Be Sure To Have Your Pets Spayed Or Neutered

My Lil' Sis now lives in southern California, so when my parents were out here for their recent vacation/visit they got to see two daughters for the price of one. We divided up their time here between the two of us, but we also did some fun stuff together as a family. Awwwwww. One such fun thing was that we all went to The Price Of Right together!

So what was that experience like? Well first off, it's a massive time suck of a day. We got to the studio at 8AM to get in line for the 1PM taping and they were already full up! So we opted to try to see the 4PM taping, which meant killing time at a local diner for breakfast and getting back to the studio by 12:30PM to stand in a line, show our ID, stand in another line, get our name tag, stand in another line, get interviewed by the producers, stand in another line etc. etc. etc.

4PM finally rolled around and inside the studio we went. OK, I hate to shatter everyone's illusions but The Price Is Right studio is tiny! And rather cheap looking. It looks like this cavernous warehouse on TV and in person it's about the size of a college dorm room. Also we had been standing in one line or another all blessed day. I was wiped out! But they pumped in the music (I'm thinking the production staff are a bunch of alcoholics, because hearing YMCA by the Village People all day would certainly drive me to drink) and got the audience revved up. Everyone got so into it, that despite the dinkiness of the studio you can't here a darn thing the announcer is saying. They hold up cue cards with your name on it if you're selected to "Come On Down!" to contestants row.

I still miss Bob Barker, but Drew Carey did not disappoint. When there was a break in filming, he chatted with audience members, cracked jokes and even handled a militant vegan trying to convert him with a good sense of humor. He's very relaxed with the audience, and wasn't standoff-ish or snobby. Not an easy thing, I'm sure - since they filmed three shows that day! He had to be tired. I was, after standing in line all day, and I didn't have to be "on" for anyone.

Now to answer the burning questions. Nope - none of us got selected as contestants. A major bummer too since the Lil' Sis needs a car and I certainly wouldn't have turned away new living room furniture. Just sayin'. But I think we will make it on camera during the audience shots. My Mom bought us all bright red "Yes There Really Is A Kalamazoo!" T-shirts to wear and we were sitting in front of a big group from the USPS, who were all wearing navy blue. Plus, the Super Librarian Dad is 6'6". Makes him easy to spot in grocery stores, at ball games, and in audience shots on The Price Is Right.

Our show is set to air on June 2. Set your TiVos, DVRs or VCRs. Or heck, you can even watch it online. You just have to wait for June 2.