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| The original version of '''The Price is Right''' was an ] television ] where the contestants won prizes by giving the closest bid to merchandise items and other products. | |||
| {{cleanup-date|June 2006}} | |||
| This original version — hosted by ] — aired from 1956 to 1963 on ], and from 1963 to 1965 on ]. Versions aired in both daytime and (from 1957-1964) prime-time. It was the precursor to the current version of '']'', which has been running on ] since 1972. | |||
| ⚫ | ''The Price Is Right'' was created and produced by ] for ]–] Productions. Stewart already had created one hit series for Goodson-Todman, '']'', and he would later create the enormously successful '']''. After 1964, Stewart left ''Password'' and Goodson-Todman to strike out on his own. (Frank Wayne, who later produced the Barker version of ''Price,'' took over Stewart's ''Password'' spot.) | ||
| {{infobox television | | {{infobox television | | ||
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| | creator = ] | | creator = ] | ||
| | original packager = ] with ] | | original packager = ] with ] | ||
| | starring = ] | | starring = ]<BR>]<BR>] | ||
| | country = ] | | country = ] | ||
| | network = ] (]-])<br>] (]-]) | | network = ] (]-])<br>] (]-]) | ||
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| }} | }} | ||
| ⚫ | ] hosted both the daytime and nighttime versions of the show. For two seasons (1959-1960 and 1960-1961), the show was eighth in the ], making it by far the most watched game show on television at the time. Critics cited Cullen's easygoing personality as a key part of the show's success. | ||
| The original daytime version of ''The Price Is Right'' ran from ], ] to ], ] on ] and from ], ] to ], ] on ]. A weekly nighttime version ran concurrently from ], ] to ], ] on NBC and from ], ] to ], ] on ABC. | |||
| ==Gameplay== | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| On the original version of ''The Price Is Right'', four contestants chosen from the studio audience bid on items or ensembles of items in an ]-style format. A prize was presented for the contestants to bid on. | |||
| One at a time, the contestants gave a bid on the item; usually, each successive bid had to be a certain amount higher than the previous bid. At any time when it was his turn to bid, if he believed his bid was correct enough to win, he could "freeze" (and thus, was not allowed to give further bids). | |||
| ⚫ | ] hosted both the daytime and nighttime versions of the show. For two seasons (1959-1960 and 1960-1961), the show was eighth in the ], making it by far the most watched game show on television at the time. Cullen's easygoing personality |
||
| The bidding process continued until one of two things happened: | |||
| On the original version of ''The Price Is Right'', four contestants chosen from the studio audience bid on items or ensembles of items in an ]-style format. They could bid higher as long as they wanted or they could freeze their bids. When time ran out, the players who didn't freeze had one more bid. Whoever's bid was nearest the actual retail price of the merchandise without going over won the merchandise. Depending on the item, a minimum bid increment restriction was implemented. Some rounds were one-bid rounds which were like today's Contestants' Row. The contestant who accumulated the most value in cash and prizes was the returning champion on the next show. | |||
| * A "time's up" buzzer sounded. Each contestant who had not yet "frozen" was given one final bid. | |||
| ⚫ | The |
||
| * At least three of the contestants had "frozen." | |||
| Cullen then read the actual retail price of the prize; the contestant whose bid was closest without going over won the item. If everyone overbid, the prize was not won; however, Cullen would sometimes have the overbids "wiped out" and instruct everyone to give a lower bid. | |||
| Sometimes when winning a prize, a bell would ring indicating that the contestant had won a bonus surprise. (On the nighttime show, which had a larger prize budget than the daytime show, some of these prizes were a 1926 ] with chauffeur, a ], shares of corporate stock, and an island in the ].) In later years, bonus games (not necessarily pricing games) were also added. | |||
| Frequently, a bell would ring after the winner was revealed, indicating a bonus prize was awarded along with the item up for bids. While this was frequently just an additional prize, there were often bonus games added (e.g., a tune-matching game, where a clip of a well-known song was played, and the contestant matched it with a face for a cash bonus). | |||
| Some rounds were one-bid rounds which were like today's Contestants' Row. Usually, the minimum bid and "bid higher" restrictions were waived. These prizes often had bonus surprises tied to them as well. | |||
| After four rounds, the contestant who accumulated the most value in cash and prizes was the returning champion on the next show. | |||
| ===Home viewer "showcases"=== | |||
| Frequently, ''The Price is Right'' featured a home viewer "showcase," a multi-prize package for which home viewers were invited to submit their bids via postcard. The viewer who was closest to the actual retail price won everything in the showcase. Very often, home viewers were stunningly accurate with their bids. | |||
| ⚫ | The showcases remain in today's CBS version, as does the announcer phrase, "This showcase can be yours ''if'' the price is right." | ||
| ===Prizes=== | |||
| While many of the prizes on the original ''The Price is Right'' were normal, standard game show fare (e.g., furniture, appliances, home electronics, furs, trips and cars), there were many instances of outlandish prizes being offered. This was particularly true of the prime-time version, which had a larger prize budget. | |||
| Some examples: | |||
| * A 1926 ] with chauffeur | |||
| * A ] | |||
| * Shares of corporate stock | |||
| * An island in the ]. | |||
| Sometimes, large amounts of food — such as a mile of hot dogs, along with buns and enough condiments (perhaps to go with a barbecue pit — were offered as the bonus. | |||
| ===1963 ABC version=== | |||
| When ''The Price is Right'' moved to ABC in 1963, three studio contestants — including the returning champion — played. The fourth chair was filled by a guest celebrity, who played for either a studio audience member or home viewer. If the celebrity was the big winner of the day, the contestant who had the most winnings was considered the champion. | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ⚫ | ''The Price Is Right'' was created and produced by ] for ]–] Productions. Stewart already had created one hit series for Goodson-Todman, '']'', and he would later create the enormously successful '']''. After 1964, Stewart left ''Password'' and Goodson-Todman to strike out on his own. (Frank Wayne, who later produced the Barker version of ''Price,'' took over Stewart's ''Password'' spot.) | ||
| After the success of ''Price'', ''To Tell the Truth'', and ''Password'', producer Stewart left Goodson-Todman in 1965. Stewart's follow-up to ''The Price Is Right'', his first independent production, was '']'', a delightful sight-and-memory game with Bill Cullen as host (it was loosely based on a ''Price Is Right'' bonus game). Later, Stewart hit the jackpot with the popular '']'' and its successors. | After the success of ''Price'', ''To Tell the Truth'', and ''Password'', producer Stewart left Goodson-Todman in 1965. Stewart's follow-up to ''The Price Is Right'', his first independent production, was '']'', a delightful sight-and-memory game with Bill Cullen as host (it was loosely based on a ''Price Is Right'' bonus game). Later, Stewart hit the jackpot with the popular '']'' and its successors. | ||
| ==Bloopers and other memorable moments== | ==Bloopers and other memorable moments== | ||
| ''The Price Is Right'' has a number of the most celebrated game show bloopers in history – including one on a live edition of the Cullen version in which the prize was a trip to the ]. The producers placed a live elephant in front of the circus backdrop. The camera cut to the |
''The Price Is Right'' has a number of the most celebrated game show bloopers in history – including one on a live edition of the Cullen version in which the prize was a trip to the ]. The producers placed a live elephant in front of the circus backdrop. The camera cut to the elephant — which was moving its bowels. Cullen quipped: "Join us again on Monday when we'll have equal time for the Democratic party!" | ||
| In another episode featuring an elephant, the elephant was offered as a "bonus prize" for a contestant who had won a grand piano (hence, for "extra ivory"). The real prize was $4,000; however, the contestant wanted the elephant and persisted with his demand. Eventually, the contestant got his wish, and a live elephant from Kenya was delivered. This incident was spoofed in '']'' episode "]" . | |||
| ==Other facts== | |||
| ===Origin=== | |||
| The show originated from ] in a ] theater converted for television. | |||
| ===Color and black and white=== | |||
| ⚫ | Although no color ]s or ]s are known to exist from either NBC or ABC, ''The Price Is Right'' became the first regularly airing game show series to be aired in color in 1957. | ||
| ===Theme songs=== | |||
| The first theme song used was called the "Sixth Finger Tune" by ]. The theme song was later changed in the early sixties and was composed by Bob Cobert. | |||
Revision as of 12:54, 8 June 2006
The original version of The Price is Right was an American television game show where the contestants won prizes by giving the closest bid to merchandise items and other products.
This original version — hosted by Bill Cullen — aired from 1956 to 1963 on NBC, and from 1963 to 1965 on ABC. Versions aired in both daytime and (from 1957-1964) prime-time. It was the precursor to the current version of The Price is Right, which has been running on CBS since 1972.
1956 American TV series or program| The Price Is Right | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Bob Stewart |
| Starring | Bill Cullen Don Pardo Johnny Gilbert |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC (1956-1963) ABC (1963-1965) |
| Release | November 23, 1956 – September 3, 1965 |
Bill Cullen hosted both the daytime and nighttime versions of the show. For two seasons (1959-1960 and 1960-1961), the show was eighth in the Nielsen ratings, making it by far the most watched game show on television at the time. Critics cited Cullen's easygoing personality as a key part of the show's success.
Gameplay
On the original version of The Price Is Right, four contestants chosen from the studio audience bid on items or ensembles of items in an auction-style format. A prize was presented for the contestants to bid on.
One at a time, the contestants gave a bid on the item; usually, each successive bid had to be a certain amount higher than the previous bid. At any time when it was his turn to bid, if he believed his bid was correct enough to win, he could "freeze" (and thus, was not allowed to give further bids).
The bidding process continued until one of two things happened:
- A "time's up" buzzer sounded. Each contestant who had not yet "frozen" was given one final bid.
- At least three of the contestants had "frozen."
Cullen then read the actual retail price of the prize; the contestant whose bid was closest without going over won the item. If everyone overbid, the prize was not won; however, Cullen would sometimes have the overbids "wiped out" and instruct everyone to give a lower bid.
Frequently, a bell would ring after the winner was revealed, indicating a bonus prize was awarded along with the item up for bids. While this was frequently just an additional prize, there were often bonus games added (e.g., a tune-matching game, where a clip of a well-known song was played, and the contestant matched it with a face for a cash bonus).
Some rounds were one-bid rounds which were like today's Contestants' Row. Usually, the minimum bid and "bid higher" restrictions were waived. These prizes often had bonus surprises tied to them as well.
After four rounds, the contestant who accumulated the most value in cash and prizes was the returning champion on the next show.
Home viewer "showcases"
Frequently, The Price is Right featured a home viewer "showcase," a multi-prize package for which home viewers were invited to submit their bids via postcard. The viewer who was closest to the actual retail price won everything in the showcase. Very often, home viewers were stunningly accurate with their bids.
The showcases remain in today's CBS version, as does the announcer phrase, "This showcase can be yours if the price is right."
Prizes
While many of the prizes on the original The Price is Right were normal, standard game show fare (e.g., furniture, appliances, home electronics, furs, trips and cars), there were many instances of outlandish prizes being offered. This was particularly true of the prime-time version, which had a larger prize budget.
Some examples:
- A 1926 Rolls-Royce with chauffeur
- A Ferris wheel
- Shares of corporate stock
- An island in the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Sometimes, large amounts of food — such as a mile of hot dogs, along with buns and enough condiments (perhaps to go with a barbecue pit — were offered as the bonus.
1963 ABC version
When The Price is Right moved to ABC in 1963, three studio contestants — including the returning champion — played. The fourth chair was filled by a guest celebrity, who played for either a studio audience member or home viewer. If the celebrity was the big winner of the day, the contestant who had the most winnings was considered the champion.
History
The Price Is Right was created and produced by Bob Stewart for Mark Goodson–Bill Todman Productions. Stewart already had created one hit series for Goodson-Todman, To Tell the Truth, and he would later create the enormously successful Password. After 1964, Stewart left Password and Goodson-Todman to strike out on his own. (Frank Wayne, who later produced the Barker version of Price, took over Stewart's Password spot.)
After the success of Price, To Tell the Truth, and Password, producer Stewart left Goodson-Todman in 1965. Stewart's follow-up to The Price Is Right, his first independent production, was Eye Guess, a delightful sight-and-memory game with Bill Cullen as host (it was loosely based on a Price Is Right bonus game). Later, Stewart hit the jackpot with the popular The $10,000 Pyramid and its successors.
Bloopers and other memorable moments
The Price Is Right has a number of the most celebrated game show bloopers in history – including one on a live edition of the Cullen version in which the prize was a trip to the circus. The producers placed a live elephant in front of the circus backdrop. The camera cut to the elephant — which was moving its bowels. Cullen quipped: "Join us again on Monday when we'll have equal time for the Democratic party!"
In another episode featuring an elephant, the elephant was offered as a "bonus prize" for a contestant who had won a grand piano (hence, for "extra ivory"). The real prize was $4,000; however, the contestant wanted the elephant and persisted with his demand. Eventually, the contestant got his wish, and a live elephant from Kenya was delivered. This incident was spoofed in The Simpsons episode "Bart Gets an Elephant" .
Other facts
Origin
The show originated from New York City in a Broadway theater converted for television.
Color and black and white
Although no color kinescopes or videotapes are known to exist from either NBC or ABC, The Price Is Right became the first regularly airing game show series to be aired in color in 1957.
Theme songs
The first theme song used was called the "Sixth Finger Tune" by Charles Strouse. The theme song was later changed in the early sixties and was composed by Bob Cobert.
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