Bubba and I live a stone's throw from Television City. Probably a 10-minute walk from CBS studios, where all kinds of clap-trap is produced. I don't even know what all goes on there - with one exception: The Price is Right.
Every day on my commute, I go down Fairfax and pass by the studio. And good ol' American icon Bob Barker is about to hang 'em up, come June I believe, so for the last few months, Fairfax Ave. and Beverly Blvd. has been packed with national yokels, looking to "come on down" with Bob. So, what you get is, a sidewalk full of people SLEEPING OVERNIGHT, just for Price is Right tickets. Like it's a line for U2 tickets or something. Hilarious. Sleeping bags, tents, folding chairs, all that good stuff.
I have to say though, unlike a rock and roll show, this crowd seems to be a jovial, very friendly bunch from what I've observed. No cops or velvet ropes needed. Everyone's on their honor. And they all seem to be laughing and carrying on, real pleasant like. It's also filled with (but hardly exclusively) the geriatric set. You can just tell that everyone's from Anytown, U.S.A., and that this will EASILY be the highlight of the R.V. trip to LaLa land. For me, the best part is everyone in their group themed t-shirts, as they make some kind of play to be recognized by the producers. You know, like gaudy colored, raised t-shirts saying something like, "Falls Church Hearts Bob."
When I come home on the days where they've had shows, I see the folks on the sidewalk, sporting the authentic name tags I grew seeing. The Price is Right was particularly an elementary school sick day staple for me. Feign a stomach ache, eat a lil' breakfast, watch Bob and the gals, and settle in for my stories in the afternoon until cartoon time.
Every day on my commute, I go down Fairfax and pass by the studio. And good ol' American icon Bob Barker is about to hang 'em up, come June I believe, so for the last few months, Fairfax Ave. and Beverly Blvd. has been packed with national yokels, looking to "come on down" with Bob. So, what you get is, a sidewalk full of people SLEEPING OVERNIGHT, just for Price is Right tickets. Like it's a line for U2 tickets or something. Hilarious. Sleeping bags, tents, folding chairs, all that good stuff.
I have to say though, unlike a rock and roll show, this crowd seems to be a jovial, very friendly bunch from what I've observed. No cops or velvet ropes needed. Everyone's on their honor. And they all seem to be laughing and carrying on, real pleasant like. It's also filled with (but hardly exclusively) the geriatric set. You can just tell that everyone's from Anytown, U.S.A., and that this will EASILY be the highlight of the R.V. trip to LaLa land. For me, the best part is everyone in their group themed t-shirts, as they make some kind of play to be recognized by the producers. You know, like gaudy colored, raised t-shirts saying something like, "Falls Church Hearts Bob."
When I come home on the days where they've had shows, I see the folks on the sidewalk, sporting the authentic name tags I grew seeing. The Price is Right was particularly an elementary school sick day staple for me. Feign a stomach ache, eat a lil' breakfast, watch Bob and the gals, and settle in for my stories in the afternoon until cartoon time.
I've yet to see anyone visibly euphoric on the streets, like they'd just won BOTH showcase showdowns, but I'm sure they're all satisfied regardless. I wonder to myself, who got to play 'Plinko?' Did they have to play the race game? Or my personal favorite, the little mountain climber dude. Did he appear today, and if so, did he fall over the cliff?
I've heard CBS has the audacity to try and replace Bob when he's gone. What, 35 years isn't enough of a milking that you have to try to squeeze yet another drop out of it? Bob was and is a rock steady solid, national game show icon. A pro's pro, who will be missed.
2 comments:
Bob who???
Keith C
Um...
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