The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 22)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Greetings, all. We're about to start our 22nd episode of The $40,000 Chain Reaction. David Barkow returns with one win and $36,250.



As we welcome David to this thread, who wants to challenge him?

[grapebuy789]

I'll try again Doug.

[gameboy2000]

Checking in

[dougmorrisontheair]

(theme plays; audience applause)

The game is -- The $40,000 Chain Reaction -- where one word leads to another -- and the right word could lead to a big payoff.

(more applause)

Helloooooo, everybody. I'm Doug Morris -- welcoming back a champ who won a few grand shy of 40 grand -- and a challenger who wants to snatch that crown.

(scattered laughter from the crowd)

Please make welcome our contestants -- Frank Sartori, our challenger -- and our champion with one win and $36,250, David Barkow.

(audience cheers)

Frank, as we welcome you aboard, please tell us something about yourself.

[grapebuy789]

It's great to be here Doug. I am 22 years old, soon to be 23 in November. I live in the great state of Massachusetts. I am a full-time college student studying early childhood education. In my spare time, I can be found shopping for retro video games, hanging out with friends, and hosting net game versions of some of my favorite game shows.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great to have you here from Massachusetts. Good luck to you today. Good luck to you, David, as you defend for the first time. Ready to try and add to your winnings?

[gameboy2000]

Yes, I am.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Then open those doors, please, and let's play.

(board opens as part of the theme plays)

Players, again, good luck. Before one of you can compete for $40,000, you must win this race to $5000 -- which we're starting now. And let's set up our opening chain. It starts with...









(ding)

...BLAME and it ends with SWIFT. Five links are in between. Each link contains at least one word. There may be more than one word in a link.

Links in this first chain are worth $250 each. Player who completes the chain scores an additional $250. And we'll raise the stakes when a new round starts.

Frank, you're the challenger. You'll start us off by giving or taking a letter below BLAME or above SWIFT.

[grapebuy789]

Let's take a letter above Swift, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Challenger takes the first letter of the game...









(ding)

...a T.

[grapebuy789]

Taylor!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Look what you're making us do.









(scattered laughter; applause)

(ding)

You're making us pay you $250.


grapebuy789
gameboy2000


Frank takes the early lead. You're still in control.

[grapebuy789]

I'd like to take a letter above Taylor, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Challenger keeps it and takes...










(ding)

...an S.

[grapebuy789]

Not the letter I was expecting. Um.....total guess but I'll say Scott.

[dougmorrisontheair]

'Fraid it's not SCOTT. And that means David has control for the first time in the game.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter over TAYLOR please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Next letter for the champ...









(ding)

...S-H.

[gameboy2000]

Shirt?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not SHIRT, I'm afraid. Frank, back to you.

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter above Taylor please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Frank tries again...









(ding)

...with S-H-E.

[grapebuy789]

Another total guess. I'll say Shelly.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mmm -- Shelly's -- on -- one of my other shows. (a few laughs from the crowd) And her last name's not Taylor, to clarify.

Not Shelly -- and it's back to David.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter over TAYLOR.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Let's see if this works for you, David.










(ding)

S-H-E-R.

[gameboy2000]

SHERRY

[dougmorrisontheair]

(scattered groans)

Not Sherry -- and it sounds like some in the audience have this. Please keep your words to yourselves -- as we go back to Frank.

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter above Taylor.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Frank thinks the third guess for him's the charm...










(ding)

...with S-H-E-R-I.