For anyone wondering about my recent absense: No, it wasn't due to me being upset or avoiding anyone. My father had another scare this week.

Tuesday morning, I received a phone call from my sister, telling me my father had been rushed to the hospital for what appeared to be a stroke. His speech was slurred, he could barely walk, and couldn't write or operate a computer.

Needless to say, I spent very little time sleeping and even less time online over the next few days.

He, fortunately, is going to be okay. It appears he did suffer a minor "stroke" (in the sense that bloodflow and oxygen to the brain were restricted, due to a partially-clogged artery), but the CAT scans and MRI's showed no damage to the brain, thank goodness.

He was released Thursday morning, and given prescriptions for a blood-thinner and a cholesterol reducer. He sounded like himself the last time I talked to him, and said he was able to walk around again normally.

The incident (as well as the tension and anxiety my sister brought just by re-entering my life) were enough to have me reaching my breaking point. I finally gave in on Thursday and did something I hadn't done in years...

I saw a psychologist.

It's something I've dragged my feet on for a number of reasons (including the fact my last experience with one didn't go so well), but the burden finally became too much. The day to day struggles of worrying about my father were becoming overwhelming, and the latest episode caused so much stress and tension my chest literally hurt. I realized I either need to do something to try to cope with all of this, or I'm going to pull a Fred Sanford and have the big one (and does that make Madonna "Aunt Esther" now?).

So, that is where I've been. Hopefully, things are getting better for both of us.

I do need to work on getting caught up on things, like other people's blogs. And, yes, K, I fixed your link this morning.

That being said, I'd like to close out this post with a couple positive thoughts. Why? Because I need it, and I'm sure you guys do, too.

First off, I'm going to make Elaine jealous!

I've spent the last 10 days enjoying dinner with Madonna. Really!

Yes, it's true. I do live in a fairly small place, and don't have a table to eat at, so I usually eat at my desk. And for the last ten days, Madonna has joined me.

Of course, this Madonna is only 14 inches tall, and just stands there (talk about striking a pose!). She doesn't move (much less dance), and doesn't talk. But she does have the most adorable smile.

Isn't she cute?!

It's funny, I found her on eBay when I decided to try to find something of Madge to have on my desk (to go with my Sherrie Austin stand-up displays and the anime character figurine in thigh-high boots that Michael gave me). Well, I came up empty looking for stand-up displays, but on a whim, I decided "Hmm.. How about a doll?"

Bingo!

So, Breathless Mahoney now has a spot on my desk, right near my monitor. And she may have company soon *puts her finger up to her lips and says "Shhh..." to the few who know who may be coming*

Secondly, I've ranted in the past about rotten remakes (like Jessica Simpson's "These Boots Were Made For Walkin'" and Big & Rich's "Like A Virgin"), but let me talk about a GOOD remake, one I've enjoyed for years - which is saying something, as I'm not a huge fan of dance music (except, of course, for you-know-who).

Crystal Waters is an artist who had bits and pieces of chart success in the early and mid 90's, with her notable hits being "Gypsy Woman" and "100% Pure Love". However, throughout the last half of the decade, very little was heard or seen of her.

Five years ago, Crystal would return with a song that once again put her at the top of the dance charts. The song sampled another very famous song. Now, while sampling is hardly unique (see: "Hung Up"), what IS rather interesting is the song that's sampled...

Crystal's hit song is named "Come On Down". And, you guessed it - she samples the theme song of The Price Is Right!

I actually discovered the song 3-4 years earlier, well before my first taping of TPIR. Mike, needless to say, was surprised when they played "Come On Down" during the audience warm-up before the show. He asked "You mean there really is a dance version of the theme song?!". I laughed and said "Yeah, and I've had it for years!"

If someone had told me about the dance song before I heard it, I would've screamed "Blasphemy!". But I have to admit, Crystal does the song justice. It's very catchy, very upbeat, and is a unique twist on a television classic.

And, of course, it also marked the first time that the theme to The Price Is Right went to #1 on any chart!

If you are curious how this might sound, click here and give it a listen!

Thank you again for all the thoughts on the last post, and all the kind thoughts and well wishes for my father! I'm now going to sit down, enjoy breakfast with Madonna and get caught up on everyone else's blogs.

Labels: Camp Barker, Lil' Maddy, Madge Collecting, Mi Vida Loca

You know, I genuinely hoped that once this tour closed, people would finally leave Madonna alone, that we would finally be spared of the constant and baseless attacks upon her. But silly me, this IS Madonna - the same Madonna whom seemed to be hated as much as Osama bin Laden right after 9/11, because after all that "un-American traitor" wanted to deny Bush his orgy of feel-good violence when she urged him to show restraint. How dare she have any compassion for human life! What an evil, Satanic bitch!

But, just because the tour ended this week does not mean the same can be said for the controversy. I mean, you can forget all about Wedding Dress Madonna, or Dita Madonna, or Pointy Coned Breast Madonna, or any of the other images she's had over the last twenty five years. She's now and forever Madonna On The Cross, You're Going To Make Everyone Very Cross Madge. They'll never leave her alone for this. Fifty years from now, she'll be 98, she'll be a great grandmother, and she'll still be Blasphemous Madonna, the evil antichrist who sings songs from crucifixes and mocks Jesus - even though, for some mysterious reason, pro-war, bloodythirsty Republicans who kill in Jesus' name don't mock him in any way, shape, manner or form.

Madonna released a statement at the close of her record-setting Confessions Tour, finally speaking up once and for all about the issue that everyone seems to be offended by, even though 99.999% of them are all up in the Kool-Aid and don't even know the flavor.

"I am very grateful that my show was so well received all over the world. But there seems to be many misinterpretations about my appearance on the cross and I wanted to explain it myself once and for all.

"There is a segment in my show where three of my dancers 'confess' or share harrowing experiences from their childhood that they ultimately overcame. My 'confession' follows and takes place on a Crucifix that I ultimately come down from. This is not a mocking of the church. It is no different than a person wearing a Cross or 'Taking Up the Cross' as it says in the Bible. My performance is neither anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole. I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing.

"My specific intent is to bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day, and are living without care, without medicine and without hope. I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can. The song ends with a quote from the Bible's Book of Matthew:

"'For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me and God replied, "Whatever you did for the least of my brothers... you did it to me."'

"Please do not pass judgment without seeing my show."

Again, isn't it ironic that the "evil one" is trying to encourage us to help one another, and is trying to bring attention to what is going on in Africa while the "holy ones" are too busy ripping on this "cult member" to give a flying fuck about suffering children or uniting people?

However, it is unfortunate that some people, like that motherfucker Donald Wildmon can't be bothered to pay attention to her performance, nor take a few seconds out of their almighty, holy lives to listen to what she has to say about it. After all, all they see is a cross and a crown of thorns and "Hey, she must be mocking Christ!"

Wildmon and his group of Bible-toting thugs, the American Fascist - excuse me, Family - Association have led a letter-writing campaign with the intention of yanking Madonna's upcoming special off NBC. The form letter (which can be edited - more on that shortly) urges NBC to "show the same respect toward Christianity as they do other religions" - nevermind the fact the AFA has the nerve to ask for SPECIAL TREATMENT above everyone else by having NBC cave in to their agenda.

Wildmon is of course no stranger to sick viewpoints or outlandish campaigns. REVEREND Wildmon has, among other things: destroyed Mighty Mouse by claiming it encouraged drug use, has targeted Disneyland for allowing gay couples to attend (If Wildmon had his way, gay couples would be shot, have stakes driven through their hearts, be drawn, quartered then burnt), repeatedly gone after Howard Stern, and targeted such "offensive" shows as Three's Company and Dallas.

Then, of course, Wildmon once destroyed an endorsement deal by claiming the celebrity created a music video full of blasphemous and racist images. Pepsi caved in and killed the deal.

Of course you know who I'm talking about... Yes, Donald Wildmon is the man we can all thank for the "Like A Prayer" controversy and killing Madonna's deal with Pepsi.

(What is absolutely hilarious about these claims is that we are talking about MADONNA, who might be the whitest black woman to ever live. We're talking about a woman who probably has more soul than many R&B singers, a woman who was influenced by Motown while growing up, and a woman that everyone thought WAS black back in 1982, when she released her first single "Everybody". We're also talking about a woman who has opposed discrimination in EVERY form throughout her entire career. Madonna, racist? Yeah, and if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon!)

It's only been seventeen years since Wildmon fucked with Madonna. I don't know how he has kept himself entertained all this time, but I guess he couldn't pass up the chance to fuck with her yet again...

By the way, Wildmon, as well as being a thought police fasicst and homophobic as hell, is also openly anti-semetic. He has repeatedly shown open contempt toward Jews, and has more than once stated that he feels the Religious Right should not support Israel.

Who is the evil one here, Wildmon?!

Anyway, as I said, the AFA email form allowed for people to send their own emiails to NBC Chairman Bob Wright. Well, I took advantage of this - to send Chairman Wright a pro-Madonna, ANTI-AFA email!

Dear Chairman Wright,

First off, let me thank you for having the courage to make plans to air one of Madonna's performances from the Confessions Tour on NBC this fall. This was a gutsy decision, especially with all the controversy she has faced, and I applaud you for it.

Unlike the American Family Association and their supporters, I have attended one of the concerts on this tour. Madonna's so-called "mock crucifixion" was not offensive in the least. On the contrary, it was an incredibly powerful, moving statement.

What disgusts me about the complaints from the Religious Right is that while everyone is raising a fuss about Madonna performing on a cross, nobody seems to bother mentioning the very powerful statements she makes during this performance - such as the horrors that the AIDS virus has inflicted in Africa, nor the very moving stories that three of her dancers share with the audience.

The AFA has every right to think and feel what they want. That is the beauty of America. However, the AFA and anyone else who may be offended by what they perceive about Madonna's performance have been gifted with the same thing everyone else with a television set has: A remote control.

If they are bothered by Madonna's statements, they have every right to turn the channel and watch something else (like maybe a religious channel?).

They say they are "offended" by her? I for one am deeply offended by them trying to impose their religious beliefs upon me by trying to dictate what I can and cannot watch - namely their mass-email campaign to yank this concert off your network. I for one wish they focused their energies upon educating parents to monitor what they should and should not let their children watch, instead of trying to parent this entire nation and make decisions about what free-thinking adults can and cannot watch.

The AFA is acting as though they are being forced to watch this concert, yet it is they who are trying to force many people to not watch - by axing it.

Mr. Wright, please let common sense prevail here. On one hand, you are prepared to air a performance from an incredibly popular and innovative artist, one that I am sure will bring significant ratings to NBC should it be aired as planned.

On the other hand, nobody is forcing Christians (or Muslims, or anyone else) to watch Madonna's performance.

The AFA is trying to defend the "rights" of Christians, but at what cost? Not only are they trying to impose upon the rights of everyone else, but in doing so, would effectively put themselves above everyone else.

It is my hope that many others who support your plans to air Madonna's performance make themselves heard. If not, I do hope you take the time to consider my words.

Thank you for your time.

Do you think NBC listened? NO!

That's right, boys and girls. Word came out today that NBC has caved into the AFA's campaign and will now NOT air Madonna's performance of "Live To Tell" during this fall's special. The AFA has succeeded in parenting the entire fucking country YET AGAIN, and those chickenshit, gutless fucking corporate worms at The Peacock have given the Religious Right what they want yet again!

Fortunately, I'm not the only one who is pissed off. Guess who is also pissed? Madonna herself.

Madge, citing "creative differences", is now seriously considering breaking off the deal and not giving NBC the rights to air this performance. Quite honestly, I hope she pulls the plug on it. Because as far as I'm concerned, NBC has totally fucked her over - in the beginning, they told her they would allow "Live To Tell" to air, unedited and uncut.

I hope she tells NBC to kiss her entire Queen Of Pop ass and yanks the deal. Let HBO or Showtime or someone who will fucking appreciate her and leave her show alone air it. Air it on a network where they'll let her say "motherfucker" and flip the bird all she wants. Air it on a network that won't by bothered by her "horsing around", or who won't care about her pro-gay imagery during "Forbidden Love", or won't have a problem with her bumping and grinding through "Like A Virgin".

In other words, let it air on a network that will appreciate the Confessions Tour for what it is, instead of trying to give us Kinda, Sorta, Maybe It's The Confessions Lite Tour.

I mean, just like how TV could not capture the FEEL of being inside the Bob Barker Studio as history unfolded on August 31, TV cannot fully capture the feeling of attending a Confessions show. But by gutting it to appease the Religious Right and so-called "offended", you're going to tear the guts out of this show. And it's those guts that made it truly unique.

As far as NBC themselves, this is the last straw for me when it comes to The Peacock.

In May 1969, you assholes cancelled Star Trek - after fucking it over, of course (NBC and fucking over go hand in hand, obviously) by promising it a posh time slot when you renewed it for the third season, then going back on your word, effectively killing the show.

In May 1988, you assholes cancelled The Facts Of Life - RIGHT AFTER adding the immortal Sherrie Krenn to the cast, depriving us of the wit, wisdom and utter cuteness of Pippa McKenna.

In May 1993, you assholes cancelled Quantum Leap, beyond a doubt the BEST series of the 90's.

You also gave us the "NBA on NBC", which as we know was nothing more than the Michael jordon Showcase, wall to wall ass-kissing of the worst thing to EVER happen to professional sports.

You also gave us Friends, maybe THE worst show ever created.

You also took and RUINED Deal Or No Deal, taking what could be an exciting and compelling game show and turning it into a three-ring circus, filled with gimmicks and utter bullshit.

NBC, I find you guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, GUILTY! on all counts.

You can go to hell. You go through with this and cave into Wildmon, you have lost me as a viewer FOREVER. I will not turn on your network, no matter what you add to the lineup. I will NOT watch any NFL games on your network, even if you actually show a Rams game. And, yes, I will even refuse to watch the US Open, despite the fact that golf is one of the few sports I bother to follow anymore.

I'm through. I'm through with the way you do business. I'm through with your right-wing ass-kissing. I'm through with the fact you're owned by General Electric, one of the largest manufacturers of weapons of mass destruction in the world.

NBC, you made an enemy of me today. You may have won the chance to have Donald Wildmon's lips planted on your ass, but you've lost me as a viewer. And I would not be one bit surprised if your actions have cost you the support of countless other Madonna fans as well.

Besides, who needs you when CBS has Bob Barker, and YOU DON'T?

Labels: I'll Give You A Cross, Madge Worship, Peacock Hunting, Presstitutes, Religious Right Ain't Right

After an eighteen day wait, the rest of America finally got to watch what I first witnessed. Believe me, biting my tongue about this for nearly three weeks was painful, as you are about to see.

If you have not yet watched this episode, there are MAJOR spoilers in this post. You may want to wait and watch it yourself first.

If you have seen it, or don't plan to, read away and enjoy!

"HERE IT COMES! From the Bob Barker Studio at CBS in Hollywood! The first show of our record-breaking 35th year on CBS! It's the fabulous sixth minute Price Is Right!"

IUFB/PG #1: And with those words, we're off. After Kimala, Maria, Michael and William become the first four lucky people to get called on down to Contestant's Row, Bob makes his entrance through door #2 - greeted with a thunderous ovation (one, sadly, that TV just couldn't capture. You HAD to be there!)

And the first item up for bids in this landmark show? How about a $3,960 trip to Cancun!
Michael wins his way up on stage, and get to play Lucky $even... For a Cadillac CTS!

You can not imagine the electricity in the place when the car was reveal. Why? For those who don't watch, the cars played for in L$ are pushed out on stage. So imagine the thrill at watching that thing roll on out!

Michael's first guess was a 5, and lost $3 of his $7 when the door opened to reveal a 2.

His guess on the third number was a 7. The door opened to, sadly, reveal a 3 - costing Michael his last $4 and starting off season 35 with a kick to the gut.

OUCH!

Or, as Bob put it: "What a terrible way to start the 35th year on CBS!"

IUFB/PG #2: After the commercial break, Rich calls Carolyn on down to join the fun. The next item up for bids is a fitness bicycle, with a retail price of $1,999. Maria wins her way up on stage.

How do you top kicking off the season with Lucky $even for a Cadillac? How about 3 Strikes for a Corvette!

3 Strikes has always been one of my favorite games. It's played for expensive cars, and the gameplay is very exciting!

We watch as Bob puts the five numbers into the bag: The 0, the 1, the 3, the 5, and the 9. Then, of course, that evil red strike...

We're all thinking the price is $53,190. Of course, it isn't just about knowledge in this game. You need some luck as well.

Maria's first draw? The 0. She wisely chooses to put it fifth, which is correct.

Her second draw? The 9. She guesses third, and is once again correct.

Third pick? The 5. She goes with the obvious choice - first - and is rewarded by being correct yet again.

Fourth pick? The 3. She guesses second, and sure enough, it's second.

Four down, 1 to go - literally!

At this point, the audience is chanting "1! 1! 1! 1!" - which Mike and I started, of course. :P

Damn! The strike! Strike one...

1! 1! 1! 1!

No! Strike two!

Now it's nervous time in the Bob Barker Studio. We go from looking like we may have an exacta, and now are worried about a heartbreaking loss.

1! 1! 1! 1! 1!

And she draws.... the 1! WE HAVE OUR FIRST WINNER OF SEASON 35! A $53,910 Corvette, and the audience is going nuts!

I still love 3 Stikes, but that aged me FIVE YEARS! From looking like she was on her way to a clean sweep, to a full count? It's not nice to scary Maddy so!

IUFB/PG #3: Next to join our party is Vickyann. Next up for bids is a grandfather clock, valued at $3,285! Kimala wins her way up on stage, just in time to hear everyone's favorite words....

Yep, Kimala, you're about to play Plinko!

Oh, boy.

The first time I saw Plinko in person, I watched in horror as Andrew got all five chips - and put four of them into $0 and won a total of $500.

So, needless to say, I was a little nervous about this one.

Kimala also got all five chips, and all we could do at that point was cross our fingers and hope for the best.

Chip #1? $0!

Oh, no. Not again.. NOT TODAY!

Chip #2 brought more excitement... And $10,000! The Maddy Plinko curse is over! Break up The Maddy!

The third chip found it's way into $1,000, for a total of $11,000.

The fourth chip landed for another $100.

And the final chip dropped into $500, for a total of $11,600 - a HUGE improvement over my first experience with Plinko.

Showcase Showdown #1: Time to roll out the big wheel, because it's Showcase Showdown time! Michael, Kimala and Maria will be spinning for a spot in the Showcases, and perhaps even some cash.

Michael leads us off, getting a mere 45 cents in his first spin. His second spin is a suspensful one that stops of 25, giving him 70 cents total.

Next up is Kimala. Her first spin goes for only 30 cents, and she must spin again. Her second stop on 40, giving her a tie with Michael - and a spinoff if Maria doesn't beat them.

However, you can quickly forget those ideas. Maria gets 85 cents in her first spin, moving onto the Showcases at the end of the show.

IUFB/PG #4: Elissa becomes the next lucky audience member to be announced by Rich, and makes her way to Contestant's Row. Now we are bidding on a hot tub, valued at $3,495!

Wow, you know it's one special day when the prizes offered up for bids are the kinds of prizes usually offering in pricing games!

Vickyann wins her way up on stage, and gets to play Push Over for a Dodge Caravan SE.

This was a game that stumped me. I thought it would be the first choice possible ($19,460, the first five cubes). However, I read up after the taping that there is an unwritten rule that they NEVER use the first available choice in this game.

Vickyann went past that, and settled on $20,194. I was worried about her choice, but it was the only remaining choice that made any sense.

After stopping there, Bob asked the audience if we thought we had another winner - and got a mixed reaction.

Well, I'll eat crow, because Bob opened the flap to reveal... $20,194! And yet another winner, and another standing ovation!

And for those of you keeping score at home, we've reached the halfway point of our extravaganza. We have two winners in four games (three with the unofficial Plinko win). They've given away two vehicles and over $11,000 in cash.

And we still have two pricing games and the Showcases to go...

IUFB/PG #5: Adam is next to take a trip down to Contestant's Row, and next up for bids is a queen-sized bid, valued at $3,084!

William, the last of the first four contestants, gets up on stage to play Double Prices.

Double Prices is usually not one of the more exciting pricing games. They offer a prize, and show two price tags. Pick the right one, and you win. About it's only redeeming quality is that it is one of the original pricing games, dating back to the very first show.

Well, today Double Prices will be exciting, thanks to the fact that William is playing for an 18 foot skiboat!

Mike and I actually saw the prop for Double Prices rolled out during the One-Bid, and my jaw dropped. Holy shit! A prize that is either $16,112, or $18,994?!

Fortunately, there is a little rule of thumb when it comes to boats on boats on The Price Is Right: Take the length of the boat and multiply it by $1,000. So, that boat just screamed $18,994.

That was William's choice - and the correct one! We have another winner! We have another standing ovation! And during the commercial break, William had fun posing near his boat and the big doors.

IUFB/PG #6: Well, it's now time for one last contestant. And that would be Deborah...

No. I'm kidding. No luck. Margaret gets to come on down. Our last item up for bids was a drum set - and our first overbid of the year, as all four contestants were over.

The second time around, Carolyn wins that $1,080 drum set, and her way up on stage - just in time for our jaws to drop some more.

Before revealing the prizes, Bob told Carolyn that she was about to play Most Expensive. Most Expensive is another quickie game that isn't one of the more exciting games on The Price Is Right. It's played for three prizes. If the contestant picks the most expensive of the three prizes, they win all three.

When Bob said they were just about to play Most Expensive, on this show, with these prizes, I put my hand over my mouth and said "Oh my god".. Because I had a feeling what was coming next...

And imagine the thrill in the studio when door #1 opened to reveal... A new PT Cruiser!

And behind door #2... A new Jeep Wrangler SE!

And door #3... A Chevy Impala LS!

Holy shit! Three cars!

Most of the audience was thinking it was the Impala. I knew it was the Jeep. Which led to an exchange with a person in the row in front of me:

Person: "What?! Are you crazy?! It's the Impala!"
Me: "That's a $19,000 Jeep."
Person: "And that Impala is over $20,000!"
Me: "Not for an Impala LS. Those are the low-end ones. It's about $17,000."

Well, Carolyn picks the Jeep, so they'll reveal that one last...

The PT Cruiser? $16,000.

The Impala? $16,990.

At that point, the person in front of me turns around to say "Wow. I think you're right!"

So, now, time to reveal the price of the Jeep.... $19,135!

It's another winner, and over $50,000 in cars!

So that's four wins (five, counting Plinko).. That's 6 cars, a boat, and $11,600 in cash!

All that's left to go is the second Showcase Showdown, and those "Fabulous Showcases"...

Showcase Showdown #2: In the second Showdown, we have William, we have Vickyann, and we have Carolyn.

William leads us off, and posts a tough score right off the bat: 95 cents. He obviously stays, and take his chances.

However, that score didn't last very long... Vickyann gets that $1.00 in her first spin, winning $1,000 and forcing Carolyn to tie her.

That, by the way, marked the second time I've seen someone get $1.00 in person.

Carolyn's first spin goes for 40 cents. Now only the 60 will help, but it's not to be. She gets only 45 cents in the second spin.

Sadly, this taping also makes it 2 for 2 of watching a contestant get nothing in their bonus spin. Vickyann gets 40 cents, but she is moving onto the Showcases with Maria!

Showcases: Now, most people get fired up to hear Plinko is about to be played. Me? Give me those Showcases. Maybe it dates back to the fact I watched the show since 1979. Why? Back then, you only had one cash game (Punchboard), and 99% of the time they played for cars, they were cars well under $10,000.

The Showcases were the thing. That was often where we saw the big prizes. Besides, there is no thrill like seeing a contestant win both Showcases - nor the heartbreak of watching a Double Overbid.

And this being a season premiere? Believe me, I was anticipating fireworks for these Showcases...

Showcase #1 was a trip to New York City, an assortment of digital cameras, and a brand new Saturn Sky!

Mind you, I had no idea what that car was until today. I didn't recognize it, and despite sitting five feet away from Rich Fields, I couldn't hear him. So I was lost on that car, but I was thinking it looked fairly expensive, and would go for about $35,000-$40,000 alone.

Maria, who was the top winner and had the choice of Showcases, chose to bid on this. She bid $35,000, which I was thinking was a fairly decent bid.

So now Showcase #2 belongs to Vickyann.

Her showcase starts off with a JBL home theater system. Next up is a Robotron/Joust arcade game.

But, before going to the third prize, let me give you a bit of a story...

While in line, Mike and I chatted with someone named Donald. He told us that the evening before, around 5:00 pm, he was bored and looked out the window of his hotel room to see something being brought into Television City. A certain something that he believed to be very fast, and very expensive.

Well, he saw right. Because the last prize in Vickyann's showcase was a Dodge Viper!

Vickyann, after saying "hi" to a few people, gives a bid of $89,500. This was not a popular bid with the audience. People were shouting "$60,000" and "$70,000". For a Showcase with a Viper?! That car is over $80,000 by itself!

Vickyann's bid was scary. Because it could've been close - close good, or close bad. And while going over at all costs you the Showcase (as someone said during the commercial break), it's the close overbids that HURT. I mean, if someone is over by $10,000, they're over, you know it, you forget about them...

Well, it's finally time to reveal the prices of those Showcases. And the best way to do it is let Bob's own words speak for themselves...

"Maria, you have bid $35,000 on your showcase. And the actual retail price is... $33,089. You are over. And Vickyann, if you don't go over, you're a winner."

Now, at this point, it's nervous time in the Bob Barker Studio. I mean, after all the excitement, all the winning, all the fireworks, to possibly have a Double Overbid?! The horror!

On the other hand, though? This could be incredible. This could be exciting. But a double showcase win? Naw... It couldn't happen... Could it?

It's time to find out the price of Vickyann's Showcase. At this point, I'm standing there, unable to see anything. Where I was, the cameraman blocked the view of her Showcase podium, so I was stuck looking up at the monitors and hoping I can hear Bob:

"You bid $89,500 on your showcase. And Vickyann, the actual retail price of your showcase is... Eighty nine thousand...."

At this moment, I'm looking up at the monitor, thinking "Oh, god, please don't be a painful overbid."

"...Seven..."

The audience goes nuts. Now I can't even hear Bob! All I can do is look up at the monitors to see them put up the difference on the display.

239. TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE DOLLARS. I stand there, point at the monitor, and scream at the top of my lungs for a few seconds before I shout "OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! LOOK WHAT SHE JUST DID!"

"...thirty nine! YOU WIN BOTH SHOWCASES! Both showcases!"

Still unable to hear Bob, I see Vickyann's total flash up on the monitor. $147,517!

"You have won $147,517! Vickyann is the biggest winner in Price Is Right history, daytime!"

334 people are now on their feet, screaming, applauding and in an utter state of shock. A DOUBLE SHOWCASE WIN! A minivan, a Saturn Sky, a Viper, various other prizes, and $1,000 in cash! What a haul!

You can see I was not kidding when I said I sacrificed my voice for television history! I screamed! I shouted! I pumped my fists! I high-fived random strangers!

While I prefer Vin Scully's call for Kirk Gibson's home run in the 1988 World Series, the more fitting quote here was Jack Buck's: "I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW!"

Thanks to heelsrule1988 on Golden-Road.net, you too can watch this historic moment. He posted Vickyann's Showcase reveal on YouTube. Click here and enjoy!

There are a list of things I have always wanted to see in person. I want to see Hole In One played. I want to see someone get $1.00 in their bonus spin (especially a Million Dollar Spectacular). I want to see Golden Road played - especially if it's won. I want to see Triple Play. I wanted to see 3 Strikes - which did happen.

And, I wanted to see a Double Showcase Win.

And not only did I get to see it unfold, but to see the biggest daytime winner in not only TPIR history, but CBS history! Vickyann's winnings shattered the previous record, held by the infamous Michael Larson - who of course memorized the patterns on Press Your Luck's big board, taking home $110,237 in 1984.

For this, I am sure CBS is grateful.

After the show, with a hoarse voice and exhausted, I got to run into Vickyann and her husband. And just like with Jeanette, I congratulated her on her record-shattering victory.

What an incredible day. What an incredible moment. Ladies and gentlemen, season 35 has kicked off in grand fashion!

And words cannot express how grateful I was there to witness it, first-hand.

Congratulations, Vickyann!

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker

mFirst off, a belated Happy Birthday to everyone's favorite New Hampshire Joyrider. Hope you're having fun and staying out of trouble this weekend!

Also, my condolences to Butch, on the recent passing of his grandmother. May she rest in peace.

I'd like to touch on a few things, and finally get around to the search strings for August, before The Big Show - which airs tomorrow. Check your local listings - and I repeat: CONSIDER THIS MUST SEE TV.

It's KUNT - All Madonna, All The Time!: Esther Madge arrived in Russia, rocked the house, and has left safely. Thank goodness. You have no idea how freaked out I was over that trip.

However, it sounds like a lawmaker's plans to send her into space has been rejected. No, that isn't a joke. There was a proposal to send Esther Madge up to the ISS in 2008, which was slapped down by the Parliment in a landslide.

Of course, the question was whether this lawmaker proposed this out of goodwill and feeling it was a nice gesture, or whether he wanted to send her on a one-way trip to Pluto in response to the controversy that greeted her.

Not to mention the fact that space travel scares the shit out of me now that we've lost TWO space shuttles in the last 20 years. I mean, Louise Ciccone going into space freaks me out worse than Sherrie's skydiving stunt in 1999.

But, then again, on the other hand, it's not like we hear about RUSSIAN space disasters, do we? If she were to go where no pop star has gone before, maybe she is better off going up with the Russians...

And, of course, while Louise Ciccone was there, she inflicted her own unique brand of Satanism upon the Fatherland. What did she do, you ask? She visited an orphanage, bringing clothing, gifts and cakes!

Yes, The Evil One spend her evil time with a bunch of orphans, and took the time to brighten their day.

How evil. How repulsive. Why doest thou walk with Satan, Esther?!

Funny that an allegedly "evil" singer reaches out to help kids, while the "holy" Slavic Christians are driving stakes through posters and are calling upon other Kool-Aid drinkers to "kill the antichirst". Pathetic.

For more on Esther's Visit Of Evil - complete with evil pictures, check out Elaine's blog here.

Now, you may ask, what's with this "Louise Ciccone" crap? Ask the Russian press.

Seriously. Many Russians, trying to be sensetive to the religious masses offended by the "antichrist", have refused to call her Madonna. They have been referring to her as "Louise Ciccone".

Of course, they could've made this easier, and called her Esther. Or Madge. Or Dita. Or Esther Madge Dita - since, after all, that is her name now (since I am your Madonna now!)

Though, I must admit, it's funny to me, because it brings to mind all the people who doubted that her first name REALLY was Madonna when she first burst onto the scene. In fact, there was even a post on the classmates.com forum for her high school, where someone who went to high school with her said that her parents thought she made up the name Madonna and were skeptical when she would call and introduce herself as "Madonna".

That was good for a laugh.

Then, of course, there are the people (such as the people behind the World Almanac, and Wikipedia), who continue to claim Esther's full, legal birth name is Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. No, boys and girls, Veronica was not on her birth certificate. It was her confirmation name, and which is why you don't hear "Veronica" used much anymore now that she's into Kabbalah.

But I'm getting off track a bit here, huh?

Maybe Russia was better off before it kept trying to absord Russian culture. Because not only do we have religious fanatics, but now we have American style political correctness. I mean, c'mon. I hate how PC America has become. I'm sure as hell not thrilled to see someone follow in our footsteps.

Happy happy, joy joy.

And you would have to imagine Mrs. Ritchie was thrilled to discover she's been renamed. Considering how much she hates/hated Madge, I can't picture her liking the sounds of Louise Ciccone too much.

That deserves a sheesh.

Lastly, before we move on from Her Madgesty, I guess it's Rod Stewart's turn to be a knucklehead. Mr. Bird Nest himself became the latest to use Esther Madge to get his name into the press by going off about how much he dislikes her voice.

First off, ROD, your voice is an acquired taste itself. Furthermore, for someone who wants to criticize Madge for how she has used her voice, how about how you've used yours? Many critics feel that the music you released in the late 70's and early 80's was utter crap.

You criticizing Madonna would be like Faith Hill criticizing Shania Twain. Pot. Kettle. Black.

Secondly, what have YOU done lately?

I like your music and all, Rod, but have I told you lately that you're a jackass?

The season 34 finale Barkerisms finally went up here. And if you haven't bookmarked my TPIR blog yet, shame on you. Bob Barker is the funniest man on television!

And, I repeat: Check your local listings for tomorrow's TPIR. It's MUST SEE TV!

Finally, here's the top 20 search string for August, and one notable honorable mention. Enjoy!

1. linda carter nude (Who? Well, at least we finally have a new #1!)
2. loser (Only 19 spots to go)
3. lynda carter nude (I still prefer the costume. :P )
4. madonna blog (And you too have tuned into KUNT...)
5. britney spears smoking (This is Bob Barker, reminding you to help control the pest population...)
6. happy gilmore- (You can't be any worse at hockey than you are at golf!)
7. madonna layouts (There can only be one!)
8. deborah gibson nude (The horror! The horror!)
9. madonna (All Madonna, All The Time!)
10. bob barker don't touch me (Can't touch this!)
11. esther canseco (No way, Jose!)
12. madonna smoking (Don't mind if I do)
13. bob barker (The Man. The Myth. The Legend!)
14. darth chef (Can we say "Jumped The Shark"?)
15. debbie gibson nude (Only in your dreams)
16. madonna's blog (Yes. Can't you tell I love myself?)
17. nude linda carter (Oooooookay.)
18. sherrie austin nude (That's never been kissed, not never been stripped)
19. britney smoking (Ugh.)
20. madonna blogs (Yep, and there's three more)

And that honorable mention? I kid you not. Someone located my humble little site by searching for "lynda carter saying go fuck yourself".

I'd pay real money to hear that!

Tomorrow I'll be posting the recap to The Big Show. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!

Labels: Barker Worship, Gone But Not Forgotten, I'll Give You A Cross, I'll give you a search string, Madge Worship, Mi Vida Loca, Religious Right Ain't Right

Gee, anyone notice how many of my posts lately have involved television and space? Why could that be?

Well, that might be because of the fact that forty years ago today, on Monday, September 8, 1966, NBC would debut a television series that would leave a lasting impact upon the world - despite lasting just three seasons.

That series, of course, is Star Trek.

Four spinoffs, ten films and god-knows-how many "Beam me up, Scotty!" jokes later, it truly has evovled beyond a short-lived television series that NBC (and most of America) didn't take very seriously at first.

That being said, with all due respect to the Great Bird Of The Galaxy himself, Gene Roddenberry, let me say it may be time to go out while it's somewhere near the top...

Let's face it. DS9 was about as exciting as watching paint dry (what a waste of Avery Brooks to stick him on a fucking space spation!). Voyager was about as exciting as watching dried paint dry...

And Enterprise? I only watched a few episodes, but I kept waiting (hoping?!) that the episodes would end with Captain Archer disappearing into a blue light, appearing somewhere (and somewhen) else, and saying "Oh, boy!".

It kills me to say it, but Star Trek is clearly showing signs of running out of steam. The last three series have not captured my attention nor imagination, nor have I been overwhelmed with any film since MAYBE First Contact.

And, you know it's bad when not only are William Shatner (MR. TAMBOURINE MAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!!) and Leonard Nimoy are admitting their only real interest with Star Trek is the money, but that Rick Berman - the Trek Killer himself - is now wondering if he has oversaturated the franchise.

No shit, Rick. Maybe you should've quit while you were ahead after The Next Generation?

Thank you for all the great memories, but yes, it's time to boldly go into retirement before you piss all over everything Gene Roddenberry devoted 25 years to.

And, now, it's time to discuss religion some more...

You know, this world has become an evil, EVIL place, so words cannot express the relief I feel knowing that there is a call to arms in Russia for "Slavic Christians" to "kill the antichrist". Apparently, it sounds like they are expecting the antichrist there soon.

Quite frankly, I don't know how they determined who the antichrist is, but apparently, they have! And the world will become a better place once they are wiped off the face of the planet.

In fact, some of them are even going around showing off a large photo of this source of all evil, so everyon.....



HEY! Wait just a goddamned minute! That can't be the antichrist... What the fuck?!

All sarcasm aside, I am now seriously freaked out of my mind now. First, there were threats that extremists would kidnap Madge and her kids if she came to Moscow (and she IS arriving on Sunday). And, now, we have a band of extremists who have taken a large photo of her, stabbed it with a stake, then tore it up and stomped all over her.

And, yes, from what I have been able to find out, that banner says "Slavic Christians! Kill the antichrist!"

First off, would someone explain to me how Madonna is the antichrist? What is so "evil" about her? What does her work have to do with "spreading the message of Satan" - we are, after all, talking about a woman who has devoted a great deal of time and energy over the last twenty years to defending gay rights, promoting world peace, and opposing discrimination.

Look, I'm not going to blow sunshine up anyone's ass and claim Madonna is free of sin. But comparing her to the antichrist would be like comparing Willian Shatner to Paul McCartney...

I mean, I despise Ann Coulter with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns, but I sure as hell don't think SHE is the antichrist.

I am so pleased and tickled pink to know that the fall of communisn has helped spread American ideas to Russia - they too have learned religious intolerance and hatred in the name of "thy lord".

Again, I would like to ask these lunatics to think real fucking hard how their lord and savior, Jesus Christ, would react to Esther Madge. You think he'd be calling for acts of violence upon her? Hell no, he would not.

Last time I checked, Christ was supposed to be a man of love and peace. How in the hell is killing this alleged "antichrist" an act of peace? In what way does violence upon Madge run parallel to Christ's teachings? And what the hell did Lourdes and Rocco ever do to them?!

Sick. Absolutely fucking sick.

Seriously, I was hoping to be a good girl, and quit smoking this week. I thought I'd smoked my last cigarette on Wednesday night. But, then, all this shit - along with the upcoming anniversary of 9/11 - surfaced, and I've postponed THOSE plans..

Check back on September 13, please.

Only one other time in my life have I sat around during one of Madonna's tours and thought "Just end the fucking thing already!". That, of course, was The Girlie Show, during my anti-Madonna phase.

Now, I am feeling the exact same way, but for entirely different reasons: I want her home, safe and sound. I am not looking forward to spending the next 4-5 days, freaked out of my mind, worrying about her safety because a band of lunatics are making terrorist threats against her and her family.

And, yes, that is exactly how I view what is coming from Russia, with hate: Terrorist threats.

I honestly would feel better if she just cancelled the Moscow performance. Just skip it and make your way to Japan, please. I am worried sick. I am VERY uncomfortable what all that's gone down.

Quite honestly, I can't believe all that has transpired since May over an artistic statement. She's been skewered by the "liberal" media. She's been blasted by religious figurheads. And now she's been threatened.

All this over a goddamned mirrored crucifix?!

What started off with snickering, eye-rolling and spells of annoyance has become something that scares the living shit out of me. I don't believe anyone should be threatened or endangered over what they say or think, but when it's someone I admire and think a great deal of, it's 100,000 times worse.

I also think it's incredible that once again I'm terrified by religious zealots, and yet again it's not an "evil Muslim", but zealots of a "good", Western religion. Whether it's killing in Jesus' name (Bush), blowing up abortion clinics, or threatening Madonna, it never ceases to amaze me that "our" zealots scare me more than "their" zealots.

Is it any wonder why I'm far less comfortable and happy now than I was growing up? Intolerance like this has certainly taken its toll on my nerves and sanity over the years...

And, by the way: What does God need with a starship?

Believe me, I'm going to sitting on pins and needles from the moment she arrives in Moscow, and I will not rest easy until she's on her way to Japan.

Madge, please stay safe. And may the authorities in Moscow keep you safe while you're there.

At least if there is any good news, the big episode is due to air in only ten days now. Let's hope my nerves are back to normal by then, and I can enjoy it.

Labels: I'll Give You A Cross, Madge Worship, Religious Right Ain't Right, Star Trekkin'

Yesterday, I attended my fourth taping of The Price Is Right. However, this wasn't just any taping... This was a piece of television history - the premiere episode for TPIR's 35th season!

Needless to say, spirits were high, and the energy from this crowd could've powered all of Southern California. I thought the first three tapings were energetic and passionate... NOTHING could've prepared me for this. Not only was there more energy and passion yesterday than the previous three tapings combined, but Michael and I both did our share of fueling that energy throughout the day.

We all knew this was big, but we didn't realize just how big until we saw the media attention that our little party was about to get. A crew from Entertainment Tonight Canada showed up just after 10:00 am to speak to little ol' us. Countless pictures were snapped of the audience members as they waited to enter. And when we did enter, we were greeted with a number of cameras (both still and video) up on stage.

When I attended my first taping back in November, I had spoken of the feeling of walking into a piece of history. That was magnified by about 10,000 yesterday. This truly was a celebration of 35 seasons of history, of a show that started off as a game show and has turned into a true piece of American culture.

No matter what would happen during those 60 minutes that all of America will see, I knew I was taking part in a truly unforgettable, one of a kind experience...

And I'll do my best to take you through some of it with us.

Chuck ROCKS! Poor Chuck. He seemed so happy and excited on April 27, when he posted on Golden-Road.net and told us he had just been hired to be a page at CBS, and would get to work TPIR occasionally...

I don't think ANYTHING could've prepared him for what he was about to face.

Chuck, just after 10:00 am, went through the rules and regulations with an over-the-top speech (I jokingly referred to it as "Shatner on crack"). During that speech, he touched on the fact that you must put your LEGAL first name on your contestant card, citing the example that he would put "Charles"...

However, he made the mistake of saying "Don't call me Charles!", so of course once he finished his speech, I shouted "THANK YOU, CHARLES!"

Poor Chuck. We were only getting started... Because a couple of idiots *sweet, angelic smile* at the end of the first bench started up the first "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!" chant of the day as he walked by to start collecting contestant cards. And, sure enough, a few seconds later that chant of two had turned into a chant of about 120 as everyone joined in...

Michael had his fun with Chuck's delivery of the rules, by greeting him with an equally over the top "HERE I COME TO SAAAAAAVE THE DAY!" when Chuck came by to collect his contestant card.

Chuck's response? A flat, sarcastic "Thank you, Michael."

Chuck disappeared for about 30 minutes (probably trying to get away from us), then was greeted with yet another chant when he returned. I then chimed in with "What were you doing, Chuck? Calling security on us?! Because I would if I were you!"

Oh, boy.

It carried on all day...

Chuck walked around the corner (and past me as I was out there smoking)? I start up, and next thing you know 20 other people join in... "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

He walks over to fire us up around noon? "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

He tells us about his own experience as a contestant (which aired March 31 of last year)? "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

He asked how many Yankees fans were here, so he could insult the Yankees? "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

I think (though I can't say for certain) that he decided to get us to chant something else, so he encouraged us to chant "BOB! BOB! BOB!" when Bob entered the studio that afternoon... Which worked for a while.

Because, of course, when he went over to warm up the people around the corner, he left hearing - you guessed it! - "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"

Poor, poor Chuck...

Michael and I tried to get chants started for the other pages as well ("SA-RA! SA-RA! SA-RA!"), but these just didn't take off...

Of course, the wait in line consisted of more of the usual insanity: Cheering other potential contestants after their interviews completed, cheering people as they came around the corner after completing their interviews, cheering people as they entered and exited the restrooms, and so many high-fives it's a miracle our hands didn't fall off...

I don't think at this point Rich needed to warm us up after we entered the studio - any hotter, and we would've set Bob on fire!

Next stop: Television history! Fifteen minutes later than usual, we finally make that walk into Mecca itself - with the obligatory high-fives on the way in.

Usually upon entering the Bob Barker Studio, we enter to the lights dimmed and a fairly empty stage... Not today.

Instead, the lights are on, and we're greeted with three people with video cameras and a still photographer. And, the staff wasted no time cranking up the music and trying to get 334 people even more fired up.

It certainly worked...

People clapped, people screamed, people danced, the only thing missing from this party (at this point) were Bob, Rich and an assortment of prizes.

But at the moment, we didn't need them... We had energy. We had music.

And we had Chuck!

Yes, Chuck was in the studio, having the honor of working inside the Bob Barker Studio for this historic day...

And, sure enough, two people greeted him with "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"... Which turned into 334 people chanting his name...

He paraded around, carrying the sign which stated the air date for this episode... "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"...

He then did it again, and you guessed it - another chant!

Finally, they cranked up Crystal Waters' "Come On Down", briefly dimmed the lights, and out came Rich Fields to warm us up, greeted with not only a standing ovation, but you guessed it...

"RICH! RICH! RICH!"

Well, sure enough, he got us even more fired up. He drilled us on what to do upon hearing the phrase "Bob Barker" (a thunderous standing ovation and chant), and set himself up again for yet another Madgeism...

Rich: "27 years ago, I was sitting right there in the back for my first taping. It was 1979, I had just turned 18. You do the math..."

Maddy: "19!"

Rich: "Bless your little heart! Deborah, you said that? Get her name down, I need to send her a Christmas card! Deborah, what's your last name?"

Maddy: "Gibson!"

Rich: "Gibson.. Wait a minute.. That makes you Debbie Gibson!"

Maddy: "Uhh.. Yeah!"

He went through the story about his first "turn" as announcer (when Johnny let him take the microphone before the show and shout "Johnny Olson, come on down!".. The good news/bad news routine ("The bad news is, we have rules. The good news is, I just saved a bunch of money on my insurance by switching to Geico!"), and the usual drill ("Yes, you can hug." "Yes, ladies, you can kiss." "Ladies, no sloppy kisses. Guys, no kissing!")

And, now, it was finally about that time.. After hours of cheering Chuck, and Rich, and each other...

Bob has entered the building! The Man himself makes his entrance, greeted with a thunderous ovation and an equally thunderous chant of "BOB! BOB! BOB!" - one which didn't stop until the first item up for bids was revealed...

He was then greeted with yet another after the first pricing game, and his usual response of "Please, thank you. One standing ovation a day is enough for a man like me!" received the response of "No, it's not!" from Michael...

And it certainly wasn't.. Not today. Not kicking off your 35th season of The Price Is Right... And not kicking off your 50th season on television!

Bob was in prime form today, no doubt fired up as well.

During the commercial breaks, we heard requests ("Bob, can you wish my mother a happy 85th birthday?" "You tell your mother when you get home that Bob Barker said 'Happy 85th birthday!'"), we heard compliments (Thanking him for all the great years, and one who thanked him for all his animal rights work, saying the world would be a better place with more people like him - greeted with yet another "BOB! BOB! BOB!" chant), and of course... Barkerisms!

After the THIRD standing ovation of the day: "First, you're going to spoil me. Second, we still have an hour to go!" Rich replied to that by yelling "They love you, Bob!"

Boy, did he have that right... I think we tried to give him more applause that day than the previous 34 seasons COMBINED!

In response to those of us who were born AFTER The Price Is Right debuted: "Can you imagine what your parents did BEFORE The Price Is Right?" (after a pregnent pause) "They watched Truth Or Consequences!"

After a mini-group (we had no full, official groups yesterday) calling themselves "Barker's Dirty Dozen" got his attention: "There's more than a dozen of you!" (There were 13, as in a baker's dozen - or would that be a baRker's dozen?)

Another group, calling themselves "Bob's Adopted Kids" got his attention: "That's a scary sight to wake up to!"

Another mini group wearing orange shirts with the Texas flag, saying "Don't mess with Barker": "You're not a group. You're just a bunch of people in orange shirts!"

In response to the three mini groups: "So I have Bob's Dirty Dozen, Bob's Adopted Kids, and Bob's guys in orange shirts!"

Two people try to pass themselves off as a group: "You're not a group! You're just two people!"

Four others try it: "You're not a group! You're just four people who went drinking together last night!"

On why he hasn't done anymore movies: "I refuse to do any nude scenes!"

After a few people brought gifts for Bob: "If any of you are embarassed because you didn't bring a gift, money will do quite nicely!"

After one of the "Dirty Dozen" asked for a kiss: "Can't you see I'm working up here?! However, I'll meet you in the parking lot after the show!"

A man posed a trivia question to Bob (What is Quamba, and where is it). Bob and everyone on stage plays pass the question ("Uhh, you take this one, Rich." "No, this is yours, Marty!"). Bob finally suggests it's a beer, Rich thinks is tequilia. Once they're given the answer (a town in Minnesota with 89 people), Bob slaps his thigh and yells "Damn! I knew that! Wait, are you sure it's 89 people? I could've sworn there were only 88!"

After the second person asked for a handshake "If I shook everyone's hand, I'd be here all night! I may as well run for office at this point!" (But, yes, he shook her hand)

(The first person to ask for a handshake was a handicapped person who walked with a cane. Bob said "Of course!", shook his hand, then he walked over to get a hug from Rich - and was warmly applauded by the audience.)

Bob also made the mistake of trying to share the applause by urging us to give a round of applause to the staff there at CBS. This led to - you guessed it - one last chant of "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!".

At this point, Chuck must've either felt 15 feet tall, or looking to crawl into a hole and bury himself!

Another person asked Bob how they could get Rich's job: "You can't. Rich is staying with me forever!" (I was sitting right near Rich, and looked over to see him shaking his finger at the person who asked)

Poor Roger Dobkowitz even got it during the show. Why? Because someone in the audience kept running up and throwing confetti throughout the show, and did so right after Bob entered... Bob thought (at first) that it was cooked up by Roger, and said "I thought you told me everything you were going to do!", which inspired a two person chant of "DOB! DOB! DOB!"

Roger was looking right over at us, and then wasn't seen for a few more minutes after that. We must've scared him off..

What can I say but I did it! I stopped The Dob!

But, we got two great ones...

"Bob, what's your secret to looking so young and being so healthy?"
"What's my secret, you ask? Booze!"
(Audience erupts, and yet another "BOB! BOB! BOB!" chant begins)
"You're only doing that because you're a bunch of drunks! I was joking!" (he then went on to say it's his diet and exercise)

But, you can't have a historic, monumental episode of The Price Is Right without THE Barkerism, the one that started it all...

"Bob, speaking of movies, can we hear a line from Happy Gilmore?"

"That would not be appropriate! I can't say that here! There are women here! See Fingers Greco over there? I don't think she should hear that!" *audience cheers some more, egging him on* "And we have the vice president of CBS Daytime over here too!" (Sorry, I didn't catch her name) "Okay, I'll ask her if I should say it..." *audience erupts again* "Don't do that! Don't try to sway her!"

"Okay.. These young people over here want me to say 'The price is right, bitch!'" *audience goes nuts, drowns out the rest of what Bob says, as he is greeted with yet another chant*

And not only that, but Bob is now aware of the whole concept of Barkerisms!

Michael raised his hand at one point to ask a question, and this was the exchange that took place:

Michael: "We get a kick out of all the jokes and stories you tell during the commercial breaks - in fact, we refer to them as Barkerisms. Have you ever considered taping them, releasing them on DVD, and giving the proceeds to animal rights organizations?"

Bob: You know, that is a great idea! Thank you!"

Michael: "Just a second. Bob? Actually, that wasn't my idea. It's her idea!" *pointing at me*

Bob *looking at me*: "It is a great idea. Thank you!"

Talk about high praise! Wow...

Just an unbelievable day, with a surreal ending... After the show wrapped up, Bob walked up (greeted with one last standing ovation), thanked everyone, and asked for us to give a round of applause to "the best announcer in the business, Rich Fields" - with Bob surrounded by nearly a dozen cameras and microphones from the various media agencies here to cover this piece of history.

Rich, of course, got more than applause, as he too got a standing O, and one last chant as he and Bob briefly hugged.

What a day!

As for the show itself, a contestant... No. I can't tell you. I can't share what happened. I won't play the spoiler. All I will say is if you are a fan of The Price Is Right, you MUST watch this episode, which will air September 18. You won't want to miss this! Consider this Must See TV! Watch it! Tape it! Tivo it! Just make sure you watch!

No, I wasn't picked. My involvement with this historic day consisted of cheering, screaming, chanting and watching everything in person.

Oh, yes... And getting an autograph.

After the show, I walked up to Rich Fields, shook hands, and then got him to sign the back of my contestant card. So, now I have a neon pink card, with a giant "044" on it (how fitting as a lifelong Reggie Jackson fan), signed by Rich Fields. :)

But you know what? I wouldn't have missed it for anything...

Except maybe a date with Madonna.

Here's to 35 amazing seasons, and here's hoping for 35 more!

Labels: Barker Worship, Camp Barker, Chuck, That's What Friends Are For, You Will NEVER Stop The Dob