'U' student wins big on game show

"Adam Silver, come on down!"

These words of game show host Bob Barker fulfilled the life-long dream of Engineering sophomore Adam Silver by making him the next contestant on "The Price is Right."

Silver's luck and price-matching skills won him a 1998 Buick Le Saber sedan on the game show, which aired last week. The show was taped just four days after the Wolverines' big win in Pasadena.

"We were out in California for the Rose Bowl so we decided to stay a few extra days to try to see 'The Tonight Show' and be on 'The Price is Right," Silver said.

Silver and his friend LSA sophomore Chris Wilson had wanted to participate in the studio audience of the game show for a long time.

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily Engineering sophomore Adam Silver sports the name tag he wore as a contestant on "The Price is Right" in January. Silver won a car and a couch.

"I've been watching the 'Price is Right' since I was four and that was my first time out in California, so we thought we'd try," Silver said.

Wilson said that he has been watching the show since Jimmy Olsen was its announcer.

"I know the history of the show and all the other game shows Bob Barker has done," he said. "It's been a dream of mine to be on the show."

Silver estimated that his odds for being picked from the audience to play were about one in 22, so when he heard his name called, he almost tripped while running to the stage.

"I was as nervous as can be. My legs were shaking ... I was really nervous that I would look bad on national TV," Silver said.

Wilson said he was shocked when he heard Silver's name called.

"We were thinking we were just going to watch," Wilson said. "I didn't really think we would get picked."

To become members of the audience, Silver and Wilson waited in line for several hours to pick up tickets. Then, they had to wait in line again to be interviewed by producers of the show.

"The interviews were only about 20 seconds, but one of the questions was your occupation," Silver said. "I said I wanted to be a game show host but the University of Michigan doesn't offer any classes in that."

Contestants are chosen based on their brief interviews, and after Wilson heard Silver's interview he said he was optimistic about Silver's chances of being picked.

"I think Adam made a great first impression in his interview," Wilson said.

In the first round of play, Silver successfully estimated the price of a sofa, which is expected to be delivered within days.

The next round was the game "One Away," where Silver had to guess one number above or one number below each digit of the price of a new car. The audience tried to get him to change the number seven, but Silver looked instead to his friend who called out to change the number three.

Wilson said he was thrilled when he saw his friend win the sedan.

"I couldn't believe it. I thought I was dreaming," Wilson said.

"After I won the car, Bob Barker commented to the audience that (the Michigan football team) had really kicked some butt," Silver said. "He was a really nice guy."

Immediately after the show, Silver said he called his mother to tell her about the car. He said he told her, "You know how you said I might get a car next year, well ..."

At first she did not believe him, but Silver eventually managed to convince her of his luck. His fraternity brothers acted differently.

"I couldn't believe it when he told me. I thought he was making up a story," said LSA sophomore Eric Slaim. "I've known Adam my whole life and it didn't seem very real. He's very lucky."

02-17-98