Bob Barker Jr.
"Here it comes, television's most exciting hour of fun and prizes."
If I wasn't plopped down in front of the tube by the time that immortal phrase began, I would be there before Johnny Olsen finished delivering it.
"It's the fabulous 60 minute Price Is Right."
A new refrigerator for $200, and a new car always had four digits and most of the time the price began with a 6. That always made me smile, because at the time, I was six.
The years went by, and prices went up. The games had to be altered because now the price of the new cars had five numbers, and most of the time the first number was 2. I still smile, although I am not 2.
From the time I could speak I was hooked on The Price is Right and game shows in general. I would go to work with my mom and she'd sit me down with my books, only 10 minutes later to hear me at the top of my lungs "How would you like to win a NEW CAR!" She loves to tell the story of one incident in which I had some college kids sitting in a row, bidding on a car. I went down the line asking their bid.
"Four thousand." said the first.
"Five thousand three hundred," said the second.
The third bidder was in the same ballpark. Then came the fourth bidder.
"One dollar," he said with a big grin.
In the next 6 seconds, a number of things came over me including, but not limited to: What an awesome bidder, he must watch the Price is Right too, cars don't cost a dollar but i gotta give him credit for his strategy, and I wonder if he has a car. As mom recalls, I went white, and then was instantly flushed with color as I revealed who won.
"You Win," I fired at my one dollar bidder, as loudly as I could.
The other three contestants were crying foul. How could this 6 year-old award the care to such a lousy bidder?! I think they wanted blood. Okay, maybe not, but I do remember this; The kid who won the car was pretty elated. I just hope he's not still driving that one dollar car, or if he is, that he at least remembered the joy he gave the little kid who awarded it to him.
In high school, there are class clowns, prom kings, and me: "Most Likely to Host a Game Show."
I could claim to come by it naturally, but game show hosts don't run along my family tree. Perhaps it's more the natural desire to make those around me feel like winners. That sounds a bit boastful so let me backtrack a little. We all have days when we set out to make someone in our lives smile. For me, it happens almost every day, and I wish I could give everyone I meet a new car.
If you've been following my adventures as of recent, you know I'm doing a little of this, and a little of that these days. And one of my latest projects is that of...you guessed it...game show host.
A good friend of mine, Tom Hutyler (voice of Safeco Field) hosts a regular Monday night trivia game on Alki Beach in Seattle, and he asked me to sit in for him during football season. So after all these years, I've landed my own game show.
I invite you to join me Monday nights, beginning September 12th. The game is 7pm-8:30pm at Christo's on Alki (2508 Alki Ave SW, Seattle). We play 4-5 rounds of trivia. It costs $2 per player, up to 6 on a team, and the winning team takes home the pot! Plus there are all kinds of discounts on food and drink if you play the game. Oh yeah, if you know Drew Carey, tell him he can come play for free, lol.
It's fun, and for me, kind of a dream come true. I hope to have your support one of these Monday nights.
"It's the fabulous 60 minute Price Is Right."
A new refrigerator for $200, and a new car always had four digits and most of the time the price began with a 6. That always made me smile, because at the time, I was six.
The years went by, and prices went up. The games had to be altered because now the price of the new cars had five numbers, and most of the time the first number was 2. I still smile, although I am not 2.
From the time I could speak I was hooked on The Price is Right and game shows in general. I would go to work with my mom and she'd sit me down with my books, only 10 minutes later to hear me at the top of my lungs "How would you like to win a NEW CAR!" She loves to tell the story of one incident in which I had some college kids sitting in a row, bidding on a car. I went down the line asking their bid.
"Four thousand." said the first.
"Five thousand three hundred," said the second.
The third bidder was in the same ballpark. Then came the fourth bidder.
"One dollar," he said with a big grin.
In the next 6 seconds, a number of things came over me including, but not limited to: What an awesome bidder, he must watch the Price is Right too, cars don't cost a dollar but i gotta give him credit for his strategy, and I wonder if he has a car. As mom recalls, I went white, and then was instantly flushed with color as I revealed who won.
"You Win," I fired at my one dollar bidder, as loudly as I could.
The other three contestants were crying foul. How could this 6 year-old award the care to such a lousy bidder?! I think they wanted blood. Okay, maybe not, but I do remember this; The kid who won the car was pretty elated. I just hope he's not still driving that one dollar car, or if he is, that he at least remembered the joy he gave the little kid who awarded it to him.
In high school, there are class clowns, prom kings, and me: "Most Likely to Host a Game Show."
I could claim to come by it naturally, but game show hosts don't run along my family tree. Perhaps it's more the natural desire to make those around me feel like winners. That sounds a bit boastful so let me backtrack a little. We all have days when we set out to make someone in our lives smile. For me, it happens almost every day, and I wish I could give everyone I meet a new car.
If you've been following my adventures as of recent, you know I'm doing a little of this, and a little of that these days. And one of my latest projects is that of...you guessed it...game show host.
A good friend of mine, Tom Hutyler (voice of Safeco Field) hosts a regular Monday night trivia game on Alki Beach in Seattle, and he asked me to sit in for him during football season. So after all these years, I've landed my own game show.
I invite you to join me Monday nights, beginning September 12th. The game is 7pm-8:30pm at Christo's on Alki (2508 Alki Ave SW, Seattle). We play 4-5 rounds of trivia. It costs $2 per player, up to 6 on a team, and the winning team takes home the pot! Plus there are all kinds of discounts on food and drink if you play the game. Oh yeah, if you know Drew Carey, tell him he can come play for free, lol.
It's fun, and for me, kind of a dream come true. I hope to have your support one of these Monday nights.
How much do I wish I lived in Seattle right now? I'd so be there every Monday to play. Good luck on your hosting gig, Brian.
Reply to this
"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything." - Eugene Delacroix
Reply to this