The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA; Episode 16)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Doug in pre-recorded audio as theme plays)

If you'd like to be a contestant on The $40,000 Chain Reaction, call toll free 1-800-555-40CR. That's 1-800-555-4027.

(audience applauds)

Bill McDee's back at the final chain -- trying to do *much* better than $30. Let's make it happen, Bill.

As I wish you good luck, we set up the final chain differently than the main game chains. Here, we spot you just the top link....









(ding)

...which, in this case, is SORRY. We spot you just the initial letter of each of the remaining links. We also give you seven spare letters to play with as necessary.

Each time you give a wrong guess, it will cost you one of your spare letters. But, for each correct solution you make, the money in the bank increases tenfold.









(ding)

And the money chain shows us how that money can grow. Six right answers will eventually parlay three cents into $30,000.

(audience cheers)

Remember, Bill, it is crucial to go six-for-six. If you spend a spare letter on what ends up being the last letter in the link, we can't credit you with a correct answer. Also, if you run out of free letters and you give a wrong guess, the final round ends right there and then.










(ding)

You've got your final chain back. Best of luck to you, Bill. Your next link under SORRY starts with a C.

[billmcdee]

CHARLIE

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's it -- CHARLIE.









(ding; audience applause)

"Sorry, Charlie" is a catch-phrase that was often used in ads for Starkist Tuna.

Three pennies now become three dimes, Bill. On to the next link. Under CHARLIE, it starts with an S.

[billmcdee]

Only thing I can think of is SHEEN

[dougmorrisontheair]

Good thing that's all you thought of.









(ding; audience applause)

(tries to impersonate Charlie Sheen) "Winning!"

(scattered laughter from the crowd)

Charlie Sheen -- one of the original stars of "Two and a Half Men". You're up to $3.00. Next stop is $30 -- would that you don't stop there. Under SHEEN is a W.

[billmcdee]

Hmm well, IS it WINNING?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great guess but that's not it. Here comes your first spare letter.









(ding)

W-A.

[billmcdee]

WATCHES

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not WATCHES. Here comes another letter.









(ding)

W-A-L.

[billmcdee]

Ah, WALL STREET, perhaps?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great movie. WALL STREET is right.









(ding; audience applause)

Martin Sheen, and his aforementioned son Charlie, were in the cast of the movie "Wall Street".

Thirty dollars are in the bank. Bill, just to clarify, you *do* have five spare letters left. Our machinery's being a little ornery.

But you're still playing great. Next link under WALL STREET starts with W.

[billmcdee]

WARRIORS

[dougmorrisontheair]

Wall Street Warriors. The team that blew a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals last season -- right? (scattered laughter from the crowd and crew) WARRIORS is incorrect. Here's another letter.









(ding)

W-E.

[billmcdee]

WEEK, a TV show on FOX Business Network

[dougmorrisontheair]

Right and all over it.









(ding; audience applause)

The original series aired on PBS; much of that version's run was hosted by the late Louis Rukeyser.

Okay, $300. Let's go for $3000. Under WEEK, the next link starts with O.

[billmcdee]

OFF 

[dougmorrisontheair]

Good guess but it's not OFF. Here comes another letter.









(ding)

O-N.

[billmcdee]

Only thing I can think of is "ONE".

[dougmorrisontheair]

Good thing that's all you could think of. ONE is right.










(ding; audience applause)

The NFL's regular season kicks off on Week One.

Had you guessed anything else, Bill, that would cost you a letter, the E would've popped up and you'd still have just $300. But you now have $3000 and a chance to convert that into $30,000. Last link starts with an O -- and you have three spare letters at your disposal.

[billmcdee]

OFF

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bill, if it's OFF, you win $30,000.














































(buzz)

No. But you do get another letter.










(ding)

O-D.

[billmcdee]

ODD

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bill, if it's ODD, you win $30,000.














































(cuckoo bird)

You're close, Bill, but not close enough. One free guess without losing a letter for $30,000.

[billmcdee]

ODD BIRD

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bill, if it's ODD BIRD, you win $30,000.














































(buzz)

Not ODD BIRD. Well that costs you another letter...









(ding)

...and it's no surprise the next letter's a D.

[billmcdee]

DAY?

[dougmorrisontheair]

(buzz)

Sorry, Bill.  Can't take it. Here comes your last spare letter.









(ding)

Obviously more than one word in that final link. O-D-D and then N.

Looks like we'll need that final link verbatim.  One final try for $30,000.  What is that final link?

[billmcdee]

NUMBER

[dougmorrisontheair]

(cuckoo bird)

Little birdie tells us you're on the right track. We'll need the *complete* link for $30,000. Birdie's telling us you'll need to say "odd" plus that six letter word in the same breath.

(scattered laughter from the crowd)

[billmcdee]

ODD NUMBER