You can compete on the famous game show ‘The Price is Right’ without leaving Kansas

Had fate taken a slightly different turn, millions of people would be watching Mark L. Walberg daily on CBS hosting “The Price is Right.”

Instead, he’s traveling the country in the same role, albeit without TV cameras, as one of the hosts of “The Price is Right Live” which returns to Hartman Arena on Saturday night.

Already a host of such varied programs as “Antiques Roadshow,” the game show “Russian Roulette,” reality series “Temptation Island” and his own daytime talk show, Walberg was a contender to replace Bob Barker as host of “The Prices is Right” when the latter retired in 2007, eventually succeeded by Drew Carey.

“I had a very good audition when I finally got in, and I got a call that said I got the gig. But while that was going on, (then-CBS president) Les Moonves was hiring Drew,” Walberg recalled from his home in Los Angeles. “The fact of the matter is things work out the way they work out. I’m thrilled doing my show, ‘Temptation Island,’ Drew does a great job on the show, and I still get to do ‘The Price is Right.’

“My career is full of wins and almost-wins, so I try not to dwell on them too much,” the 59-year-old added.

“The Price is Right Live” started as residencies in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Branson 19 years ago and morphed into a tour about nine or 10 years ago, said Walberg, who has been among a number of rotating hosts since the tour’s inception.

“It’s joyful for me,” said Walberg, who previously visited Hartman Arena with the traveling show in 2013. “I get something I used to get early in my career but I get none of now – a live audience and a little bit of improv time.”

Contestants chosen from the audience get to play legendary games like Plinko and Cliffhangers, spin the Showcase Showdown wheel and compete in the Showcase finale.

Since the contestants are chosen at random and not screened like on the TV series, Walberg said he feels like he’s hosting without a net.

“It’s pretty much improv, and you never know what to expect,” he said. “That’s thrilling for me. It’s what I cut my teeth on, and it’s something I enjoy and don’t get to do much.”

‘The Price is Right Live’

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Hartman Arena, Park City

Tickets: $32-$52, from ticketmaster.com and hartmanarena.com