The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Jeremy Nelson on May 25, 2009, 07:56:54 PM
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Next year, my college is putting on a Price is Right production- possibly more in the future depending on audience feedback and budget. But here's the thing- I'm not banking on getting extra shows- I wanna get it right the first time. Right now, I'm looking to you guys for some input. Some of you may have done your own versions in different capacities, and I'd like to know what works and what doesn't, as far as pricing games and formats.
Because we have a budget that's only going to allow for one showcase package, I was trying to decide whether to use the Davidson Range Game Showcase or the Australian "put them in order" format (my favorite of the two). One guy in my department even suggested a format that I can only refer to as "Ultimate Clock Game"- basically having to correctly price every prize in the lot in a set amount of time.
I'd really appreciate the input, guys. Anything to help would be much appreciated.
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I would go with the much simpler UK method...select a range, then the contestant makes a bid. If the difference is less than the range limit and not over, win.
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You really should not deviate from the tried and true. Do two showcases even if you have a double showcase winner. Your college mates have never seen the Aussie version. Besides if only one showcase is won, you can either return the unwon items or donate them to charity.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'216528\' date=\'May 25 2009, 06:10 PM\']You really should not deviate from the tried and true. Do two showcases even if you have a double showcase winner. Your college mates have never seen the Aussie version. Besides if only one showcase is won, you can either return the unwon items or donate them to charity.[/quote]
See, we have enough for two cheaper showcases, but I wanted to do one showcase that everybody would want.
As far as Aussie Price, it's not a complicated format. All I have to say is "place the prizes in order from least expensive to most expensive, and you win the showcase."
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How about just one showcase, but have both contestants write down their answers. Closest without going over wins, and if both go over, then either a) no one wins, or b) have them both rewrite their answers. It deviates a bit, but it's still pretty close to the American format.
Don't ask me what to do in the event of a tie. ;-)
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You're doing a stage show...a little deviation is allowed, but don't go too far.
We actually had the two winners turn their backs on each other and make secret bids. Highest without going over won. In case of an overbid, repeat.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'216530\' date=\'May 25 2009, 07:28 PM\']How about just one showcase, but have both contestants write down their answers. Closest without going over wins, and if both go over, then either a) no one wins, or b) have them both rewrite their answers. It deviates a bit, but it's still pretty close to the American format.
Don't ask me what to do in the event of a tie. ;-)[/quote]
Steel cage match, of course. :)
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So I take it only one player competes in the Showcase? In that case, since there is a good chance it won't be won, use mock-ups of the prizes rather than buying them, that would save $$ on the budget. If it is won, just give the winner a Wal-Mart or Costco or whatever gift cert. with which he may purchase the prizes.
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As college is about preparing for "the real world", how about requesting permission from the copyright holder, Fremantle?
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'216535\' date=\'May 25 2009, 08:50 PM\']As college is about preparing for "the real world", how about requesting permission from the copyright holder, Fremantle?
Randy
tvrandywest.com[/quote]
Oh, like that ever works... :-)
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My school has done Price is Right for years upon years. Seeing as how no one's making any money off the deal, why bother asking Fremantle anyway? We're not cutting into any of their money-making endeavors.
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[quote name=\'rollercoaster87\' post=\'216529\' date=\'May 25 2009, 08:24 PM\'][quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'216528\' date=\'May 25 2009, 06:10 PM\']You really should not deviate from the tried and true. Do two showcases even if you have a double showcase winner. Your college mates have never seen the Aussie version. Besides if only one showcase is won, you can either return the unwon items or donate them to charity.[/quote]See, we have enough for two cheaper showcases, but I wanted to do one showcase that everybody would want.
As far as Aussie Price, it's not a complicated format. All I have to say is "place the prizes in order from least expensive to most expensive, and you win the showcase."[/quote]
But it's not the Showcase -- or at least, it isn't to your audience, and they're going to be wondering why you've created this new format that none of them have ever heard of.
If you've got to do just one showcase, have both players make secret bids on it -- it's the alternate format that's closest to the real one, and the one whose differences will be the easiest to explain the reasons for.
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Def. get Fremantle's permission first.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'216539\' date=\'May 25 2009, 09:12 PM\']Def. get Fremantle's permission first.[/quote]
My only fear with this is that they would pull a sony and not only tell you no, but pull a C&D order preventing you from doing it. OTOH, SOOOO many campuses have done their own pir productions for years, i'm sure they know, and as long as you're not claiming it as your own creation or making money from it, it's probably not a big deal.
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With the written bids: tell them beforehand that if they *tie* they both lose. That way they'll make odd bids less likely to match.
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[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'216538\' date=\'May 25 2009, 09:12 PM\']it's the alternate format that's closest to the real one[/quote]
...without going over? *ducks*
Doesn't TPIR Live use this one showcase, two bids format?
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[quote name=\'HYHYBT\' post=\'216544\' date=\'May 25 2009, 10:46 PM\']With the written bids: tell them beforehand that if they *tie* they both lose. That way they'll make odd bids less likely to match.[/quote]
Yeah, THAT will go over well.
Honestly, it's unlikely that anyone will tie. In the event that they do, have another backup bidding prize- like one of the prizes from showcase package.
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[quote name=\'urbanpreppie05\' post=\'216547\' date=\'May 25 2009, 10:53 PM\']Honestly, it's unlikely that anyone will tie. In the event that they do, have another backup bidding prize- like one of the prizes from showcase package.[/quote]
Then what if THAT'S a tie?! ;-)
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'216549\' date=\'May 25 2009, 08:13 PM\']Then what if THAT'S a tie?! ;-)[/quote]
Strength of schedule.
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Couple things to add...
I've done my own TPIR show for the American Cancer Society for the last five years. When I began, on Randy's advice, I called Fremantle's business affairs office and asked about permission. I was told I could do it as long as I followed two rules: 1) Do not call it "The Price is Right", and 2) Do not personally profit from it. So I call mine "Game Show Night", and I donate 100% of the gross to ACS. I don't even take out my expenses.
As for the Showcases, you could do what I've done. I play it just like the show. Two showcases, with furniture, cars and trips (all fictional of course), and the Showcase winner gets the "Grand Prize Showcase", consisiting of the real prizes we have (over $1000 last year).
The quick way to make sure everyone knows that is to have a brief half-sheet disclaimer for contestants to sign as they enter the auditorium and get their nametags. This way, everyone knows it's for fun and the prizes are fictional, and as the host of the show you can still play it straight, as if you're giving away cars, cash and trips!
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Two things to think about.
This was mentioned before, but anything you do to deviate from the format that most people understand is only going to get stares and squints. As much as I love the put-in-order Showcase from Down Under, people just aren't going to "get it". It would be much better to stick as closely as possible to what people know.
The other bit; as much as you want to have people playing for real stuff, I would advise against it. Having someone come up on stage to play Any Number for a spice rack, a packet of Whoppers and the spare change between my couch cushions will be met with groans and eye-rolling. But if you tell people that the big winners will not win the "advertised prizes," but will still win something decent at the end, you'll get people who will get into it. They'll play along and have a good time, even if they're not going to win the luggage, digital camera and trip overseas.
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Travis is right!
In my show, we'll play Hole in One (for example) for a car, and should the contestant make the putt, we give them a die-cast model of that car. And win or lose, every contestant that comes on stage gets something. People still get into it and jump up and down.
I also agree that you should stick with the version people know. It was suggested last year that I try the Vegas show format to involve more people, but decided against it, thinking the contestants would find it unfair that they only get to bid once.
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The other bit; as much as you want to have people playing for real stuff, I would advise against it. Having someone come up on stage to play Any Number for a spice rack, a packet of Whoppers and the spare change between my couch cushions will be met with groans and eye-rolling. But if you tell people that the big winners will not win the "advertised prizes," but will still win something decent at the end, you'll get people who will get into it. They'll play along and have a good time, even if they're not going to win the luggage, digital camera and trip overseas.
From personal experience, this is not always the case. For example, we played 3 strikes for a TV, Most expensive for an MP3 player, A T-Shirt, and a Nice portfolio, and Plinko for up to $100 in gift cards. It all depends on the presentation, and getting prizes people actually want to win. (i know that sometimes you can't control donations though). Sometimes if you have your tongue firmly planted in cheek and sorta poking fun at your smaller budget, the audience senses that, and plays along. Just go with the flow.
I'll agree with Travis though. As tres cool as the aussie Pir showcase game is, i don't recommend playing it for your show.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'216550\' date=\'May 25 2009, 11:25 PM\'][quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'216549\' date=\'May 25 2009, 08:13 PM\']Then what if THAT'S a tie?! ;-)[/quote]
Strength of schedule.[/quote]
I lol'd.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'216550\' date=\'May 25 2009, 11:25 PM\'][quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'216549\' date=\'May 25 2009, 08:13 PM\']Then what if THAT'S a tie?! ;-)[/quote]
Strength of schedule.
[/quote]
This... is BCS. Uh... I mean, CBS.
/BCS=BS
//Opening a can of worms?
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[quote name=\'urbanpreppie05\' post=\'216558\' date=\'May 25 2009, 11:34 PM\']I'll agree with Travis though. As tres cool as the aussie Pir showcase game is, i don't recommend playing it for your show.[/quote]
Because....it's a game of definitions?
/the devil made me do it
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I've done Price is Right at La Salle University (pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blender13/set...57614318944638/ (http://\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/blender13/sets/72157614318944638/\") ) and here are a few things I've learned.
1) Your audience can figure out when something's different. So, don't use a foreign showcase. Use 1 showcase if you have to, make them both bid in secret, rebid if they're the same.
2) A lot of the time, it's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase. Just offering the experience to win something ala the people on TV is enough for most people to enjoy themselves.
3) Never underestimate the power of accurate-looking props. (http://\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/blender13/3301852137/in/set-72157614318944638/\")
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If Reege can do a round of "Classic Password", then why not do "Classic Price Is Right" for the showcase?
Do the bidding process that was used on the Cullen version.
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'216577\' date=\'May 26 2009, 08:52 AM\']If Reege can do a round of "Classic Password", then why not do "Classic Price Is Right" for the showcase?[/quote]
Because this isn't supposed to be a remake, and the Cullen version has been off the air for 44 years.
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Having someone come up on stage to play Any Number for a spice rack, a packet of Whoppers and the spare change between my couch cushions will be met with groans and eye-rolling
... even if your name IS Drew Carey.
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Never underestimate the power of accurate-looking props.
This became starkly apparent a couple of Congreffes ago. The audience can't play along with the Range Game if they can't SEE the game.
If you're going to have the contestants bid on faux showcases for a "prize package" of donated items, no reason not to do it as they do on U.S. TV: two showcases of luxury prizes, bid or pass, etc. You can even make a joke about it: "If you think you're going to walk out of here with $42,000 in prizes, fuggeddaboudit!"
In addition to Fremantle's permission, find out whether the venue you perform at has a BMI license, or hope that a BMI attorney does not become one of your contestants (it HAS happened). This is to cover your music usage.
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Also, it would be to your advantage if there were any way to screen contestants in advance without their being aware of it. This is where the live shows suffer: they sometimes get contestants who are just plain disoriented and/or feeble-minded.