The Price of Success

(AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)

While we were in Los Angeles, one of our childhood dreams came true. We sat in the audience of "The Price is Right" and met Bob Barker. We imagine the emotions that immigrants experienced while moving through Ellis Island were similar to those that we felt while attempting to get into "The Price is Right." Anticipation. Excitement. Nervousness. Boredom. It's no easy feat attaining a seat in that audience. And we were in no way prepared for this. So, as a public service, here's what it takes to come on down.

Ticket. You can get it from the Web site, have it mailed to your home address or pick it up at CBS Studios. But a ticket does not guarantee admission. Actually, the CBS pages say nothing guarantees admission. But you will need a ticket for the day of the taping to get in.

Order of Arrival Pass. You can't get this puppy online. You have to actually show up to CBS Studios on the morning of the taping. We arrived at 6 a.m. on a Monday, received No. 343 and didn't get in. The next day, we showed up at 3 a.m. and got No. 24. The people in front of the line? Midnight. The Order of Arrivial Pass also determines where you'll sit. We were in the third row. Whee!

Contestant Number. So after you have the above, the CBS pages will place you in numerical order. Then they'll check for two forms of identification: a photo ID and something with your Social Security digits. Don't worry if you don't have the latter. You can mail it in if you're selected to come on down. This number is what producers use to select contestants after being prescreened in line.

Name Tag. You've seen them. You love them. You've always wanted one. (OK. Maybe that's just us.) After waiting for hours and going through all the above, a CBS page will eventually come around and write your name with a big black marker on one of those big yellow price tags that sticks to your shirt. Sorry. No nicknames.

(AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)