The Price is Right at NAU

in A&E by MacKenzie Chase — September 14, 2012 at 7:56 pm | no comments

By MacKenzie Chase

Come on down, you’re the next contestant on The Price is Right!

If you read that in Rod Roddy’s classic announcer’s voice then you and I are on the same page.  Although going through several different announcers, this simple line has become one of the most recognizable phrases since America’s number one television game show began in 1956.

The Price is Right was first hosted by Bill Cullen when it only consisted of a panel of contestants trying to guess the correct price of different products for several rounds without going over.  The winner would receive the product being bid on at the end and return for the next show as the reigning champion. The current format, which was integrated in 1972 with Bob Barker as host, has stuck.

The TV game show has been hosted by Drew Carey since Barker left in 2007; but the live event will be run by Todd Newton this Saturday.

Contestants estimate the retail prices of luxury items and whoever guesses the closest without going too high goes on to play the rest of the game, which includes several mini-games based on more price guessing.  With prizes that range from brand new cars and kitchen appliances to a dream vacation, who wouldn’t be stoked about the opportunity to play?

Sophomore photography major Kaloni Vazquez is one who is looking forward to the event.

“I’m expecting to just have fun. I loved watching it as a child and I’m really excited to see what games they bring to NAU.  I’ve always wanted to play,” she said.

Now in its 40th season, The Price is Right is touring the country with a revised version of the studio game that boasts even more audience participation. According to The Price is Right Live website, NAU will have the chance to be a part of it all– for free– thanks to SUN Entertainment.

Rachel Cole, program coordinator for the company, says this is the first large-scale game show to come here.

“We had originally wanted to bring the Minute to Win It live game show for Family Weekend;” Cole said, “but it wasn’t currently touring.  Over the summer we received an email that The Price is Right Live was touring around the country doing theaters and colleges in the fall. We thought it would be something fun and interactive for NAU students and the community so we decided to move forward with it.”

Sophomore marketing major Lindsay Haun is a huge fan of the show and will be attending the live event here on campus.

“My boyfriend and I love to watch it all the time.  We think of it as quality bonding and always try and compete against each other at home,” Haun said.

Haun said she will do anything she can to become a contestant.

“I have even been brushing up on my prices of random objects! Online shopping really does the trick,” she said.  “I’m very outgoing and I know I would rock it.”

Vazquez also plans on trying to get a spot in the game because “It would be a great experience to be a part of.”

Cole explained the relatively simple process to being considered as a candidate for the game.

“There is no purchase or ticket necessary to sign up to be a contestant.  Contestants will be drawn by the producers for the show and will be notified [if] they have been selected to participate,” she said.

Attendees can register to be considered a player if they arrive slightly earlier than 5 p.m.

The Price is Right will be live this Saturday, Sept. 15 in Prochnow Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Whether to be on the show or just to watch fellow classmates be a part of it, students can pick up their tickets to the event for free from the Central Ticket Office. Tickets are also available to the public for $20.