13) The Price Is Right- Vietnam Edition

Long stretches away from reality will do strange things to you. Like make you watch an entire episode of the Price is Right in another language.

A studio full of half-interested Vietnamese...

come on down!

The show was a carbon copy of the American edition, down to the last detail. Just look at this set! This is what the U.S. version would look like if we'd surrendered at Pearl Harbor. I kid, I kid.










Even the name tags were the same. I was in this guy's corner from the get-go. Especially when I read his name tag. Can you see it at this resolution?












Died. His name is Died. Sort of badass, no?

Died's had a good life, but things have been tough on him lately. He had to move back in with his parents after his mother got sick and he missed those last two promotions at the bank. Through it all he's continued to smile, but we all know he really needs this. Plus he could really use that new dinette set.

Check out the semi-suave host with the butt-cut. Makes you really appreciate Barker.












Sorry Died, you'll have to wait your turn. This game involved some sort of guessing using giant shells.

Nailed it!

Seriously though, how budget is this show? They couldn't get someone to throw together a Blinko machine? It's just wooden pegs and Plexiglas, I mean really. I'm surprised they could afford the silver spray paint for the shells.








Our host loved the camera. Throughout the show he would give seductive glances deep into it. After a while I felt like he was flirting with me.












OK, here we go. Just relax Died, you'll do fine.













I had, and still have no clue what this game is about.











But I'll go with this chick and say five. As you can see, audience participation here is not what it is in the states. They need more midwestern coupon-cutters and marines.

I thought Died lost, but somehow he seemed to move on without winning the round.

It took him three tries to get the wheel around one full spin. But who has time for exercise when you cry alone in the bathroom at work all day. Just kidding Died, I love you buddy.










Again with the flirting. You're going to make me blush Mr. Man. Cheeky monkey.










This bitch won and stole what was rightfully Died's. The model in the background didn't seem to notice, though. In fact she was totally zoned on smiling into the camera the entire time. She was like a robot in a blouse. Simply unflappable.

Ok, showcase showdown time

And the showcase is...

Something crappy in a box













A moped. Getting warmer.













And a cell phone. Bunk.














I said stop it silly. You are so bad.

And the winner is...

The devil. Died should have stolen her bike off the set and run over her face with it. I will say she seems mega-psyched about 2000 bucks worth of gear, so that is nice to see.











And it's got a camera and everything. Pretty fancy.










"Remember to have your pets spayed and neutered. See you next time."











Roll graphic... and we're out. Good show people. Carl, great work on the boom. Richard... couldn't have done it without you buddy. OK guys, pack it up. That's a wrap.








While in Hanoi guests of the show stayed at the Marriott near the airport. 10 of them were raped in their sleep. If you'd like tickets to the show, please send a self addressed envelope to

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC BÁCH KHOA TPHCM.
268 Lý Thường Kiệt, Quận 10, TPHCM