The Price Is RIGHT

[HoudiniDerek]

I think this is probably one of the weakest SJC scripts out of the entire series. Not that I think it is horrible (anymore) and Dixon does a great job directing...it just seems forced in places I guess.

For example, Bill is suggesting using the suit to light the barbecue. He is always about learning how to use the suit and stuff...and now he wants it for hamburgers? Just seems a little out of character. Plus, WHY is Ralph letting Bill take over his house...especially his phone? Then, when Bill finds out about Price, Bill uses the phone even though he is waiting on a call. You think duty would come first. Another out of character element is the idol worship for ANOTHER sports episode: Big deal...he meets some football player...he didn't get flustered in 200 MPH FASTBALL.

Usually SJC is great at making up reasons as to why Ralph is caught wearing the suit. In this episode, Pam and Ralph both had bad ones. At least Ralph made up for it later with a good one about giving Price an award. Speaking of which, why does Ralph change outside the reunion when he KNOWS people will be coming in and out? I would have gone to a bathroom.

Cobb's house has bothered me too. They realize the game is tomorrow, but yet, they don't even bother to go by until the day of the game...and with the game already started!!! Lots of lost time. Plus, why are there two bedrooms? Why does Wendy need her own? Does she hate her husband or something? I LOVE THE MAID SCENE WITH RALPH, though.

Poor Bill..another trashed car.
GREAT SONG: Bigshot or whatever it is called. I think it fits the scenes beautifully.

Why does Ralph protect Cobb? Why doesn't he make him come clean with the gaming commission and such? Just seems like a bad lesson to teach future game fixers.

Suit power inconsistency: Why doesn't Ralph have to roll up his pants leg in order to kick the football that well? In 200 MPH FASTBALL, he had to roll up his sleeve to throw that way? Why not here?

Finally, I am not old enough to have gone to a high school reunion yet (our five year did not go off as planned for some reason), so is that what they are really like? Are people trying to impress other people by showing up in fake rentals and lying about their jobs and lives? Why would anyone WANT to go?

[MelMac]

I can only answer a few questions:

* not going to the bathroom to change: Lame reason, especially since he asks to use one. Maybe it was full or he thought it'd be bad luck to change into one, like he'd crash into another billboard and get knocked out.

* two different bedrooms: some couples sleep in different bedrooms because of extreme differences in comfort. Ex. at the paper, I used to always end up freezing my nose off because out sports editor always thought it was hot... even in the winter. Now, I know this doesn't make sense in regard to bedrooms, but the people do this and not be upset with their spouse.

* The barbecue... the suit power was used in "Good Samaritan" and maybe Ralph figured it'd be a good way to start a barbecue without having to use much lighter fluid. It also makes for a fun scene where Bill gets a burnt coat when Ralph puts his still hot hands on the metal chair. Bill loses his shirt so to speak in this one as well.

* While I also consider it a flick flub, Ralph's suit boots do show in the football scenes and as he only had to show that little bit to throw his 200 MPH fastball, that would be enough to kick the football.

Other comments: I like the bit between Ralph and Ivan when he changes out in public. It kinda focuses in on Ralph's past a little bit when Ivan quips "He was voted most likely to succeed." Little does he know that Ralph is doing that... just not on the money front.

I agree about Bill and his hero worship, it's a little forced. Bill doesn't mention liking baseball as much, and given he played football, I could see him be a little flustered (but not quite as extreme as shown. )

This isn't a fave of mine from season three, but I do like it overall, especially Pam's bit with the Red Cross lady. That was too funny, and she and Ralph got the upper hand on Bill for once.

[HoudiniDerek]

I understand the whole Ivan/Ralph scene, but it just seemed odd since he was supposed to be helping Price. Still liked it though.

Separate bed rooms was more an I LOVE LUCY tradition to keep sex out of the minds of young children. But since they were MARRIED and had kids, why did she need her own room? I understand having a room of her own...but why did Ralph ASSUME she had her own room? I hope my wife understands one day if I want to sleep alone.

[MelMac]

The maid said they had two rooms if I'm not mistaken. And... just because they sleep apart doesn't mean they sleep apart when they're in the mood.

[HoudiniDerek]

Not with two kids. It just seemed forced to have bedrooms that were separate...the 80s WERE a little more open.

[MelMac]

True... maybe just a conveniant plot point to have Ralph end up wearing a negligee. An awfully bit one too considering Mrs. Price is petite. Ralph's trim, but not that trim.

[scenario]

I've heard people say they don't like this episode and it baffles me. I've always liked this episode, I thought it was one of the funniest in the entire series. The scene with the maid is classic stuff. Love it. There's a bad guy plot but who cares, it's not about their fixing games scheme or whatever they were up to.

Bill was always changing personalities, from tough guy to almost buffoonish. It would have been great if they could have kept him as the hard and nearly humorless man's man that he was in the Pilot and "The Hit Car", but it seemed like Robert Culp always had fun exposing Bill's weakness. Sometimes it was weird thinking this was the same character that dumped that plate of spaghetti in Johnny the Dancer's lap. I don't think Culp ever crossed the line with the Bill buffoonery, but he came close at times.

I've never been to a high school reunion before, I didn't make my 10 year in '03, but I think what we saw in this episode is a stereotypical carciture of what reunions are like. People certainly would be concerned about their present status and how much income they are making, and if they look old or not. I've heard people still go to their old cliques at reunions, which kinda makes sense, you probably would gravitate to the people you knew better or where more comfortable around. Certainly none of the other guests looked as young as Ralph, Pam, or Price,...they all looked like they were attending their 20 or 25 year reunion. That's always something that happens on TV shows or movies dealing with reunions, they'll cast some 45 or 50 year slob to be a part of a 10 year reunion where the characters are supposed to be around 27 or 28. The guy hitting on Pam and the lady that wondered if Bill was an old teacher of hers all looked like they should be at a reunion with Bill, not Ralph.


-scenario

[jopierce]

Bill was always changing personalities, from tough guy to almost buffoonish. It would have been great if they could have kept him as the hard and nearly humorless man's man that he was in the Pilot and "The Hit Car," but it seemed like Robert Culp always had fun exposing Bill's weakness. Sometimes it was weird thinking this was the same character that dumped that plate of spaghetti in Johnny the Dancer's lap. I don't think Culp ever crossed the line with the Bill buffoonery, but he came close at times.

Actually, scenario, I see it a different way.

I always liked the Bill buffonery... I think that's what was great about the character. The character was a character! He was Wild Bill, after all! Very serious, but also I can see him as a young cut up.

I mean, just remember from the Good Samaritan that great scene where he does the "Do it for uncle bill, who loves you?" banter. Or the sneaking the Margaritas out after the heavies leave in It's All Downhill. Or the guy who will shoot pool (Heros) or play a video game (Space Ranger). The guy who would have a stake out in a massage parlor (Chicken). Even the devilish looks in his eyes in Fireman when he says Villacona's "here... he's been here all along," and the "I drank all the booze, what could he be looking for" line suggest a cut up at heart. They all suggest to me a guy who is a little naughty, who knows how to joke and laugh.

I think that has been consistent throughout. He does the straight and heavy tough guy when he has to, but he is also the kinda guy you would love to hang out at the bar and shoot some pool and play darts with.

Why do you think I hang out at bars so often?

[HoudiniDerek]

Massage parlor in CHICKEN IN EVERY PLOT? I think maybe you are mixing up your shows again.

I think he was consistent in having weaknesses or moments of not acting the tough guy, but to be AWED by somebody who is Ralph's age, which means he's just a kid (and who cares what kids think anyway?) and Bill goes ga-ga over him? I think that is stretching it.

[The J-Man]

houdiniderek said:

Massage parlor in CHICKEN IN EVERY PLOT? I think maybe you are mixing up your shows again.

No, she's not.

[HoudiniDerek]

I don't remember Bill staking out a massage parlor. I remember the salvage company...jail...the boat...the little sacrificing altar in the woods...the airport. Where and when did Bill STAKE OUT a massage parlor?

[The J-Man]

He was reminiscing.

[HoudiniDerek]

Oh that. I thought you both meant we SAW him do it...and I knew that was not a part of that episode. Thanks, J-Man for proving me right AND wrong.

[The J-Man]

jopierce said:

I think that has been consistent throughout. He does the straight and heavy tough guy when he has to, but he is also the kinda guy you would love to hang out at the bar and shoot some pool and play darts with.

Word. And nobody plays tough better than Culp.

[HoudiniDerek]

I concur...and he does it here...when he thinks that Cobb is on the wrong side of the law. He turns off the goo-goo eyes and controls the thought. I like how he can be all business, but he wasn't even THAT ga-ga over the coach who he thought MADE baseball. You think that Bill would have better football idols than this 25 cent beach bum.

[The J-Man]

Did I mention that nobody plays tough better than Culp?











and, credit where credit is due, nobody can write it better than Cannell and nobody can direct it better than Holcomb.

[HoudiniDerek]

Concur...although he has played tough other times and it was not Holcomb or SJC behind the mix, but they are great when teamed together.

I like that episode: None of that starry-eyed gunk like in THE PRICE IS RIGHT.

[The J-Man]

[HoudiniDerek]

You should get some tough guy ones from THE PRICE IS RIGHT...Putting up all of these just proves that he is not the same agent as these two scripts show.

[scenario]

jopierce said:

Bill was always changing personalities, from tough guy to almost buffoonish. It would have been great if they could have kept him as the hard and nearly humorless man's man that he was in the Pilot and "The Hit Car," but it seemed like Robert Culp always had fun exposing Bill's weakness. Sometimes it was weird thinking this was the same character that dumped that plate of spaghetti in Johnny the Dancer's lap. I don't think Culp ever crossed the line with the Bill buffoonery, but he came close at times.

Actually, scenario, I see it a different way.

I always liked the Bill buffonery... I think that's what was great about the character. The character was a character! He was Wild Bill, after all! Very serious, but also I can see him as a young cut up.

I mean, just remember from the Good Samaritan that great scene where he does the "Do it for uncle bill, who loves you?" banter. Or the sneaking the Margaritas out after the heavies leave in It's All Downhill. Or the guy who will shoot pool (Heros) or play a video game (Space Ranger). The guy who would have a stake out in a massage parlor (Chicken). Even the devilish looks in his eyes in Fireman when he says Villacona's "here... he's been here all along," and the "I drank all the booze, what could he be looking for" line suggest a cut up at heart. They all suggest to me a guy who is a little naughty, who knows how to joke and laugh.

I think that has been consistent throughout. He does the straight and heavy tough guy when he has to, but he is also the kinda guy you would love to hang out at the bar and shoot some pool and play darts with.

Why do you think I hang out at bars so often?

In the paragraph you quoted, I really have not contradicted anything you wrote here yourself. Bill's "cut up behavior" as you say, never did cross the line for me and I believe Culp was having a lot of fun with the character. There was one episode where I thought he came close to going too far though.

I wrote what I wrote as a reaction to the comments by some that Maxwell's hero worship was out of character, when infact such a neurosis had become the way Culp had played the character. In the 1st season episode "The Best Desk Scenario", Maxwell was already overreacting because of his mid-life crisis. This had become firmly part the character by the time of "The Price of Right", he would occasionally get worked up to certain non-field work/FBI situations, whereas when he was on duty he remained straight laced. His personality was changing, but yes this was a consistent aspect of the character. My favorite version of Maxwell is from "The Hit Car", where he was tough as nails, but with more of a dry humour.