Just wanted to post about our experience with the Price is Right taping. We went this past Monday (1:15 taping).

I had gotten tickets online a while back as a Christmas gift for my husband. We decided to stay at the Farmer’s Daughter (http://www.farmersdaughterhotel.com/) which is right across the street from CBS. I highly recommend staying there or nearby if you’re doing TPIR- you go back and forth a bunch of times (especially if you take shifts with the line) and it was so worth having the hotel right there.

At 10:30 the night before, the Farmer’s Daughter has a very experienced employee (Ted) do a speech about what to expect the next day along with a few tips (he wouldn’t tell us how many times he’s been to the show, but it’s so many he’s embarrassed to say!). He was very knowledgeable and the talk was definitely worth going to. We had originally planned on getting in line by 4 am, but he recommended 2 am at the very latest (the line has started earlier and earlier since Bob announced his retirement). Since TPIR was the only reason we were in LA, my husband decided to hop in line right after the talk ended- 11:45 pm!! Apparently the first person to get in line was at 4:30 pm.

I slept for a couple of hours and we swapped places at 2:30 am. He slept for a few more hours and at 5:30 am he met me in line. At 6:00 am, they gave out our priority numbers from our place in line. We were 54 and 55. I don’t know how long that line went, but it went pretty far back! According to Ted, anyone past the bus stop is probably not going to make it into the studio.

We were told to return at 7:45 am, so we went back and slept for a little while. At 7:45 we reported back to CBS. We waited in line and then they numbered our actual tickets according to our priority line. At 8:15 or so, we were then told to report back around 9 am, so we went back to the hotel and showered.

At 9 am, we headed back to the studio. We sat on benches in order of our priority number for a couple of hours. They eventually collected tickets, checked ID’s and gave us name tags.

Around 11:30, they started doing the interviews. We were interviewed in groups of 10 people and were only asked a few of questions- what’s your name, where are you from and what do you do. I’ve heard sometimes they also ask what’s your favorite game besides Plinko and why are you here today?

We then went through metal detectors (they’re really looking for cel phones and cameras) and then directed toward more benches (we are still outside- not in the studio yet). We waited another hour or so there and then finally we were brought into the studio itself.

The studio is shockingly tiny! You wouldn’t even believe it. And it’s freakin cold/freezing (they have to keep it so cold because of all the lights). We were in the fourth row.

They did a little warm up with the crowd, but it wasn’t too much longer when the show started. We had such a blast- the crowd was so hyped up and excited. Bob would talk with the crowd during commercial breaks which was pretty cool.

Unfortunately neither of us was called up as contestants, but it was all worth it anyway!

Tips:

- the bagel place across the street rents chairs for $5. RENT A CHAIR! They officially open at 3 am, but if you knock on the outside window (use a key or coin, otherwise they won’t hear you) they are there all night and can rent you a chair.

- Take shifts in line! It’s fine to do- but make sure you tell anyone counting (to see how many people are ahead of them) knows you’re really “two” (or rent two chairs so it’s obvious).

- Obviously it’s a long wait outside. Bring stuff to do (books, cards, games, etc), food, water, a pillow for your back, a blanket, warm clothes (if it’s still chillier out).

- At the studio, you’re outside for hours and hours and hours before the taping- if it’s chilly, bring a coat.

- At the studio, there wasn’t much access to food or drinks. If you see food for sale, buy it- after the interview you won’t be able to get anything until after the show tapes. We didn’t know this and went from 7:30 to 2:00 without eating. 

- You can’t bring backpacks, cel phones or cameras into the studio. We didn’t have any of these items on us, but apparently they will take those items from you and give you a claim ticket to pick them up after the taping. You can have them in line- just not when you show up at 9 am (12 pm if you’re doing the 4:30 taping).

- Bring a coat/sweater for inside the studio- it is freezing!! We wore our winter coats until the taping began.

- You’re supposed to bring a legal photo ID and your social security card. You have to have the legal photo ID, but if you forget your social security card you can still get in. You just have to send them a copy of it within 30 days if you win anything.

Let me know if you have any questions!