Never underestimate the power of accurate-looking props.
This became starkly apparent a couple of Congreffes ago. The audience can't play along with the Range Game if they can't SEE the game.
If you're going to have the contestants bid on faux showcases for a "prize package" of donated items, no reason not to do it as they do on U.S. TV: two showcases of luxury prizes, bid or pass, etc. You can even make a joke about it: "If you think you're going to walk out of here with $42,000 in prizes, fuggeddaboudit!"
In addition to Fremantle's permission, find out whether the venue you perform at has a BMI license, or hope that a BMI attorney does not become one of your contestants (it HAS happened). This is to cover your music usage.
