The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular

infobox television
show_name = The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular


caption = "The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular" logo from the 36th season (2008).
format = Game Show
runtime = 60 minutes (with commercials)
creator = Bob Stewart
developer =
starring = Drew Carey (2007–present)
Bob Barker (2003–2007)
narrated = Rich Fields (2004–present)
Burton Richardson (2003–2004)
Randy West (2003–2004)
country = USA
network = CBS
first_aired = February 5 2003
last_aired = Present
num_episodes = 26
website = http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =
picture_format = 1080i (HDTV - 16:9) (2008-present)
480i (SDTV - 4:3 {cropped})
related = The Price Is Right

The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular is a prime-time spinoff of the American television game show "The Price Is Right" seen on the CBS television network. These specials are similar to the daytime show, but with an increased budget and two opportunities to win $1,000,000.

The series also airs in Canada on SUN TV.

Overview

The Million Dollar Spectacular has its roots in several prime time specials aired in the summer of 2002, beginning with the 30th Anniversary Special in Las Vegas and continuing with several specials through summer of 2002 dedicated to the Armed Forces, firefighters and police (Bob Barker, himself a Navy veteran, wanted to honor American heroes in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks). During these specials, the Showcase Showdown bonus spin offered a potential top prize of $100,000. There was one special for each of the five major branches of the United States Armed Forces (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard) as well as one honoring police officers and firefighters. The success of these prime time specials, coupled with the rise of big-money million dollar prime time game shows, prompted the creation of the "Million Dollar Spectacular" the next year. Officially, the prime time specials and the "Spectaculars" are considered to be the same series [http://www.golden-road.net/faq/index.php/General_Questions Golden-Road.net FAQ] ] . Six pre-"Spectacular" shows were produced in addition to the twenty-six "Spectaculars" discussed here.cn|date=August 2008

Twenty-six episodes of "The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular" have aired. The first one aired February 5, 2003. Currently, ten new episodes have been produced for CBS, originally to help fill programming because of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, and later because of the successful ratings on those first shows. The first six of these shows, the first with Drew Carey as host, were taped during the week of February 11–13, 2008, and began airing February 22, 2008 at 8PM Eastern, continuing on consecutive Fridays until the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament; two more episodes aired on consecutive Fridays after the tournament at 9 PM Eastern. With the ratings success of the Friday series, a second set of four episodes, set for the May sweeps, began airing on consecutive Wednesdays starting April 30, 2008, the same time slot formerly held by Carey's other game show, "Power of 10". The Season 36 specials were the first episodes of "The Price Is Right" to be produced in high definition, with the daytime show moving in Season 37 into 16:9 broadcasts in 1080i. [ [http://www.golden-road.net/index.php?topic=5271.277 February Million Dollar Spectacular? ] ]

During the Million Dollar Spectaculars, pricing games are usually played for prizes of higher value than the daytime version. Games played for cash prizes, such as Punch a Bunch, Plinko and Grand Game, have their top prizes increased as well.

Themed shows

Traditionally, Million Dollar Spectaculars are produced in sets of three, and five sets, along with a one-off episode in May 2007, were produced during Bob Barker's tenure as host. Some of the episodes have had themes; the first two sets of Spectaculars had no themes; each episode in the third and fourth sets had a specific theme (such as celebrating Bob's 80th birthday in 2003 or encouraging people to vote twice); the fifth was dedicated to celebrating the show's history, and the sixteenth aired as the first of two prime-time specials celebrating Bob's 50 years on television and 35 years as host of "The Price Is Right".

The series has aired on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, often as filler programming for seasonal programs such as Survivor and programming for the traditionally weak Friday night death slot (although the show has had the most success on Fridays). It usually airs at 8:00 p.m., although it briefly moved to 9:00 p.m. with the return of Ghost Whisperer in 2008.

The 2008 episodes were produced as one set of six, comprising of one taping week of the show, and a set of four. None of these episodes have themes. From Season 30 (the military series) until Season 32, there were six episodes produced in prime time per season. Because of the situation with inability of CBS to have dramas available in time because of the repercussions of the writers' strike, and the success of the first four Friday shows, a second set of four was ordered, making the 10-episode season the longest in the series' history. Those four additional episodes began airing April 30th on Wednesday nights for four straight weeks.

et differences

The $1,000,000 Spectaculars feature several differences from the daytime show. From Season 31 until Season 35, the doors were stylized with the $1,000,000 Spectacular logo and featured a pattern of repeating dollar signs (they were sold after the end of Season 35; furthermore, they could not fit with the new frames of Season 36; the differing colors on the doors was a change that would be adopted for the Season 36 doors). Also, a large "$1,000,000" sign was placed at the back of the audience, and the Showcase podiums featured the $1,000,000 Spectacular logo and a six-digit display to accommodate the increased value of the showcase (which is usually $80,000 and up). In Season 31, the turntable featured a nighttime version of the regular daytime mural (a cartoon-ish cityscape of Hollywood). Later that season, the Hollywood mural was removed from the daytime show; however, the prime time specials continued to use the nighttime variant through the remainder of Season 31. In Season 32, a string of different designs were used, including a birthday theme (for Bob Barker's 80th birthday), a reuse of the American landscapes mural from the Season 30 prime time specials (for the armed forces and veterans show), a college-themed mural (for the college students show), and a generic dollar sign theme for the remaining three specials of the season. In Season 33, the $1,000,000 Spectaculars used the regular daytime pattern with stars projected on it. In Season 35, the generic dollar sign theme was reused. The prime time shows also featured a jib camera, which was not adopted on the daytime version until the Season 35 finale and carrying over to Season 36. Season 36's specials (which have a new set as part of the transition to the new host and HDTV capability) use a blue checkerboard pattern on the wall (instead of the purple hypocycloid design), and just the traditional "Pricedown" dollar sign, in silver, on the last full wall. The checkerboard pattern—in different colors—is used as well on an alternate pricing game tag and the Big Doors (with the same colors as on the daytime show). The background on the Goodson-Todman asterisk boxes surrounding the Big Doors changed from purple to color-matched with the respective color on the Big Doors. The stars still projected onto the stage walls, and huge dollar signs are projected on the walls surrounding the audience. Additionally, the doors do not feature the $1,000,000 Spectacular logo but have lights running across the show's logo, although the giant $1,000,000 sign above the audience continues to be used. Also, the new $1,000,000 Spectacular logo places a generic dollar sign before the "1,000,000", whereas the original logo featured an enlarged version of the "Pricedown" dollar sign preceding the number. The new logo is seen in the opening credits, as well as on the Showcase podiums and before the second Showcase Showdown. A black floor was also used. Current host Drew Carey wears a tuxedo in this series, reminiscent of Bob Barker's attire for the 1986 primetime "Specials". When Barker hosted the $1,000,000 Spectacular, he wore the same regular business suit as seen on the daytime show.

In addition, a new light boarder featuring multi-colored diamonds and Goodson-Todman asterisks was used starting in season 36. The new wall, light border (initially shrunk for 4:3 broadcasts, but only in Season 36), Big Doors, and asterisk boxes gradually moved into the daytime show in preparation for the daytime show's transition into HDTV. The asterisk box background change was immediate, and the patterns on the wall and Big Doors were moved into the daytime show at the start of Season 37, in addition to a new turntable wall that covers the traditional producer's box that was added because of things they learned about the show in HDTV.

The $1,000,000 prize is paid in lump sum.

Starting in #030SP (MDS #23), models in evening gowns usually accompany the tuxedo-clad host to the stage.

Endgames

easons 30 to 35

The most notable part of the prime time version is its endgame. The Bob Barker-hosted "$1,000,000 Spectacular"s allowed the opportunity for up to six contestants (those who played a pricing game) to win one million dollars.

Million Dollar Spin

As on the daytime version, any player who spins $1.00 in one spin or a combination of two spins in a Showcase Showdown earns a bonus spin. However, for the Million Dollar Spectaculars taped prior to 2008, if the player was able to land on the $1.00 in their bonus spin, they would win $1,000,000.

Beginning with the second set of Spectaculars, there was a guarantee that each episode would feature at least one spin for $1 million. If none of the contestants earned a bonus spin during the Showcase Showdowns, one was awarded to the contestant who won the Showcase. These rules originally stated that if nobody earned a bonus spin in the main portion of the show and there was a double overbid in the Showcase, a random eligible audience member would be called to spin for $1,000,000. This rule was in place at least through the 12th Spectacular, on which that situation came to pass (that contestant is not under the ten-year rule established in Season 36 for eligibility). By the 15th Spectacular, the double overbid rule had been changed to state that the spin would be awarded to the contestant who had made the smaller overbid. Unlike in the Showcase Showdowns, no money was awarded for landing on a green section during a million dollar spin that occurs after the Showcase. Any bonus spin occurring after the showcase is set up in the same manner as a normal bonus spin, with the wheel starting on the 5¢ space.

If the wheel did not make a full revolution during the Million Dollar Spin, the spin was disqualified, and the contestant did not win the $1,000,000.

On the 16th Spectacular, the other cash bonuses in the Showcase Showdown were also increased. A contestant's first dollar was worth $10,000 and a bonus spin, and landing on a green section in a bonus spin earned an additional $20,000. Prior to the 16th Spectacular, these values were identical to the daytime show; the first dollar was worth $1,000, and landing on either of the green sections during the bonus spin was worth an additional $5,000. Under this format, the $1,000,000 prize was never claimed.

eason 36 changes

A change for Season 36's "Million Dollar Spectacular"s is the elimination of the Million Dollar Spin; instead, the current Drew Carey-hosted "Spectacular"s offer two other opportunities to win $1 million, both of which can conceivably be won by a single contestant.

Million Dollar Game

In the first, a stage contestant can win $1,000,000 by playing a classic pricing game designated as the Million Dollar Game.cite news |url=http://www.theinsideronline.com/news/2008/02/15896/index.html
title=This Just In: 'The Price is Right' Returns to Primetime
date=2008-02-12
publisher="The Insider"] . The $1,000,000 bonus is awarded in addition to the game's normal prize(s) if the contestant satisfies a particular condition in either the normal course of the designated game, or in an extension played after the game if it is won.

;One Away: The contestant must correctly set the price of the car on the first attempt to win the bonus. ;Safe Crackers: If the contestant correctly prices the small item and wins the car, they have the option to keep their prizes or risk them and play for bonus. To win the bonus and keep their prizes, the contestant must identify the price of the car using five dials, each of which contains the same set of five unique digits. Some digits in the actual price of the car may repeat, while other digits on the dials may or may not appear at all in the price.;Clock Game: The contestant must guess the retail price of both prizes within a total of 10 seconds to win the bonus.;Range Game: After the contestant has locked in a $150 price range, they must guess (within that $150 range) the exact price of the prize to win the bonus.;Plinko (played twice): If the contestant gets at least three chips in the $20,000 slot, they are awarded a golden Plinko chip (similar to the UK version's "Golden Plinko Disc of Desire"). The golden chip must land in the $20,000 slot to win the $1,000,000 bonus. ;½ Off: If the contestant picks the box with the $25,000, they have the option to keep it, or give it up for a chance at the bonus. To win the bonus, they must choose the one box out of the remaining 15 boxes that hides a check for $1,000,000.;Cover Up: The contestant must correctly set the price of the car on their first attempt to win the bonus.;Punch a Bunch: The first hole punched must contain the top-valued $50,000 card to win the bonus.;Switcheroo: The contestant must get all five prizes right on the first try to win the bonus.

Million Dollar Showcase

The second new opportunity to win $1,000,000 occurs at the Showcase. A $1,000,000 bonus and both showcases are awarded to a winning contestant bidding within $500 of the actual retail price of their showcase without going over. Showcase values are increased compared to daytime showcases; they range from $40,000 to over $100,000 (whereas the daytime show ranges from around $15,000 to $40,000 in most episodes).

The $500 range was implemented starting with the second set of tapings (April 2008) in Season 36. In the first series (February 2008), it was $1,000 and the bonus was won twice in the six tapings, which when added with the Million Dollar Game, concerned the provider of prize indemnity insurance for shows owned by RTL Group. Very large prizes on game shows are usually covered by such insurance, and the provider requested a reduction of the million-dollar prize range to $500 (although Adam Rose, the first of the 3 millionaires, was the only one who won the top prize prior to the change that would not have won it after the change). According to Carey, "They wanted to put as much pressure on the contestant and make it as difficult as possible so they don't have to give away a million dollars... I think it's going to be harder to win a million bucks-- because that $3-million in four shows, scared the heck out of them. That's a whole lot of money. We had to jump through some hoops just to get insurance for the next round of tapings." [Deggans, Eric. [http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/article718158.ece Carey feeling left out of 'Price is Right'] . St. Petersburg Times. 21 July 2008.]

In accordance with these two new $1,000,000 opportunities, the Showcase Showdown's values were adjusted as follows:
* $1.00 in one spin or combination of two spins: $5,000
* 5¢ or 15¢ in the bonus spin: $25,000
* $1.00 in the bonus spin: $50,000

Millionaires

So far, three contestants have won a $1,000,000 prize. All of them have occurred with the new Season 36 format, and all in the first series of tapings.

The first-ever millionaire in the show's history was Adam Rose of Los Osos, California, who appeared on the February 22, 2008 episode. By bidding $880 away from the actual price of his showcase, he won a total of $1,153,908 in cash and prizes, becoming the biggest winner in the history of "The Price Is Right".

On March 7, 2008, Michael Haynes bid $489 away from the price of his showcase and won a total of $1,127,062 in cash and prizes.

On April 4, 2008, Cynthia Azevedo (from Los Angeles, California) won $1,000,000 playing that episode's Million Dollar Game, Clock Game, by guessing the price of both prizes in a total of eight seconds. She went on to win her Showcase and a total of $1,089,017 in cash and prizes. Cynthia was the first (and currently the only) contestant to win the million dollar prize in a Million Dollar Pricing Game.

References