Did I ever tell you I was a contestant on….

February 11, 2010 lorileebell

Have you ever known “something” was going to happen before it happens? You don’t understand why…you just know.  In 1994, I had a premonition. At that time, I was married and my two children, Haylee, 5, and Christopher, 7, didn’t believe me.  The ONLY person who believed me was my mother. My friends, co-workers, family, and worst of all, my husband thought I was crazy.  Guess what??? I wasn’t.  I knew when I booked my flight to California….I was going to be on The Price is Right….

On the way to the airport, my husband and I got into one of the biggest arguments of our marriage. He told me that he didn’t think it was a good idea for me to go out to California and have my tripped ruined because I was NOT going to be a contestant on the Price is Right.  I was living a pipe dream.  People go out to California all the time thinking that they are going to make it and come back heartbroken. Well, when someone talks to me like this…I’m going to do  it…whatever it takes!!!! It’s like telling a child no or being dared, I guess. Also, that little voice in my head insisted he was wrong.

California is beautiful, but very crowded. I can understand why people would have road rage there.  It’s a mess…with no traffic it would take an hour to get to LA…but it takes about 3-4 hours.  So, by the time we got to the show they were not accepting any more contestants.  I still knew…I MEAN…I knew I was going to be on the Price is Right.  My step sister couldn’t come back the next day so I stayed at my cousin’s house.  I just met her, too.

The next morning we woke up at 4am…had to be at the studio by 8am. We arrived at the studio at 5:45am. I was contestant #202 for that taping they only accept 300 people.  The show doesn’t start until 1:50pm, so we had about 6 hours until we’re inside the studio.  We were able to leave, but we had to be back by 10am.  Well, we waited & waited.  I had NO doubt that I was going to be on The Price is Right.

When you have that much time to kill, you start talking to the other contestants. We started to play the games that are on the show.  We practiced how to run down the aisle.  We met some actors on the Young & Restless.  The show is taped next door.  The entire time we’re waiting we’re being taped by numerous cameras. The show picks people based on their personality.  The producers on the show don’t want a dud on the stage.  We were shuffled around from time to time and when this occurred we would meet other contestants.  Right before the producer, Mark Goodson, came out to ask every contestant a question…I called my Mom. She told me that if anyone could get on the show it would be me.

Well, my question was, “What do you do for a living?” I replied, “That doesn’t really matter I’ve traveled 3000 miles to be on The Price is Right.  I’m from Tampa…. my name is Lorilee Bell & my mother will kill me if I don’t get on the show.” Mark chuckled and said I don’t care…I replied…”well, I guess you’re not coming to the funeral.”

After your interview, you’re allowed in the studio. The contestants were getting very excited. Rod Rowdy came on the stage & was getting every one pumped up.  He briefly explained the rules & said when you are one of the first 4 contestants…you CAN NOT hear your name being called, so if your name is on the Q-Card…come on down….

The music starts up…the crowd is going wild…Dina, come on down, Dave come on down, April come on down, & Lorilee Bell come on down.  When I was running down the aisle…that little voice inside my head said, “I told you M*^t@% F*^k#@ (referring to my husband) I was going to be on The Price is Right.”

I was the first contestant on the show.  I was the last to bid & had the clear advantage.  The highest bid for a 32” TV was 880…I bid 881.  I played the Golden Road…& at the end of the ….Golden Road….is a prize that’s worth 62,000 dollars. Did I win it?  What was it??? A freaking huge motor home…I didn’t win it, but I won the two prizes before it…a chest and bunk beds. FYI…Bob Barker is very orange & there was no way I was going to give him a peck on the cheek.  He’s actually a little scary looking.

I couldn’t wait to get back home…to tell all my friends, family, & co-workers about my experience. Also, to see the looks on their faces and reactions to what they all said to me.

I had my 15 minutes of fame…I was interviewed twice…once on a local radio show & The Tampa Tribune.

The moral to this story is don’t listen to other people’s shit about what you can or can not do…life is a fantastic journey…so enjoy the ride….

Entry Filed under: The Price is Right

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