Behind the scenes: A week in the life of a TPIR producer

Hi everyone,
My name is Kathy Greco and I am one of the producers of "The Price is Right." For those of you that have watched the show for many years, you may know me as "Fingers."
I have worked with every host--from the incomparable Bob Barker to Dennis James, Tom Kennedy and Doug Davidson; to our current host, the fun and fun-loving Drew Carey. I've handed scripts to every announcer and helped every model that has ever graced our stage.
Whenever I am introduced to someone and they find out what I do, there are always a million questions: "What's it like to work on the show?" "What do you do?" "What's Drew Carey like?" The questions just fly. So, what I thought I would do here is tell you what it is really like to work on "The Price is Right."
Working here is a little surreal. To think that I help put on the longest-running game show in television history is just weird. It's my job and it's something I love to do--and how very lucky am I!
My main job is "prizes." I schedule most of the prizes on the show, and try to make them as varied and fun as possible. I know not every prize is going to be loved by everyone, but we try to have something for everyone. If you don't like this one bid, I bet you're going to love the next one!
I am on stage during the tapings of the shows. I make sure the prize copy is correct, that the prices of the prizes are correct, and I receive the contestants after they have finished playing their games. The only thing I can't seem to prevent is me getting in a camera shot when I'm not supposed to be there!
I also explain the rules on the Big Wheel to the contestants, and the showcase rules to the two lucky players. They are all so excited just to be on the show, and their enthusiasm and smiles are so contagious. There's just nothing like it.
There's a lot more to the show than just the tapings. Mondays we meet on prizes that I have planned to see if we can improve them. Tuesdays we meet on stage shows that we will tape in a few weeks. We plan the placement of prizes, costumes for models, sets, special effects, tapes, etc. The staff meets every Friday to pitch new prize ideas--and they better be good or we let you know it! We also discuss the week's tapings and what we liked and what we could improve upon. We are constantly trying to make the show better.
The producers, director, and set designer meet regularly, deciding on game refurbishing, new sets, colors, costs, etc. We just had a meeting where we discussed new games for the show.
And believe it or not, we tape six shows a week, prepare six shows for the following week and plan five new shows from scratch--all at the same time.
One of the best things about working on "The Price is Right" is watching people win! I have never gotten jaded to this. My eyes still well up with tears when a single mom or an unemployed bus driver trying to support his family wins $10,000 or a new car. I love the energy in the studio and seeing how perfect strangers root for someone on stage to win a prize!
All of us at "The Price is Right" love what we do, and we are very proud of the show. It has always been a great show, but this season it just has that something extra. The set looks fabulous, the prizes have never been better, Drew is having so much fun. And, with new technology that we are now taking advantage of, everything has been updated without really changing. The addition of Mike Richards, our Executive Producer, and Rich DiPirro, our Director has added so much to the look and feel of the show. We are very lucky to have their creativity and fresh eyes.
If you've never "come on down" to "The Price is Right" you're missing out. But if you can't come and see us in person, the next best thing is to watch it every day. There is no other show like it! Each day when you watch the show, please remember how much we all love it, and that we work very hard hoping that you will love it as much as we do.
I'll be around if you have any questions for me. I love reading what you have to say.
Thanks, Kathy
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TriplePlay92 - Friday, October 08, 2010 at 8:45 AM
How come a playing back in 2009 playing for a 2010 Camaro. The audience was yelling four not a nine.
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Octavarium64 - Friday, October 08, 2010 at 7:39 AM
TriplePlay92: Because the Camaro has 304 horsepower, people won't think that it's worth only $23K. Cars like this are good, fair ways to cause losses when necessary. -
TriplePlay92 - Friday, October 08, 2010 at 7:15 AM
I know that you tried to make Temptation easy with that Camaro. But people overbid on that car a lot. Try to have a playing just like the one back on March 4, 1994. When the first had a 1 and a 3 and the rest of the gifts had zeros at the end. HAVE MORE PLAYINGS LIKE THAT ONE! -
444rrr - Thursday, October 07, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Hey Kathy 2 questions
One I love what you guys did with 10 chances and PLINKO do you have plans for anymore games to get a makeover?
also can you give an update or check game and credit card -
TriplePlay92 - Wednesday, October 06, 2010 at 1:10 PM
Also, Thank you bring a van back on the show. Boy that Routan was expensive. All you need to offer the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. Also offer one of the Buicks and Cadillacs.
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Adog95 - Wednesday, October 06, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Just one more thing i wana now is the show ever having a million dollar special again this season? -
Adog95 - Wednesday, October 06, 2010 at 10:46 AM
ok well....Thanks Kathy :) -
kathy_greco - Wednesday, October 06, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Hi Adog: We can't accept outside ideas for games, but thank you anyway. Please don't send it. -
Adog95 - Wednesday, October 06, 2010 at 8:47 AM
Hi KathyI created a PG for the show,and i want to know if i can mail it out to you guys...?The game idea is on the fan boards under pricing games and set.I just want to send you guys a sketch on what it can look like and how it works. -
fmsknight - Sunday, October 03, 2010 at 3:41 PM
Kathy a.k.a "Fingers," Thank you for the last 35 years of service on the Price is Right... you are a Classy woman (with a capital C). You might not remember, but I left you a voice message about 5 years ago to give me a call back as I thought my girlfriend was lying about a trip I was supposed to take to the show through a not for profit organization. You called me back and graciously told me that what my former girl friend was telling me was not true. Out of your busy schedule you actually spent time with me on the phone and listened to the story... Whether you though I was crazy or not I don't know... but you listened and told me that next time I visit the Price is Right to say Hi... I never made it, but I thank you for being humanistic and calling me back when you didn't even know who I was.Ms. Greco, I salute you... I wish you happy retirement as you deserve it and the best of luck in your future endeavors. You will surely be missed.

