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PART 3 - THE TAPE DAY...
August 11,1998
Tape day...I may or may not play let alone win or lose by the end of the day.
I arrive at 1-ish at CBS TV City and I meet the other victims...I mean,
contestants. There were six of us in all which meant two shows were being
taped that afternoon. We were then greeted by the contestant coordinators
and escorted to the contestants' dressing room (which from what I've been told
serves as a dressing room for one of Barker's Beauties during the days when
"Price" tapes). We watched the last show of the morning set of tapings being done.
After which, we receive a set of rules which we had to sign to verify that we did
read the full rules. No big whoop. Keep in my today's taping was the third day of
taping ever. As of the afteroon, they had done eight episodes. In those eight
episodes, NOBODY had won the $5000. Some unsuccessful attempts for the big
bucks included:
"________ WASHINGTON" (Contestant's response: White/Celeb's response: George)
"________ BOND" (Contesant's response: James Celeb's Response: Bail)
They were practically begging us to win the $5000! They had also mentioned that
they hadn't taped an episode yet which they felt was good enough to be the series
premiere.
So, we then head over to the stage to learn our stage cues should we be selected
for the show. After which, the contestant coordinators do some pre-interviews and
leave the dressing room. Next to meet us are representatives from CBS Standards
and Practices no rigging occurs and to clear up any problems with judging). We
sign a release form and they leave. We then play a practice version of the game
to get us warmed up for the show. After which, Jay Wolpert (game executive
producer veteran...he was one of the original producers of the Bob Barker version of
"The Price is Right") comes in to give us some tips and strategies to help us out
with the game. I was super-psyched about this part. I've been a big fan of
Jay Wolpert's shows and well, this was ultra-cool. Jay's big piece of advice
for us was to not think about the money. He reminded us that we were there to
play a parlor game and to have fun.
Then...the contesant coordinators announce the contestants for the first
show..."Julie and MANDEL!" After emitting a somewhat-high-pitched squeal, I
scurried down to the CBS Stage 33 (home of "The Price is Right," "Dennis Miller
Live," and the new "Hollywood Squares") and get ready backstage. In the midst of
some more reviewing of stage cues and rules, I find out that through a random
pick, I get first choice of the question for the first round...Woo-hoo!
Michael Burger, the host, emerges and introduces himself to Julie and me before
the show. Very nice guy. The stage manager gives the 2-minute warning. We
take our places for our entrances. In a matter of seconds, I would be fulfilling
one of my life-long dreams. Lemme take you on a play-by-play
account of what happened that game...
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