Geoffrey Viracocha from Albuquerque, NM will be appearing on an upcoming episode of the longest running game-show in television history and network television’s #1-rated daytime series, The Price is Right. Next week, The Price is Right is airing a prime-time special for Big Brother reality series fans and Geoffrey had a chance to “Come on Down” and win a sensational selection of prizes. This once in a lifetime opportunity for your local resident will be airing on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 but you can watch it before it airs here:
The Price is Right prime-time special, hosted by Drew Carey, celebrates the essence of Big Brother throughout the episode. Featured will be special appearances by Big Brother host Julie Chen and former house guests will partner and play alongside Geoffrey. Also all of the contestants sitting in the audience are super fans of Big Brother.
ABQ-Live the Magazine’s own Adrianna Vigil had a chance to interview Geoffrey before the air date of the episode. Check out that interview below:
What made you interested in being on The Price Is Right, and what was the application process like?
I have been a TPIR and Big Brother fan for a while and the two shows were joining for an event so my housemate and I decided to go and at least partake and sit in the audience. The process of actually going through to get in was an experience in itself. The line and the people and energy that were there who were potential contestants in the line was awesome.
Have you always been a fan of the show? If so, did this inspire you to apply? If not, what recently sparked your interest of being on TPIR?
I’ve watched the show since it made a return, which I think they said was 44 years ago, I do remember that because I’m old enough, (laughs). So I watched it growing up. I never dreamed that I would be there so it wasn’t something that I was preparing to do or anticipated doing.
While on the show, was there anything interesting or unexpected about the set, production, host, etc.?
I didn’t know what to expect. Drew (the host) was very nice, very personable. All around a great experience.
What was the most memorable experience of being on network television’s #1 rated daytime series?
The whole thing was surreal. It was amazing, the energy. It was like being in a dream, it really was. I loved every minute of it.
Describe what emotions you felt when they said “Come on Down, Geoffery Viracocha.”
Um, shocked! I hugged my roommate and it’s like a whirlwind when you get called. You just start running. All the excitement is just overwhelming.
Did previously watching the show give you helpful insight or tactics to winning any of the games?
I watched it for many years. It’s not that I was doing any preparation by any means. I did play the little game with myself at the store like grocery shopping and stuff like that to see how close I could get to the price. But it’s just a little thing I do and if anyone is with me I would make them do it too.
If you were unsure about something, such as the price of an item, would you side more with what the audience was saying or your own intuition?
Well I think in that situation and being in an environment where the excitement is so high it’s really hard to have a though process when you’re that excited, so I think the feedback from the audience is so valuable. I would take the advice and what people were saying to me and I would process it and see if that was something I wanted to do.
Was there any support from your family/friends in the audience?
They didn’t know I was going. I only had my roommate. No one knew until it was all said and done and then I told my family I went.
Would you encourage other fans of The Price Is Right to go on the show? If so, what advice would you give them?
I would suggest to go. If you have an opportunity to go, absolutely do it. It’s a lot of fun the whole process. Waiting in line, the interview process and going in was fun on its own. When you’re actually inside it’s exhilarating. Even before I got called, there’s a lot going on. It was great, I totally suggest it.
Being on the longest- running game show is a once in a lifetime opportunity, what will you take away from this experience?
Have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously. I had a really good time. The best thing was having fun and living in the moment.
While on stage, in front of many people and on a nationally aired show, did you ever think of the viewers that would be seeing you or were you more focused on the games?
It was such an exciting and fun experience. My thoughts were only of the here and now. (Then, during the taping.)
How did the cast of Big Brother being at TPIR effect the show? Were there any differences, did it add to the energy or effect the audience, etc.?
The cast from Big Brother are larger than life and over the top energy. Of course they had a huge impact on everyone there.
Was Big Brother being a part of TPIR a big reason why you wanted to attend the show? Why?
Absolutely! I watch both show and it was a huge opportunity!
After experiencing being on a game show, would you like to participate in any other game shows? Why or why not?
I would love the opportunity to do more game shows. I had such a great time, and the high energy was something I truly appreciate.
Why did you not tell any of your family members that you were going on a game show? What was their reaction when they found out?
I made plans to go on my only day off that week. So, it did not seem, at the time, that it was going to be something that I needed to express to them.
I think they were shocked when I told them that I went.
What differed in the show from watching it on television vs. actually being there?
There was so much more going on behind the scene’s that I had no idea about. All of the staff were super friendly and they were seasoned in giving direction to an overwhelm contestant.
When called down, was there any way you represented your hometown or was there anyone you gave a shout out to on national television?
As we all know, Drew gives opportunity for contestants to give a shout out to friends and family.
