They came in bright T-shirts, clutching game-show dreams, and lined up outside a furniture store on a humid Friday morning for a chance to spin television’s most famous wheel.
The first fan showed up at midnight, staking out a spot at the front of the line before auditions began. By 10 a.m., the crowd at Steinhafels Furniture was buzzing where The Price Is Right held a contestant search.
The store, 203 Orland Park Place in Orland Park. which opened in November, partnered with CBS to host the event that ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Some hopefuls practiced their “Come on down!” shouts. Others rehearsed dance moves they hoped would catch a casting producer’s eye.
“This has always been on my bucket list,” Qia King, of Chicago, said.
CBS officials said more than 18,000 people pre-registered before walk-ins even began. Two contestants will be selected at a later date to appear on a future episode of the game show hosted by Drew Carey.
“It’s amazing to see our viewers. There is so much excitement out here today,” said Jen Lyons, president and general manager of CBS.
“This proves that people are still continuing to watch linear television,” said Dave Reidy, vice president and director of sales for CBS News Chicago, who grew up in Palos Heights. “It’s invigorating to see so many people out here today.”
Michelle Gonzales, 50, of Chicago, said the audition felt like a second chance at a dream she’s held since she was 21.
“It’s always been a dream of mine since I was 21 to be on The Price is Right,” Gonzales said. “When my father asked what I wanted for my 21st birthday, I said I wanted to fly out to California and be on the show. But instead, he got me a trip to Vegas. I was disappointed. Now, decades later, I hope my dream comes true.”
For Ilaia Alexander, of Calumet City, the day doubled as a birthday celebration. She auditioned Friday morning and said making it onto the show would be “the best birthday present ever.”
Renee DeVore, a former school principal from Vermont who now lives in Orland Park, said she grew up watching Bob Barker.
“I was reading a book on money management and wrote myself a check for $100,000 with the belief that if you manifest it, it will come true,” DeVore said. “It was shortly after I wrote that check that I saw The Price is Right was coming to Orland. I thought, this is it — this is how I’m going to get that $100,000.”
Chris Studniarz, of Lockport, said for her, personally, the show became a lifeline.
“After I was in a car accident 15 years ago, I became an avid fan,” Studniarz said. “I would be in therapy watching it with my therapists and we would be cheering on the contestants. It was something we really looked forward to watching every day”
Studniarz added: “No matter who they are, everyone has good memories of this show.”
CBS executives said the turnout showed the program’s staying power.
“It’s great to be out here and to see all of the fans,” said Chad Dern, vice president of marketing for CBS.
Last year’s Steinhafels casting call in Harwood Heights drew hundreds. Friday’s event carried the same energy, with thousands of fans hoping their names might be the next ones called to come on down.
