Finally, it can be told!

[tommycharles]

[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 09:50 AM\']

It reminds me of when Drew Carey produced a pay-per-view special with his "Who's Line?" improvers.  Sure, you can point to the differences, but it comes down to paying for something that is generally perceived as being free.  I'll be very interested in following how successful this turns out to be. [/quote]
 Which still shows up for free on Showtime now and again.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 05:55 AM\'] I meant for the casual fan/viewer, for those who had a choice between attending the Vegas attraction and the real deal, why would wouldn't they choose the real deal if they could go to either one?
 [/quote]
 Find me free alcohol or a Pai Gow Poker table within fifty feet of Studio 33, and you have your answer.

[SplitSecond]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 11:52 AM\'] [quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 05:55 AM\'] I meant for the casual fan/viewer, for those who had a choice between attending the Vegas attraction and the real deal, why would wouldn't they choose the real deal if they could go to either one?
 [/quote]
Find me free alcohol or a Pai Gow Poker table within fifty feet of Studio 33, and you have your answer. [/quote]
 Well, for the free alcohol at 33, it all depends on who you ask.  *hic*

Seriously, I don't think that there's going to be a single person in any of those audiences for the 11 weeks (except maybe one of us?) who's making the trip to Reno especially for this stage show, and if Fremantle is banking on that being their audience, then they're in for a rude awakening.

Again, I'm sure that there will be enough people who either walk by the showroom or see the show being otherwise advertised, think \"what the heck?\", buy a pair of tickets and go to enjoy themselves.  If you tell a casino patron they can pay $30 for a reasonable facsimile of something they can get for free - 500 miles away - I'd expect they'd shell out the $30.  It wouldn't be the first time that someone in a casino has given away money frivolously.

The question is, can Fremantle and Harrah's count on enough people to do that for 11 weeks so that they can turn a profit, or at least recoup their costs?

[Jimmy Owen]

This could be a chance for the 35-54 yr olds and the photgenically challenged (read:me) to play TPIR!  Can I bring my middle-aged \"posse\"?

[drmusic_99]

[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Aug 27 2003, 10:59 PM\'] with the big difference being that audience members get a chance to win their way on stage and play. [/quote]
 I hear the other \"big difference\" is that the Reno version will have pricing games, based on the prices of prizes and grocery items.

[chris319]

[quote name=\'drmusic_99\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 01:04 PM\'][quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Aug 27 2003, 10:59 PM\'] with the big difference being that audience members get a chance to win their way on stage and play. [/quote]
I hear the other \"big difference\" is that the Reno version will have pricing games, based on the prices of prizes and grocery items.[/quote]
You forgot one other big difference: if your bid is over the actual retail price, you lose.

[cmjb13]

Also, wasn't there speculation of the real TPiR doing shows \"on the road\" after the success of the 30th Anniversary Las Vegas special?  Is that still a possibility or is that too much of a logistical nightmare?

No road shows scheduled, but I found this interesting on Mr. Beverly's site:

Bob Barker, nor the CBS models, will be involved in the Reno production but the setting potentially could be used for a CBS prime time special.

[HSquares2003]

Cmjb, I wouldn't bet on Reno being a city for the next TPIR prime time special that is a road show. Given the mobs(and yes I was there in person for the chaos) in Vegas and disorganization and pissed off people, NYC would probably be the best bet for a road show. Radio City holds about 7,000 people correct(New Yorkers can set this one straight).

And hopefully they never make the mistake of handing out tickets before they are supposed to  like they did in Vegas

[cmjb13]

[quote name=\'HSquares2003\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 06:24 PM\'] NYC would probably be the best bet for a road show. Radio City holds about 7,000 people correct(New Yorkers can set this one straight).

 [/quote]
 Regardless of how many it seats, the site has already been surveyed and it's just not feasible.

The stage wasn't big enough, and the pricing games would have to be left outside and then brought in when needed. Not a good idea to leave pricing games out on the sidewalk.

[zachhoran]

I have another thought on this Reno TPIR Live gig: Maybe, just maybe, Fremantle in small part is using this possibly to see how well the chosen host(s) do/does, for the inevitability of Barker's retirement, whenever that may occur.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'SplitSecond\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 12:53 PM\'] If you tell a casino patron they can pay $30 for a reasonable facsimile of something they can get for free - 500 miles away - I'd expect they'd shell out the $30.
 [/quote]
 It's also a good way for the casino to put a fairly nominal value (I realize that Reno ain't Vegas, but the bigger Vegas shows run damn near $100 a seat) on something, which means they can then turn around and use 'em as comps for the gamblers...

[Fedya]

Dr. Bear wrote:

Or if a cannibal ate 10 men, would that be a \"filet minyan?\"

Seeing as human beings aren't kosher, I doubt it.  :-p

[uncamark]

[quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 12:11 PM\'][quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Aug 28 2003, 09:50 AM\']

It reminds me of when Drew Carey produced a pay-per-view special with his \"Who's Line?\" improvers.  Sure, you can point to the differences, but it comes down to paying for something that is generally perceived as being free.  I'll be very interested in following how successful this turns out to be. [/quote]
Which still shows up for free on Showtime now and again.[/quote]
If you pay the extra monthly fee to get Showtime (or HBO, or Cinemax, or TMC, or STARZ! or Encore).

And yes, after you pay the initial monthly fee and possible installation charges to get cable or satellite in the first place.

And after you've bought the TV set.

And after you've bought one of the sponsors' products that indirectly pays for producing the program and bringing it into your home.

Just taking care of all of the loopholes.  

\"Nobody rides for free\"--Jackson Browne, \"Boulevard\" (the song where the folks at home are playing \"Beat the Clock\")