Skill-testing Questions, Contestants Row, and other by-products of the gaming industry

Pt. I (of III)

Due to gambling restrictions and Canadian creativity, an eligibility requirement appears on any game card or contest available to the under age-of-majority in Ontario (Canada).

My first exposure to this eligibility requirement involved a contest for a stuffed toy that looked like a cross between StayPuft marshmallow man and a Popple.

I collected UPCs from boxes of Kleenex (Scotties brand, actually, so I guess that makes them just tissues) and filled out my name, address and other important particulars in order to win a FREE stuffed Scottie doll*.

And then, I experienced my first instance of consumer heart-break as my seven-year-old self read the following: Contestants must correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question in order to qualify. Followed by:

(3+4) x (21/ (10-3))+4 _____.

We hadn’t covered order of operations in math yet, and sadly, I never received my Kleenex tissue doll.

My interest in game shows grew-up on the living room floor of my great-grandparent’s bungalow. My older sister, Allison, and I would lie on the teal blue carpet facing the wood-panelled TV cabinet, propped up on pillows snagged from the chesterfield, and watch Bob Barker (who had brown hair at the time, if that helps you carbon-date my story) work his Guy Smiley magic on The Price is Right.

 

 

Barker’s Beauties (who were all blonde, with the exception of Holly, who affirmed my belief that brunettes could be on TV without having to play a role like Janet from Three’s Company) would bring out “the first item up for bid….”, and Papa, Allison and I would shout out our bids while the frazzled looking members of Contestants Row would frantically look over their shoulders into the screaming audience.

I don’t remember how many exercise bicycles we won from out spot on the living room carpet over the years, but I was able to tell you the ($USD) price of hamburger helper and a jumbo pack of vitamins long before I could successfully answer the skill-testing question required to win any contests in Canada. (Thank-you, Papa, and American Daytime TV).

So, imagine my excitement when I found out: #1 – that Canadians were actually allowed to appear on The Price Is Right (I was under the impression you needed a social security number, a southern accent, or some other proof of American-ness in order to win…A NEW CAR), and #2 – that my friend Jen had two extra tickets to a taping of The Price is Right. Finally, a chance to see Contestants Row, up close & personal, in all its plywood and flashing lights glory.

In order to keep you all in suspense – Part II will be posted Tuesday.
If you email me with the correct answer to the STQ, I’ll give a sneak peek of II & III.

If you were told there would be no math on this exam, and prefer to bide your time in less arithmetic ways, then hop on CBS’s DIY bandwagon and make your own Bob Barker tribute tape. Do people still call them “tapes”, if VHS and all things magnetic tape based has gone the way of the d’oi-ya bird?

* Looks like I could still get my Scottie toy. But inflation has edged “free” up to $9.95 +S&H.