Lucky Numbers (ABC; Episode 1)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Welcome to the first episode proper of Lucky Numbers.

In our pilot episode, James Greek won more than $41,000 in cash and merchandise.  As we ask James to check in -- who else wants to challenge?

(BTW, one rule change.  Match now lasts 20 rounds instead of 15.  The pilot ep went *much* faster than originally thought.  So, we can get in more questions.)

[Deleted]

I'll play.

[Deleted]

Checking in!

[dougmorrisontheair]

WABC NEW YORK

Tony Pigg: Live with Kelly -- tomorrow morning at 9:00.

---

(opening theme plays)

Bill Kennedy: It's time to play -- Lucky Numbers.

Ladies and gentlemen -- Doug Morris.

(audience cheers)

Thank you, Bill Kennedy. Hellooooo, everybody -- and welcome to our official series debut for Lucky Numbers.

(audience cheers)

Indeed, it's great to be back on ABC -- and in familiar and yet unpredictable surroundings. Throughout this next half hour, you'll be hearing some screams of joy -- and probably some moans and groans as well.

Our two contestants could use a cheer or two. Please make welcome James Greek and Sam Ryan.

(audience cheers)

James was on our sneak preview special yesterday. He won the championship, a new car and some cash all totaling $41,724.

(audience cheers)

James comes to us from the state of Alabama. James, I'd be in remiss if I didn't ask about the Iron Bowl. When it comes time for that storied college football game, do you have a rooting interest -- and if so, which team?

[Deleted]

War d*** eagle!

[Deleted]

Auburn baby!

[dougmorrisontheair]

(scattered cheers)

I have to ask. How did you react in that one game where Chris Davis ran a Bama missed field goal back the other way 109 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Because my lower jaw just dropped to the floor when that happened.

[Deleted]

I was happy that Clemson eat Bama and Auburn bear Bama in one second!

[dougmorrisontheair]

All right. Good luck to you as you defend your title. Sam, as we wish you good luck, please tell us about yourself.

[Deleted]

I come all the way from Wales to be here, I'm unempolyed and I enjoy playing video games and Board Games.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Well, here's hoping you find great and rewarding work.

Hope you both win a lot of money today.

Time to start playing dice games with Lucky Numbers.

Take a look at the game board, please, James and Sam. Those are the lucky numbers in play for every game in our match -- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Attached to five of those numbers are cash awards. Anytime your dice roll totals one of those lucky numbers, you seize control of that cash award.

However, the remaining number is the luckiest of them all. It's our winning point. And the winning point in the first game we're about to play is...

(drum beats; cha-ching)

...the number 8. Roll a 8 in any combination and you'll win the cash you've seized *plus* the money in the pot. At the start of every game, we seed the pot with $1500 -- just as we have right now -- and it could go up by as much as $500 on a particular roll. More on that later.

But in every game of Lucky Numbers, rolling a 7 is not lucky. Any roll of 7 does this.

(danger zone cue; lights briefly flicker in certain parts of studio)

The game then goes into the danger zone. The complexion of the game will change from there. More about *that* later.

Now -- to get control of the dice, you must correctly answer a toss-up question. If you anticipate and you're wrong, the roll automatically goes to your opponent.

So -- James, Sam, hands on the buzzers, please -- because here comes your first question.

Emmy, Oscar or Tony. Which one is "the grouch" on "Sesame Street"?
02 jman8606
64 slrcatchphrase
68 random.org

(Sam buzzes in)

Sam?

[Deleted]

Oscar?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Good guess -- that's right.

(audience cheers)

Sam, first roll of the game is yours. With any luck at all -- it could be the last. Roll an 8 and you'll win an instant $1500.


(James rolls)

(scattered applause)

Dice total 4 -- so it's not worth the win -- but it's worth...


(ding)

...$500.

Sam, you'll win that $500 cash award *plus* the pot if you roll an 8 next time.  James, any cash awards you have control of will light up red.

Let's see who gets control of the dice -- with this next question.

Can a sailfish swim more or less than 50 miles per hour?
004 jman8606
100 slrcatchphrase
036 random.org

(Sam buzzes in)

Sam?

[Deleted]

Less...?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Sailfish have been known to swim more than 60 miles an hour. So it's "more".

James, that means you get a chance to steal some money -- maybe even the game.

(danger zone cue; lights flicker in studio)

(audience groans)

Or that.

Gentlemen, we're playing the rest of this game in the danger zone. The next roll of 7 in this game means your opponent will win it automatically.

Because the game can be won or lost on any roll of the dice, you may pass the dice to your opponent -- if you have a bad feeling about the roll.

So -- play carefully -- as we move on to this next question.

Butcher, Baker or Candlestick-Maker. When talking about the members of the rock group Cream, what's Ginger's last name?
06 jman8606
46 slrcatchphrase
95 random.org

(Sam buzzes in)

Sam?

[Deleted]

Would that be Baker?

[dougmorrisontheair]

It would be -- and it is.

(audience applause)

Now for the crucial call.

Sam, do you roll the dice or pass them to James. Any roll of 7 is an instant loss; any roll of 8 is an instant win. Sevens and eights are among the easiest combinations to roll.

So -- how do you play it?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[Deleted]

I'll be rolling!

[dougmorrisontheair]

(scattered cheers)

Sam's going for it. Roll an 8 and you win $2000. Roll a 7 -- and James picks up $1500 just the from the pot.

(Sam rolls)

But you roll that other easy combination of 6. That's good for...


(ding)

...$300. Well -- still looking for a winner in this first game. Let's see if we get a winner after this question. (scans card) Great, the writers are making the Buckeye fan here say "the M word". Forgive me, fellow Ohio State fans.

Here goes.

Michigan, Minnesota or Missouri. The Mississippi River's headwaters are in what state?
08 jman8606
67 slrcatchphrase
84 random.org

(Sam buzzes in)

Sam?

[Deleted]

Minnesota.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Minnesota is right.

(audience applause)

Another right answer -- and another decision.

$2300, including the pot, will be yours if you take the roll and the dice total 8. If they total 7, James wins the game and just the pot.

Roll -- or pass?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[Deleted]

P-pass!

[dougmorrisontheair]

James, he feels a 7 coming. Roll an 8, though, and you steal $1500.

(James rolls)

(buzz) (audience groans)

Oh it's a 7. Sam wins the first game.

(ASB win cue plays; audience applause)

Sam, the $500 and $300 cash awards are headed for your bank -- as is the money in the pot.



jman8606
slrcatchphrase


This game ended up being worth $2300 -- (scattered cheers) -- yours to keep no matter how the match ends.

James, you'll have time to make a comeback.

We'll play as many games as time will allow. The player who's banked more cash when time is called wins the match -- and then goes on to play the main event for luxurious prizes and a cash jackpot currently worth $105,000.

(scattered oohs and ahhs)

Let's take a break, get set for our next game -- and see who wins our next game of Lucky Numbers after this.

(commercial cue plays; audience applauds)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(HR87 theme plays)

A source for many of the questions we use on Lucky Numbers is the 22-volume World Book Encyclopedia -- which includes the research guide and index volume. Today's players are receiving some fine gifts. Bill, please tell us about one of them.

Bill: A $2000 gift card to Service Merchandise. Famous, brand-name items. Select from our 500-page catalog or redeem at one of our showrooms. Furnished by Service Merchandise.

Bill: We'll be back with more of Lucky Numbers -- right after this message.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ASB cue plays; audience applause)

Welcome back to Lucky Numbers. Our returning champion finds himself behind in this match against our newcomer.

Sam just won the first game and banked $2300 in the process. James, a few lucky rolls of the dice can get you right back in the thick of this.

New game means we're out of the danger zone and we have an empty pot. We'll seed it with $1500 -- as we find out our new luckiest number. And that winning point is...

(drum beats; cha-ching)

...a 10. That means a roll of 10 in any combination will win you the game and at least $1500.

Now, this will be of great interest of James since he's trailing. We have wild rolls in every game of Lucky Numbers. Any roll of 2, 3, 11 or 12 means we add $500 to the pot -- and you'll immediately roll the dice again.

Right now -- let's see who gets control of the dice with this next question.

True or false: Hockey is the state sport of Alaska.
10 jman8606
45 slrcatchphrase
61 random.org

(Sam buzzes in)

Sam?

[Deleted]

True...?

[dougmorrisontheair]

That close to Canada, you might think that -- but dog-mushing is Alaska's official sport. So "false" was the right answer.

James, first roll of the dice in this new game's yours. Maybe it will be the last one. Roll 'em, please.

(James rolls)

(chimes; audience applause)

Snake eyes! That's a wild roll.


(drum beats; cha-ching)

Just like that, pot goes up to $2000. Wild roll in the main games allows you to roll again. So -- please roll again.

(James rolls)

(danger zone cue; lights flicker in studio) (audience groans)

Oh, the 7.

Suddenly, we're in the danger zone again. Next roll of 7 means victory for the opposition. So, the play or pass option comes into play. Let's see who gets to make that move -- after this question.

True or false: The rock band Brownsville Station originated in the state of Texas.
12 jman8606
55 slrcatchphrase
03 random.org

(James buzzes in)

James?

[Deleted]

False!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Brownsville Station originated in -- geez, they're making Buckeye fan say the M word again -- (scattered laughter from the crowd) -- Michigan. "False" is right.

(audience applause)

A fun fact: One of the producers of the band's album "Yeah!" -- is Doug Morris. Not me -- the record exec who got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame a few years ago.

James, control of the dice is yours. Roll a 10 and you'll win the game *and* be just a few hundred bucks behind in the match. Rolling a 7 gives Sam the game and a bigger lead in the match.

Roll -- or pass?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[Deleted]

Pass!