...and wait in line. (an entry by Kelly)

4:00 a.m.      
Wake-up

5:15 a.m.      
Hit the road

6:30 a.m.      
Arrive at CBS Studios

6:35 a.m.      
Pass through Security

6:37 a.m.      
Receive numbered “holding” tickets (89, 90, 91); Told to report back at
7:45 a.m.; Pages tell us that we are NOT guaranteed seats until we are in the studio

6:50 a.m.      
Enjoy gingerbread latte from the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

7:25 a.m.      
Return to CBS Studios

7:50 a.m.     
Get in numerical order with others

8:15 a.m.      
Pages distribute new numbers (84, 85, 86); Told to report back at 9:45 a.m.; Pages remind us that we are NOT guaranteed seats until we are in the studio

9:35 a.m.
Stare at Writer's Guild picket line

9:45 a.m.     
Get in numerical order with others

9:55 a.m.      
Pages distribute new numbered tickets (93, 94, 95); Pages remind us that we are NOT guaranteed seats until we are in the studio

10:10 a.m. 
Pages write out name tags (this totally worth getting up for)



11:25 a.m.  
Producers interview us: “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?”

11:30 a.m. 
Pass through more Security; Get in numerical order outside studio doors

12:47 p.m. 
Enter The Price is Right studio—GET A SEAT!

1:10 p.m. 
Watch taping of The Price is Right, which should air February 5th

2:20 p.m. 
Leave CBS Studios and head back to the Antelope Valley

2:21 p.m.
Wonder where Writer's Guild Picket line went already

2:51 p.m.
Drive by the Hollywood sign

4:37 p.m. 
Arrive home

First, I have to say that I am extremely proud of myself for navigating though LA.  It’s not easy driving through traffic in a place you’re not that familiar with.  You’d be surprised how many people are already on the road at 5:30 a.m.

The “tickets” for The Price is Right are free.  The Pages tell you numerous times that you are never guaranteed a seat because you aren’t.  CBS gives guaranteed “group” tickets (i.e. military personnel, smutty sororities, and randy fraternities).  Individuals that acquire tickets via the internet or box office are just “fillers” for the show.

The process for getting into the show is very long and redundant.  You wait all morning on what I can only describe as a “loading dock” with long metal benches.  It was 40 degrees when we woke up, so the benches were very chilly.  While waiting we did get a chance to get warmed up in the sun, but we got yelled at for standing in the parking lot.

While waiting you begin to look at everyone around you and try to guess who will be picked: the stereotypical “valley girl,” the “soldier,” the “jock,” the “loud, crazy lady with the sequined shirt.” And they do.  I’m not crazy about how the producers interview the audience.  I don’t think that’s really fair.  I think that if you wait for over six hours outside in the cold, you should have an equal opportunity to become a contestant. 

My parents and I did have good seats.  We were directly behind contestants’’ row, in the middle.  The studio is much smaller than what you would expect and looks more like the stage for Sonny and Cher or Lets Make a Deal.  The décor looks really cheesy in person. 

Drew Carey was awesome.  He was very funny and worked the crowd during “commercials.”  I absolutely love how he cracks himself up.  Every statement/joke is punctuated by a chuckle.  He seems like such a happy guy. 

My parents and I did not get picked, which I think made the show more fun.  There was no pressure on us to win a car.  Although, I guessed correctly on many of the games.  My mom and I had a blast shouting out prices and trying to help the contestants.  My dad was visibly nervous.  I know this because he was so quiet during the whole day.  For those who do not know my dad, he is never quiet. 

Overall, it was a great day, but a long one.