"The Price Is Right" for several local contestants

Viva HooverIt's the end of an era on "The Price Is Right."  Bob Barker's final "new" show as host aired today.  During his 35-years as host, he's been joined on stage by dozens of folks from the Tennessee Valley.

"Come on down!"  Three words, every audience member of "The Price Is Right" longs to hear.  Viva Hoover says "I had told my husband if they called his name I was going to grab his name and put it on me and go up there anyway, because he didn't want to go."  The Sequatchie County resident dreamed for decades of being on the big show.

Last spring, during her first trip to L-A, she wasn't about to let a little mix-up with her name keep her off contestant row.  Barker said "Veeva, Veeva, Veeva."  Hoover says before the show started, the annoucer asked her "is it Viva or is it Veeva, and I said it's Viva but you can call me anything as long as you say come on down."

Denise JenkinsHoover and Denise Jenkins are among dozens of Tennessee Valley residents to compete on "The Price Is Right" over the years.  Jenkins says "they give you just a few seconds to introduce yourself, the producers, while your outside and they go person to person to person and you tell them why your there. My thing was I was from Dayton, TN, a stay at home mom and I wanted to come on down for Bob Barker."

Hoover won her competition, claiming $6,200 in bedroom items, while Jenkins missed the mark for a new car... made the showcase showdown... and then lost another car with a low bid.  "I was terrified of watching it, especially seeing the fact that I lost 2 cars that would have really, really been wonderful," says Jenkins.

Both ladies gave Barker the customary kiss on the cheek.  "Oh I did, I kissed his cheek," says Jenkins.  They say the legendary game show host oozed charisma and created a memory for life, making them feel special, as if he were excited they were contestants on the show.

Hoover says "I don't think they'll ever get anyone who can handle it like he's done all these years, there will never be another Bob Barker."

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Joan ButlerWe've been digging through our archives, looking for former contestants and came across this piece featuring Joan Butler from Catoosa County.  She won over $11,000 in the showcase showdown aired May 30th, 1983.  The media specialist with Ringgold Primary School still lives in the area.