the price isn't right

on the way home from louisville, i noticed a sign for port washington, ky., which reminded me of a week-old anecdote that needs to be shared.

when i stayed home from work last monday, i watched a bit of the price is right, tv at its most quality. one old man who made it to contestants' row was especially excited. bob barker even told him to calm down after he yelled out one of his pricing guesses. the man made it onto stage, and on the way over to bob barker, he got on the floor and did a little break dance spin. no joke. turns out this guy is the mayor of port washington, ky., and he gave bob barker a (very small) key to his city. "that and a buck or two will get you a cup of coffee," mr. mayor told bob barker.

later in the show, an older woman (bless her heart) was on contestants row. she was third or fourth in line to offer her pricing guess for the item up for bid. i hope i'm not telling you something new when i tell you the goal of the price is right pricing games are to come up with a price that is nearest to the actual retail price without going over. so, lady is up. the woman in front of her bids $725. Her bid? $724.