People dream of going on national TV, but very few get to live out that dream. I got to live that dream and at the same time meet one of the nicest Wildcats you could ever hope to meet. You could say that two U of A Wildcats’ paths met while they were both living out their dream.
I’m Sheridan Fidelman, University of Arizona Class of 2017 Wildcat. I had the honor to meet George Gray, U of A Wildcat for Life — who just happens to be the announcer on "The Price is Right." And I didn’t just meet him out of the blue. No, I met him when I heard him say, “Sheridan Fidelman, come on down!”
Following my appearance on "The Price is Right," he graciously agreed to an interview. He was funny, charming, down to earth, and super nice. Born in Missouri, George grew up and attended school in Tucson. While growing up, his mom was a casting agent who would cast him in local shows until he started getting more and more parts where he got paid AND missed a day of school. In the 5th grade he began to think this could possibly turn into a career.
Nearing graduation from U of A, George was offered a part in a Disney show, and he made the decision to take a semester off of school to go to Los Angeles and film. When he finished filming he returned to Tucson to graduate from college and begin his career. Utilizing his comic, music, and acting skills, Mr. Gray moved to Los Angeles where he began working as a co-host and honing his stand-up skills. He went on to host numerous TV shows, including "Weakest Link," "Extreme Gong," and "$25 Million Hoax." In 2011 George was named as the new announcer for "The Price is Right," only the 4th permanent announcer in the over 55-year history of the show.
Now skip forward to July 8,2015. Sitting in a crowded studio at CBS in Los Angeles, the music starts, the audience screams and all of a sudden your mom screams in your ear, “It’s you, it’s you!” Just like that I was thrust into the spotlight, running up on stage and throwing myself into Drew Carey’s arms. (Yes, he IS as sweet as he comes across on TV and really enjoys interacting with the contestants.)
We Wildcats clearly stick together. At that point, I didn't even know that announcer Gray was also a University of Arizona graduate. “Sheridan, we are both Arizona Wildcats and I want to give you a chance to win 10,000 dollars in cash.” HUH? Um, I’m sorry, what did he just say? My body went numb and tears poured down my face.
In the most terrifying yet exhilarating 5 minutes of my life, the only thing that stood between me and $10,000 was a bottle of kids shampoo. If the shampoo was under $5 I would win. If it was over $5 I just threw away $9,000. Drew Carey ever so slowly peeked at the price before removing the card and saying in a remorseful voice, “Oh, so close.” Then he ripped the the card covering the price and revealed the price of $4.74. In that nano-second I became $10,000 richer. Honestly, for the first time, I had an out-of-body experience. As a 20-year-old college student, winning $10,000 dollars on national TV is a feeling that I don’t think anyone can ever prepare for.
Following the individual games, every contestant has the opportunity to spin the big wheel for a chance to go to the showcase, where two people go head-to-head to see who can bid closest to win a huge prize. Somehow I spun the right number that day and I went to the showcase. You know how people sometimes say they are “in the zone” and everything goes their way? Well July 8th I was “in” that zone! Not bad for a kid who barely skated by high school math (numbers and I do not get along). Being dyslexic and not being able to do math, I really had the odds stacked against me on this show. Thank goodness the game I got to play did not include any addition or multiplication!
During the commercial breaks I desperately tried to catch my breath as the producers came to mic me for the showcase. I could not believe how nice everyone on the show was. From Drew and George, to the cameramen and women, to the pages, everyone is rooting for you to win. When I asked George what his favorite thing is about the show, he said they are “all a family.” They don’t just act as if they like each other while the camera is on and then click off when the camera shuts down — they all truly like and enjoy each other. That’s why employees rarely leave the show; it’s fun to get up every morning and know you get to go to a place where work is fun. I would love to work in an environment like that someday!
By the time the Showcase Showdown was ready I, too, was ready. Now I was competing for the really big prize package. I passed on the first package, which included a trip to Marrakesh, a trip to Iceland, and a motorcycle. The other contestant bid on that and my mom was convinced he had overbid. Next up came my showcase. First up were 2 Samsung smartphones — hmmmm, that’s a nice prize! Next, a week's stay for two in a two-bedroom unit on a lake and golf course in Idaho – wow, that looks really nice! And finally, as George announces, “keeping it simple” – a new car! Um, say what? Did he really just say “a brand new car?” Apparently so, since the audience was screaming and yelling numbers at me.
How could I even concentrate on figuring out a bid? Thank goodness, again, for mom. There she was right in the front row shouting numbers at me: "$21,000. $21,000. $21,000." Okay, I guessed I was supposed to bid $21,000. Left to my own devices I would have bid much higher but mom knows best! Drew Carey announces a short commercial break and I finally take a breath and think, "Oh My God, what has happened during this past hour of my life?" When we returned to filming, Drew said he’d announce my showcase first. All I hear is "$27 thousand blah blah blah." Well at least I didn’t go over – whew!
Next they moved on to my opponent. Drew opened the envelope and announced "$28 thousand and something." Suddenly the audience erupted in screams. I thought, "Well, someone must’ve won the showcase. What? Me? No way, I was short by over $7,000. Are you sure? Wait I just won a C-A-R?" A few hours before the show I was asleep in bed thinking about the rest of the summer, and there I was winning almost $40,000 in cash and prizes. Gotta admit – one of the best days of my life. (And for those of you who are curious, yes I do have to pay taxes on all the prizes.)
I honestly believe the secret to one’s success is their mom. George Gray and his mom have a very close relationship just as do I with my mom. If it weren’t for my mom I would never have sat down 10 years ago and started watching "The Price is Right." I would never have had the guts to go to a taping. And if I didn’t listen to her advice I really don’t think the producers would have picked me to be on the show (contestants are chosen based on a very brief interview while standing in a waiting line), and I would probably have overbid in the showcase and not won a car (thanks for that, mom!). For those of you who don’t know, not a show goes by that Gray doesn’t give a shout out to his mama back at home in Tucson.
Gray told me that when they are done filming "The Price is Right" he is most likely back in Tucson visiting his mom and tinkering on his vintage cars and motorcycles. I hope I get to see him sometime around town and go for a spin in one of those old cars! If you happen to see him driving around town, flag him down and introduce yourself as a fellow Wildcat — he loves U of A and giving back to the community. He considers himself one of the positive celebrity Wildcats and hopes others do too!
George Gray is known as the man that everyone wants to have say their name. Thanks, George, for actually saying mine that fateful July 8th and having me “come on down!” It’s easy to get tickets to the show and everyone has a chance to be a contestant, so come on down and maybe you too will have a life-changing experience!
