Oak Forest Woman Tries Her Luck on 'Price is Right'

Dana Gartlan can't remember a time when she didn't watch The Price is Right. 

Gartlan, 26, recalls summer mornings spent alongside her grandparents, with Bob Barker bellowing his classic "C'mon down!" to contestants. 

"I got to know Bob Barker very well," Gartlan said, laughing.

Her loyal viewership led her, along with her aunt, uncle, mom and younger brother to a live taping of the show to celebrate her uncle's 54th birthday. Wearing matching shirts, the family filed into the taping, and Gartlan had a hunch.

"Going into it, there are 300 people in the audience, and you just don’t think you’re going to be one of them (called)," Gartlan said. "When I walked into the studio, this weird feeling came over me, and I just felt like I was going to be called."

She was right. Host Drew Carey called her name to "come on down." Even after years of watching, she wasn't sure what to expect. 

"I was impressed, everyone in the audience really wants you to win," she said. "They’re very supportive—it was so loud in there! It was a very exciting experience, but when you’re up there, it’s hard to take it in."

Gartlan was one of four contestants called to the front, where they bid on the price of a product. The contestant with the closest bid that doesn’t exceed the retail price wins the product and advances to other contests. At the end of the show, two contestants enter a bidding war for a showcase of prizes, which can include boats, cars or vacations.

Gartlan wouldn't let on what she won, but said she was looking forward to seeing her reaction on tape. 

People can see how Gartlan fared, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 4, on CBS.