Millions of people watch a variety of game shows each day, dreaming of their chance to compete for money and luxury prizes, and for four local residents, that dream came true as they recently appeared on The Price Is Right.

“It was always in the back of our minds that it would be something fun to do,” said Gary Stiner, who appeared as a contestant himself back on Jan. 15, 2024.

“My mother went out to her sister’s house probably four times or so, and went with her sister when Bob Barker was the host back then,” he added.

During Gary’s appearance, he got the chance to play his favorite game, winning a portable tent camper.

“I think they’re listening because Cliffhanger is my favorite game, because I’ve always loved the Alps,” he said.

Enthralled by the experience, Gary’s sister, Deb Cillo, was ready for the next trip.

That trip came to fruition in November when Gary and Deb again made the trek to Glenndale, Calif., this time joined by Deb’s husband, Mike, and longtime friend, Gretchen Carpenter.

Potential contestants are interviewed in groups of 10, as the crew looks for the most energetic among them.

“You act crazy going in, and then they put you in a room for about two hours, and they pick out the ones that are just really bouncing off the walls,” Gary explained.

With Deb and Gretchen being massive fans of the show, the goal was to get the two of them on stage, however it would end up being Mike who was called up on the second day of the three tapings they attended.

“I was first picked, which is probably the best position to be in, because you get the most bids,” he explained, adding that in his excitement, he pulled his calf muscle as he jumped up and down.

“If you watch the show, you can see I’m going up the steps sideways. I tried to dance up the steps because I knew straight ahead was kind of impossible,” he joked.

During the first bidding, Mike was outbid by $1, at which point, host Drew Carey remarked “welcome to the big leagues, Mike.”

To Mike’s surprise, however, his next bid would be right on the money, automatically winning $500 and moving on to the over/under game, guessing correctly again and winning a trip to Block Island in New Shoreham, Rhode Island.

After being called the previous day, Mike purposefully distanced himself from Deb and Gretchen, rationalizing that people from the same group would be less likely to be called during subsequent tapings.

On the third day they attended, Gretchen was the lucky one to make Bidder’s Row.

“I was the last person of the day, so I had one chance to do it,” she explained.

“They brought out these sunglasses, but they weren’t name brand like Jimmy Choo or Vera Wang, and I bid $725, and the price of the sunglasses was $1,300,” Gretchen explained, adding that the closest bid to not go over was placed at $1,200.

Still, she would receive $300 simply for making it to Bidder’s Row.

“But it was fun. They call your name and hold your card up. It’s exciting,” she said.

After moving on from Bidder’s Row, contestants may not compete on the show for 10 years, but are still welcome to attend tapings.

Gary, Mike and Gretchen said the crew, including Carey, couldn’t have been more kind and helpful.

“They said, ‘if you freeze up, or you go blank, just look at us, and you’ll know what to do. But it’s amazing how many people are on stage, but away from the cameras,” Mike explained.

“You get to talk to Drew during the breaks, and it was kind of neat, because he said, ‘listen, if you need to, look at my cue cards, because you’ll know exactly what’s coming up,” Mike said, adding that unlike the broadcast version, it was very difficult to hear in the studio.

“I talked to him for a couple of minutes about coaching and one of the models, Rachel, ran for LSU,” Gary said.

As a cross-country and track and field coach at Lewisburg, Gary naturally asked about her time there, but Carey was unaware at the time.

“He found out what she did and tracked me down before we left. I thought that was nice because most people would have forgotten about it. So that was kind of cool,” Gary said.

“They were the most down to earth, nice people. They don’t run to their dressing room, and they’ll come out and talk during commercial breaks,” Gretchen said.

One of the aspects that most surprised the four was the outside of the studio, which they described as non-descript with a parking area similar to that of Staiman Recycling.

“There’s no sign that says Price is Right taping or anything. It’s just a big block where all these industrial buildings are. You’d never know there was a taping studio for The Price is Right and Let’s Make a Deal,” Gretchen said.

“The inside of the studio is so small, it’s unbelievable,” Deb added.

The four said those in attendance quickly bonded as they spent two to three hours together prior to the roughly one hour tapings.

A couple familiar faces even popped up.

“I worked at Montoursville schools and Mike taught there, and after his taping, someone said, ‘hey, Mrs. Carpenter,’ and I looked around, and there’s one of our students from Montoursville, Ryan Redenbaugh, standing with him. He was in our musicals,” Gretchen said.

While checking out from the hotel, she also ran into a friend from college.

Once finished with their time at The Price is Right, the group made the most of their week’s trip.

“We probably would have done more if I hadn’t pulled my calf,” Mike laughed.

“But we went to Disney on Monday, and rode around Rodeo Drive and went to the observatory,” Deb said.

“The kind of stuff I could be dragged along to,” Mike joked.

Mike’s episode aired on Tuesday, April 7, with Gretchen’s following two days later, however, under strict non-disclosure agreements, they were sworn to secrecy until that time, despite the best efforts of family and friends trying to trip them up.

“The grandchildren knew we went, and they just kept trying to trick us and I’m involved with different musicals in the area, over at south and those kids are trying to trick me into telling of what happened, so we had to keep this a secret from November till April,” said Gretchen, who kept her show paperwork hidden away under her mattress.

“She kept the secret for me,” Mike said, gesturing at Deb.

When the episodes finally aired, the group held a watch party at the Cillo residence with 15 or so friends and family.

“I’ve watched the show all my life, and it’s kind of wild to see yourself on it, and to want to go on it, because there’s 100-whatever people there, and they only pick nine,” Deb said.

All four highly recommend attending a free taping.

“It’s just a great experience, even if you don’t get called up on the show. It doesn’t cost you anything, except five hours of your day,” Gary said.

“If you’re out visiting friends or family, or whatever you’re doing, if you’re there between August and December, go check out a taping. We had a blast,” he said.

“And there were a lot of people that just love Drew Carey, and they’re starstruck, you can tell, but, he’s genuine with them, gives them a hug, and you’re seeing people that just come to do something that they’ve never done before, and to be on a show that airs to millions people. It’s unreal,” Mike said.

The foursome are already planning their next excursion out west later this year, with the goal of seeing Deb get her shot at going for the gold.