MONROE — Monroe native Amber (Marsh) Beaver is still in shock after hearing the words “Come on down!” delivered by announcer George Gray on long running game show “The Price is Right” during an October vacation to Los Angeles, California.
“I literally jumped out of my seat — and then I blacked out,” Beaver said, laughing. “I was high-kneeing all the way down to the contestant’s row.”
Beaver graduate was on the episode Jan. 13 and participated in bidding starting just after the first commercial break until the end of the show, but never made it past initial round to play one of the main games beside host Drew Carey.
“I got really close,” she said. “It was just so fun. I didn’t need to win. It was just really fun.”
She said her Midwest roots may not have fared well while guessing prices of products in California, but after receiving a strange look from Carey after her first low bid, she changed her strategy and got closer.
“I had a great experience,” she said.
The 2005 Monroe High School graduate and now Sun Prairie resident was on a trip with a friend and had tickets to the game show — but after a hectic morning almost didn’t make it in time to get through the doors that day.
The second day into their five-day trip she and friend and neighbor, who also happens to be from Monroe, Paula Walker came hours early to get in on time, but realized at the last minute their smart watches weren’t allowed inside. By the time they realized how to get rid of them safely — a lock box across the street that didn’t open until 9 a.m. — they raced back with just three minutes to spare before their required 9:15 a.m. entry.
“It was absolutely crazy,” she said.
After loads of paperwork they were taken to some mock up contestant stands where they had photos taken. The show didn’t start filming until 1:30 p.m. and they waited for another three and a half hours.
During the wait, the producer pulled each person aside to be interviewed. They asked questions about the game show, but Beaver admitted she hadn’t watched in years.
“I was just myself,” Beaver said. “I’m bubbly, outgoing — I just like people. I didn’t think anything of it.”
When they finally got in, Beaver said the ambiance was energetic and fun — and loud.
“Drew Carey was so funny. He was telling jokes between breaks,” she said.
After the first commercial break, she barely heard them call a man from Michigan up — then, they announced they needed another person, which turned out to be her.
“It was fun. I’ve never been on a game show,” she said. “I had no idea the prices of anything.”
Because of that stint in the spotlight, Beaver won’t be able to be on “The Price is Right” or “Let’s Make a Deal” for 10 years, she said. And despite her lack in winnings, keeping the secret for months gained her $300 for her efforts. She said it was difficult to keep the secret from her family and friends.
“It was very hard not to say or post,” she said. No cell phones or photos were allowed inside the studio.
After it aired, her secret was out and she said word spread like wildfire.
“It was a really awesome way to start the trip,” Beaver said.
Having fun on television sets has been part of her trips in the past — Beaver has been on the sets of “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and “Good Morning America.” When she learned she could get free tickets to “The Price is Right,” she said she thought it would be fun after watching the show while growing up. She snagged some priority tickets that guaranteed entry if they were there by a specific time.
The duo had fun otherwise in California, exploring the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shopping on Santa Monica and the beach as well as other sight-seeing adventures.
Beaver is an entrepreneur and runs an online fitness and skincare business for women out of her home that features 90-day programs. She and her husband, Justin, have two young sons.
