I was excited to get to go inside the studio but no, that wasn’t the case… We still outside and in line but we had benches and were in the shade so it was definitely an upgrade but I still felt like a branded animal. In this line, we were handed waivers we had to fill out and sign. Some of these questions asked if we had been on other TV shows and if we knew anyone working for CBS or anything like that. Once we handed those in, we got to watch a lady write our nametags and that was pretty cool! We then got our group of 6 and took a group photo. Ours was pretty lame so we didn’t buy it. Joe, Presley and I were the only ones who made shirts.
The next phase of the line were the interviews. I had been warned about this part by a friend who won a game on the Price is Right quite some time ago. His advice to me that day was to “stick out” and be “memorable.” He also said they usually just asked what you did for a living so I felt I already had a 1-up working in a funeral home. We could see all the people getting interviewed but they were far away so we couldn’t hear anything. We met some Mormons in line which was funny. They said they just knew we were LDS. Finally it came time for the group interviews and just like we expected, he asked us what we did to which I replied, “I am a disposition specialist.” Confused, he asked me to expound and I told him I worked in a funeral home and everyone laughed. Pretty much everyone else in our group answered that they were students. He asked a couple of them what their favorite games were on the Price Is Right to which Craig answered, “Hole in One… or TWO!”
The next line section is when we had to turn in all our personal belongings such as cell phones and everything we had on us. Then we sat down on benches again but this time there was a TV and we watched about half an episode of the Price Is Right. Finally it was time to go in!!! We were so excited! The first thing I remember about the studio is that it was freezing cold. We were seated in the back row to the left of the big $ sign in the audience. I was in-between Craig and Joe. The studio was incredibly small and you couldn’t even see the ceiling because it was covered in hundreds of lights!
The announcer guy who reads all the info about the product gave us some FYI’s and “please do not’s.” Some of them were like, “Don’t be that person that turns around to all their friends when trying to make a decision, just make it and go with it.” He also introduced the applause/cue the audience guy. He was pretty energetic! He then explained how everything would work. The guy who interviewed us would write the names of those he chose onto big poster board type paper and hold them up while the announcer read the names. While he was going through this, I suddenly felt incredibly sick and was just trying not to throw up. I don’t know if it was the drastic change in temperature or what but I had finally made it into the room and felt miserable. I was sad about this and said a prayer that I would feel better and soon I did.
Drew Carey finally came out and the show started like that. We were cued to cheer and be excited as they called the first few named. By this time, I had already forgotten about the cards with the names written on them and couldn’t hear who was getting called down because it was so loud! All of the sudden, I look up and see Craig Hammond written on the poster board. I look to my left where Craig was seated and he was GONE! He was already half way down the aisle and I had missed it. He didn’t even hug us or celebrate with us, he just left and we were in shock! His name was the second to be called. Joe said, “I KNEW SOMEONE IN OUR GROUP WOULD GET CALLED!!!”
After the first 4 people were called down, the show started. The models came out with 3 pairs of designer sunglasses. Craig bid the highest, like $800, and the actual retail price was over $1,000 so Craig got called up. Joe and I flipped out and were jumping up and down (pictured at the end.) It had literally been 3 minutes and Craig had been called down and was on stage already! I was completely in shock, it was going so fast!!! I kept telling Joe, “He was sitting here a minute ago. Craig’s chair is empty, Craig is ON STAGE!!!”
The curtain opened and there was a Harley motorcycle. Craig played the game Push Over and had to get the right price into the red zone. He was looking at us and I was just sitting there with my hands over my mouth, I had NO idea! Craig guessed the price was $1749 but the actual price was $1170. Craig lost a Harley! L
It came time for him to spin the wheel and the girl before Craig spun $1.00. Craig spun twice and got a 15 and 20 so his Price is Right experience was over, and he had 3 pairs of designer women’s sunglasses to show for it.
The girl who spun $1.00 won the show and left with like $80,000 worth of prizes and money… so crazy! As we were walking out this lady said, “Oh I am pissed. I waited in line all day long. I spent so much time and that was such a waste of time. I have nothing. Oh I am so pissed.” I feel like if Craig hadn’t gotten called up, I might have had those same feelings, haha.
We retrieved our items and were calling people like crazy while waiting for Craig. He finally came out and we were cheering for him. He then said, “I’m not supposed to tell anyone about this until the show airs in November or I will lose my prizes.” We all looked at each other awkwardly since we had already called so many people. We got in the car and Craig said, “Oh what the heck?” and called a ton of people telling them every detail. He still got his prizes by the way and was planning on selling them but still has them right now.
It was fun and I think everyone should do something like this, but once was enough for me!
Presley and I early in the morning eating goldfish in some random store!
After we realized Craig got called up.
Craig coming out of the studio!
