Game show sees surge in popularity at IVCC
By Megan Guilfoyle
IV Leader Staff, Nov 9, 2006
“Come on down, you’re the next contestant on ‘The Price is
Right!’ ” The noise level in the cafeteria subsequently seems to exceed its
maximum decibel level as students cheer on the contests as they greet and meet
the host of “The Price is Right.”
That host is none other than Bob Barker and for the past 35
years, now silver-haired and almost 84 years of age, he has hosted the show. For
many students at IVCC, “The Price is Right” has become the new crave in the
cafeteria.
Students gathers around the television as they watch and
cheer on their favorite contestants looking to win that brand new car or to spin
the wheel, which weighs 1,500lbs, to get into the Showcase Showdown. Amber L.
Padilla, 19, has been watching “The Price is Right” since she was just a little
kid.
She said she watched it with her grandma after she would come
home from preschool and she began watching “The Price is Right” at IVCC this
year. “I had the 10-11 spot free on Monday Wednesday Friday, so I asked the
people in control of the TV to change it.
They did and the next thing I knew there was ‘The Price is
Right’ following.” The number of students who tune in to this show vary day by
day. Many of them have breaks from 10-11 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,
but not on Tuesdays and Thursdays or vice versa.
On average, there can be anywhere from 5-30 people packed
around the television with their eyes glued to Barker, the contestants and his
assistants. Meredith Donahue, 19, said she began watching “shortly after the
‘Price is Right’ obsession began. I had a break at 10 and would always go down
to the cafeteria to talk with friends, and they would be watching ‘The Price is
Right,’” said Donahue.
Registration for spring classesis now under way. Is it
possible that the time slot of “The Price is Right” could factor in with how
students’ will make schedules? “I do actually have a break MWF from 10-11 in the
spring. The main purpose of that break was to schedule a voice lesson during
that time on one of those days, but watching ‘The Price is Right’ during that
time definitely crossed my mind,” said Donahue.
Matt Boehm, 21, just started watching “The Price is Right” in
IVCC’s cafeteria this semester. He said that “The Price is Right” fit
“perfectly” into his schedule because he doesn’t have class between 10 and 11
am, but he said, “if it didn’t (fit), I would make it fit.”
He also said he would “most definitely” arrange his schedule
next semester to make “The Price is Right” be a part of it. Even though Padilla
watches “The Price is Right” on a regular basis, she still fits in time to do
homework and watch the show.
She said, “Lately I have been busy with papers and everything
so I actually have to study.” She might take into consideration scheduling her
classes around the show. “It really depends who else would have that time off
with me. I have to watch it with the right crowd.”
Marking the huge milestone of 35 years on “The Price is
Right”, Bob Barker has entertained many with the unforgettable contestants and
unique arrangement of giveaways. Donahue and Boehm agreed that the first episode
that kicked off the 35th season was the best they’ve seen so far. Padilla, on
the other hand, has another favorite part that she enjoys.
She said she liked “the lady who almost passed out when she
got to contestants row. That was unique along with the people who fall going up
the stairs because of the excitement and thrill. But the best moment this season
was when the Plinko Chip got stuck twice in the same game!
I have never seen the chip get stuck, EVER!” Boehm’s favorite
part is “Spinning the wheel and Bob Barker.” Also, he enjoys yelling out “A NEW
CAR!” Donahue most enjoys “how excited all the contestants get; it's really
funny to watch because most of the time they do really funny dances.
I also love it when they play Plinko.” Boehm said, “You have
to experience PIR to know what it feels like, feel free to join us, I encourage
you to be louder than us!” Padilla, Boehm, and Donahue all would love to be
contestants on the show. Padilla said, “Yeah, I have to do it soon, too, we all
know Bob isn’t going to be around forever.”
That was said just before Bob Barker officially announced
that he was going to retire. After 50 years on television, 35 of those being on
“The Price is Right,” the 17-time Emmy Award winner Barker, is calling it quits
and signing off for the last time this coming June.