The Price Is Right

The last time my mom visited me in Los Angeles was about 9 years ago.  She was super excited because part of the plan was for her to go to a taping of the Price Is Right. Her favorite TV show. Bob Barker was still hosting then.

We had to be there at 7am. We got there before 7 and already there were 300 people ahead of us for the first taping. Luckily Mom had brought along a folding chair. We knew that the wait would be really long.

I hadn't seen her in a few years before this visit and I still had an old picture of her in my mind. I was surprised to see that her knees were so bad she needed a cane and she had to rest every few feet when we walked.

The hubby didn't want to be a part of this adventure so he dutifully dropped us off at the studio and our day began. As our number finally came up we were relegated to the second taping of the day. We had 4 hours to kill. On our way to Farmer's Market for lunch a kind woman gave us her tickets and we were back on for the first taping. Now only 2 hours to kill.

We walked verrrrrrry slowly across the vast parking lot from the studio to Farmer's Market. Our mission: to find a t-shirt for her to change into that would get Bob Barker's attention. Surely we would find it at the Farmer's Market. We'd been told by the studio's people handlers what to expect and were given tips on the best answers to give during audience interviews. All to better her chances at being selected to come down front and participate. A t-shirt with a snappy saying about the show or Bob Barker was one of the tips.

I found a shady spot for her to sit once we made it across the parking lot and commenced my search. I thought it would be easy but there were no pre-printed t-shirts there. Not with what we wanted it to say. The place was filled to the rafters with trinkets and souvenirs for tourists but very few t-shirts.

After circling the market a couple times I found a kiosk outside of the market selling custom made t-shirts. There was hope. But we were running out of time. I consulted Mom on what to have printed on the t-shirt. She wanted Bob Barker to know she had been watching the show for 20 years. So that's what we had printed on the shirt. "I've been watching Price Is Right for 20 Years!" Mission accomplished with time to spare.

The next challenge was getting the shirt on her. She wanted to have it on before we went back to the studio. We shuffled back across the parking lot that went on for miles and I spotted a hidden doorway to one of the big buildings we passed. She went in and I stood guard as she changed into her new and exciting t-shirt.

It was time to claim our new place in line. I have to say this was one of the best days of our lives. We did our interviews with more audience helpers, before going in and I thought she did a bang up job.

As we crawled closer to the door of the studio she was bouncing up and down. She tried to look into the vent near the door to see if Bob Barker was there. She was as happy as a little kid at Christmas, grinning from ear to ear. I was glad to have been able to help make this happen for her.

Once inside and seated, Mom squirmed in her seat anxious to get her first glimpse of Bob Barker. The audience wrangler came out first to pump them up as if they needed it. Everyone there were true blue fans chomping at the bit to get this party started.

Then out came Bob Barker. OMG! I thought my mother and the entire audience was going to lose their ever loving minds. It was insane! People were crying. I couldn't believe the level of intensity. Bob Barker was super thin and heavily made up. But that didn't diminish their enthusiasm.

They started selecting people to come on down. There would be two games. Sadly, Mom didn't get selected for either game. But she shouted out prices as if she had been chosen. During the commercial breaks, Bob would banter with the audience and they just ate it up. He has a lot of charisma.

When the tapings were done, the audience reluctantly filed out. Gabbing with each other as new found friends and rabid Price Is Right fans. Not quite ready for the party to end.

We were pretty worn out after such a long and eventful day. She was walking slower than ever as we walked back to the spot where Earl was to pick us up. Tired and hungry, I'm afraid I snapped at her a bit. I immediately apologized.  I still feel bad about that.  But nothing could dampen her day, thank God. Every time we talked after that visit she would tell me that she was wearing her t-shirt. She slept in it and kept it on most of the day.

While she waited for me to hunt for a t-shirt she made friends with another old guy sitting in the shade, too. He did Origami with one dollar bills. Very cute. I still have the tiny shirt he made for me.

As we sat in the shade that day she also gave me her mother's diamond ring. I tried to refuse, but she insisted, she always wore lots rings, and wanted me to have it. I treasure the Origami, the ring, and the beautiful memory of that day.