Want to Be on ‘The Price Is Right’? Here’s How You Can ‘Come On Down!’

Interested in becoming a contestant on The Price Is Right?

Here are a few strategies for getting on the long-running game show, tips from those who’ve been there, and finally, a word from the man in charge of casting contestants.

How the registration process works

According to the FAQ page on the show’s website, the registration process has a very precise order that each potential contestant needs to follow.

The show says: “Registration takes place day of show, prior to each performance,” the website states. “Beginning 3 hours before showtime, each eligible person who would like the opportunity to be selected to play will provide their first and last name and day of birth (0-31) to producers via registration cards which are given to eligible patrons by Venue staff.”

If you were wondering whether you need to buy a ticket in order to be eligible to become a contestant, the show says you can compete without a ticket.

“There is no ticket purchase required to register to be a contestant and purchase will not be considered a factor in determining eligible contestants or in the contestant selection process,” the page said. “Registration closes precisely at the scheduled showtime.”

Attendees have said: One contestant hopeful – who was chosen – posted about their positive experience, writing on TripAdvisor, “I had the pleasure of meeting Drew, Stan [Blits, more on him below], lots of pages and so many other awesome people who work with CBS…[Your stay] will last for about 6 hours unless you win.“

“I went solo and arrived one hour before the afternoon show,” they continued. “I was number 65 (which is now my lucky number) because I had a priority ticket. You will wait outside for 3 hours. However you are protected from the elements and you can sit if you like…You are having an audition from the time you walk in until the time you leave...“

The show’s contestant picker

The man in charge of getting the right contestants on The Price Is Right is Stan Blits. The Washington Post reported in 2019 that Blits has been working with the show for the past four decades, and he must be doing something right. Stan Blits knows at this point what he’s looking for in a contestant.

Blits scans the line of hopefuls for a certain something in their behavior and attitude. Speaking with The New York Post in 2013, he explained why he eventually didn’t go with one candidate he’d initially liked.

“I really liked them in the interview,” he said. “They were total Americana — nicely dressed, good looking. I thought ‘Let’s give them a shot.’ “But I watched them [in the audience], and they didn’t applaud. They weren’t cheering. If you die off on me during the show, you’re out!”

Blits wants to see energy, energy, energy.

“I jump around like a court jester out there,” he admitted. “I am looking for energy, sincerity and potential humor. And if they can equal my energy or exceed it and maintain it, they are at the top of the list.”

The lasting draw of ‘The Price Is Right’

Show host Drew Carey, in 2019, explained to CBS This Morning why he thinks the game show remains such a huge hit.

“Because it’s regular people having a day,” he said. “And when you’re home watching, you see people you can relate to, like, ‘Oh, that’s a person like me or somebody I know and look at them having this great day.’ The people on the show are the real stars of the show.”

“They used to introduce me when I started as, ‘Here’s the star of the show,’ and I made them change it later to, ‘Here’s the host.’ Because I think the people on the show are the actual stars of the show.”