ROGERS, Ark. — Arkansas native Kerry Norris, a lifelong game show fan, appeared on an episode of "The Price Is Right" on Dec. 10. During filming nearly six months ago, he couldn't believe when his name was called to "come on down."
"When it happened, I blacked out," Norris said. "I feel like I immediately jumped up. I feel like I had a big reaction, from what I remember."
Norris is originally from Warren and now living in Rogers where he works from home as a recruiter for an educational technology company based in Washington, D.C. When he's not working, Norris is likely obsessing over game shows.
"Ever since I was little, I was just really a massive game show fan, even to this day," Norris said.
On a whim, he joined his friend's work trip to California — marking his first time in the Golden State — and bought his plane ticket just two days before leaving. Determined to get on a game show during the trip, Norris found an opportunity with "The Price Is Right."
Norris said the selection process involved a two-hour pre-meeting and a 30-second interview in an unassuming spot.
"I had never really been in a studio anywhere, and so it was kind of this random warehouse out in the middle of nowhere," Norris said.
Before getting the green light to be a contestant, Norris said the casting team asked contestants basic questions and to reenact their reaction if called. Luckily, Norris said he had a little bit of the upper hand on this portion.
"I commend the casting team for selecting people based on that little amount of information, but I had done my research, and I knew that was going to be part of it. And so I kind of pre-planned maybe what I could say to try to stand out where I could because I just didn't want to fall into the crowd."
During the interview, Norris played into his lifelong love of game shows and the sheer spontaneity of his last-minute trip to California.
"I told the story of how, for many years as a kid, on my birthday, when I blew out my candles, I always wished to be on 'The Price Is Right' one day as an adult," Norris said. "I said the opportunity came up. I bought my ticket two days ago. This is my YOLO trip. So here I am. I may never get to come back, so I had to take advantage of it while I could. And so I think that's what kind of sealed the deal."
Although prepping contestants took a little longer, Norris said the taping of the show only lasted a little over an hour.
"It was almost a live-to-tape, so what you should see on the show is what you get. It was very high energy," Norris said.
Norris was surprised by the small studio size and the difficulty of hearing bids.
"You could not hear the person two feet from you," he said. "When you see on TV that people are asking, 'What are the bids?' ... "And you're like, 'What? They just said them.'"
However, the overall taping of the show was fast-paced and full of camaraderie.
"Everyone was so nice and supportive," Norris said. "It was kind of this big family. You're kind of all there for the same reason, so it was just super fun."
As a lifelong fan game show fan, Norris said the experience has shaped his connection to the show.
"I felt this kind of weird connection to the show now," he said. "Every time I see it on my TV now, it just kind of makes me smile and takes me back a little bit."
Norris plans to host a watch party and share his experience with friends and family.
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