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

[grapebuy789]

Stones?

[dougmorrisontheair]

If it's -- (cuckoo bird) -- gee, whiz. What a time for that to happen.

Frank, you're close with STONES -- but not close enough. Once chance to capitalize on your own guess of STONES.

[grapebuy789]

Stone?

[dougmorrisontheair]

(buzz)

Sorry, Frank. Can't take it. If that middle link were STONES or STONE, we'd take singular for plural or vice versa.

With that, all I can say is -- Kevin, who gets the next letter?

[koopakid17]

I will.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Kevin, you probably know what's coming.









(ding)

This is for the win with S-T-O-N.

[koopakid17]

Stonehenge?

[dougmorrisontheair]

If it's STONEHENGE -- we have a new champion.
























































(dings; audience applause; win music plays)

It is STONEHENGE.



koopakid17
grapebuy789


Before we recap anything, I want to go back to Frank's original guess of STONES. Frank, as noted earlier, we have a singular/plural rule -- in that if that center link were just STONE, we'd give you credit for that and start a fourth chain.

But when you said STONES, there was a bit of a debate between our producer and the judge on how we should rule. Ultimately, your pluralized guess of STONES was considered close but close enough. That's why the cuckoo bird sounded and we gave you an extra chance.

Sorry that didn't work out. Even though you're not going to the final chain, you are taking home a nice piece of change. Including the bonus money from earlier, you're winning $4750.

(audience cheers)

[grapebuy789]

This was a tough experience, but hopefully I'll do better next time.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Thanks for being a great sport about this. Nice hand for Frank.

(audience applause)









Now let's recap the chain.

"Plus", represented only by a plus sign, is the title of Ed Sheeran's debut album. Ed Sheeran is a native of England. In England, you'll find Stonehenge. Stonehenge is certainly a monument. The town of Monument, Colorado is near Colorado Springs -- and the NHL's Denver-based franchise is known as the Colorado Avalanche.

(board opens as part of the theme plays)

That's your chain. Kevin, again, our congratulations for winning the game -- and becoming our new champ. Before you play your final chain, we've got to play the Missing Link game to determine the maximum potential value of your final chain. Board's just about set.








And there it is -- a three-link chain. For winning the game, Kevin, we spot you four pennies.









(ding)

In a moment, we'll spot you the top and bottom links of this chain -- and the initial letter in the middle link. That's the missing link you're trying to solve. Solve it on just the first letter we give you -- and all four pennies join you in the final chain -- which you could convert into $40,000.

(audience cheers)

But for each additional letter you need, it costs you a penny -- and reduces your potential winnings in the process.

If you're set, away we go with Missing Link.








(ding)

Missing Link game starts with COP and it ends with CONCERT. The missing link starts with R. To save all four cents to try to make them into $40,000, what's that missing link?

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Kevin.)

[koopakid17]

Rock?

[dougmorrisontheair]

ROCK -- is *right*








(ding; audience applause)

"Cop Rock" is the title of a short-lived police drama with a musical element. And you could attended a rock concert.

 

Kevin's going to try to rock the final chain -- and take us for $40,000 -- after this.

(theme plays; audience applause)

[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)

Kevin Kolsen now has $5750 -- *and* four cents. But the four cents are sitting in the bank. Those four pennies could become our top payoff of $40,000 in the final chain.

(more applause)

Kevin, here's how the final chain works. We only spot you the top link...










(ding)

...which is NATIONAL. We also spot you the initial letter of each of the remaining links. We also have seven spare letters to use as necessary.

Every time you give me a wrong guess, it costs you a spare letter. But every time you give me the right solution, we multiply the money in the bank by ten.









(ding)

And we bring in the money chain briefly to show you how that money can pile up. Your first right answer turns four pennies into four dimes -- then on to four bucks, $40 and so on. Give me six right solutions -- and we'll give you $40,000.

(audience cheers)

Remember, it is crucial to give me six right answers. If one of your spare letters happens to complete a link, we can't credit you with a right answer -- and thus, the $40,000 would be out of reach. But keep playing until you run out of spare letters or you solve the last link -- because there is money to be made.









(ding)

Final chain's back in view. Good luck, Kevin. We're all rooting for you here. Next link for 40 cents under NATIONAL is a D.

[koopakid17]

Day?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not DAY. Here comes your first spare letter.









(ding)

D-E.

[koopakid17]

Debate?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not DEBATE -- but a great guess. Here comes another letter.










(ding)

D-E-B.

[koopakid17]

Debt!

[dougmorrisontheair]

DEBT is right.

(ding; audience applause)

The money owed by the U.S. government is known as the national debt.

I'm glad you said DEBT when you did -- because if you didn't, the T would pop up and 40 grand would be out of reach.

Facts of the matter: You're up to 40 cents and the top $40,000 payoff is still in reach. With five spare letters left and five links to solve, Kevin, your next link under DEBT starts with W.

[koopakid17]

Wallet?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not WALLET. Here comes another letter.









(ding)

W-I.

[koopakid17]

Will?

[dougmorrisontheair]

'Fraid that's not it. Here comes another letter.









(ding)

W-I-N.

[koopakid17]

Wink?

[dougmorrisontheair]

WINK is right.










(ding; audience applause)

The game show "Debt" was hosted by Wink Martindale.

Okay, bank's now up to four dollars. You're still in contention for $40,000, Kevin. You only have three spare letters left. Let's see if you nail this next link on just that first letter. Under WINK, there's an L.

[koopakid17]

Lid?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not a bad guess -- but that's not it. Here comes another letter.









(ding)

L-E.

[koopakid17]

Letterman?

[dougmorrisontheair]

'Fraid not. Going to cost you another letter.









(ding)

Perhaps that helps -- L-E-F.