The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA; Episode 20)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Good guess. DUKE completes the chain.









(ding; audience applause)

Kevin's wondering how the first few words link with each other. So -- let's recap this chain.

"Sir Duke" is the title of Stevie Wonder's tribute song to Duke Ellington. Duke and Earl are ranks of nobility. The late Earl Warren was a Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Warren Moon -- the great NFL quarterback. Earth's moon is the planet's natural satellite. And you can watch "Chain Reaction" and other great shows through the courtesy of a satellite dish.

That's our chain. Kevin's leading $3500 to $1000. Frank, remember what happened on the last show. We had a player who came back from way behind and won the game. If he can do it, so can you.

Find out who wins this race to $5000 -- and goes on to play for a possible 40 grand -- right after this.


(theme plays; audience applause)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(parting gifts cue plays)

Doug: (in pre-recorded audio) Our contestants will receive some of the following.

From Coral Diving Products, quality snorkeling sets for the whole family. Complete with masks and snorkels. Great underwater fun from Coral Diving.

You can bring the excitement of soccer into your home with Monneret's Foosball Soccer. Fast-action fun for the whole family. With Monneret, everyone plays.

The fully-electronic RCA counter-top microwave. Can be programmed for automatic roasting and defrosting. Features 10 power levels and meat temperature probing. His Master's Choice, RCA.

A supply of Noodle Roni Parmesano, the five-minute side dish from Golden Grain. Tender egg noodles and rare Italian seasonings and cheeses. A bit of old Italy.

And Franklin's amazing Wordmaster. Electronic speller, thesaurus, and game player with a half-a-million synonyms from Merriam-Webster. Franklin -- the innovator in electronic reference.



(audience cheers)

And with board games making a comeback, we're pleased to offer this memento of our show to our players.

It's a copy of The $40,000 Chain Reaction home game. Great for your next get-together with family and friends.

Before we recap the scores, a note for those of you just joining us. Jon Darrall won our last main game -- but couldn't be with us today as he's preparing to get married. We hope to have him back on a future show.

Meantime, we have a game between two players vying to become the next champion. Kevin Kolsen so far has $3500. Frank Sartori is trailing with $1000. But as Jon proved, the race isn't over until someone reaches that magic number of $5000. So let's see if Frank can start a comeback -- or if Kevin will cruise to victory.

So -- good luck to both players as we set up our third round chain. This next chain starts with...









(ding)

...a plus sign. Your eyes do not deceive you. The opening link in the chain *is* a plus sign and nothing more. (scattered laughter from the crowd) It's *only* been 37 years since we've had a plus sign on Chain Reaction. (audience laughs; smattering of applause) Chain ends with an actual word -- AVALANCHE.

Now, in the old days, the plus sign would mean double score. But here -- we're still playing for $750 per link. Completion of the chain awards another $750.

Kevin, we left off with you. Will you give or take a letter below the plus sign or above AVALANCHE?

[koopakid17]

It's more than Chain Reaction, it's Chain Reaction plus!

I'll give below the plus sign.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Well played, Kevin. Okay, Frank, first chance to narrow the gap in score is yours...









(ding)

...with an E under the plus sign.

[grapebuy789]

Um......Excel? I don't know.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Better to say something than nothing at all. EXCEL is not right. Kevin, you're still in control.

[koopakid17]

Take below plus.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Leader's taking...









(ding)

...E-D. (scattered laughter from the crowd) Quit yer snickerin'!

[koopakid17]

Education?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Another good guess -- but not EDUCATION. Frank, it's over to you.

[grapebuy789]

Take below the plus sign please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Watch closely, Frank.









(ding)

We have more than one word in the link. E-D and then S.

[grapebuy789]

Ed Sullivan!

[dougmorrisontheair]

It makes my old heart glad to know you've at least heard of ED SULLIVAN.

Unfortunately -- that's not it. So we go back to Kevin.

[koopakid17]

I'll go the other route. Give above Avalanche.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Opening up the board. Okay, Frank...









(ding)

...let's see if you have better luck with the C over AVALANCHE.

[grapebuy789]

Um......Crumbling?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Lot of CRUMBLING goes on during an avalanche. But that's not it. Kevin, back to you.

[koopakid17]

I'll take it myself above Avalanche.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Kevin, you're taking...









(ding)

...C-O.

[koopakid17]

Colorado.

[dougmorrisontheair]

He shoots. He scores.









(ding; audience applause)


koopakid17
grapebuy789


And with that, each link will be worth no less than $750 going forward. Kevin, one more right solution from you clinches victory. Frank, if I recall correctly, this was about the time Jon turned on the afterburners to win.

But, Kevin, the all important control is in your hands.

[koopakid17]

Give above Colorado.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, Frank, chance to turn on the afterburners comes now...









(ding)

...with an M above COLORADO.

[grapebuy789]

I honestly don't know. I know it'll be wrong, but I'll say Manitoba.

[dougmorrisontheair]

'Fraid Manitoba is a fur piece from Colorado. That's not it. Kevin, back to you.

[koopakid17]

Take it myself above Colorado.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Kevin goes for the win...









(ding)

...with M-O.

[koopakid17]

Montana?

[dougmorrisontheair]

If it's MONTANA, Kevin, you're the new champion.



































(buzz)

Music to the ears of Frank. You're still in it. How do you play it?