http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article770434.ece
'Price is Right' model search comes to Tampa
By Susan Thurston, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, August 14, 2008
TAMPA - One by one, they flashed their smiles, walked for the camera and told producers why they should be the next Price Is Right model.
Karen O'Neil brought an unexpected prop: a real Plinko chip autographed by Bob Barker for her 92-year-old grandfather.
The part-time Home Shopping Network model and former Big Brother 5 contestant was among 60 women who auditioned Wednesday. One of them will win a trip to Los Angeles next month to compete against about a dozen semifinalists nationwide.
Local CBS station WTSP-Ch. 10 hosted the tryouts at the Landy Center for Plastic Surgery in South Tampa, which cleared its calendar from liposuction and eyelid surgery to help someone get to Hollywood.
"No. 15, come on down!" signaled Lorraine Apperson, on-air promotions manager for Channel 10. Up next: Jacquelyn Facey, a 40-something Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy who took the day off from her job at the courthouse.
Auditioners had about two minutes to show they had the right look, moves and attitude to model for the show. In Price Is Right style, they walked, gracefully waving their arms like they were showing prizes. They held a display of gloMinerals makeup close to their face, while Apperson did her best Rod Roddy imitation.
"Revitalize your face every morning with gloMinerals, something every woman should have on their makeup stand," she said.
Tiffani Ross, 21, of Clearwater always wanted to be a contestant and figured being a model would be the next best thing.
"I've watched the show for as long as I can remember," she said. "I used to have the biggest crush on Bob Barker. I still do. I think he's very handsome for his age."
Barker retired last year, but his name remains synonymous with the show, which began in 1956. Barker's Beauties are now called Carey's Cuties, a reference to new host Drew Carey.
The chance to meet Carey and work on the set was an opportunity of a lifetime for fans like O'Neil, 34, who got her Plinko chip at a show taping in 2004. During her audition, she gave producers a drawing of Carey that said, "Pick Karen." She also yodeled the mountain climber song from the Cliff Hanger game.
She closed with Barker's signoff: "Please have your pets spayed and neutered."
