"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"

The crowd was rowdy early on Saturday night in Richmond, long before the curtain revealed the familiar, sparkling pastel tones of the game show set.

People stood, danced and hooted. Some wore slogan-adorned T-shirts ("Touch my Plinko chips!") and matching neon wigs.

Others two-fisted beers and high-fived random people in the crowd, which included stagettes, groups of co-workers and date-night couples.

It was party time at River Rock Casino Resort, where a live version of The Price is Right has Jerry Springer hosting the high-energy fun.

Springer is well suited as show host, given his track record on TV with his own trailer-trash show and recent adventures on America's Got Talent and Dancing with the Stars.

In Las Vegas, he has hosted The Price is Right Live at Bally's.

"I like it a lot because I am most comfortable talking to regular people, not famous people," Springer recently told Dana Gee of the Province. "The game almost gets to be the sideline (and) it's an excuse to have people run up on stage and then you get to joke with them. That is basically what it is. It becomes as much a comedy show as a game show."

On stage, just like on TV, the interactive live show gives contestants the chance to win appliances, vacations and even new cars ("ooohhh!") by playing classic games from the iconic television show. There's Plinko, Cliffhanger (that yodeling guy), Race Game and the Big Wheel. Groups of four fresh contestants are frequently called by announcer Howard Blank to "come on down!" to guess the correct retail price of an item and end up on stage with Springer.

From start to finish, the 19-plus show is great fun. Those giant name tags serve as excellent ice-breakers in the lobby bar ("Hey Tom, you're going down! I'm going to win the Showcase Showdown, brother!" - that kind of banter).

After the show's current run in Richmond concludes Saturday, July 21, The Price is Right Live moves to Coquitlam's Boulevard Casino from July 26-29.

Tickets range from $24.50 for matinees to $29.50 for evening show times. For details, call 1-855-985-5000 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

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