On September 4, 1972, a woman named Connie and a fur coat made television history and started a new chapter of pop culture.

On that September day, Connie became the very first contestant on The New Price Is Right; Connie was also the very first prize winner by winning a fur coat from a Beverly Hills shop. (Words cannot accurately describe how atrocious and gaudy this 1970’s fur coat with a plaid design really was.)

The iconic game show kicked off its 50th season with Drew Carey as host a few weeks ago.

Over the years, some game shows have come and gone due to low ratings, but not The Price Is Right.

Filmed at the famed Television City Studio in Hollywood, The Price Is Right holds the record for the longest-running game show in television history. Not bad for a program based on the cost of grocery items or automatic juicers.

The prices of air fresheners and fig cookies are the main reason for the show’s longevity and popularity.

If you shop at the grocery store or buy items online, you can connect to the different pricing games because it’s the same type of items you buy.

That’s what’s different between The Price Is Right and other games shows. It is easy to connect and play along at home.

The show isn’t history and knowledge-based like Jeopardy or redundant like Family Feud or goofy like Let’s Make a Deal.

Additionally, the contestants that are selected to “Come on down!” are selected very carefully. Animated, upbeat, amusing, and easily excited are just a few of the characteristics producers search for.

Of course, if you just got married or are a member of the military and in uniform, you have a slight edge over the rest of the crowd.

On the other hand, if you look like you’ll wet yourself if selected or look as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, you don’t stand a chance.

That was me in June of 2005 when I attended a taping of the show when I was out west.

It was an exceedingly long, hot, and kooky time that required waiting in several lines for about six hours.

It was also one of the best days of my life.

Being just a few years older than the show, I grew up watching it and always wondered what a taping was like.

The other people waiting in line were really cool and spent most of the time going over prices or offering suggestions if one did get selected. There were people of all ages and backgrounds from across the country, including three college students from the Midwest. The college guys were behind me in line and sat beside me once we entered the studio.

A studio that was extremely cold and small. On TV, the space looks huge.

Bob Barker was still the host, and the taping was fun and interesting to see everything come together.

Midway through the show, the announcer called one of the college guys from the Midwest, sitting right next to me.

The college guy made it on stage and won a trip to Spain before going on to win a television, sunglasses, and a dark blue truck in the showcase. It was an experience I will never forget, especially almost getting hit by Simon Cowell driving a huge white Bentley — that’s a tale for another time.

The Price Is Right is the comfort food of game shows. It is comforting like a warm blanket on a chilly day, and if you’re looking for some entertainment, The Price Is Right is always right.

Below are a few facts about television’s longest-running game show.
– Since its premiere in 1972, the show has given away 1/3 of a billion dollars in cash and prizes.
– Winning contestants must pay sales tax on all taxable items.
– 2.4 million people have sat in the audience at the Bob Barker Studio.
– The show has given away more than 8,400 vehicles.
– In the show’s entire history, only one contestant bid the exact amount of their showcase.
– The very first game ever played was Any Number.
– Plinko is the show’s most popular game.
– The most a contestant has ever won on a daytime episode was $210,000 in 2016.
– Over the years, there have been numerous primetime specials with big winners.
– During its entire history, the show has aired the top three networks. On NBC in 1956, 1963 on ABC, and its home network CBS.
– 112 different pricing games have been featured on the show. About 80 different games are in rotation.
– The show was originally 30 minutes long and expanded to its current hour-long format in 1975.
– The show only has 10 Plinko chips, five that are in use and five kept as backup.