It may be hard to believe, but it's getting close to the end of 2009, and time to take a look back at the year in game shows. We've had lots of memorable moments this year, some good and some bad of course.

In compiling the list of the ten most memorable moments of 2009, lots of things come to mind. Some of them include:

• Regis Philbin returning to the hot seat to celebrate ten years of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
• Deal or No Deal getting the axe in prime time
• The addition of Let's Make a Deal to the daytime game show lineup (at the expense, perhaps, of Pyramid)
• George Smoot winning the million on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
• The Price is Right hits episode 7000
• Jeff Kirby appears for the second time on Jeopardy!
• Wheel of Fortune kills off the Free Spin wedge, replacing it with Free Play

These are just a small sampling - I could easily think of ten more off the top of my head! Several of them come from the Millionaire prime time revival, including Patricia Heaton's fumble (pictured), and Ken Basin's million dollar gaffe.

I'd like to know what your most memorable moments have been from this past year. Was there a new show that wowed you, or a cancellation that had you scratching your head? Did a specific contestant make a big impression, either good or bad? Did your favorite game show announce a change in game play that drastically altered your enjoyment of the game? Let us know what your top moments of 2009 have been in the comments. Once I've narrowed down the top ten, I'll put them to a vote, and you, the readers (and viewers) will decide which one had the most impact.

Photo courtesy ABC

by Chad Mosher

One of the most frequently asked questions we get here at About.com Game Shows relates to how to dress for an audition. Now, I'm certainly no fashionista, let me point that out right now. But I'm knowledgeable enough about the audition process to know what will work and what won't. First impressions are important and your wardrobe is ninety percent of that. Here's some help to make sure your first impression exceeds everyone else's.

The first tip is to dress classy, but certainly don't overdo it. Not only will going to extreme lengths make you look out of place but, depending on how far you go, they could get you laughed out of the building. Leave your bow tie and cummerbund at home. What you want to do is develop a mental picture of the host; picture his expensive suit and tie or her designer silk pantsuit. You never want to upstage the "celebrity" of the show. Imagine that you're dressing for a Sunday brunch at a nice restaurant. Dress as if you're attending an important event, in whatever makes you look like you! Wear that special outfit or important color that you receive the most compliments on.

Next, while staying within the boundaries, always try to make you stand out. For instance, my personal trademark is that I own a few pairs of different colored Converse tennis shoes. While they're not gaudy or outrageous, they're distinct and can help emphasize and enhance my personality. Try to find your own little trademark that could not only serve to identify who you are but could also be used as a conversation starter to help the casting staff get to know you better.

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Don't forget to tune in for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire this week, as the Tournament of Ten gets underway. The first contestant, Alex Ortiz, who is seeded tenth on the leader board, will face her million dollar question on Monday, November 9th. You can see the full leader board, pictured to the right, more clearly by clicking on the image.

Also beginning this week are the celebrity questions, which will be appearing three or four times a week. For each one, a celebrity will be introduced, and then ask a mid-level question for the current contestant to answer.

Remember, one of the contestants in the Tournament of Ten will end up walking away with the million. It'll be interesting to see how many of them take the chance on even answering in the first place, not to mention how many will end up getting it right.

Photo courtesy Valleycrest Productions Ltd.

Yesterday's 7000th episode of The Price is Right had a lot of subtle nostalgic touches that made it a lot of fun to watch. The contestants, with the exception of Justine of course, didn't seem to fare very well, but the games themselves were very well done. I know many people were hoping for a guest appearance by one of Barker's Beauties or even the man himself, but what we ended up with was a solid nod to the past while keeping the current spirit of the game intact.

The highlight of the show in my opinion was the Showcase portion. From classic music to the presentations of the Showcases themselves, the whole segment just worked. The lowlight? Contestant Evie stopping at 30 cents in the second Showcase Showdown. Major blunder there.

We'll close out this week's hat-tip to Price with one final poll: Who's your favorite former Price is Right model? If you've got a favorite who isn't listed, please feel free to mention her in the comments.

Finally, next week Price welcomes a special guest and serves up an annual themed episode. On Tuesday, November 10th, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards makes an appearance. Then, on Wednesday, November 11th, it's the U.S. Armed Forces episode.

What did you think of the 7000th episode celebration? Were you expecting a little more, or did you enjoy the show for what it was?

Photo courtesy CBS