Prime Time For 'The Price Is Right'

(CBS)  It's one of the longest-running love affairs on television - American audiences and "The Price Is Right".

CBS News Correspondent Tracy Smith reports on The Early Show that the CBS daytime offering has truly become the Godzilla of game shows.

This week, it's coming back to prime time with a series of one-hour specials. Although the show's format has been around for 30 years and Bob Barker, the host, is in his 80s, the show is as fresh as ever.

"The Price is Right" has been on the airwaves since Barker had dark hair, and a new car cost less than $10,000.

Today, the cars cost a little more, Barker is a silver fox and there have been some changes in personnel. But the fans are as crazy about the show as ever — including those born after the show premiered.

Outside the studio, the faithful have been lining up for days, hoping for a ticket and a glimpse of the big guy. The crowd shouted: "We want Bob! We want Bob!"

After a few hours or days on line, everyone is tagged. The producers choose an audience through a simple question-and-answer process. The chosen few are funneled into the famous theater, and a man with a famous voice warms up the crowd.

"This is 'The Price Is Right,' are you ready," Rod Roddy asks the enthusiastic audience.

Then everyone takes a contestant's oath.

"I will call out the answers. I will shout out the prices. I will not go to the bathroom while the show is on the air," repeats the crowd.

The prime-time show is basically the same as the daytime version. However, there is a big twist. This week, a spin on "The Big Wheel" could be worth $1 million.

"We wanted to do something special, and a million dollars is pretty special," says Barker.

After all the swearing and preparing, it's showtime.

Everyone strains to hear his or her name. But once it is called, contestants exuberantly run to the stage.

Smith says she wasn't allowed to play, but Barker let her try her luck on "The Big Wheel" for fun.

"I didn't really win," says Smith. "The real fun of the 'Price is Right' is watching the people who will."

So, come on down.

"The Price is Right's" Million Dollar Spectacular airs Wednesday, Feb. 5; Friday, Feb. 7; and Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS