Our Price is Right Experience

During our baby moon vacation, after spending time in San Diego, we drove up to Los Angeles. While we were there, we visited Hollywood Blvd, Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Long Beach. We accomplished a lot in just two days! But our favorite part of LA was getting to experience the Price is Right game show from behind the scenes.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in the studio audience of the Price is Right? Well, I’m about to share some secrets!

Copyright: dolgachov / 123RF Stock Photo

Behind the Scenes at the Price is Right

We got out tickets online, for free, about a month or two in advance. Because we did it early, we got priority tickets, which meant we were guaranteed to be in the studio audience. It meant we got to skip the line standing outside the studio, and go through the gate! If you get general tickets, you have to wait outside the gate and you may not get in.

We got an email the day we were leaving for San Diego that told us they would be taping their holiday episodes while we were there. They asked us to dress in holiday attire, but no costumes. We added Santa hats to our attire, and I stuck a big red bow on my belly.

Dress Code

You are not allowed to wear open toed shoes, high heels, or sandals. They ask that you wear tennis shoes for safety reasons. You are also not allowed to wear shirts or hats that have national brand logos on them. You are asked not to wear white colored clothing because of the cameras.

Waiting

The whole process is mostly waiting. They tell you to expect to be there at the studio for around five hours. I would say three of those hours are just sitting in a line. Sitting, thankfully! They also have food available for purchase while you wait. Good food too!

When you first arrive, you are given a ticket with a number on it. This is how they identify you. You wait in line while they make their way around to everyone to give out name tags. You have to use the name on your ID, which they do look at. Someone from the studio writes you name on your name tag and then you stick it on. You are supposed to attach your ticket with your identity number on it as well. While in this line, you are also given paperwork to read and sign.

Next, you get your picture taken with a green screen behind you. Later they show you those photos after they edit them to make it look like you are standing by the wheel. They charge $20 for a photo. We didn’t buy it.

The Interview

A lot of people don’t realize that they actually do a short interview with each person in the audience. They bring up around 20 people at a time and a guy goes down the line asking each person a couple questions. One of the producers of the Price is Right stands behind him with a clipboard, taking notes. This is your chance to stand out. Of course, who knows for sure what they are looking for. I thought for sure Travis would get called down because he did so well on his interview. He definitely stood out the most in our group of 20.

Then, you move to the second line. This is when they take your phone or cameras away. (Here’s why you won’t see any cool photos in this post!) You are not allowed to have any devices to take photos inside the studio or look up prices. They also check inside your purse/bag for security reasons. Then, there is just more waiting. Until boom — you are walking into the studio!

The Studio

When we walked in, we could not believe how small it was! It looks so much bigger on TV. Everyone around us agreed. The ceiling is full of lights. Off to our right was where George, the announcer sits. He talked to the audience a lot and did a great job explaining how things worked. There is a DJ in the very back corner who handles all the music. Then there are just under 300 seats for the audience. It seems like a lot, but I can’t tell you how surprised we were at how small it all is!

They introduced the crew to us — the cameramen, the models, and the host of the Price is Right, Drew Carey, of course! There is also a guy on stage the whole time (always moving out of view of the camera) who is constantly telling us when to sit, stand, applause, or help the contestants. It’s all happening so fast that I wouldn’t be surprised if the audience sat there like a deer in headlights if it weren’t for this guy reminding us to go crazy for the camera! There’s just so much to take in, and of course everyone is dying to hear their name called!

Commercial Breaks

So what happens during the commercial breaks? A lot actually. George talks to the audience, but he’s also talking through his ear piece to the director backstage. He may have to run over some lines again if he messed up during the taping, that way they can edit in the right line. When he does his lines over, the audience is asked to be very quiet.

Drew Carey also walks around and talks to people in the audience. In fact, he noticed Travis in his uniform and talked to him about his job, and then he asked me what I do too! He makes lots of jokes as he talks to different people.

While they are keeping us entertained, the crew is moving things around on set to prepare for the next segment with all its games and prizes.

I Never Knew

I didn’t realize how hard it is to hear. In the audience, you can’t really hear George calling your name. The guy who stands there telling us when to applause also holds up a sign with a name on it. That’s how we know if we are getting called down to be a contestant! It’s also hard to hear Drew sometimes during the game show. The purpose of their microphones are not so that the audience can hear better, but so the cameras can pick up the sound better.

Whenever I watch the show, it feels like there are 10 models on the stage. But in fact, there are only 2-3 each show. There were only two girls there during our show’s taping.

During the games when they talk about different grocery items and their prices, some companies pay them to use their products. The ones that pay get talked about more. They say the brand name and tag line. But they also use some products that don’t pay for it. For those, they don’t say the brand name but keep it as generic as possible.

Prizes

You have to pay taxes on all the prizes you receive at the Price is Right. If you won, you’d have to fill out a tax form there and then be sure to claim those prizes on your tax return. You are required to provide your social security number to claim your prizes.

Let’s say you win a car. You don’t drive that car home that day. Instead, they set it up with a local dealer in your area for you to come pick up the same car from their lot.

Travis and I didn’t get called down to be a contestant on the show. But because it was a holiday taping, everyone in the studio audience went home with a $100 gift certificate to a skin care line. We were so excited, and the whole experience was so fun.

You can see us in the studio audience (second row behind the contestant row) on the December 20 episode of the Price is Right.

What other questions do you have about the taping of the Price is Right? Hopefully, I answered everything. If you ever get the chance to go see it for yourself, I highly recommend it!

Stay tuned for a post about the other things we did in L.A.!