‘The Price Is Right’: Contestant Wins a Car in Perfect Game and Celebrates With a Hug for Drew Carey
A flawless performance on The Price Is Right gave Dennis Merkelbach a brand-new car — and sparked a celebration so enthusiastic that he ended up embracing host Drew Carey. After correctly identifying every digit in the car’s price, the contestant could hardly contain his excitement, turning the moment into one of the episode’s highlights.
The show shared footage of Merkelbach’s big win on its official Instagram account on November 6, accompanied by the caption: “Mighty Sound Effects Lady is so generous #PriceIsRight.”
Merkelbach, who lives in Sherman Oaks, California, had already made a strong start before earning his place on stage. He won the episode’s first bidding round with an $1,800 bid on an LG ThinQ gas range valued at $2,499.
A Perfect Run in ‘One Away’
His next challenge was the game One Away, where he had the chance to win a 2025 Volkswagen Taos. The episode featuring his appearance originally aired on March 24.
The game presented a price of $37,475, with every digit just one number away from the car’s actual price. Merkelbach had to decide whether each digit needed to go higher or lower.
He chose two as the first digit, then moved down to six for the second. For the next two positions, he went higher, selecting five and eight, before choosing four for the final digit.
But there was one more step before he could claim the prize. Carey explained that Merkelbach needed the help of the Mighty Sound Effects Lady, who would signal whether each of his five choices was correct. A horn would confirm a right answer, while a different sound would indicate a mistake.
The first correct digit sent Merkelbach into a burst of excitement. “Yeah! Come on!” he shouted.
He reacted just as enthusiastically when the next two numbers were confirmed, pumping his fist and spinning around the stage. By the fourth digit, he was so overwhelmed that he stumbled over his words while asking for the result. When it turned out to be right as well, he put his hands on his head and paced across the stage, exclaiming, “Oh my God!”
The final number was correct, completing his perfect game. Merkelbach immediately ran around the stage, cheering before giving Carey a big hug. He also embraced model Rachel Reynolds, who congratulated him: “Perfection! You did it!”
“What a way to start the show!” Reynolds added as she turned to Carey.
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The Celebration Wasn’t Over, but the Showcase Eluded Him
Despite the spectacular car win, Merkelbach did not make it to the Showcase.
During the Big Wheel round, he first spun a 50 and then followed it with an 85. His combined score of 1.35 exceeded the maximum allowed total of 1.00, ending his chance to advance.
Still, his perfect performance in One Away had already given him a moment worth celebrating — along with a new car.
The Price Is Right airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT on CBS. Episodes are available to stream the following day on Paramount+.
