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TPIR: Does anyone EVER win Grocery Game?

M

mjlarochelle

In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time when someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go way over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've already bought over $6 of other stuff.

Does this game need to be retired?<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P>
 
> In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time when
> someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go way
> over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've already
> bought over $6 of other stuff.
>
> Does this game need to be retired?
>

It's funny that you mentioned that. I watched that, too and I thought, "What the hell was that guy thinking?" If he has the nerve of buying THAT much shampoo, must've had his hair dirty every day!
<P ID="signature">______________
To MRS Ventures: KZYQ and WZYQ are NOT on the air! Must be a cold day in radio hell!</P>
 
> In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time when
> someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go way
> over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've already
> bought over $6 of other stuff.
>
> Does this game need to be retired?
>
I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR. However, I distinctly remember people winning the grocery game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being said, the number of different grocery products has exploded since the 70's, people are eating out much more often, and simply no longer know the price of various grocery items. Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but it is one of the original games!!
 
> > In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time
> when
> > someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go way
> > over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've already
>
> > bought over $6 of other stuff.
> >
> > Does this game need to be retired?
> >
> I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR.
> However, I distinctly remember people winning the grocery
> game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being
> said, the number of different grocery products has exploded
> since the 70's, people are eating out much more often, and
> simply no longer know the price of various grocery items.
> Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but it
> is one of the original games!!
>
I've often wondered how many contestants actually get the prizes they've won.
You always see during the credits 'Contestants Must Meet Eligibility Requirements'. Exactly what is that criteria? But I do agree. Some TPIR games must be retired. 'Check Game' is so simple to understand. But most contestants never 'get it'. But some do.
 
> > > In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time
> > when
> > > someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go way
> > > over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've
> already
> >
> > > bought over $6 of other stuff.
> > >
> > > Does this game need to be retired?
> > >
> > I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR.
> > However, I distinctly remember people winning the grocery
> > game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being
> > said, the number of different grocery products has
> exploded
> > since the 70's, people are eating out much more often, and
>
> > simply no longer know the price of various grocery items.
>
> > Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but
> it
> > is one of the original games!!
> >
> I've often wondered how many contestants actually get the
> prizes they've won.
> You always see during the credits 'Contestants Must Meet
> Eligibility Requirements'. Exactly what is that criteria?
> But I do agree. Some TPIR games must be retired. 'Check
> Game' is so simple to understand. But most contestants never
> 'get it'. But some do.
>
I don't know the exact eligibility requirements. However, my understanding is that, since the game show scandals in the 50's, there are some additional requirements (i.e. not cheating, not paid off, not given answers in advance, etc.).

There are several websites, including the official TPIR website, that list games that have been retired (some only were played once or twice because they malfunctioned or Bob couldn't explain them). The rangefinder game seems to be another game that is rarely won over the past 30 years.

In addition, if I were going to be a possible contestant on TPIR, I would definitely study the rules and strategies for the various games (again listed on several different websites).
 
Isn't the idea to set things up so it is legit that a contestant COULD win, but most likely will not, so that the game show can BEST favor the network, without scaring away viewers?
<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>
 
> Isn't the idea to set things up so it is legit that a
> contestant COULD win, but most likely will not, so that the
> game show can BEST favor the network, without scaring away
> viewers?
>

I'm pretty sure that's the sort of balance they're going for and it generally works. Some games have the opposite problem, though. Does anyone ever lose at Hole in One or Two or Barker's Bargain Bar?
 
> I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR.
> However, I distinctly remember people winning the grocery
> game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being
> said, the number of different grocery products has exploded
> since the 70's, people are eating out much more often, and
> simply no longer know the price of various grocery items.
> Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but it
> is one of the original games!!
-----------
I've been watching for almost 17 years now. That is one of the games I'd like to see retired. "Checkout" works on a very similar concept but I see it won every now and then at least.

I like making a game a challenge to win, but it should be possible to win now and again. "Three Strikes" is very difficult to win, but I do see people win it sometimes. Same with "Cliffhangers", the yodeling one. The best games are these challenging ones that involve some luck. However, Grocery Game is almost absolutely impossible to win.

Is it just me, or is "Shell Game" played extremely rarely? I love that game!<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P>
 
> > I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR.
> > However, I distinctly remember people winning the grocery
> > game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being
> > said, the number of different grocery products has
> exploded
> > since the 70's, people are eating out much more often, and
>
> > simply no longer know the price of various grocery items.
>
> > Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but
> it
> > is one of the original games!!
> -----------
> I've been watching for almost 17 years now. That is one of
> the games I'd like to see retired. "Checkout" works on a
> very similar concept but I see it won every now and then at
> least.
>
> I like making a game a challenge to win, but it should be
> possible to win now and again. "Three Strikes" is very
> difficult to win, but I do see people win it sometimes.
> Same with "Cliffhangers", the yodeling one. The best games
> are these challenging ones that involve some luck. However,
> Grocery Game is almost absolutely impossible to win.
>
> Is it just me, or is "Shell Game" played extremely rarely?
> I love that game!
>
I haven't seen the Shell Game in probably 15 years. I wish that they would bring back a syndicated nighttime TPIR to compete with Wheel of Fortune. I fondly remember the original nighttime TPIR with Dennis James.

The other issue with the Grocery Game is that it is harder and harder to know the Manufacturers Retail price. With Wal-mart and Target often charging substantially less than the normal retail price, you could easily go over $21 (or whatever amount you have to get to these days). I still remember the days of $6.75-7.00 to win the game.
 
> > > In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time
> > when
> > > someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go way
> > > over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've
> already
> >
> > > bought over $6 of other stuff.
> > >
> > > Does this game need to be retired?
> > >
> > I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR.
> > However, I distinctly remember people winning the grocery
> > game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being
> > said, the number of different grocery products has
> exploded
> > since the 70's, people are eating out much more often, and
>
> > simply no longer know the price of various grocery items.
>
> > Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but
> it
> > is one of the original games!!
> >
> I've often wondered how many contestants actually get the
> prizes they've won.
> You always see during the credits 'Contestants Must Meet
> Eligibility Requirements'. Exactly what is that criteria?
> But I do agree. Some TPIR games must be retired. 'Check
> Game' is so simple to understand. But most contestants never
> 'get it'. But some do.
>

One thing that is definitely required is that the contestants have to pay taxes on their winnings or forefit them. I remember a news report in Memphis once about a woman who won a car on TPIR and if she had not been able to pay the taxes (Federal and BOTH CA and TN sales taxes) before she left she would have had to forefit the car. In the case of jewelry, furniture, or some other overpriced junk prizes, I probably would forefit them. If I was on a game show I'd rather be on one that gives away mostly or all money like Jeopardy or Millionaire than TPIR. That way the taxes could come out of the winnings.
 
> I haven't seen the Shell Game in probably 15 years. I wish
> that they would bring back a syndicated nighttime TPIR to
> compete with Wheel of Fortune. I fondly remember the
> original nighttime TPIR with Dennis James.
-----------
Shell Game is indeed one of the rarely played games, but its set was updated in 2001 at least.

I would predict that the Poker Game and Joker will both be retired in the near future. Joker isn't that old but it has a cheap set, and Poker Game hasn't been updated since 1975. Both games are played only a couple times per season now. I miss Penny Ante and Super Saver - both were good games that suffered from mechanical problems.

I also want to see some of the boring games like One Right Price retired. If I as a contestant comes all the way across the country to the Bob Barker studio, gets on stage and has to play a game like that, I'd be pretty disappointed - these games aren't played for cars anyway. The focus should be more on games like Plinko (which my mother hates for some reason), Pocket Change, Golden Road, Three Strikes, and Switcheroo.<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P>
 
> The focus
> should be more on games like Plinko (which my mother hates
> for some reason), Pocket Change, Golden Road, Three Strikes,
> and Switcheroo.
>

Has anyone ever won the full $25,000 at Plinko?

ixnay
 
> > > > In all my years watching TPIR, I can't think of a time
>
> > > when
> > > > someone won the Grocery Game. Everyone seems to go
> way
> > > > over, buying five bottles of shampoo after they've
> > already
> > >
> > > > bought over $6 of other stuff.
> > > >
> > > > Does this game need to be retired?
> > > >
> > > I don't know how long that you've been watching TPIR.
> > > However, I distinctly remember people winning the
> grocery
> > > game about 50% of the time back in the 70's. That being
>
> > > said, the number of different grocery products has
> > exploded
> > > since the 70's, people are eating out much more often,
> and
> >
> > > simply no longer know the price of various grocery
> items.
> >
> > > Therefore, it may well be time to retire the game -- but
>
> > it
> > > is one of the original games!!
> > >
> > I've often wondered how many contestants actually get the
> > prizes they've won.
> > You always see during the credits 'Contestants Must Meet
> > Eligibility Requirements'. Exactly what is that criteria?
> > But I do agree. Some TPIR games must be retired. 'Check
> > Game' is so simple to understand. But most contestants
> never
> > 'get it'. But some do.
> >
>
> One thing that is definitely required is that the
> contestants have to pay taxes on their winnings or forefit
> them. I remember a news report in Memphis once about a woman
> who won a car on TPIR and if she had not been able to pay
> the taxes (Federal and BOTH CA and TN sales taxes) before
> she left she would have had to forefit the car. In the case
> of jewelry, furniture, or some other overpriced junk prizes,
> I probably would forefit them. If I was on a game show I'd
> rather be on one that gives away mostly or all money like
> Jeopardy or Millionaire than TPIR. That way the taxes could
> come out of the winnings.
>
I agree! I would definitely try one of the big money shows.

I have personally forfeited a contest prize because I didn't feel comfortable giving all my personal information to a small marketing company that was handling the promotion. It was a contest at a local station for a couple of NBA tickets and a small gift certificate (just not worth the potential for id theft). I couldn't even get verification from the station that the marketing company was legit!
 
The challenge I'd see there is timing--you have to have some of those "One Right Price" or "Switch" games in heavy rotation to balance out the games that take forever to play. Moreover, with typically only two cars per show, all of those car games have to be spaced out.

"Golden Road" is great but seldom won, and given the expectation of the prize at the end, can't be played that often.
> -----------
> Shell Game is indeed one of the rarely played games, but its
> set was updated in 2001 at least.
>
> I would predict that the Poker Game and Joker will both be
> retired in the near future. Joker isn't that old but it has
> a cheap set, and Poker Game hasn't been updated since 1975.
> Both games are played only a couple times per season now. I
> miss Penny Ante and Super Saver - both were good games that
> suffered from mechanical problems.
>
> I also want to see some of the boring games like One Right
> Price retired. If I as a contestant comes all the way
> across the country to the Bob Barker studio, gets on stage
> and has to play a game like that, I'd be pretty disappointed
> - these games aren't played for cars anyway. The focus
> should be more on games like Plinko (which my mother hates
> for some reason), Pocket Change, Golden Road, Three Strikes,
> and Switcheroo.
>
 
> The challenge I'd see there is timing--you have to have some
> of those "One Right Price" or "Switch" games in heavy
> rotation to balance out the games that take forever to play.
> Moreover, with typically only two cars per show, all of
> those car games have to be spaced out.
----------
Maybe something else is taking up too much time then...Commerical breaks? Long Showcase presentations that are way too corny? That is the only part of the show I can't stand, those Showcase prize presentations. Just show them the prizes, like they do in the pricing games. Then have shorter commerical breaks, and charge more to advertisers to keep advertising revenues the same...ratings could even be boosted if more of the games people like were played more.

When I go to heaven one day, I hope to look down and see Switcheroo and Any Number being played, and One Right Price down in Pricing Game Hell.

I'd go as far as saying Danger Price should be retired. It may be a fun game, but I was very scared of it when I was young...somehow I got the idea that Bob Barker and his Beauties would torture contestants who chose the Danger Price in a dark chamber underneath the stage, immediately after the show went to commerical break. Taping would be suspended for the torture, then Bob would come back and finish the taping later in the day, with a producer disguised as the original contestant to spin the wheel at the Showcase Showdown...of course the audience and viewers at home wouldn't know a thing. Other young kids might be scared of this game...the music, those red octagon things...

Okay, I exaggerated a bit, but I was still scared of that game.<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by mjlarochelle on 01/04/06 01:49 AM.</FONT></P>
 
> I'd go as far as saying Danger Price should be retired. It
> may be a fun game, but I was very scared of it when I was
> young...somehow I got the idea that Bob Barker and his
> Beauties would torture contestants who chose the Danger
> Price in a dark chamber underneath the stage, immediately
> after the show went to commerical break. Taping would be
> suspended for the torture, then Bob would come back and
> finish the taping later in the day, with a producer
> disguised as the original contestant to spin the wheel at
> the Showcase Showdown...of course the audience and viewers
> at home wouldn't know a thing. Other young kids might be
> scared of this game...the music, those red octagon things...
>
>
> Okay, I exaggerated a bit, but I was still scared of that
> game.
>

Pardon my LOL. :)

ixnay
 
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