Martinez woman gets chance to 'come on down' for game show
Connie Stapleton never thought she would see herself on television.
On Thursday, the entire county can watch her "come on down" to contestants' row on The Price Is Right at 11 a.m. on CBS (WRDW-TV, Channel 12).
Stapleton, a psychologist at the Medical College of Georgia who also owns a private practice, has her VCR ready to record the show.
"I can't wait to see it," the Martinez resident said.
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Her twin daughters, Erin and Kelsey, who are seniors at Lakeside High School, told Stapleton that several of their classes will be watching the show Thursday.
"They think it is the best thing that ever happened," Stapleton said. "It's hilarious."
Stapleton tagged along with her husband, Steve, to Los Angeles on a business trip in October. She said she had always wanted to go to California, so she saw the tourist attractions and went to tapings of several television shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. Other people at the shows said that to be on with Bob Barker, she should show up at the game show's lot at 4 a.m., which she did.
"My daughters said I had to wear a T-shirt and win a car," Stapleton said.
While waiting hours in line, Stapleton met two women who have been to tapings nearly 10 times to get on stage with the 79-year-old Barker.
After getting inside for the taping, Stapleton was shocked when she was the first person called to contestants' row to bid on a set of golf clubs.
"I had no intention of being on the show," Stapleton said. "I felt a little guilty."
Nervous, Stapleton overbid on the clubs.
"I couldn't think," she said. "I thought I was going to throw up."
It took three times, but Stapleton got on stage after being the closest bidder on a refrigerator and freezer set. She said after recent renovations on her home and regular trips to the home improvement store, Stapleton had an idea about the appliances' cost.
Barker led Stapleton to the One Away game, where she guessed the price of a Ford Mustang convertible. She had to guess whether each digit of the shown price of the car was one up or down from the correct amount. Stapleton came close, but did not go home with the car.
"I was bummed about the car because I was sent there to win a car," she said.
The Big Wheel was next. Stapleton, who said the wheel was very heavy, spun a number high enough to put her into the Showcase Showdown to compete for a prize package worth as much as $40,000.
Stapleton faced another man in the showdown. When he passed a trip to Switzerland, dining room furniture and a year's supply of chocolate, Stapleton bid $16,000.
"The audience booed, which is not a good sign," Stapleton said. "They thought I overbid."
They were right by $460. But she did walk away with the refrigerator and freezer, which were delivered two weeks ago.
"The neatest part was that the people were so supportive," Stapleton said. "Several people waited after the show to say, 'Good job.' It was a wonderful trip. The whole thing was great. It was an adventure."