$ale of the Century [NBC]: Episode 41 [TOC Heat 1]

[palmer7]

Well, I've decided to take a pause in regular game play so $ale could have its first-ever Tournament of Champions!


* The 9 highest-scoring contestants have been called back to compete in three heats. Gameplay is as normal with the following exceptions:
 - In CashCard, the prize is replaced with Take $10. This allows you to take $10 from your opponent and add it to your score.
 - Speaking of CashCard, it will stay at a flat $25,000 all week.
 - The winner of each heat gets a trip and has a chance to win up to $50,000 in cash by playing Ten-In-A-Row (same rules, dollar values halved).
* The three heat winners will play a 2-game final Jeopardy-style. The highest combined score from those two games will win a million dollars cash, a cruise for two around the world, and a very expensive Porsche. They'll also have a chance to win another million in Ten-in-a-Row.


Now, I've used Random.org to randomize the 9 biggest winners. So, for game one, would James Greek, Sam Hodkin, and Matt Ringgenberg please check in?

[Deleted]

Checking in!

[hodders]

Checking in.

[palmer7]

Now we just need Matt to check in.

[mringgenberg]

Checking In

[palmer7]

---

(drumroll, as we get a shot of the darkened set, the boxes of our nine contenders pop in one by one, filling in the screen.)


Don Morrow: (VO) This is the $ale of the Century Tournament of Champions. Nine of our biggest money winners are back to compete for cash and prizes worth.... over $2,000,000!



[MAIN THEME]


This week, our contestants will win trips to Zurich, South Africa, Moscow, and Hong Kong! And one of them will win the grand prize....







This Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive, a cruise around the world, and $1,000,000 in cash! It's Heat 1 of the......




(echo)








And now, here's the star of the show, Greg Palmer!



(the doors open and I run to my lectern to cheers and applause)



Greg: Thank you, Don Morrow! Thank you very much. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the show. $ale of the Century's Tournament of Champions. We have nine of our biggest winners in terms of cash and prizes. They may not have won their games, but they have won the most in cash and prizes. Three different players will play in each heat, and the winner of each heat will in a 2-day cumulative final. The winner of that will get $1,000,000 in cash, a Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive, and a cruise around the world. A lot to play for, and here to introduce the challengers is Stacey Wren!



(Stacey comes in wearing a very hot dress, to cheers and applause)



Greg: Looking good. Looking good. So, did you register to be anyone?


Stacey: No, but I did bring in a friend, and his fiance. Please welcome Ben Norris and Ben Williams!


(Ben N. and Ben W. enter to cheers and applause)




Ben N.: G'day, Greg.


Ben W.: G'day, Greg.




Greg: Hi, boys. So you two are engaged to be married, eh?


Ben N.: That's right. I proposed to him when I won Big Brother in 2012. (the two exchange a quick kiss on the lips)



Greg: (to the two Bens) Keep it up, boys. The Moral Majority's gonna love ya. Now, while Stacey and the two Bens make plans for a wedding, Don Morrow, who are our three contestants tonight?


(as Don introduces them, the contestant doors open and models of the opposite gender escort them to their seats)




Don: (VO) Well, Greg, our first champion is a supermarket courtesy clerk from Council Bluffs, Iowa who won $29,915. Say hello to Matt Ringgenberg. Our next contestant is a part-time receptionist at an international insurance agency whose winnings, so far, total $39,437. From Manchester, England, here's Sam Hodkin. And our final competitor took us for $25,560 in cash and prizes. From Elba, Alabama, here's James Greek.



(cheers and applause)



Greg: Thank you, Don. We'll start with James. Hiya, James. Welcome back. So, you've won $25,560. What's been happening after you left us? Has the money and prizes changed your life?

[Deleted]

Not really. As Steve Winwood said in his song Valerie: "I'm the same boy I used to be."

[palmer7]

Trying to suck up to the host, I see. (audience chuckles) You know, Valerie is my mother's name, and "Valerie" is one of her favorite songs. I love my mother. In fact, there she is, right in the audience. (camera gets a shot of my mom, who waves and smiles) Hi, Mom. (back to me) OK. I didn't think 25-grand would do that. Too many game shows use the term "life-changing". So, are you ready for more?

[Deleted]

Yup!

[palmer7]

OK then, good luck to you.


Sam Hodkin is our next contestant, and he's one of the few international competitors we have in this tournament. He's from Manchester, England, and he's taken us for over $39,000. (audience cheers) Hiya, Sam. Welcome back. So, what's been happening with you since last you left us?

[hodders]

Not a great deal in fairness, continuing the jobhunt and investing those winnings wisely.

[palmer7]

Indeed. A large portion of that total is in cash. I imagine that the job market is about the same in the UK as it is in America. Am I right?

[hodders]

A bit unpredictable I agree. And cash is good.

[palmer7]

Well, maybe you'll win some more here. Good luck to you.


And finally, Matt Ringgenberg, you are a supermarket courtesy clerk..... with  $29,915 in cash and prizes. What's been new with you since you showed up last?

[mringgenberg]

I won my third straight gold medal at Special Olympics.

[palmer7]

Oh my goodness, we have a multi-gold medalist. Now, is this local, or do you go into nationals or what?

[mringgenberg]

Competition was in Iowa City.

[palmer7]

All right, but was this a local competition? Was this state-wide, was it national? What?

[mringgenberg]

State-Wide

[palmer7]

Statewide. All right then. So, Matt, do you think you'll ever make it to nationals?

[mringgenberg]

We really don't go to nationals.

[palmer7]

Well, maybe if you win the million, you'll be able to go to nationals. Maybe even the Olympics. Good luck to you.


Bens and Stacey: $20 to start.


(the board initializes)



James: $20
Sam: $20
Matt: $20



(the three quickly exit, excitedly)


Greg: Hmm... wonder why they're in a rush. Oh well. First heat, first round, here we go!


1. Who satirized the threat of nuclear was in "The Butter Battle Book"?
2. In what city would you find Tivoli Gardens?
3. Who was the second president of the United States?
4. What common lasagna ingredient is actually a by-product of mozzarella?
5. What is the Pleiades?



(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. Who satirized the threat of nuclear war in "The Butter Battle Book"?
(buzzcode: 45)
*Sam buzzes in (45, BULLSEYE!)*
Sam?
Sam: Dr Seuss
When I said nuclear "was", I meant nuclear "war". You're right, Sam.
(ding)


James: $20
Sam: $25
Matt: $20



And Sam draws first blood.

2. In what city would you find Tivoli Gardens?
(Buzzcode: 8)
*Matt buzzes in (35)*
Matt?
Matt: Copenhagen
Yes, sir. You go to $25.
(ding)


James: $20
Sam: $25
Matt: $25



3. Who was the second president of the United States?
(buzzcode: 82)
*Matt buzzes in (76)*
Matt?
Matt: John Adams
That's right. And you take the lead.
(ding)


James: $20
Sam: $25
Matt: $30



4. What common lasagna ingredient is actually a by-product of mozzarella?
(buzzcode: 25)
*Matt buzzes in (35)*
Matt going for the hat trick?
Matt: Ricotta
And he gets the hat trick! (audience cheers)
(ding)


James: $20
Sam: $25
Matt: $35



(the phone rings, I answer it) Hello? (pause) Yes, you want me to throw out the question about the Pleiades and ask a new one? OK. (I hang up)


Sorry, guys. We've got a new question.


What is a second full moon in a month called?


(buzzcode and answer, please)

[palmer7]

What is a second full moon in a month called?
(buzzcode: 68)
*James buzzes in (54)*
James?
James: *sings* blue moon!
That's exactly right! You get off the $20 mark.
(ding)



James: $25
Sam: $25
Matt: $35




[INSTANT BARGAIN]


That sound means it's time for an Instant Bargain, but before we move on, I'd like to point out that the winner of tonight's heat will win a trip to Hong Kong. (audience cheers) And they'll also be playing Ten-in-a-Row for as much as $50,000. Anyway, Matt, you have $35, and a $10 lead over both Sam and James..... I wonder what's going on over here?


(We cut to a head shot of Bob Eubanks being his usual self)


Bob: Hi, there. I'm Bob Eubanks. (audience cheers) And I have an important question for these two people. (pull back to find Ben N. and Ben W. in business suits) Do you, Ben, take Ben to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, etc. etc.?


(Needless to say, the two Bens are eager to answer.) Bens: (in unison) I do!



Bob: Then by the power vested in me by the state of California and the NBC Television Network, I pronounce you husband and husband! You may kiss the bride! (and the two Bens exchange a kiss, Stacey throws rice, and the win cue from The Newlywed Game plays) And now, Ben and Ben, as today's newlyweds, here's the special grand prize chosen just for you! A brand-new set of cowhide-leather luggage... which you'll use on your honeymoon in Aruba!


(the two Bens are excited, audience cheers)

(A Prize Cue from The Newlywed Game plays)





Don Morrow: (VO) Yes, Ben and Ben, you'll enjoy an exciting honeymoon on the island of Aruba. We'll fly the two of you round trip from Los Angeles to Reina Beatrix for a seven-night stay in a Luxury Pool Ocean View room at the all-inclusive Occidental Grand Aruba, set amid the pristine, white-sand beaches of Aruba's famed Palm Beach. With 6 restaurants, 5 lounges, a variety of watersports, free-form pool with swim-up bar, 2 whirlpools, shopping, daily entertainment, and dazzling nightly entertainment, including a disco, you'll have limitless options to fill your days and evenings. Furnished by the Occidental Grand Aruba.

Plus, take an exciting voyage to depths of 130 feet below the Caribbean Sea, where you'll have the opportunity to get an up close view of exotic marine life and 2 sunken wrecks.




And to make sure you'll travel in style, you'll take along Corsa Miglia's Aston Martin Rapide Voyager 6-piece cowhide leather luggage set. This grouping of luggage items was selected to efficiently utilize the luggage space available in the trunk of the Aston Martin Rapide Voyager. It comes with a deluxe shoe bag, a large executive golf cart bag, a small executive golf cart bag, a traveler's tri-fold garment bag, and a top frame traveling bag. Furnished by Corsa Miglia.


Bob: And this prize package is worth.....


$9,911


But can be yours on $ale of the Century for only....


$5



(audience cheers as the two Bens keep hugging and kissing each other in joy)


Greg: Whoa, whoa whoa...... Bob Eubanks?!? (I walk over to the prize area) Hold up, Bob...... first off, welcome to $ale. Second, did you actually marry those two?


Bob: Yes, I did, as a favor to this nice young lady from Australia. (Stacey points to herself and nods)


Greg: (finding this hard to believe) You have a license?


Bob: Yep. Going on 20 years now.


Greg: And you..... married these two? (Ben and Ben point out their wedding rings) Oy gevalt...... (to Ben and Ben) Congratulations, I'll deal with you two later. (to Matt) Uh, Matt....... you like cowhide luggage? Have you ever been to Aruba?

[mringgenberg]

No I have not.

[palmer7]

Well, you can go for $5. It'd cut down your lead to 1 question, but it's almost $10,000 in prizes.

[mringgenberg]

Deal!

(hits buzzer)

[palmer7]

He's going to buy! (audience cheers)


[SALE SURPRISE] (audience cheers)


Oh, and we have a $ale Surprise! (Bob hands me an envelope, I open it, and there's money; I walk to Matt's spot) Hold out your hand, Matt. I've got a stack of $100 bills for you. (I start counting as I lay the money in Matt's hand)


Greg/Audience: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine!


Greg: $900 in cash! (audience cheers) That's $10,811 in cash and prizes for just the value of a question. (I walk back to my lectern)



James: $25
Sam: $25
Matt: $30




Ben N.: Hey, what about us?


Greg: (to Ben) I'm sorry, you didn't buy anything. Back to the questions.


1. Which current presidential candidate owned a cat named Socks?
2. What is 11 squared?
3. From what language did English borrow the word "soy"?

(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. Which current presidential candidate owned a cat named Socks?
(buzzcode: 74)
*Matt buzzes in (89)*
Matt?
Matt: Hillary Clinton
Yes, unfortunately. Just paid for your trip.
(ding)



James: $25
Sam: $25
Matt: $35



2. What is 11 squared?
(buzzcode: 43)
*Sam buzzes in (64)*
Sam?
Sam: 121
Very well done.
(ding)



James: $25
Sam: $30
Matt: $35


3. From what language did English borrow the word "soy"?
(buzzcode: 14)
*Sam buzzes in (35)*
Sam?
Sam: Japanese
Hai. You're in a tie.
(ding)



James: $25
Sam: $35
Matt: $35


[FAME GAME]

And with this being the Tournament of Champions, every trip to the Fame Game board could be important. Players, buzz in when you know this famous person.


I am an explorer and conquistador, born in 1474 and dead by July 1521. I was born in the village of Santervás de Campos in the northern part of what is now the Spanish province of Valladolid. My family's lineage began with Ponce Vélaz de Cabrera, descendant of count Bermudo Núñez, and Sancha Ponce de Cabrera, daughter of Ponce Giraldo de Cabrera. I appear to have been a member of a distinguished and influential noble family. I served as squire to Pedro Núñez de Guzmán, Knight Commander of the Order of Calatrava. Once the war against the Emirate of Granada ended, there was no apparent need for my military services at home, so, like many of my contemporaries, I looked abroad for my next opportunity. In September 1493, some 1200 sailors, colonists, and soldiers joined Christopher Columbus for his second voyage to the New World. I was one of those people. We visited several islands before arriving at our primary destination in Hispaniola. We anchored on the coast of a large island the natives called Borinquen but would eventually become known as Puerto Rico. I was actively involved in the Higüey massacre, about which friar Bartolomé de las Casas attempted to notify Spanish authorities.


(buzzcode and answer, please)

[palmer7]

(buzzcode: 32)
*Sam buzzes in (94)*
Sam?
Sam: Juan Ponce de Léon
Absolutely right. (audience cheers)

Stacey, where is the $10?

(lights in motion, the octogon "flips" by itself)




Stacey: Behind #4.


Greg: We're locked into your buzzer, Sam. Good luck. You may fire when you are ready. (a letter from A-I, please)