Leatherneck finds fleeting fame on iconic game show - Military TV, Television - Military Times

Leatherneck finds fleeting fame on iconic game show

All of his life, Marine Cpl. Dan Franken Jr. has been watching contestants “come on down!” on popular game show “The Price is Right.” But the 26-year-old helicopter maintainer never thought he would appear on the show and win — you guessed it — a braaand-new caarrrr and a trip to Paris, Fraaance!

“One day I was sitting there watching it, and at the end of the show they said ‘call for tickets,’ so I was like, ‘what the heck?’” said Franken, an active Marine reservist assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Franken had asked for tickets for Nov. 8, his 26th birthday, but the show was overbooked so he had to settle for the Nov. 9 taping date. He attended the show, which aired Dec. 24, in his Marine Dress Blue uniform. Out of 315 audience members, he was one of a select few to hear his name called, followed by the iconic invitation to “Come on down!”

After a couple of missed opportunities, a $1,000 bid on a swing set let Franken advance for the chance at one of the big-ticket prize packages.

“My girlfriend said, ‘If there is any type of trip to Europe, you better take it,’” he said. So Franken bid $35,000 on a package that included a one-week trip to Paris, topping another contestant who bid over the retail price on another prize package.

“I have never won anything in my life,” Franken said, expressing excitement over his take, which included a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.

Franken’s taste of fame didn’t go unnoticed. He quickly became a celebrity in his home town of Virginia Beach, Va., and a target of good-hearted teasing from fellow Marines in his unit.

“They all watched it,” he said. “They were pretty excited, giving me grief about things I did on the show.”