Last evening,
The Price is Right Live! was held at
Foxwoods for the final time in the current run. Yours truly was able to attend. Here's a quick review for those of you who are considering making the trip down to see the show in Vegas or Atlantic City (or whatever casino/resort it's coming to next!)
After dinner, we got into the registration line around 5:15. The tickets say to wait in line at least two hours beforehand, but we found the registration line moved quickly and was (relatively) sparse when we arrived. While some versions of TPiR Live! select contestants based on pricing games played during registration or in the theater; this one only required us to fill out a slip of paper, which we then turned in at a registration table where we got our price nametags.
We went right to the line waiting for the doors to open (seating was general admission) and here's where the 2 hour thing is key. People who want good seats (first 7-8 rows) come early! We were well back in line, and while we actually had seats pretty close the stage (fifth row back) we were up against the right wall. It was either that or middle about 20 rows back, and we wanted the "close" feel. Just be careful-- if you are too far right, the announcer's podium might obscure your view (this happened with people in rows in front of us). Until the show started (around 7:15) big TV screens showed Price trivia, facts, and play-along games. Immediately before the show, a few set workers got some fans in the mood by leading the wave and dancing the Cha-Cha around the theater. Local talent is usually used for announcers, I'm going to be honest, I forgot who announced ours, other than he was from Manchester, CT. He came out and ran down some of the rules and explained how the show would work.
Roger Lodge (of
Blind Date fame) hosted the show and came out to much fanfare; through the big doors like Drew Carey currently does.
The show is actually much closer to the TV show than I thought. Music, cues, games, etc. was all the same, all the way down to the flashing light border when contestants were called down to Contestant’s Row. I assume many of the props used are former pieces off previous season's of the show. The turntable and some of the walls looked like pieces from the last three or four seasons of the Hollywood version of the show.
Couple nuances. One, they called down four new people before EVERY pricing game (as opposed to four at the beginning and one every game after that). Two, the prizes were much smaller than on the the TV show (expected). Bidding prizes were anywhere from $60-$220, with stage prizes generally totaling $250-$1000, I’d say. Contestants did have a chance to win up to $2,400 playing It’s In The Bag and $2,500 playing Plinko, although they only won $600 (guy stopped even though he would have won $2,400 had he risked it and kept going) and $750 respectively. Only five pricing games were played (as opposed to six on TV) and the
Big Wheel was only spun once (after the third game) and involved three people being called randomly to spin it– the person who “won” got $250, and if they got a dollar, would have had a chance to spin for $1000. The
Showcase also was different– two people were called down to the stage and shown one showcase (that had a watch, a refrigerator, a massage chair, and trip, and a Honda Fit). Both contestants had to bid separately on the same showcase. The person who came closest without going over won the trip– if someone came within $100 without going over they won the whole kitten caboodle. Of course, both people double overbid in spectacular fashion (ARP was $20,000 and change, one guy bid $21,000+ and some woman bid $26,000+).
"Set list"
Race Game - won (two sets of exercise equipment, and microwave, and a prize I'm blanking on.
It's In The Bag - $600 won, stopped after getting first three right-- would have been correct on last two if he went on (for $2,400)
Cliffhangers - won- refrigerator. Contestant made a couple ridiculously good perfect guesses, including an egg cooker being $44, and a radio being $70-- maybe these prizes have been given away before and someone in the audience helped her our?
Big Wheel - no dollars, winner spun $.85
Hole in One or Two - Also played for a prize I'm blanking on (stereo?), the woman got up the third closed line, but whiffed on both putts (Roger made the inspirational putt, but not from the back like Bob did).
Plinko - contestant won 4 chips, $750.
Showcase - a watch, a refrigerator, a massage chair, and trip, and a Honda Fit, but both contestants overbid. Unless the contestant was within $100 of the ARP, they only won the trip.
Couple tips if you want to see it.
1.) Get there a couple hours early if you want REALLY good seats. If you're indifferent, you can come a little later.
2.) Make sure all your information is legible on the forms you turn in.
3.) Keep in mind that between games, prizes such as slot vouchers were given out, so even if you don't get called down, keep an ear out for your name.
4.) If you do get called down, don't go down the sides of the theater, run to the middle set of steps-- make sure you stand up when they call your name and wave your arms so the camera will pan to you!
5.) Prizes in Contestant's Row are cheaper than TV! Don't be fooled into bidding $700 every time. $1 bids won 3/5 IUFB (Items Up For Bids)
6.) Expect the show to run about 2 hours from advertised start time.
7.) Enjoy yourself! Have a good meal before of after, and play some cards/slots/whatever you want while you are there!
Some pictures (sorry for lack of quality):
Labels: casino, foxwoods, price is right, roger lodge, the price is right live