Bob Barker and a contestant at the "It's Optional" set.
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It's Optional was a pricing game on the American television game show The Price is Right. Played from September 4, 1978's episode (aired early on June 30) through May 9, 1983, it was played for two cars, both of the same make and model.
Gameplay[]
The contestant was shown two cars, both of the same make and model. One car was a base model, while the other had certain unidentified options on it. The prices of the two cars were represented on a game board which had a horizontal ruled scale from zero to $1,200. The base model's price was placed at the start of the scale, while the more expensive price was marked down the scale at the difference between the two prices. Images of 1920s-style cars represented the two prize cars on the scale - one placed at each price.
The contestant was then shown a second game board listing nine factory options. The contestant selected options one at a time, and the base-model car on the game board drove down the scale a distance representing the price of the option (similar to the presentation of Cliff Hangers, which debuted two seasons earlier). The contestant had to come within $100 of the price of the more expensive car without going over to win both cars. They were given a certain maximum number of choices - usually three or four - but did not have to use them all if they won with fewer.
If a contestant won the game, they received the more expensive car with its predetermined, unidentified options and the base model with the options that they had chosen during the game added to it.
History[]
The debut episode of It's Optional was originally intended to air on September 4, 1978, however a scheduled pre-emption for CBS' monthly news program September Magazine caused it to air during Season 6 on June 30.
It's Optional had different rules on its first playing; all that is known of them at this time is that there was no cap on the number of options a contestant could add.
Until the debut of Triple Play, It's Optional was the only pricing game to regularly be played for multiple cars.
Retirement[]
No official reason for retirement has been given for It's Optional.
| U.S. versions | |
|---|---|
| International versions | |
| Major elements | |
| Hosts (U.S.) | |
| Others on-air (U.S.) | Rich Fields • Johnny Olson • Burton Richardson • Rod Roddy • Models |
| Production staff (U.S.) | Marc Breslow • Roger Dobkowitz • Mark Goodson • Mike Richards • Bob Stewart • Bill Todman • Syd Vinnedge • Frank Wayne • Jay Wolpert |
| Notable international hosts |  Leslie Crowther •  Larry Emdur • Bruce Forsyth •  Marco Antonio Regil •  Gigi Sabani • Ian Turpie •  Carlo Boszhard • Iva Zanicchi |