A big "hello!" from TPIR director, Rich DiPirro!
From the Studio 33 Control Booth, a big hello to my fellow THE PRICE IS RIGHT fans!
It is a great privilege to be able to post my first blog entry here at priceisright.com and a thrill to be able to speak directly with fans of the show, and I count myself among you.
As a kid growing up in Boston, Massachusetts I was already a huge game show fan. I watched THE PRICE IS RIGHT every chance I got along with all the great Mark Goodson game shows of the time.
Summer break from elementary school not only meant the counselors would return to the neighborhood parks to unleash the tether balls and baseball bats from the equipment lock up, but also that I was free to catch my favorite game shows everyday.
Even at 7 or 8 years old, while watching the THE PRICE IS RIGHT, I began to notice camera movement, lighting, music and all the wonderful elements that made PRICE so special and so unique at the time. It was then the first sparks of interest in television direction ignited and eventually led me to the decision to combine my love for game shows with my profession.
While in college, I premiered to my roommates the ability to snap my fingers in unison with the camera cuts on the currently airing episode of THE PRICE IS RIGHT.
Unknowingly, this began the 20 year rehearsal process that would culminate with the taping of my first episode of PRICE as director in January 2009.
I’ll never forget the morning my phone rang and hearing on the other end of the line "Hi, this is Mike Richards. I'm the co-executive producer of The Price is Right". Uttering only a stuttered "really?" with a Peter Brady-esque crack in my voice, I was told a wonderful opportunity was available.
Follow up meetings and a great lunch with Drew Carey and Executive Producer Syd Vinnage at Drew's favorite diner (try the tuna sandwich-it's great!) eventually lead me to the directing chair I’ve always wanted to occupy. The one in Sutdio 33 at CBS Television City. The one Mark Breslow, Paul Alter, Andy Felsher, and Bark Eskandar all sat in before me while bring my favorite show THE PRICE IS RIGHT to my TV.
Now it’s my turn to bring THE PRICE IS RIGHT to your TV. I get to go into work every day, excited and full of promise for the fun we will have while making the day's episode, and happy to go home every night, proud to be working with such a great team of professional and genuinely nice people who care so deeply about this show and about entraining viewers. In the end, that is why TV people do what they do.
And thanks to priceisright.com, we can talk to each other about what you want from your game show in a way that no other TV show allows. Drew, the staff and I are always checking in on the fan boads and we’ll do our best to keep the dialog going!
This is truly a unique and special web home for a truly unique and special show.
-
Hessman - Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Hi Rich- The Price is Right is okay, but it doesn't hold a candle to your work on Newsline 3! Congrats...I just heard you were doing this show... Drop me a line sometime and we'll catch up. Bill H. burncoat2@yahoo.com -
onemcfeely - Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Rich DiPirro: I would like to know why blacks get preferential treatment in the selection for "contestants row".Quite often they are picked early and comprise 33% of the row, as today, Nov. 4, and are a very small percentage of the studio audience. -
compdude512 - Tuesday, November 03, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Rich - You sound exactly like me. :) I am currently in college right now preparing to move into the broadcasting program thanks to The Price is Right getting me interested. I always tell people I'd like to host or direct Price, and I'm not kidding! (I figure if Drew hosts until the age Bob was when he retired, I'll have a job during Season 68 or 69...lol.) I love your work on TPIR as well as what you did for Deal or No Deal. Please do keep it up - from what I've seen, I honestly can say you're at the legendary Marc Breslow's level! I look to hear more from you soon! :) -
pat543 - Monday, November 02, 2009 at 6:39 AM
hey rich dipirro great camera angles keep doing it -
TPIRHag - Sunday, November 01, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Nice to hear from you Rich, you're doing a great job with directing. -
katrinka_ohio - Sunday, November 01, 2009 at 5:49 AM
I think you are doing a terrific job! I, too, love the brief shots from all over the studio just before the spinning of the Big Wheel. It really shows off the new set well. -
AlohaDave - Friday, October 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Congratulations Rich, your directing is indeed the best the show has ever seen. I can totally relate to your story of being fascinated with the production aspect of Price ever since your youth. I was ten in 1972 and I've watched every season. From the start I was always fascinated by how the show is basically shot "in the round", and yet none of the cameras were ever seen, even with all the complicated blocking and dozens of games. I've travelled to LA to see the show about ten times. I never got picked but that was never my priority. Seeing the show executed in person is so fascinating... it's like watching a finely-tuned ballet. I'm so thrilled that you are doing the wide jib bumper shots so that everyone can now actually see what is involved in pulling off the "big dance" on stage 33. I'm now in my 22nd year as a camera operator and technical director at a network affiliate, and I can say with all my heart that I owe my good fortune to The Price Is Right. Thanks for once again making every episode fresh, new, and visually exciting. Keep snapping away pal! -
*PIR85 - Friday, October 30, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Rich, it's great to see you on board. I have some questions/comments in the main Fan Boards forum ("Official show news") that I'd love you to look at. For the record, you mentioned the show music, do you have any pull on what gets selected/played on air? Thanks, PIR85 -
Fan4ever - Friday, October 30, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Hi Rich, welcome to TPIR and congratulations on landing the job of a lifetime. And by the way, you are doing an amazing job. The vision we see you incorporating into the show is awesome. Its nice to have someone in your position who is actually a long time fan of the show, and who knows how to bring out the best moments. The show's direction has improved 110% since you came on board. We can't wait to see you unveil even more surprises. Keep up the good work my friend. -
sheri2939 - Friday, October 30, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Welcome to TPIR and Season 38 is better than ever! Great shows, props on todays Halloween show! Awesome!
