I have just returned from trip #8 to Television City, which also went down as my first taste of Drew in person...
And, of course, Chuck's grand finale.
After dinner (Mmmm... Subway.) and about six hours of sleep, we hit the line at 3 am this morning - a time which would have put us somewhere between 20 and 40 before Bob announced his retirement, and probably would've had us SOL during the Bob Barker Farewell Tour.
Needless to say, it was more than a bit of a shock to find just six people already in line.
What was mind-blowing though, of course, was seeing that Camp Barker truly is no more. That the days of people spending 24+ hours in line is over. I had a feeling that would be the case after Bob rode off into the sunset. But seeing it in person was shocking, especially after the 25 hour wait for the May 17th taping.
But, the real fun of course began just after 6 am, when it was time to receive our order of arrival numbers, when The Man himself stepped outself the gates to greet us.
And after he explained everything to everyone, he was greeted with the first chant of the day (CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!)... The first of many, of course.
There is no doubt that Chuck truly appreciated not only the chant, but seeing us show up again. After we received our order of arrival numbers, we headed off to CVS to pick up a few things, then made our way back to the room for a short period of time.
We made it back to TVC just after 7:30 am, deciding we'd hang out around all the other loonies - and, of course Chuck. And hang out with Chuck we did, because a few minutes later he came over to shake our hands, thank us very much for being there, and spent a good 20 minutes or so talking to us.
He also dropped a couple bombshells on us during that chat:
#1. Chuck has been reading this very blog. While he has done little posting anywhere (and no posts to G-R.net) since being hired, he does like to read up everyday on what people think and feel about the show. Needless to say, I was quite stunned, and quite honored, that he was taking the time to read my TPIR-related posts this whole time.
(Hi Chuck!)
#2. Michael and I had known that we spread the word on The Legend Of Chuck, and may have indeed been the first two people to chant "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!" at TVC. Well, this morning, Chuck confirmed it. The myth, the legend, the growing legion of fans, all began thanks to us. We truly did plant the seed on August 31 of last year, on the day that went down as the 35th season premiere, and the day Vickyann became co-owner of CBS.
How else could I feel about that than to be very surprised, and very proud. Since then, thousands of people have become members of the Chuck Dukas Fan Club - everything from wanting to see The Master Of Pages in person, to chanting his name, to even campaigning for Chuck to become the announcer of TPIR this spring (with Rich as the new host), or even Chuck himself taking over as the host of the show...
But, of course, along with feeling that way, this is me we're talking about, so of course I had to have my own sardonic, bemused take on the impact we'd had. Because a little later, I told Michael "I need to send my resume to Madonna now. If I can take an unknown page and turn him into a celebrity over the course of a year, imagine what I can do to boost the career of an already world-famous woman who is being overshadowed because she doesn't shave her head, go to rehab or go to jail!"
Well, it was worth a shot.
Around 8:00 am, Chuck gave us the first warmup of the day (after, of course, we greeted him with the chant once again). After his usually passionate, dramatic reading of the rules and regulations, he then met with everyone from the crowd, shaking all our hands and asking where we were from. From there, he looked around for groups, giving us the Bob line ("Six? You need seven to be a group!"). Believe me, we were tempted to stand up and say "We're a group of two. We're the Chuck Dukas Fan Club!"... Wasted oppotunity.
After that, he then asked around to see if anyone had any birthdays (and gave the business to a few people who had UPCOMING birthdays, saying things like "Come back next week, then!") or anniversaries, asking if anyone was on their honeymoon, and finally asking if "anyone was celebrating a divorce!"
But, of course, it would not be Chuck without him giving a Yankees fan the business. He spotted someone on the third bench with the Evil Empire's logo on his cap, and asked him to stand up and turn to his right. After he did so, Chuck told him "You have a great profile. Now, start walking, and don't stop until you've reached the street!" Chuck, of course, was kidding, but watching him (or anyone else) give Yankees fans the business never gets old!
Finally, I got to sit through Chuck's legendary contestant oath, where we swore not to break the rules, to have fun, and most importantly, that we would give all our prizes to Chuck, and empty out our wallets after the show and give everything to Chuck. I was certainly glad to take part in that, because I'd never gotten the chance before. He wasn't doing the contestant oath last August, and he didn't show up until around 11:30 am on May 17th.
After Chuck's explanation and fun, it was time to get our order of arrival slips. Despite only having tickets to the 4 pm taping, Chuck wanted us to do both tapings. And we would've loved to have.. Except we didn't get our OoA slips until around 8:30. And the processing for the early taping began around 9:00. Which meant we would've needed to get breakfast, eat, shower, get everything straightened out and check out of our room in about 20 minutes...
Sadly, I would've needed a time machine for that. Because I would've loved to have sent Chuck off with two shows filled with energy and insanity. It also, sadly, wasn't possible within the time frame.
With that done, it was time for breakfast (Mmm... More Subway), then a bit of cleaning up before returning to Television City around 10:30 am - just in time to hear Chuck firing up the audience for the 1:00 pm taping - talking about going in there to win big, and of course, coaching them on how to react when Drew made his grand entrance (DREW! DREW! DREW!).
It was during that wait that I met G-R.net's very own Willy Tynan (who, of course, famously said that television couldn't "capture the thunder" of Bob's entrance for the 35th season premiere). He was explaining to another member of the 1:00 audience why his contestant card had an X over it, and when she asked if he was a contestant, he'd said he indeed was - last December 22, and that he didn't get out of Contestant's Row. I quickly put on and one together, so I turned to him and said "I have a very stupid question for you. Would your last name happen to be Tynan?". He confirmed that it was, then asked who I was on the site. Needless to say, he got a look at my shirt and quickly figured it out. We sat around for a good 30-40 minutes chatting about the show (and I was pleased to know I was not the only one who compared TPIR to church), and even pointed out the three times he was mentioned in Stan's book (which was very cool). I had only chatted with Willy a few times online, but I always thought he was pretty cool. Yesterday only confirmed that.
It was definitely a pleasure to finally meet you, Willy!
Speaking of the shirt, though, it was the only potential downer of the day... Around noon, Amy (one of the pages at CBS) told me that her manager said my shirt could be seen as advertising, and that it could be seen as promoting Madonna like promoting a company. I told her that I'd been to seven other tapings, and it had not been a problem. Michael pointed out that a Showcase winner just before our first tapings was wearing a Tina Turner T-Shirt AND hat. I just asked her to be totally sure on this, and if that's the deal, fine, but that I was surprised that there had been no prior issues.
Fortunately, she checked and told me about ten minutes later "Yes, you're cool. It's fine. No worries." Needless to say, I was relieved. I then told her as a joke "It's not like Madonna needs any advertising, anyway. There are kids in Bangladesh without TV's who know who she is!" (she found that funny, thank goodness). I probably also should've mentioned that "Madonna is not a product. She's a utopian idea, a way of life, a level of goodness and wisdom that many a wise person has devoted their entire lives trying to attain!", but that probably would've been too much at that point... Besides, I'm sure everyone else already thought we were nuts.
With that squared away, it was time to get the ball rolling. Chuck came back out, and we greeted him once again with "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!". He smiled over at us and asked "So, how much are they paying you to say that?". He gave us another amped-up basic runthrough of the rules, which included telling us that we shouldn't wear anything we wouldn't wear in our everyday lives - like costumes, wedding veils, and Drew Carey glasses.
After that was done, it was time to take the walk around the corner and line up on the benches. Of course, this time it was a little different, for one reason.
Normally, in the past, I'd get to play follow the leader(s) and wait until the people in front of me stopped to know where my spot was. But, well... I may have been seventh in line at 3:00 am, but the six people in front of me were all there for the 1:00 pm taping. Meaning, that for the 4:00 taping, I WAS playing leader and everyone was following me.
Chuck gave us one last explanation of the detailed rules and regulations (no price lists, no dishonesty, etc.) - the only difference being that this time around, he wanted us all to scream "The Price Is Right" when it was time for him to say what taping we were here for.
So, of course, when a page came by a few minutes later to hand me my blue contestant card - with the right side having a giant 00...
1 on it.
I had joked for a year now that I always wanted one of them. I'd admire them when I run into the first people in line. I didn't think it'd ever happen, though, especially with the fun of Camp Barker. But, wouldn't you know it, I finally got one.
After that it was time for those nametags, though this time something out of the routine happened. After one of the other pages started writing out the nametags for our side, I went to the restroom. On the way back, Chuck saw me wearing my nametag and said "Oh, shit, they started nametags?! Come with me..." He grabbed a stack of them, led me back around the corner, and started filling out nametags for the second bench... But not before he took a few seconds to fill out the first two nametags: "Michael" and "Deborah", before handing them to us.
I can only say I am honored that he wanted so strongly to have the chance to fill in our nametags for us for his final show. Thank you!
Once everyone had their nametags and were squared away, it was now time for the final Chuck Show at TPIR. One final warmup. One final memorable performance from the Master Of Pages (CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!)
Chuck started it up by telling everyone that after eighteen months, this was his last day on the job, and that between his emotions and a strained voice, he wasn't sure he could get through it, but he'd give it his best (doesn't he always?). He opened up with his story about how he became such a passionate fan of the show, how he scheduled his college classes so he'd never miss The Price Is Right, and what an honor it was for him to spend eighteen months working with Bob, Drew Carey, the rest of the staff at the show and CBS, and of course us fans.
He told everyone about how he was once in our shoes, how he came to Television City and sat on these same benches to see the show and become a contestant (which he did, of course). He told us the story of how he got called down in the first four contestants, and won his way up on stage to play... "which game?". When I shouted back "It's In The Bag!", he playfully asked for security (playing up the joke I told him during our first taping, when I asked him if he called security on us, and that "I would've if I were you!", perhaps?). After a good laugh, he then asked again, this time pointing in my direction, as I answered again. He talked of spinning the Big Wheel, and of course winning nothing besides a pair of video phones - which are still sitting in his closet.
But, of course, after that, he decided he'd love to work there, and applied for a job... which, of course, he got. He explained how at the time he was hired, all the pages worked hard, did a good job... but weren't exactly entertaining. As someone who sat on those benches and went through the slow, lengthy process, he knew it could be boring. He decided to bring some excitement to the routine, and started making an effort to entertain us, to bring some fun during the long wait to get into the studio - and how pleased that he was that people truly enjoyed it.
But, what came next was a bit of a surprise... Chuck turned our way and said "Would the two of you in the front stand up?". He then told the rest of the crowd "Last year, these two people showed up to a taping, and decided they liked me so much that they started chanting my name. Soon everyone else started chanting it as well. At tapings after that, people started chanting my name as well. Thousands of you have come here, and have cheered me on and chanted my name. If I go on to have a successful career in television, it's going to be because of the people like you, and these are the two who started it all. I'll never forget any of you, and I'll never forget what you two did for me. Thank you, thank you very much!"
Talk about being awestruck. Talk about being blown away that what two people did, on the spur of the moment, would have such an incredible impact - not only upon Chuck, but thousands of people who would follow us into Television City after August 31, ***6. Not only was I proud, but I was very touched that what I had did could make such an impression upon someone's life.
KS had asked me last year if I believed in the chaos effect, and whether Vickyann's big day would not have happened if I weren't there... I don't know. But I do look back and think I was meant to be there, for another reason. Would "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!" have become part of the tapestry of The Price Is Right had we not been there that day, to toss that pebble into the pond and start a ripple effect that grew over the last fourteen months?
We'll never know.
But, after Chuck's kind words, there was only one thing I could do. I smiled, I pointed back to Chuck and said "You're welcome, and believe me, none of us will ever forget you!", and punctuated that the only way I could... "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!"
Now it was time for Chuck to do what he's done so well: Motivate us. Who the hell needs Tony Robbins when we have Chuck Dukas?
It was time for Chuck to tell us all about going into that studio, setting the bar high, and seeking those life-changing victories. Not to walk out with two video phones, or a refrigerator, or a bedroom group... But to walk out there with a new car, or $50,000 on Plinko, or biggest of all: To walk out as a Double Showcase Winner!
And, of course, to walk in there with energy and passion. To be loud and enthusiastic. And, of course, to blow the roof off the place when Drew Carey makes his grand entrance. And to coach that, he called upon some volunteers...
First, he tried to find someone with a loud voice to "take over", and I tried to volunteer Michael for that. Had I knew that Chuck was looking for someone to play Rich, I would've raised my own hand. I thought Chuck really was trying to find someone to carry on his warmup, and not for a "Rich". Because while I can help plant the seed for The Legend Of Chuck, I sure as hell couldn't fill his shoes.
Now, with our "Rich", it was time to find a Drew Carey... For that, he did pick Michael - meaning that on October 24, 2007, Michael got to be Drew Carey for a few moments.
Now, I'm sure, came Chuck's favorite part - picking four attractive, single women. Once he did so, it was now time for "Rich" to announce "Drew's" entrance, and for us to demonstrate how we'd greet our new host.
While I could never fill Chuck's shoes, one thing I can do is lead by example. So, after Rich introduced "the star" of The Price Is Right, and Michael "Carey" stepped out from behind that partition, I jumped to my feet, stuck my fist in the air, screamed and led a loud, enthusiastic cheer of "DREW! DREW! DREW! DREW!".
With that squared away, Chuck once again thanked us not only for today, but for the last eighteen months, then stepped away so The Stanish Inquisition could begin.
Stan interviewed the two people would needed lift access to get in first (a woman in a wheelchair, and another woman who I assume was her caretaker), then had the fun of stepping over to interview the first group of audience members.
I am sure there are many ways Stan would love to kick off the interviewing process. Seeing me standing there with contestant card 001 may not have been one of them. :P
Actually, I have never gotten the impression Stan dislikes me. Though, I have to admit it probably wasn't one of my better interivews (I did try to get him to sign my Bible. He apologized, said he couldn't now, but would after the show). Michael's interview, where he vowed revenge on Roger for Lucky $even certainly went better.
With Inquisition #8 in the books, now it was time to head around the corner and wait to go through security to get over to the last holding area... And wait... And wait...
The first taping ran a bit late, and security was still busy turning cellphones and cameras back over to audience members. It took about 30 minutes, and by then quite a few people behind us in line were getting agitated - walking up to the front of the line, glaring at us, and wondering why we were holding everyone up - until we explained "We're all stuck waiting until security comes over here and starts clearing us through. All we can do is stand here. Sorry."
Finally, we began to make our way through the metal detectors and plop down on the benches, now just a few feet from Mecca itself. Willy joined us rather shortly after that, since he was not going through the interview process again (nor could he, of course). After a few minutes of chatting with him and his friend Josh, Brian (one of the other pages) filled us in on the fact that there would be a surprise for Chuck inside the studio, and led us on a slower - but just as loud - "CHUCK!" chant right after Chuck came back around.
Chuck then pulled out his digital camera and said he wanted a few pictures, starting with handing it over to Willy so he could snap a picture of Chuck "with his two biggest fans". So, there is now a picture floating around somewhere of Chuck, with me on his right, Michael on his left, and our arms around each other.
Next he had pictures taken with Willy and Josh, with Brian, then finally one of Chuck standing between the first two benches will all of us on our feet behind him.
With all those moments saved for posteriety, it was now time to wait - and of course chant "CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!" a few more times. Brian came over to me with the intention of launching "Operation: Condor" - namely, to try to ask Drew questions about Chuck the whole time, including asking Drew how Chuck can get Rich's job. I was very tempted to, but I had seen the Rich glare/finger-shake at other people who wanted to steal his job. I have worked hard to be on Rich's good side.. Didn't want to blow that.
(Of course, I had no idea at the time that I would find myself quite nervous during the whole show. Just as I was nervous the first time I watched Bob in person, I felt the same way for my first Drew taping. I wanted to speak up, but couldn't get the nerve to do so.. Sorry, Brian.)
Finally, the time has come. It's time to enter Mecca for the eighth time. Though, in a way, it's going to be like being "touched for the very first time" again. The host isn't the only thing that has changed since May 17th...
The set has changed, too.
Chuck walked up in front of me, saying he wants to see the look on my face seeing the new set in person for the first time. With that, I'll now share my thoughts and feelings on TPIR's reinvention:
When I first got word of the set changes, I was horrified. I thought "You can't change the set! EVER!", and "The Price Is Right is not Madonna. You cannot reinvent it at will."
I saw virtual renderings of the set, and was even less enthused. The turntable walls are now square. The door frames don't curve in at the bottom. Minor changes to most people. But this would be like Madonna wearing contact lenses that turned her eyes brown or something. It just felt so damned different to me...
I finally saw the changes on TV last week, and during the course of that week, my feelings went from "Ugh" to "Okay. Maybe it isn't so bad. But I wish they had waited a year before doing this. I'm still trying to get used to Rich introducting 'Drew Carey!' and not 'Bob Barker!'. My whole world has been rocked by doing this all at the same time!"
So, what was my reaction to seeing the new set in person?
I was actually IMPRESSED.
I don't know if it's the lighting, or that television cameras throw the whole thing off (after all, I've heard for years that the colors on the Money Game board look quite different in person than they do on TV), but the set really does look awesome in person. The turntable, the doors, everything just seems to really work together well.
No, it'll never replace the sets from the mid-70's through the early 90's as my favorites, but I did walk out of that studio with a far more positive opinion of the set than I had even a week earlier.
That said, I still would've held off a year on unveiling the new set, just to give us all a chance to get acclimated to Drew first. I mean, I am a huge Drew Carey fan, and it's still somewhat of a shock to me to see him step out on stage, and not Bob. And that's not to knock Drew, that's because I spent 28 years with Bob.
Old habits die hard...
After being led to my seat (left end of the first row, just a few seats over from Contestant's Row), it's time to watch everyone file in... And watch everyone stare at us like we're lunatics as Michael, Willy, Josh and I try to get everyone fired up by standing up, clapping, shouting and doing what we can to bring some energy into this.
Oh, boy.
Fortunately, "Shout" by The Isley Brothers helped a bit. Then, of course, Chuck parading around with the airdate sign (January 21, 2008 - what would've been my grandmother's 89th birthday) helped a lot, as it usually does (CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!).
Roger came out for a couple minutes as well to check on everything at the producers' table, greeted by us two crazies screaming "DOB! DOB! DOB! DOB!", then giving him the same sadistical smile with our arms out to our sides - just like he did to us after the Lucky $even embarassment in May. He took it in stride: He laughed, then reached over to shake our hands, saying "Great to see you again!".
Good ol' Roger...
We also get in another "JEFF! JEFF! JEFF!" chant when Jeff Thisted walks on stage for a moment. This time, though, Jeff smiles and waves over at us - obviously, he realizes this is us, and unlike the last time we chanted his name, he knows we have plenty left for the show and don't need to "save it". :P
At last, it's time to cue up Crystal Waters. You know what that means, of course. Everyone on their feet, cheering and clapping along. Rich ready to introduce himself and step out on stage...
Well, that was half right. Sadly, we had four people on their feet - and two of them certainly weren't doing it to grab the producers' attention, because they were former contestants.
Oh, boy.
Finally, I'd had enough. I turned around, throwing my hands up in the air over and over and screaming "C'MON! C'MON! GET UP!"
Still only had four people on their feet...
Fortunately, either seeing Rich come out got them fired up, or they finally succeeded in wiring the seats to give people electric shocks, because we finally had everyone on their feet as Rich stepped out. We, of course, greeted him by screaming "RICH! RICH! RICH! RICH!" at him. It once again took little time for him to see where that was coming from and waved at us.
Good ol' Rich...
His warmup - likely thanks to how little time we had before starting the show - was rather brief, but at least he got the most important part out of the way first. He let us know he had a couple things to discuss first. The second part, I knew all too well.
The first, though, was different - and quite special.
"As I'm sure some of you know, today is the last day for one of our pages. We have enjoyed having him around for the last eighteen months, and we're truly going to miss him. All of our pages here do a great job, but he has been something special, and is one of the greatest pages we've ever had work here. Let's all give a big hand to Chuck!"
And, wouldn't you know it... As Chuck made his way up to the stage (getting two handshakes along the way), Michael and I started up the chant - which Rich immediately join in on!
Rich thanked Chuck for all his hard work, and wished him the best of luck for the future. Brian started up another one, which started slowly (Chuck... CHUCK... CHUCK... CHUCK!), but quickly increased in speed and volume - and once again, Rich joined in.
Rich then gave us a brief rundown of the "rules" (Hugging is okay, kissing is okay for the ladies, no kissing for the guys, no sloppy stuff for the ladies, and no gum chewing) - except this time, he had us recite all of this after he was done. He let us know to remove our contestant cards, and to check our neighbors to make sure they did as well (and whack them over the head if they didn't - which of course prompted some people to whack their friends over the head for the hell of it). He then asked if anyone had any questions or comments, to which someone asked how he got his job. Rich started telling the story... Which was cut short by the announcement that the show was about to begin.
Damn. No chance to tell Rich he's 22 again! One of these days...
Pink is cranked up, and it's just about showtime, and I have butterflies in my stomach. In just a matter of moments, those big doors are going to open and
Bob Drew is going to step out. How am I going to react? Am I going to screw up and chant "BOB! BOB! BOB!" out of habit? Well, we're about to find out rather shortly.
The music is cued, the cameras are on, Jeff is ready with the cue cards and the first four contestants are making their way to Contestant's Row (and the ones passing me are getting high-fives and handshakes as they pass right by me). And here we go, because he comes "the (new) star of The Price Is Right"... Drew Carey!
Door #2 opens, and I'm immediately on my feet, screaming, and cheering "DREW! DREW! DREW! DREW!" (best of all, I didn't say the wrong name, unlike the contestant who bid "$750, Bob!" on Monday's show). Drew steps out smiling, waving to the audience, saying hello and thank you before...
I don't know what it was. Maybe it was my loud mouth chanting his name. The fact I was one of the first people to jump to my feet. My pretty shirt. Maybe CBS security warned him about little crazy ol' me, because right before Drew took the microphone, he pointed right down at me and smiled.
Regardless, that certainly felt good... And, no, security didn't come and take me away, so it must not have been Drew gesturing for them to get me out of there.
So, I am sure the next question going through your heads is "How is Drew?". And I'll answer that... Drew is good. DAMNED good. He's not Bob Barker, but of course, there'll never be another Bob Barker. But the thing is, Drew isn't trying to be Bob, either. He's Drew, and he's bringing his own energy, personality and routine to the show.
And, quite frankly, I think it is working very, VERY well.
No, he hasn't learned all the pricing games yet (43 at last count). He still occasionally stumbles over a line. But he is having a lot of fun, he's going out of his way to help the contestants have fun, and he's brought his own spin to a lot of things (such as telling the contestants to "Hold my hand. Now say 'Shazam!'" before revealing the correct price on Double Prices, or saying that Barker's Bargain Bar is "named after the founder of The Price Is Right, Ezekiel Barker.", or swapping glasses with a contestant while he spun the Big Wheel).
During the commercial breaks, he asks the new additions to Contestant's Row where they're from, and what they do. He, like Bob, takes questions, tells jokes - but where the routine with Bob seemed a bit more formal, it almost feels like Drew is hanging out at a bar with 330 people.
One thing that took some getting used to was Drew coming back from commercials by saying "Welcome back to The Price Is Right!". A great touch - one that is really growing on me. But there is one little thing I would suggest they do where this is concerned: With the applause from us in the audience after Drew says that, it is somewhat hard to hear who Rich calls down to Contestant's Row. I would suggest either Jeff signal for the crowd to quiet down before Rich calls the next name, or start using cue cards for all of the contestants, and not just the first four.
That was the only real "nitpick" I had.
Drew, while refraining from dropping F-bombs in the studio, cracked a few jokes that left you wondering whether to laugh, shake your head, or do both - such as teasing one of the contestants to try to get her to relax (poor lady was shaking like a leaf the whole time). Another example was him discussing how all the smoke in the air (from the fires) left him feeling a bit hoarse and dizzy at times - which prompted him to say he hopes he doesn't pull a Marie Osmond, and that maybe he "shouldn't smoke so many cigars".
(That said, while both Rich and Drew tried to ease the mood a bit by using humor to bring up the fires that have hit the area, they both asked if anyone in the audience had lost their homes, expressed gratitude that none of us had, and went on to say what a real tragedy this all was.)
Drew had some other doozies throughout the day as well, including:
After a contestant told Drew she worked for a fashion designer, he asked what designer, and whether she had ever designed anything for anyone famous. He then went on a spiel about how celebrities bug him, and added "I hate rich people. I grew up in a lower-middle class neighborhood, so I grew up hating rich people. Now that I'm rich myself, I still hate rich people!"
After asking if there were any Yankees fans in the audience, he said "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm sorry you couldn't buy a championship this year. I'm sorry mommy and daddy couldn't buy you your World Series. Teams shouldn't be allowed to buy championships."
He also introduced us to his lovely fiancee Nicole, who was sitting in the audience just behind the producer's table. It was clear from the way he spoke that he truly thinks the world of her, and feels truly blessed to not only have two wonderful jobs (Power Of 10 and TPIR), but such a lovely woman to share his life with.
At the close of the show, Drew once again gave us a glimpse of what a great person he is, when he stood at the front of the stage and said "One of the really big joys of The Price Is Right is that when you root for somebody else to do well, when you hope for the best for others, it makes you feel so good. I just hope you can carry that on wherever you go."
What incredible words of wisdom. If we all could go through life feeling that way, and cheering on each other, and being as happy at their success as you're on, the world really would be a better place. Whether it be cheering on a contestant trying to win a new car, or cheering on your friends, or cheering on some page who shows up at CBS trying to bring some excitement and laughter to those of us who spend the better part of the day waiting to get into Television City...
Ahh, yes. Chuck. We'll certainly have to get back to him shortly.
But, needless to say, just as my first taping gave me even more admiration and appreciation for the greatness of Bob, my first Drew taping had the same effect. I always liked him. And seeing how much fun he really was having, and what a genuinely nice guy he was, only made me like him even more.
After the taping concluded, I waited for a couple minutes to try to track down Stan. I did get another chance to run into Roger, where we got another handshake and his thanks for coming today.
Stan did walk by quickly (about 15 feet away), but unfortunately was called into (what sounds like) a spur of the moment meeting, so no luck on the autograph. Next time, hopefully...
Rich had to re-record a couple bits, and since we were stuck waiting for everyone else to clear out (being all the way in the front), we waited and applauded him after he was finished. He waved back and wished up all a good evening, and thanked us for coming.
We made our way down the stairs and met up once again with the man of the day, Chuck. We both shook hands with him and put our arms around him as he said "Thank you for everything you've done. I'll never forget either one of you." I promised him I'd be in touch, thanks to the miracle known as the Internet (and MySpace), and wished him the best of luck in the future.
And what does the future hold for Chuck Dukas, you may ask? He is now a production assistant on Dancing With The Stars (which he has been doing for several months). He has had a small parts lined up for The Young And The Restless and The Bold And The Beautiful, and is likely to be doing some voice-overs in the future.
In other words, October 24 may have closed the chapter on Chuck Dukas, CBS Page, but he has plenty of doors opening in front of him.
And, I can't help but to think that if he lives his life with the energy and enthusiam he shared with us during all these days at Television City, and he pursues his budding career with the passion and charm he showed us with his audience warmups and contestant oaths, Chuck has one incredible future ahead of him.
And, if what Michael and I started back in August of last year even played a small part in that, I truly am honored and proud.
I'll certainly be following, and I'll certainly be in touch. Because, as a rather wise man once said, when you root for someone else to do well, when you hope for the best for others, it makes you feel really good. And I do try to carry that on wherever I go.
Best of luck to you, Chuck Dukas. I'll certainly never forget you, either. The journey we shared together was indeed fun, amazing, and in a word: priceless.
Here's to ye, lad... CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!
Labels: Chuck, That's What Friends Are For, The Drew Is Right
