The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 21)

[gameboy2000]

SUGAR

[dougmorrisontheair]

If it's SUGAR, we have a new champion...














































(dings; audience applause; win music plays)

We've got a new champion.

Congratulations, David. $5000 right on the nose. We'll take you to the missing link game in a bit. First, let's finish off this chain.











A brand name of beef jerky is Slim Jim. We talked about Jim Brown earlier; one of the greatest players in NFL history. It also just dawned on me another Jim Brown was an entertainment correspondent on "The Today Show". Speaking of entertainment, "Brown Sugar" is the title of a hit song by The Rolling Stones.










(ding)

Sugar can come in cubes. And what's the last link?










(ding)

Ah! Square. A side of a cube would be in the shape of a square. And fighters preparing for a bout would square off.

That's the chain. Kevin, sorry we have to say goodbye. But we say farewell with a nice piece of change. $7504.

(audience cheers)

Please take that will all the applause, some fine gifts and our thanks for playing Chain Reaction.

(more cheers) (board rotates as part of the theme plays)

David, as we head on into the Missing Link game, let's go ahead and add up your winnings. In addition to your score money, you also solve the bonus money link. Already, you have $6250.

(audience cheers)

And you want more?!?!!?

(scattered laughter from the crowd)

[gameboy2000]

Yes, I do.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

Well -- we just gave you more -- four pennies. Doesn't sound like much -- but we'll play a game where you try to save them all and later have a chance to convert them into $40,000.

Here's how Missing Link works. We'll spot you the top and bottom links of this three-link chain -- and the initial letter of the link in the middle. That's the missing link.

Solve it on your first try -- and all four pennies join you in "la chaîne finale", as Pierre used to say. But every additional letter you need costs you a penny and reduces your potential winnings.

With that, here's your Missing Link game for today.







(ding)

This starts with JENNIFER and ends with BLUE. To save all four pennies, what is the missing link which starts with S?

[gameboy2000]

SIMPSON?

[dougmorrisontheair]

I actually *know* a Jennifer Simpson. Shout out to her, Melanie, Keith and Gayle back in Ohio.

(scattered applause)

Sadly, SIMPSON doesn't fit this chain. Further, I know they root for *The* Ohio State Buckeyes -- and they'd want to steer clear of -- blue.

(scattered laughter from the crowd)







(ding)

With that disclosed, we take away a penny and give you S-K.

[gameboy2000]

SKY

[dougmorrisontheair]

I don't know Jennifer Sky personally. But that's right.







(ding; audience applause)

Actress Jennifer Sky was the star of the sci-fi series "Cleopatra: 2525". And the sky is blue during a bright, sunny day.

 

David, three pennies will be waiting for you in the final chain. We'll see if they can be parlayed into $30,000 in the final chain -- 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)

Yeah, give us a jingle. That's what David Barkow did. He's already more than $6000 to the good -- with a chance to add 30 large to his coffers.

David, to collect $30,000, you must successfully complete our final chain. In the final chain, we spot you just the top link...










(ding)

...which is THE. We also spot you the first letter for each of the remaining links. We also spot you seven spare letters to use as you need them.

Each time you give me a wrong guess, it costs you a spare letter. But for each correct solution you give me, your money in the bank is multiplied by ten.










(ding)

And there's how the money can grow in the money chain. Six right answers will parlay three pennies into $30,000.

(audience cheers)

Remember, David, it's vital to go six-for-six. If you give a wrong guess and a spare letter completes a link, we can't give you credit for a right answer -- and that would put you out of the running for $30,000. But as long as you have at least one spare letter in hand, keep playing -- because there is money to be made.









(ding)

So here's the final chain back. Good luck, David. We're rooting for you, now. Your next link, under THE, starts with B.

[gameboy2000]

BEATLES

[dougmorrisontheair]

Fab guess -- but not BEATLES. Here comes you first spare letter.









(ding)

B-A.

[gameboy2000]

BAHAMAS

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not The Bahamas. Here comes another letter.









(ding)

B-A-T.

[gameboy2000]

BATMAN

[dougmorrisontheair]

Some works of fiction identify him as "*The* Batman" -- but that's not it. I got a good feeling about the next letter.










(ding)

B-A-T-C.

[gameboy2000]

BATCAVE

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's not it. But I'm sure you'll get it here.









(ding)

B-A-T-C-H.

[gameboy2000]

Batches

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience groans)

Not the batches. Another letter.









(ding)

B-A-T-C-H-E.

[gameboy2000]

BATCHELOR, although that is spelled wrong.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(obvious edit)

Yeah, someone's getting a beating after the show. (scattered laughter from the crowd) David, tell ya what's going to happen. First of all...









...we've fixed the board and the spelling. So we'll credit you with a right answer. And as you've probably noticed, we've replenished your spare letter supply back to seven.  Best way we know to make it up to you.

(audience applause)

So we're up to 30 cents after an adventure from Stu. (scattered laughter from the crowd) Next link under BACHELOR starts with P.

[gameboy2000]

PAD

[dougmorrisontheair]

PAD is right.










(ding; audience applause)

"The Bachelor" is a dating reality series. "Bachelor Pad" is a spinoff of "The Bachelor"; a bachelor pad is also where an unmarried male calls home.

Three dollars now in the bank. Still have seven replenished spare letters. Next link under PAD starts with P.

[gameboy2000]

Paper

[dougmorrisontheair]

A legal pad would include a lot of PAPER. That's right.









(ding; audience applause)

Well, after our unintended road block, David, you're on a run.

Up to $30 in the bank. Next one's for $300. Under PAPER, there's an L.

[gameboy2000]

LATE

[dougmorrisontheair]

One of several reasons I canceled my subscription many moons ago. (scattered laughter from the crowd) Good guess -- but LATE is incorrect. Barring further mishap, here comes your first legit spare letter.










(ding)

L-I.

[gameboy2000]

LIGHT

[dougmorrisontheair]

Certain pieces of paper can be light in weight -- but that's not it. Another letter.









(ding)

L-I-O.

[gameboy2000]

LION