TPIR Specials
The Price is Right Primetime Special
In August and September 1986, CBS aired six primetime episodes of TPIR. The show played just like the daytime program did, but with special big prizes during the pricing games, and monstrous showcases.
The 25th Anniversary Special
In August 1998, TPiR broadcasted a primetime special celebrating the shows' 25 years on the air. The items up for bid were worth several thousand dollars. The gameplay was similar to the 1972-1975 version, to fit in time for several clip reels. The games played had special big prizes as well: Lucky Seven was played for a $43,000 Corvette; Plinko doubled the money for a possible $50,000; and One Away was played for a Cadillac.
The two showcases also had special prizes as well, one had a $69,000 motorhome and the other a Jeep Cherokee and Lincoln Town Car.
The 30th Anniversary Special
In September 2002, TPiR celebrated thirty years on the air with another nighttime special. This one was taped at the Harrah's Rio casino showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada. This time, the show was a full hour, with minimal time devoted to clips, and six games were played. Once again, big prizes were the order of the day, and one of the showcases was the biggest offered up to that point ($79,000, including a Corvette).
The Price is Right Salutes the Armed Forces, Firefighters and Police Officers
In the summer of 2002, "The Price is Right" produced six special primetime episodes to be aired on Friday nights. Each show featured contestants from the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and LA Firefighters and Police Officers on the last.
Following the pattern of the 25th and 30th Anniversary Specials, the games were played for big prizes. Several games were played for luxury cars, the cash games were played for increased stakes, and much bigger showcases. One of the most pronounced changes occurred during the Showcase Showdown: contestants who spun $1.00 during their turn got a chance at some big money for their bonus spin. The two green sections were worth $5,000 as normal, but the $1.00 section was worth $100,000.
Million Dollar Spectacular
After the success of the Armed Forces specials, TPIR has cranked out several Million Dollar Spectacular shows. Just like before, onstage contestants could expect to win big prizes and bundles of cash. The showcases offered frequently were worth over $100,000, creating some of the biggest winners in the show's history. In 2003, the shows were just 'regular' TPIR episodes, but in 2004, 'theme' specials were broadcast: such as one celebrating Bob's 80th birthday, one for college students, another for teachers, encouraging young people to vote, and one celebrating Bob's induction into the Television Hall of Fame.
The million dollars came into play during the showcase showdown. Contestants who scored $1 got a chance at the million dollars by spinning $1 again; or $5,000 for a green section hit.
On episodes where no player scored $1 in the showcase showdown, the contestant who won his or her showcase would get the chance to spin one time for $1 million. For the bonus spin, the green sections were not worth anything extra, only the dollar would win any cash. If the Showcase ends in a Double Overbid, then an audience member is chosen randomly, and that person spins for the money.