Holy smokes, my essay about my mom just went up on the Huffington Post! The link to it is in the highlighted words, just click on them: They’re calling it, “My Mom Dreamed of Getting on The Price is Right, I Never Imagined What Would Happen When She Did.” They may try another name for it too, which I will post if the name changes.
I am thrilled to introduce more of you to my mom and her winning ways. I hope the article gives you readers with a dream a little boost to keep going because life can beat the crap out of you. I know my mom’s example helps me keep going when I’d rather quit. Or maybe it’s just that vaguely threatening tone in her voice that I can still hear, saying, “Don’d you dare quit!”
The most embarrassing thing that happened when my mom got her 15 minutes of fame on that show isn’t even in the Huffington Post Story. But it will be in the book/audiobook, “Come On Down! A Little Story About My Italian Mom’s Big Dream,” which will be coming out in the next few weeks to months. Bringing my mom to life while recording that book was such fun. All those years of imitating her have finally paid off and I am now proud to say I am fully utilizing my once questionable ham and smart ass skill set.
You long-time blog readers have seen the Price is Right story before, and I SO appreciate you following me and supporting my blog all these years. If you’re new to the site, Welcome and please take a moment to become a follower. It just means that my blog posts will come directly to your inbox so you don’t have to looking for them. The follow box is on the right if you’re on a computer. On a phone you have to scroll to the bottom to find it.
I’ve been blogging for about 10 years so there’s a lot to read. And if you like to cook and bake, you’ll find some good recipes here. It’s not a food blog, but I’m Italian and get very excited about food, so food does come up quite often. And, please feel free to re-post a link to any of my posts so others can enjoy what they read.
If you enjoyed the story about my mom, take a look at the About Fran page of this blog and you’ll see some of my favorite Mom stories. There are lots of recipes here too. I never post a recipe unless I think it’s really good, so trust me on these recipes. And I hope you’ll fill out the quick form to follow me. I am happily accepting any and all followers.
I’m in the process of trying to get all the recipes in this blog into recipe files. Some aren’t in files yet, so I have a lot to do, but I’m working on that and getting my website up and running. I’ll keep you posted on when the audiobook and book become available for purchase.
As always (and definitely not mandatory) if you enjoy this blog and would like to be a supporter so I can stay out of horrendous debt while self-publishing, just click on buymeacoffee.com/FranTunno
For now, I thank you for reading and following my blog. Stay tuned!
33 Comments
Trike
October 11, 2025 at 4:43 pmThat was a terrific story. 🙂
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:35 pmThank you Trike! I am so glad you liked it and took the time to tell me so!
Bob Mell
October 11, 2025 at 4:32 pmWhat a great story – your mother is a true inspiration for those who dare to dream and see those dreams come true!
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:34 pmAwwww Bob! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to write! My mom would be thrilled to know that she is inspiring so many.
Marilyn cirino
October 11, 2025 at 1:54 pmLoved your story about your Mom and The Price Is Right. I felt I was traveling with you from PA. To CA.
So much anticipation and excitement. And to top it all off your Mom became the big winner! Her faith in herself is an inspiration.
Marilyn Cirino
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:33 pmI have to tell you Marilyn your words are music to my ears. I am so glad my mom’s story touched you. Trust me when I tell you that she would be thrilled to know that. (I like to think that somehow she does know.) I so appreciate you taking the time to read and write!
Anne
October 11, 2025 at 11:08 amDear Fran,
I just read your story about your mother on Buzz Feed—then clicked the link that brought me here. Your story brought some giggles and a little tear or two, of joy and poignancy. I’m sorry you lost your mother only ten years after her dream came true. What a full-of-life, positive woman and what a wonderful spirit she had, so inspiring! I also appreciated your writings about the importance of dreams and the process of fulfilling them—your writing inspired me too.
I look forward to reading your blog and the updates that follow.
Sincerely,
Anne
Bill Clinton
October 11, 2025 at 2:01 pmI, too also just read the story and it brought a tear to my eye as well.
My Mom is also an immigrant. And like Mary, speaks w an accent that belies the wisdom she possesses.
My mom was never on TPIR, but she amazes me with her knowledge/wisdom on a daily basis.
NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Thank you Franzy for a heartwarming story.
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:09 pmBill! I love that name and am so happy to hear that my story touched your heart. Honestly, I wish I had appreciated Mom much more when I was young, but I guess that’s why they say, With age comes wisdom. Thanks for taking the time to read the story and to write such a lovely note!
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:12 pmOh Anne, I cannot tell you how much it means that my story touched you, made you laugh and maybe tear up a bit. Mom really was quite extraordinary and was always ready to laugh, even at herself. I was so very lucky to have her as long as I did. I am glad my words inspired you. I hope they keep you chasing whatever dream you have. You can do it!
Lorraine Waiters
October 11, 2025 at 7:44 amSuch a wonderful tribute to your mother! Loved this!
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:24 pmLorraine, thank you so much for reading and taking the time to write such a lovely note! I appreciate you!
Claire Freeman
October 11, 2025 at 7:14 amThank you, Fran, for sharing this story! Your mom is adorable and so inspiring. I had never looked at dreams that way before…that they are placed within us for a reason. Your mom has been very encouraging to me today! 🙂
Fran Tunno
October 11, 2025 at 7:06 pmClaire, thank you! I am so happy that we were able to brighten your day! Take that thought and run with it! Thanks so much for taking the time to read the story and to write. That means so much to me!
Bruce Barker
September 26, 2025 at 11:03 amWay too much fun! What a great story. Sidenote: we were on Let’s Make A Deal a few months ago, and won some stuff (although the grand prize eluded us). Right next door to that show’s soundstage is the Price is Right stage. In honor of your mom, we may try getting on the show, although I wouldn’t do well, as I don’t know the price of anything. Except car parts.
Fran Tunno
September 26, 2025 at 1:57 pmWhat fun! I’ve never tried a gameshow, but I love that you were on Let’s Make a Deal! I must know what you won! Did you wear a silly costume? When will it air? Maybe on the “Price is Right,” you’ll have to guess the price of a NEW CAR! – that’s to be read like the announcer that I know you are! And you’ll totally know it! Thanks for reading and taking the time to write! You rock Bruce!
Teri
September 24, 2025 at 9:57 amThank you for such a wonderful story – the kind we really need in this day and age. I have a very similar story,
although we’re from Westmoreland County in Southwest PA. I took my grandmother who loved The Price is Right as much as your mom to the show. Butterflies and worries were exactly the same, but the difference is during the pre-show interview, my grandmother was very soft spoken and wasn’t chosen. She didn’t think she would get chosen and was correct. In hindsight we should have waited until the end of the trip, because it ruined the entire week of our California dreaming trip. Hwy 1, Big Sur and San Francisco didn’t even make her snap out of the disappointment.
Fran Tunno
September 24, 2025 at 11:32 amOh Teri, I’m so sorry to hear that your grandmother wasn’t picked. Yes, they look for very outgoing characters to populate their show most definitely! If only we could do things over! Thanks for reinforcing that it’s a good idea to wait until the end of the trip. I just checked and the day we went was a Friday, so definitely toward the end of the week. My mom would have been just as forlorn as your grandmother!
Steven Edwards
September 23, 2025 at 6:50 pmNice story, Fran. Was my favorite game show growing up. I have a cool story too, my cousin Aleck went on the The Joker’s Wild game show, and won a record 27k in cash and prizes. This was back in 1973, so 27k was alot of money in those days. I went to see him play live in the studio with my Aunt and Uncle. What an (surreal) experience I’ll never forget. Because he was the reigning champion for a number of weeks on the show, host Jack Barry, nicknamed him Smart Aleck. Lol. TC, Fran.
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 6:59 pmActually Steven, 27K is still a nice chunk of change! What fun that you got to see him win! And thank you so much for reading my story and taking the time to write. I really appreciate it! Maybe next time it will be you on a game show!
Sarah M. Anderson
September 23, 2025 at 12:12 pmHi Fran,
I rewatch old Price is Right episodes on Prime as my comfort background noise and just saw your mom’s episode a few days ago–she was such a memorable person, so when I saw her on HuffPost, I clicked right away! I was so glad when she won (and I believe Bob was, too!)! I always hope that everyone who wins (and loses) goes on to have the best lives possible after their fifteen minutes of fame and I’m so very glad to hear that meeting Bob and winning was such a wonderful thing in her life and that you made it possible for her. Thank you for sharing!
Best,
Sarah A.
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 1:15 pmSarah! Thank you for telling me that. I didn’t know they were even online! I have Prime too! Thank you for your sweet words and for reading and taking the time to write! That means so much. Now, I’ll have to go find her episode!
Susan Sutherland
September 23, 2025 at 11:30 amFran, Thanks for the smile this morning. Every so often I tell the Price Is Right story to a friend and have to Google the segment with your Mom. It always makes me chuckle. Reading the Huffington Post article adds the cherry on top of an already great tale by knowing the back story of your Mom’s life and dreams. Can’t wait for your book-in so many ways, you are just like your Mom!
Love ya friend!
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 1:13 pmAwww Susan. I was just going through my photo albums yesterday and came across your beautiful face in some pics! I hope all is well with you and Ritch. Thank you for always being a wonderful, supportive friend!
Chas Madonio
September 23, 2025 at 10:32 amHey Fran,
I want to order my book right now! Any idea when it will be available? It seems I’m getting your blogs only sporadically – I missed the one where you were in the studio recording the 1st grade story. Best of luck – stay positive – and I will eagerly await reading the book when it comes out.
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 1:12 pmYou know Chas, a lot of people have said the same thing. I think WordPress messed something up because it said I lost 1,000 followers and I’m not sure how that could have happened. If you go to the Follow link and sign up again maybe that will fix things.Thanks for your support. The Audiobook will come out first and should be a fun listen. Not sure when the actual book will come out but I’m hoping for sometime in the next few months!
Steven Baird
September 23, 2025 at 10:17 amGreat story ! Thanks for sharing
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 1:08 pmThank you Steven, for reading and taking the time to write!
Sue Dean
September 23, 2025 at 9:51 amI enjoyed your piece.
I always dream of winning the lottery, have any novena’s to share?
-Sue
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 1:08 pmHi Sue,
I wish I did, but I’m not as good a Catholic as my mom was. I’ll have to search through my papers and if I find one, I will send it your way!
Petrea BurchardP
September 23, 2025 at 9:12 amI’ve heard hints about this story over the years of knowing you; it’s great to read the whole thing. What an inspiration she was and is.
Fran Tunno
September 23, 2025 at 1:07 pmThank you so much Petrea! My mom would be thrilled to hear that!
There’s actually more to it that’s not in that article. It is in the book and the audiobook which was so much fun to record!
cynthiaanngoodman
September 23, 2025 at 8:56 amCan’t get enough of this story. Bravo Fran!