UNDATED (CBS) -- All you have to say is "come on down," and everyone knows you're talking about "the price is right." Forty years ago today, it made its daytime debut on CBS.
This morning, a special anniversary program will have some memorable moments from the past.
CBS' Lee Cowan looks back at TV's longest running game show. He says, "When The Price is Right first aired on CBS in 1972, I was 7. Whenever I was home sick from school that's what my mom let we watch."
He says, "By the time I was in 6th grade, I think I knew more about the price of an average household appliance than my parents did, and the thing is we all have those memories. We grew up with the notion of the surprise behind the curtain and its ever mysterious price tag."
Bob Barker says, "You look at our set and there's 1972, and that's when we started and I think it's a security blanket to a certain extent."
We watched Bob Barker get more kisses than we'll ever know, all while his hair got a little more gray.
And when comedian Drew Carey took over, the affection kept right on coming. He says, "There's so much love in this room,. Honestly, it's like a little bit of church, seriously."
The faithful still line up in the wee hours of the morning for what these days, is rare; a chance to be part of a live studio audience. Price is Right executive producer Mike Richards says, "A lot of people line up for a game show to win a prize, and people want to win on Price is Right, but for them, it's an experience."
They experience the spin of the Wheel -- that curious mountain Yodeler who never seems to get tired, the Random bounce of Plinko. They are all as familiar as Monopoly. But this is real money and a lot of it.
In its 40 years on the air The Price is Right has given out over 100,000 prizes with the biggest being a single winner took home almost $150,000 in cash and merchandise.
One of them was Pamela. You might not remember her, but she'll never forget. She said to Drew on the show about how she was once on the show in 1972 and won, "An airplane, sweetheart! An airplane! We were looking for a car, needed a car real bad. And freakin' airplane comes out man! A freakin' airplane!!"
That was her and that was her prize. How can that get old? TV Guide senior editor Will Keck says, "Whether you last tuned in '78 or '88, I can tell you it's probably the same show you remember."
William Keck should know. He was a Page on the Price Is Right back in the day. He's now a senior editor at TV Guide. He says, "It's colorful. It's joyful. Whether people win or lose you can tell they're having a great time. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It's just a fun place to visit for an hour."
It's like comfort food for your ears whether you like game shows or not. And after 40 years of listening, chances are you'll now be whistling The Price is Right theme song for the rest of the day. Our apologies.