February 4th, 2010 | 
Author: 
It’s Saturday 24th March 1984 at 7pm on ITV…..and the price is right bursts onto our screens for the first time! Only one person is more excited than the studio audience, and that’s host Leslie Crowther as he bellows “Come On Down”. Those three little words instantly catapaults him and the show into the TV history books. The critics hated it, the public loved it. For the first time in eons there was a programme that trounced Coronation St in the ratings.
The second contestant to be called was the wonderful Norma Reeside (or ‘Norma The Performer ‘as Leslie later called her) I’ll be featuring more clips from Norma very soon. She does get rather excitable! Wonder if that exercise bike is being used any more?? The hostess was Julia Roberts…..no not that one! Wonder what she’s doing now?
Apols for the slightly “fuzzy” quality of the clip!
Duration : 0:2:50
Posted in 
Tags:
TV was so much …
TV was so much better back then (sigh)
Well thats still a …
Well thats still a lottery isnt it?
25 years ago. 25 …
25 years ago. 25 bloody years ago!
*finds a bag to breathe deeply into
The music would …
The music would make a good mobile ringtone. It’s Fab!! Loved this show
The day this was …
The day this was broadcast was the day I got married. RIP Leslie and RIP to my husband who died in 2000 xxx
Everyone was …
Everyone was usually handpicked by William Stewart and his croanies before they even went into the studio.
It wasn’t the lottery that some would have you believe.
sadly it will never …
sadly it will never be this good again, like most 80s shows the new versions are crap, and again like most original hosts Leslie Crowther cannot be replaced
that music at (44- …
that music at (44- 48) is Quality !!
Seems quite clear …
Seems quite clear the latest TV execs have lost sight on what makes a good version; there are a lot of rules on this show so host needs to be formal but sparkly, ex news person ideal Alistair Stewart maybe, Peter Dixon a parody of a voiceover-you need panache, quality & consistent styling in every aspect of set/game/graphic design, 80s version had it, others did not. And a quality theme. I would go for kitch lounge style with articles of genuine desire rather than a nasty parody of a show
This show brings …
This show brings back memories and I like this show when I was little. My mum and dad also watched this show too.
Leslie Crowther is one of the best Gamshow Masters in the world.
RIP Leslie, you’re always remembered.
We NEED TPiR back …
We NEED TPiR back in the UK, preferably not in the style of 2006. If I had to chance to host any gameshow, twould be TPiR
I agree with …
I agree with eveyone else. From the clips I’ve seen, this was the best TPiR incarnation in the UK. Admittedly it was low cost proizes and the like, but it was betetr than the later more awful versions.
Brilliant! TPIR in …
Brilliant! TPIR in the 80’s WAS the best game show by a mile. Tremendous theme music , the ultimate professional host in Leslie Crowther, brilliantly pumped up audience and nutcase contestants = 1 hour of gameshow gold. Thank goodness for William G Stewart and YouTube. Wouldn’t thank you for 95% of the gameshow dross on TV now.
Leslie Crowther is …
I never got to meet him though 
Leslie Crowther is my fiance’s grandad
Thanks Leslie. RIP
Thanks Leslie. RIP
lol their playing …
lol their playing the family feud music on the price is right haha.
I only vaguely …
I only vaguely remember this version (I grew up with the Brucie one), but I like it! RIP Leslie!
BTW, didn’t that Derek look happy to be there? Lol
leslie crowther was …
leslie crowther was 1st host of stars in there eyes too before matthew camp kelly
Do you mean …
Do you mean Switcheroo. Or maybe Punch-a-Bunch which is where they had a big board with holes in the wall and each contained an IOU for a cash amount ranging from £0 to £250.
Cos Crowther really …
Cos Crowther really sells it, he’s brilliant. I am British and didn’t realise they did it any other way until watching this youtube stuff.
Do you not think that seeing Crowther’s delight as he calls the names makes the difference? The man was pure quality. RIP.
I love the come on …
I love the come on down music!!! Classic…
Bhayes06:
Probably …
Bhayes06:
Probably because Peter Dickson and his exaggerated voiceover style hadn’t been thought of at the time, at a guess. Crowther delivered that with panache, considering in 1984 most of Britain’s game shows were entirely stuffy affairs (cf. Ask the Family).
Also, the host was the focus in that era – for example Bob Monkhouse’s efforts with Bob’s Full House, Family Fortunes, etc.
Hope this helps!
I think you’re onto …
I think you’re onto something with that comment. ‘Deal Or No Deal’ would not have been possible without ‘The Price Is Right’ getting there first. Still didn’t really watch it, though: all I remember of TPIR was lots of dollybird assistants and ‘Puncheroo’ (or whatever that segment was called).
this was the most …
this was the most exciting gameshow of its time. i mean we’d talk about it i school of a monday morning-y’can’t say that of blockbusters, now can you?
now when I look at …
now when I look at Lesley crowther he reminds me of Max in the lost boys…very scary !!