‘The Price is Right Live’ Returning to Portland, Maine’s Cross Insurance Arena

Come on down! You could be the next contestant on The Price is Right Live when it returns to the Cross Insurance Arena on September 25.

The Price is Right is the longest-running game show in history, currently wrapping in its 52nd season on CBS. Hosted for 35 years by the late Bob Barker and for the past 17 years by Drew Carey, The Price is Right still airs every weekday morning at 11 a.m., as it has for most of its run. You know this, though, because when you were home sick from school, you were watching it. We all did.

I am an obsessed fan of the show. I wanted to be Bob Barker growing up, and back in 1999, I went to the show and got to meet him. I was starstruck, and a life goal was achieved. That's me there in the audience, giddy with excitement.

The Price is Right Live is a traveling version of the show that began in 2003 in casinos. It became so popular that they started touring with it across the county. It's a scaled-down version of the game you know and love. The prizes are a little cheaper, so you won't be winning a new car, but you may get to play Plinko, spin the not-quite-as-big Big Wheel in the Showcase Showdown, and walk away the big winner by winning the Showcase.

Drew Carey will not be hosting, since he is too busy to tour the country and tape episodes of Price in Hollywood. The most likely host would be Todd Newton, who has hosted several television game shows and hosted the last time The Price is Right Live came to town.

He was one of several who auditioned to replace Bob Barker as host, and he should have won. He brings way more excitement and enthusiasm to the show than Drew has in his little finger. Hard take, I know.

Tickets will go on sale March 29 at 10 a.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena website. Anyone could be chosen to be a contestant. It just might be you who gets to "Come on Down!"