you’d get in. The last thing you want to do is show up at midnight and complain you didn’t get in because you didn’t show up early enough. Good luck to you!
Who knew so much thinking and planning went on behind the scenes at this show. This is MADNESS, but I am VERY EXCITED that I will be in line myself being a part of it next Sunday!!!!!!!
Hi All –
Just got back after seeing the May 21st 4:30 taping. This blog is wonderful – I met two other groups and we took turns waiting in line. We lined up at noon on Sunday and were 125th in line (most were in line for the 1:15 taping) and I was 20 for the 4:30 taping. Folks were very friendly and let you disappear for a few hours to get dinner, sleep whatever, so long as you put in the effort and spent a chunk of time in line. It truly is a wonderful experience, and all of the other posts on here are accurate. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
David
P.S. my e-mail address is dojlawyer@verizon.net